Well, after doing a lot of thinking I’ve decided to go ahead and stay in the off-campus apartment provided by SNU. Yeah, it’s pretty freaking expensive and probably isn’t in the best location. But, what I want right now is to know that I have a roof over my head and a relatively nice and private place to stay. SNU has apparently put about 18,000,000 Won of key money down on each apartment and was able to lower the original rent prices which leads me to believe these will be a step up from a 원룸형. The studio apartment I stayed in when I was in Vancouver was more expensive than the one SNU is offering, so I can’t say I haven’t seen these kinds of high prices before. I have to move out in June, so maybe I can scope out a cheaper, nice place until then. I just don’t want to have to deal with all the crap of finding a place right after I get to Korea. I only have a month, so I’d much rather spend it hanging out with friends and doing things I want to do. I really hope I’m not disappointed. I still have a week or so to change my mind, but at this point I can fit this apartment into my budget so I’m pretty stuck on taking it.
For those interested in what the SNU off-campus housing for this semester looks like, here’s a pic (this is the generic picture of one of the apartments, kind of looks like a 원룸형 IMO):
Cool!
Btw where is that “SNU off-campus housing” anyway? Did SNU give you any pics about that place?
@Hyeon soo, Kang
Yeah, I’ll add it into the body.
They haven’t given an address, just that it is 5-10 min from SNU by bus or 30~40 min by walking and 10-15 min from sillim station.
Only two complaints: the wall shelves look tacky, and the toilet seems to be… well you decide. lol
How much per month will you wind up paying on rent? Or total amount if that’s more applicable.
@qklilx
I’m not too picky on how furniture looks. My place, which is apparently one of the ‘bigger/better ones’ will be 3,600,000 for feb – Jun. That turns out to be about 620,000ish per month (after removing the deposit). From what I’ve heard from one of my friends who studied at SNU, that’s actually not too bad for a one room apartment.
Mstrum,
Can you forward me the email with regards to your off-campus housing? (timm.rugen at gmail dot com) did they state the period of stay (from when to when)? i’m currently in seoul snu, and able to provide u with more advice. Thanks, Timm.
@Timm
Thanks for offering the help Timm, I went ahead and forwarded all the info SNU gave me up until now.
Hi Mstrum,
My name is Joanne and I am from HK. Though I am currently studying uni in Australia and I am going to SNU as an exchange student on March, this year too!! I was just randomly surfing the net and looking for info about SNU off-campus housing and then I found your blog! I did a beginner Korean course b4 in HK though I am gonna start my Korean study all over again in the SNU language center. By the way, I just wanna know do u know any further info about the off campus housing? coz after I have handed in the application form, I have been waiting for their e-mails and until now I still receive nothing. I am really worry about that as i have to book the flight ticket to Korea soon~ though I still dunno if I will have the place to stay…=.= so if u know any thing can u plx tell me or u can e-mail if u like~thanks!!!>V<
@Joanne YUEN
I believe everyone got their email, so either the spots got filled or your app got lost. I’d email them again, their pretty quick at answering. If I find out more about off-campus housing, I’ll make sure to post it here. Nice to meet you!
so you mean u have already info about how to pay and other stuff?? their e-mail is snuhousing@gmail.com , right? I have sent them mail few days ago and they are not replying! I am gonna send them e-mail again though. Thanks!
@Joanne YUEN
Yep, that’s the right email
thanks a lot!! I just sent them the e-mail again and ask for the progress of my application. Hope they’re replying soon!
I emailed them again and again…no one reply me.
Alicia:
Are u going to SNU and staying off-campus too?? I sent them the mail twice and I am still waiting for their reply too…But it’s weekend now so I am waiting to see if I can get the reply on Mon. Though have u received any further info after you handed in the application form?
@Joanne YUEN
Actually, I got an on-campus room and I wanted to ask them about the payment thing. I sent lots of e-mails to different offices but received only two emails back after long time waiting. So it’s still lucky for me…I think you’d better phone them if you don’t want to wait any longer. Sometimes, they just checked your email but never plan to reply you. That’s what I’ve heard from the students there.
Also, you could contact with the professors in your department or college, they’ll ask the staffs of your department or college to deal with your problem. Hope I can help~
@Alicia W
Thanks for the info Alicia!
@Alicia W
You are lucky to have the on-campus room! They just told me that they have construction in the dormitory this semester so almost half of them are not available at the moment. so that’s y I have to apply off-campus. btw, I finally receive the mail from them. They said I am on the waiting list and they will see if there is any cancellation until late FEB!! late FEB!! the orientation is on the 26th feb and I was like OMG! though they said they will ask some korean residents to move out and secure a room for me in the building even there was no cancellation…T__T so I just dunno wt i can do now…maybe just wait for their e-mails again…*sigh* and I gotta book the flight ticket too! really dunno wt date I should book it as the accommodation is yet to be confirmed…so worried now…><
@Joanne YUEN
Good luck, I hope they offer you a place sooner rather than later!
@Joanne YUEN
I’m a graduate student, maybe that’s the main reason I got a on-campus room more easily. But the bad news is that I can’t move in the dorm until 1st Mar…I don’t know…I think I have to live in guesthouse or somewhere else before my moving into the dorm. Anyway, don’t worry, JY, you can also live in guesthouse for few days and then seek yourself a good place to stay in case you end up being rejected by the off-campus dormitory. I mean…it’s the worst thing, and I believe you can move into the dorm before the new semester begins.
PS.as far as I know, the orientation is not that helpful as you may think…