Life in Korea (13/16)
Housing & Buying Furniture in Korea for Native English Teachers
When many teachers first think about coming to Korea, their eyes often go straight to Seoul or Busan. These cities are the ones that dominate news, media, and social media feeds, so it’s natural that they feel like the obvious choices. But Korea is much more than just its two largest cities. Across the country, there are countless towns and mid-sized cities with rich histories, dynamic communities, and vibrant local cultures that don’t get nearly as much attention outside of Korea as they deserve. One major reason to expand your search beyond Seoul and Busan is housing. In Korea’s largest urban centers, especially Seoul, space is limited, which means apartments tend to be smaller and more expensive. By contrast, in places like Daegu, Daejeon, or other regional cities, housing is often noticeably more spacious and comfortable because there is simply more land available for development. Incheon and the surrounding Gyeonggi-do province offer the best of both worlds: easy access to Seoul’s schools, airports, and entertainment, combined with larger, more comfortable apartments and quieter, community-oriented neighborhoods. These areas are perfect for teachers who want the convenience of city life without the cramped spaces and high costs of central Seoul. Housing in Seoul In Seoul, most one-room studios are very compact, usually falling between 20–23㎡. Because Seoul is so densely populated and the price of housing is high, it results in smaller individual units. For example, neighborhoods like Mapo-gu (including the famous Hongdae district) and Gangnam-gu are especially popular destinations for our teachers. These areas have excellent public transportation and a lot of nightlife, so housing demand is extremely high. As a result, apartments tend to be smaller, more expensive, and harder to secure. Teachers living in these districts often sacrifice space for convenience and access to central Seoul. Housing in Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do surrounds Seoul and includes dozens of cities and districts of varying sizes. Because there is more land available for development, one-room studios here are generally more spacious. A lot of the housing we saw was between 25㎡ and 30㎡, sometimes even larger. These units feel less cramped and may include extra storage space, a wider kitchen area, or room for a small table or sofa. Commute times vary depending on the city, but many areas have direct subway or bus access to Seoul. As of 2025, the highest foreign resident populations are in Ansan, Hwaseong, Siheung, Suwon, and Bucheon, all cities in Gyeonggi-do. Housing in Incheon Incheon is a major coastal city located west of Seoul and is one of South Korea’s most important transportation and economic hubs. The city is best known internationally for Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest and most advanced airports in the world. Thanks to its extensive rail network, including the Airport Railroad (AREX) and Incheon Subway Line 1, Incheon maintains a direct connection to Seoul, making daily commuting feasible for many residents. As a port city with a long history, Incheon combines older, traditional neighbourhoods with newly developed urban districts. The city has experienced rapid modernization over the past two decades, resulting in modern residential zones, wide roads, large parks, and improved public facilities. Incheon’s cost of living is generally lower than that of central Seoul, and housing tends to be more spacious or newer for the same price point, which attracts students, young professionals, and international residents seeking more liveable and affordable housing. Songdo, a district within Incheon, is a planned international city built with wide streets, clean infrastructure, and modern residential complexes. A typical one-room studio apartment in Songdo is around 30㎡, similar in size to one-room apartments in Gyeonggi-do, but the overall feel tends to be cleaner and more modern due to newly renovated buildings. This difference can make a real impact on your daily life as a teacher. Larger housing gives you more room to relax and settle in, but beyond housing, living outside the biggest cities can also mean lower costs of living, easier commutes (Seoul traffic can be brutal), and the chance to immerse yourself more deeply in local culture while still enjoying the conveniences of modern Korean life. Common Housing Types Teachers Encounter In Korea, standard apartments have clearly measured square footage, but multi-family houses, detached homes, and officetels may instead be described using terms like “one-room,” “two-rooms,” “three-rooms.” This doesn’t always match a precise square meter measurement, so it’s helpful to look at photos and floor plans whenever possible. 1. One-room Studio (원룸) A one-room studio is a compact apartment where the bedroom, living area, and kitchen are combined into a single space. Features Efficient layout suited for single occupants May include basic appliances Usually, the most affordable option for teachers 2. Officetel (오피스텔) An officetel (short for “office + hotel”) is a building that offers office spaces that double as residential units. They are very common for singles and young professionals. Officetels may also include larger layouts with two rooms. Features Located in convenient, central areas Come with built-in furniture or appliances Have secure entrances and strong privacy 3. Villa (빌라) A villa is a small, low-rise apartment building (~ 4–5 stories high), often without an elevator. Features Located in quieter, residential areas Offer more floor space May have multiple floor plan styles Sample Housing Comparisons From our experience, housing outside of Seoul is generally more spacious, and our teachers have been happier with the size of the housing. Here are some examples of what teacher housing looks like in Seoul compared to housing in Gyeonggi-do and Incheon. Housing in Seoul In Seoul, most one-room studios are very compact, usually falling between 20–23㎡. Because Seoul is so densely populated and the price of housing is high, it results in smaller individual units. For example, neighborhoods like Mapo-gu (including the famous Hongdae district) and Gangnam-gu are