[Andy HoboTraveler.Com Travel Blog Vol II] Cheap Housing in Korea for 10-15 U...

[Andy HoboTraveler.com]

Cheap Housing in Korea for 10-15 US Dollars
A reader of the blog wrote me an excellent way of finding cheap housing in Korea.

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Rangsit, Thailand
Thamasart Rangsit University Apartment Hotel
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Blog of Andy HoboTraveler.com --- Add a Hotel --- Backpack Design Survey --- Backpack
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Cheap Housing in Korea

Name: Chris
Country: USA

Message:

Hey Andy,

I was browsing your blog and noticed ! that you mentioned that you wanted to plan a stay in Korea and Japan.

I just wanted to relate what I did, that worked pretty well for a cheap but quality place to stay, when I moved to Korea to apply for ESL jobs. You may already be aware of this option, but I thought I would write about my tip anyway just in case.

You will almost certainly need to take a taxi from the airport, however I suppose that you could take a bus if you can translate the bus routes and schedule. But giving the fact that you will have no clue about Seoul (unless you’ve been there before, I have no idea), I would suggest that you splurge on a taxi, especially if you are travelling at night. The city is just too big. Also, the taxi driver can negotiate for you with your room. He wont be on a kickback arrangement, especially given the type of motel where you may want him to take you.

Ok. What I did was to have the taxi driver take me to a love motel, which are all gene! rally very nice throughout Seoul ( I didn’t live anywhere else). The y are also everywhere. Having your own bathroom, TV with cable, and a queen bed is standard. They will also clean your room. The rooms can range in size however, so you may want to take a look before you decide. Many are nicer than others, but the minimum quality is generally pretty nice. The thing is, you should be able to negotiate a rate of 300,000 - 350,000 won for the month. Which, when I was there a couple of years ago, was equivalent to $300-350 for the month. $10-15 a night is good for a metro like Seoul. You may be able to get cheaper, especially the further outside Seoul you go. All in all, a cheap country for your basic needs. I hear Busan, the second largest city, and on the coast, is a good option as well. I am sure you can break the 300 mark if you try.

As a matter of fact Busan may be all around more user friendly for a traveler friendlier people, smaller but still big, cheaper, coastline, etc.. Seoul really doesn’t offer anything in an interestin! g or positive sense that cant be had in any other Korean metro.

The love motel owner may think you a bit strange, but will be glad for the steady tenant. The older couple that ran my motel gave me open access to the fresh linen and towel closet, as well as their private washing machine.

If you do opt for Seoul, try to locate central, as the outer neighborhoods will mean long subway or bus rides to get to the center.

The love motel strategy may work in Japan as well.

love your Blog. I am currently in real estate as you were, planning my internet strategy and travel escape as you did. Not back to Korea though, at least for many years(don’t piss any Korean women off-its like dancing with the devil himself), but that’s a story for another time.

happy trails..

ANSWER:

You have a name, the one you stayed in sounds nice?

Excellent, love hotels are in most countries and often the quality of ! the rooms are better than the local Tourist Hotels. I have some funny stories about Love Hotels, however R or X-Rated.

Whey I was in West Africa, I learned to stay in,
“Chambre de Passage.”

Which mean more or less Love Hotel, I used them for a month before I realized this phrase meant “Love Hotel.”

Cheap Housing in Korea for 10-15 US Dollars

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Posted By Andy HoboTraveler.com to Andy HoboTraveler.Com Travel Blog Vol II at 9/06/2008 01:30:00 AM