The First Roof You Choose in Korea

Hey cuz,

So you finally booked that one-way ticket to Korea, huh?
Exciting. And a little terrifying, tbh. I remember that feeling.

You land, drag your suitcases through arrivals, open Naver or Dabang app, and suddenly realize: nothing makes sense.

Deposits look like down payments for buying a home.
Rent jumps from ₩500k to ₩2m.
Listings vanish before you even message. kkk

You’re not alone, cuz.
Every newcomer hits that same invisible wall.
The system runs on a rhythm that even locals--even most realtors--can’t quite explain.
They just shrug, “That’s how it’s done,” because they’ve never had to live your system.

And sometimes it’s not even the tenant feeling lost.
It’s their parents (or other family members) abroad, trying to help from a distance without really knowing how this market moves.

When Sam (one of the first expats I helped)arrived for her teaching job, she went straight to Airbnb, thinking it was just a short stop before finding a real place.
But it took her over a month to even understand the market.
And it took us extra time and a couple late-night Zoom calls to help her parents back home make sense of the deposit amounts and the way contracts are structured here.

That’s when I realized: the real struggle isn’t finding listings.
It’s also not really about language.

It’s knowing what kinds of rental commitments exist,
which stage you’re in,
and which contract type fits that stage.

The Testing Ground

For most newcomers (and the parents helping from overseas), the first couple months work best as a testing ground,
a way to settle in without locking yourself in too soon.

But sure, cuz..--if you already know exactly what you like, where you’ll be, you can skip straight to a long-term lease.
Just do it with the right safety checks.

You’re not just picking a room.
You’re learning how life feels in different places.

Try a few neighborhoods and see what fits your vibe.
Notice the difference between low-rise apartments (빌라) and high-rises (아파트).
Or how mixed-use officetels (오피스텔) feel compared to a spare unit in a single-family house (단독주택).
There are even units above or behind shops (상가주택).
Each with its own charm and trade-offs.

Layouts matter too.
Studios (원룸), small separate one-bedroom units (투룸), lofts (복층), even semi-basements (반지하), if you’re feeling adventurous. hhh

In this stage, short-term setups like weekly rentals, month-to-month studios, or 3 to 6 month leases give you flexibility to explore without locking yourself in.

Once you find what fits your lifestyle, commute, and budget, then you can move into a long-term lease with strong legal protection for your deposit and tenant rights.

It’s like how new brands test pop-ups before choosing their flagship spot.
You know what I mean?

Weekly / Airbnb-Style Rentals

Perfect for your first couple weeks or three.
You pay more per night, but what you’re really buying is breathing room.
Test different hoods, learn your commute, find your coffee spot.

Once you’ve got your bearings, move on.
Check “33M2” app as a good benchmark--₩330k deposit, rates vary.

Month-to-Month Studios (단기사용 원룸, aka. 단기방)

Fully furnished, flexible, and cheaper than Airbnb.
Perfect if you’re still waiting for your alien-registration card or work/school schedule.
This also covers “gosiwon” rooms or monthly guesthouses--small, simple, and often all-inclusive.

But listen, cuz--many landlords rent these short-term units because the property has issues that make it unfit for standard long-term leases.
Not that these are always dangerous, but they can get… inconvenient.

So treat these as a bridge between arrival and stability.
Use the time to open a bank account, get your phone plan.
(yeah, that part’s a little nightmare, kkk)

3–6 Month Short-Term Leases (단기임대차)

This one’s different from month-to-month rentals.
You sign an actual lease for a fixed term--usually unfurnished or semi-furnished.
Often a small apartment rather than a studio.
Locals use them as temporary homes between moves.

Note, cuz: people often mix up month-to-month rentals and short-term leases.
Even some realtors post them under “short-term (단기)” as if they’re the same thing.
But they’re not.

One’s casual and flexible.
The other’s a real lease with fixed dates and terms.
Knowing that difference saves you a lot of confusion later.

Some landlords like short-term leases for quick turnover and higher rent than long-term contracts.
They also save on repeated realtor fees and cleaning costs compared to month-to-month rentals.
You’ll like them for flexibility with a bit more structure.

The only catch? They’re rare. So when one fits, grab it fast.

One-Year Leases (임대차 계약기간 1년)

Now you’re stepping into commitment territory.
Some landlords hesitate because housing-lease protection laws are framed around a two-year term on the landlord’s side, but tenants are fully protected even with a one-year lease.

To widen your search options, start by looking at standard two-year listings, then negotiate for a one-year term.
Most owners are open if your timing and conditions are good.

Standard Two-Year Leases (임대차 계약기간 2년)

This is the real deal.
Full tenant rights under the Housing Lease Protection Act.
You can register your lease, which means you can’t be kicked out early, and your deposit is legally shielded from funny business.

Most units are listed on this standard two-year term.
This is the foundation of Korea’s rental world. Stable, predictable, and much cheaper per month once you’re ready to stay for a while.

There’s no single right way to start.
Only the one that keeps you steady.

Each contract type also comes with its own deposit-to-rent balance.

Use the testing ground if you need time to explore.
Or go straight to a long-term lease if you already know where you belong.

Each path has its own purpose.
The right contract simply supports where you are in your story.

So, cuz--land soft.
Breathe.
Move at the pace that feels true.

--Cousin JK