Korea Housing Guide (1): Types of Housing in Seoul for Foreigners

All Types of Housing for Solo Living in Korea (Goshiwon, One-room Tel, Share House & More)

If you're planning to move to Korea, one of the first questions you'll probably have is:

“Where should I live?”

It sounds simple—but once you actually start looking into it, things can get confusing pretty quickly.

Different housing types, unfamiliar contracts, and deposit systems can make the process feel overwhelming.

In this article, we’ll go over the main types of housing available for people living alone in Korea.

If you’ve ever wondered “Where should I live in Korea?”, this guide will help you get a clearer idea before you arrive.

If you're new to housing in Korea, this article is part of our Korea Housing Guide series:

→ Part 1: Types of Housing for Solo Living (Goshiwon, Share House, Co-living)

→ Part 2: Apartments, Villas & Officetels Explained

→ Part 3: Goshiwon vs One-room Tel – What’s the Difference?

📌 Table of Contents

Goshiwon
Gositel
One-room Tel
Share House
Co-living House
Summary

🏠 Understanding Solo Living in Korea

In Korea, there are several types of housing specifically designed for people living alone.

Each option differs in:

Rent
Deposit
Privacy
Facilities

Understanding these differences is important—but in reality, actually finding the right place can be more difficult than it seems.

Things like:

unclear contract terms
hidden conditions
or places that are not foreigner-friendly

can sometimes make the process frustrating, especially if it’s your first time.

Because of this, some people go through everything step by step on their own,

while others prefer getting help from local services that handle things like housing search, contracts, and initial setup—just to make the process a bit smoother and avoid unnecessary risks.

① Goshiwon (고시원)

[📷image : Goshiwon ]

Goshiwon is a very small type of housing originally designed for students preparing for exams in Korea.

The rooms are extremely compact — just enough space for a bed and a desk.
Bathrooms, showers, and kitchens are shared.

👉 It’s one of the cheapest housing options in Korea,
with rent starting from around ₩300,000/month.

Another key feature is that
👉 you can usually move in without paying a deposit.

This makes it a good option for short-term stays and students with a low budget.

However, poor soundproofing and lack of privacy can make it uncomfortable for long-term living.

💡 What is a Deposit ?

One of the most unique aspects of renting in Korea

is the deposit system (key money).

Even if rent is ₩500,000/month, deposit can be ₩5,000,000 to ₩10,000,000+
It is refended after moving out (if no issues)
It acts as a safety guarantee for the landlord

This means you need a large upfront payment,

which is very different from many other countries.

It is a large amount of money paid to the landlord when signing a contract.

② Gositel (고시텔)

[📷image : Gositel ]

Goshitel is an upgraded version of a goshiwon,
with some hotel-style features added.

Some rooms include :

private bathrooms
better facilities

Shared areas like kitchens and laundry rooms are usually cleaner and better managed.

Compared to goshiwon :

more comfortable
better soundproofing

👉 Less stress from noise and shared living.

Although rent is higher than a goshiwon,
👉 you can still stay without a large deposit,

making it a good balance between price and comfort.

③ One-room Tel (원룸텔)

[📷image : One-room Tel ]

A one-room tel is a small studio-style living space.

Each room includes private bathroom and small kitchen.

👉 allowing completely independent living.

Many places also include utilities and cleaning services.

Compared to goshiwon/goshitel :

more privacy
better soundproofing

👉 Suitable for long-term stays.

However rent is higher
→ around ₩500,000–₩700,000/month in Seoul

👉 The advantage is
low or no deposit, which reduces initial cost.

④ Share House (쉐어하우스)

[📷image : Share House ]

A share house is a type of housing where multiple people live together.

private bedrooms
shared kitchen, living room, bathroom

👉 Contracts are flexible
→ 3 to 6 months stays are common

👉 Deposit is relatively low
→ often under ₩1,000,000

This makes it popular for :

short-term residents
young professionals

However :

limited privacy
shared spaces can be inconvenient

👉 On the plus side,
you can meet people and avoid feeling lonely.

⑤ Co-living House (코리빙하우스)

[📷image : Co-Living House ]

Co-living is a modern housing style gaining popularity in Korea.

It combines private living space and large shared community areas.

Facilities often include :

lounge
gym
workspace
theater room

👉 Think of it as
“a share house with privacy + premium services”

Rent varies widely :

from ₩600,000
up to ₩1,000,000+

Deposit is relatively low,
making it possible to live in central areas like Gangnam or Hongdae.

Recently, due to issues like deposit scams,

co-living is becoming more popular among young people.

💡 So… Which One Should You Choose?

That depends on your priorities:

Budget → Goshiwon / Gositel
Privacy → One-room tel
Social life → Share house / Co-living

📝 Summary of Housing Types for Solo Living

Goshiwon

✔ Cheap / No deposit / Short-term friendly
❌ No privacy / Poor facilities

💰 Deposit: None
💰 Rent: ~₩300,000+

Goshitel

✔ Better than goshiwon / Cleaner / Some private facilities
❌ Still small

💰 Deposit: Low
💰 Rent: ₩400,000–₩600,000

One-room Tel

✔ Fully private / Comfortable
❌ Higher rent

💰 Deposit: Low or none
💰 Rent: ₩500,000–₩700,000

Share House

✔ Low cost / Social environment
❌ Less privacy

💰 Deposit: Under ₩1,000,000
💰 Rent: ₩400,000–₩600,000

Co-living

✔ Privacy + community / Modern facilities
❌ Expensive

💰 Deposit: Moderate
💰 Rent: ₩600,000–₩1,000,000+

Even if you understand all these options,

actually choosing and securing a place can still be a different challenge.

Especially when dealing with:

contracts
deposits
and unfamiliar systems

mistakes can happen more easily than you expect.

Some people prefer to take their time and figure everything out themselves,

while others choose to rely on services like Hanamichi, which can handle the process more smoothly—particularly when they want to reduce risk and save time.

📝 Final Thoughts

Korea offers a wide range of housing options for solo living.

Each type has its own advantages and trade-offs,

so the best choice depends on your situation.

The important thing is to decide based on:

your budget
how long you plan to stay
and the kind of lifestyle you want

📌 What’s Next?

In the next article, we’ll take a closer look at more standard housing options in Korea,

such as apartments and officetels.

📌 You can find more detailed guides and useful information about living in Korea on the official Hanamichi blog.

🔗 https://hanamichi.kr/en/blog/Housing%20for%20Solo%20Living%20in%20Korea

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