especially popular destinations for our teachers. These areas have excellent public transportation and a lot of nightlife, so housing demand is extremely high. As a result, apartments tend to be smaller, more expensive, and harder to secure. Teachers living in these districts often sacrifice space for convenience and access to central Seoul. Sample Mapo-gu, Seoul Housing Sample Gangnam-gu, Seoul Housing Housing in Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do surrounds Seoul and includes dozens of cities and districts of varying sizes. Because there is more land available for development, one-room studios here are generally more spacious. A lot of the housing we saw was between 25㎡ and 30㎡, sometimes even larger. These units feel less cramped and may include extra storage space, a wider kitchen area, or room for a small table or sofa. Commute times vary depending on the city, but many areas have direct subway or bus access to Seoul. As of 2025, the highest foreign resident populations are in Ansan, Hwaseong, Siheung, Suwon, and Bucheon, all cities in Gyeonggi-do. Sample Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do Housing Housing in Incheon Incheon is a major coastal city located west of Seoul and is one of South Korea’s most important transportation and economic hubs. The city is best known internationally for Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest and most advanced airports in the world. Thanks to its extensive rail network, including the Airport Railroad (AREX) and Incheon Subway Line 1, Incheon maintains a direct connection to Seoul, making daily commuting feasible for many residents. As a port city with a long history, Incheon combines older, traditional neighborhoods with newly developed urban districts. The city has experienced rapid modernization over the past two decades, resulting in modern residential zones, wide roads, large parks, and improved public facilities. Incheon’s cost of living is generally lower than that of central Seoul, and housing tends to be more spacious or newer for the same price point, which attracts students, young professionals, and international residents seeking more livable and affordable housing. Songdo, a district within Incheon, is a planned international city built with wide streets, clean infrastructure, and modern residential complexes. A typical one-room studio apartment in Songdo is around 30㎡, similar in size to one-room apartments in Gyeonggi-do, but the overall feel tends to be cleaner and more modern due to newly renovated buildings. Sample Incheon-si, Songdo Housing Of course — here it is rewritten and expanded without using dashes: Furniture There are several ways to purchase furniture in Korea, both online and in person. While many Korean websites require a Korean phone number and a Korean bank account to complete purchases, there are still accessible options for foreigners who may only have an international card. Online Options Some platforms allow payments with foreign issued cards, although you may still need a Korean phone number to create an account or verify your identity. Coupang is one of the most popular online shopping platforms in Korea. It offers a wide range of furniture, from small household items to larger pieces such as desks, wardrobes, and beds. Delivery is often very fast, sometimes even next day, and many items qualify for free delivery. Please note that while foreign cards may be accepted, you will typically need a Korean phone number to register and complete purchases through the app. When ordering large furniture items online, always check if assembly is included, whether there are additional delivery fees for upper floor apartments, and what the return policy is for bigger items. In Person Shopping If you prefer to see furniture before purchasing, visiting physical stores can be a good option. Most larger stores accept foreign Visa and Mastercard payments, as well as Apple Pay or Samsung Pay. Smaller independent stores may be more limited, so it is always best to check before making a purchase. Bigger chain stores are generally more foreigner friendly in terms of payment options and return policies. Visiting in person also allows you to check the quality and size of furniture, ask about delivery timelines, and arrange assembly services directly. Cheap Homeware and Kitchen Supplies If you are setting up a new apartment, these stores are popular for affordable household essentials. Daiso is a budget friendly store where you can find kitchenware, storage solutions, cleaning supplies, bathroom items, and simple home décor. Most items are very affordable and ideal for first time apartment setups. Jaju offers more stylish homeware and soft furnishings such as bedding, cushions, and kitchen accessories at reasonable prices. Ikea is a good option for affordable furniture, kitchenware, and larger home items. Some locations offer delivery and assembly services for an additional fee. Karrot Market is a second hand marketplace app similar to eBay or Facebook Marketplace where people sell used furniture and household goods locally. This is a great option if you are on a budget or only planning to stay in Korea short term. When using second hand platforms, you will usually need to arrange pick up yourself, so consider transport options in advance. Moving Companies If you are relocating apartments, it is important to book your movers well in advance. Moving companies in Korea get fully booked quickly, especially at the end of the month when most leases end. Commonly used international and local moving companies include Move University, Allied, and Worldex. When booking a moving service, confirm whether packing services are included, if boxes will be provided, whether there is elevator access at both locations, and if there are additional fees for stairs or long carrying distances. Storage Unit Companies If you need short term or long term storage, for example between contracts or before moving into permanent housing, there are several storage providers available. Common options include StorHub, BoxFul, Extra Space, and QStorage. Before booking, check the minimum contract length, access hours, whether climate control is available if you are storing electronics or important documents, and what insurance coverage is provided.