Korea Housing Guide (2): Apartments, Villas & Officetels in Korea Explained
A Complete Breakdown of Common Housing Types in Korea and How to Choose
If you're planning to move to Korea, one of the first questions you'll probably have is:
“Where should I live?”
It might seem simple at first, but once you start researching, it quickly becomes overwhelming.
Different housing systems, deposits, and contract structures can feel unfamiliar—especially if you're moving from abroad.
In this article, we’ll go over the most common types of housing available in Korea.
If you're currently wondering “What kind of place should I live in?”, this guide will help you get a clearer picture before making a decision.
Looking for more housing options in Korea? This article is part of our Korea Housing Guide series:
→ Part 1: Types of Housing for Solo Living
→ Part 2: Apartments, Villas & Officetels Explaine
→ Part 3: Goshiwon vs One-room Tel – What’s the Difference?
π Table of Contents
- Villa
- Apartment
- One-room / Two-room
- Officetel
- Which one is best?
π Overview of Housing Types in Korea
In the previous article, we covered housing options for solo living such as goshiwons and co-living spaces.
This time, we’ll focus on more standard housing types—villas, apartments, one-room units, and officetels.
If you're planning a longer stay in Korea, these are the options you'll most likely consider.
Compared to simpler housing, these options usually come with higher rent, deposits, and stricter contracts—but they also offer better living conditions.
① Villa (λΉλΌ)
In Korea, a “villa” refers to a small residential building (typically 3–5 floors), not a luxury house.
π Pros
- More spacious
- Often cheaper than apartments for similar size
π Cons
- Weaker soundproofing and insulation
- No elevator in some buildings
② Apartment (μννΈ)
The most common housing type in Korea, usually part of large residential complexes.
π Pros
- Strong security
- Well-managed
- Good insulation
- High living satisfaction
π Cons
- High deposit and rent
- More difficult for foreigners to rent
③ One-room / Two-room
A popular option for individuals or small households.
- One-room: Bedroom, kitchen, and living space combined
- Two-room: Separate spaces
One-room
π Pros
- Lower deposit
- Ideal for solo living
π Cons
- Limited space
Two-room
π Pros
- More space
- Suitable for couples or friends
π Cons
- Higher initial cost
④ Officetel (μ€νΌμ€ν )
A hybrid of office and residential space, often located in central areas.
π Pros
- Great location
- Modern facilities
π Cons
- Additional maintenance fees (~100,000–200,000 KRW/month)
- Costs vary by location
π‘ So… Which One Should You Choose?
Many people moving to Korea—whether for working holidays, study, or work—start with simpler housing options.
This is because:
- Lower or no deposit
- Flexible contracts
- Easier to move in quickly
On the other hand, villas, apartments, and officetels offer better living conditions—but come with higher upfront costs and more complex processes.
Figuring out all of this—from contracts to deposits to actually finding a place—can be more complicated than expected.
There are also cases where misunderstandings or mistakes can lead to unexpected costs or risks, especially if you're not familiar with the system.
Some people go through the entire process on their own,
while others prefer using services like Hanamichi, which help handle things like housing, contracts, and initial setup—making the process easier and less stressful.
π Quick Comparison Table
π Quick Guide: What Should You Choose?
To make things easier, here’s a simple way to decide:
- Want to minimize upfront costs? → Goshiwon, Gositel, One-room tel
- Looking for community and social life? → Share house, Co-living house
- Have a higher budget and planning a long-term stay? → One-room, Villa, Apartment, Officetel
- Are you a student? → Check university dormitories first
finding your first place in Korea will become much easier.
π What’s Next?
In the next article, we’ll break down one of the most confusing topics:
Goshiwon vs One-room — what’s the actual difference?
π You can find more detailed guides and useful information about living in Korea on the official Hanamichi blog.
π https://hanamichi.kr/en/blog/Common%20Housing%20Types%20in%20Korea
Comments
Post a Comment