it's been a little over a month since i moved into the new place. 6th floor, 1 bed, 1 bath. perfectly sized for a single gal like myself. it's conveniently located in cheongdam-dong within a 5-10 minute walk from all my favorite stores, movie theaters, eateries, public transportation, etc. i would say it's comparable to the gold coast or river north neighborhood of chicago and i love it!
the best part about the apartment is that i don't have to pay rent! you heard right! NO RENT! i obviously pay the monthly assessment fee and utility bills but other than that, nada. no monthly rent! during my house hunt here i discovered something awesome about korea's renting system. this may be the one thing i absolutely love about korea!!! they have the normal monthly rent system like we do back in the states but they also have a system where you pay a lump sum (key money), sign a 1-2 year contract, and then receive the original entire lump sum back at the end of your lease period. yup! true story. so all you lose are opportunity costs (which, with the economy being the way it is, doesn't really mean much). that lump sum can be anywhere from $50,000 and upwards. it all depends on neighborhood, house size, etc. so, yes, my parents paid my key money and now i have a place where i don't have to worry about the burden of paying monthly rent. yay me! awesome korean key money system for the win!
i decided to post pictures of the place because it's finally starting to come together and it actually looks like someone lives there. i know it's a bit sparse but this is a HUGE improvement from before! i just got my couch last weekend and the coffee table didn't arrive till a few days ago. i've also ordered a small dining table to fill up this awkward space i have in between the kitchen and living room space (not pictured because i am embarrassed). oh yea, the place also came furnished with a flatscreen tv and surround speakers. awesome.
the best part about the apartment is that i don't have to pay rent! you heard right! NO RENT! i obviously pay the monthly assessment fee and utility bills but other than that, nada. no monthly rent! during my house hunt here i discovered something awesome about korea's renting system. this may be the one thing i absolutely love about korea!!! they have the normal monthly rent system like we do back in the states but they also have a system where you pay a lump sum (key money), sign a 1-2 year contract, and then receive the original entire lump sum back at the end of your lease period. yup! true story. so all you lose are opportunity costs (which, with the economy being the way it is, doesn't really mean much). that lump sum can be anywhere from $50,000 and upwards. it all depends on neighborhood, house size, etc. so, yes, my parents paid my key money and now i have a place where i don't have to worry about the burden of paying monthly rent. yay me! awesome korean key money system for the win!
i decided to post pictures of the place because it's finally starting to come together and it actually looks like someone lives there. i know it's a bit sparse but this is a HUGE improvement from before! i just got my couch last weekend and the coffee table didn't arrive till a few days ago. i've also ordered a small dining table to fill up this awkward space i have in between the kitchen and living room space (not pictured because i am embarrassed). oh yea, the place also came furnished with a flatscreen tv and surround speakers. awesome.
the bathroom was a big selling point for me. it was one of the main reasons why i decided to go with this place (aside from the great location and 1 bed/1 bath layout). the shower system has those crazy body jet sprays and it's also a jacuzzi! i've actually never used either of these features, but it's nice to know that i have the option!
last, but not least ... my bedroom!!! that space above my bed was so pathetic and empty before i decided to put up all those polaroid pictures i took.
this place is finally starting to feel a bit like home ever since i found a place to call my own. come visit me people!!! i have plenty of floorspace for everyone! =)
wow, your place looks really nice. i like it! excited to see it forreal when i come!
ReplyDeleteFuck your floor space. If/when I visit, I'm taking the bed. I CALL LITTLE SPOON!!! btw, your place looks awesome. I would recommend a moose head somewhere in there.
ReplyDeleteBtw, is that a randomly situated laundry machine in your kitchen? Do you have a drier or is there a secret clothes line that you've managed to crop out of the photos? Do you whistle a little tune when you hang your clothes up? You should open your windows and let birds fly in. Mr. Blue Bird on your shoulder!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Korea still sticking with the no shower curtain method? Do you have to keep your toilet paper in a secrete compartment so it doesn't get moist? Where do you keep your tampons? Does korea have tampons or do they all rock the pad?
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, is that a LAN line phone? I have two theories: (1) To let people into your place (2) You've converted to Buddhism and it's a vestigial possession that keeps you bonded to a past life.
ReplyDeleteactually yea, i was curious about that thing in the middle of your kitchen. is that a laundry machine situated smack in the middle masquerading as a kitchen appliance???
ReplyDelete1. WOAH!! wookymonster overload! jk ... like i could overload on the wooky ... ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
ReplyDelete2. YES! that is my washing machine/dryer. too bad it sucks at drying and my clothes hanger is hanging in the place my dining table will go.
3. korea has tampons but i'm super baller so i import that shit from the u.s. of a. bitch!
4. what the fuck is a LAN phone line? either way, i don't think i have it. if i do ... what do i do with it?
I can't wait to come visit :D I call big spoon! The place looks amazing, I enjoy the holes in couch, it works for tall people to stick their head/feet out of if couch too small and so awesome it came furnished w tv and speakers!!! My favorite are the windows, reminscent of aqua :(
ReplyDeleteWhat the fuck is a PAVV? Next thing you will shop at Marshalls. SCOFF SCOFF
ReplyDeletewait what? i don't understand your comment. who shops at marshalls?!
ReplyDeletehe's taking a dig at you & your low-class tv. PAVV ain't baller to tv aficionados.
ReplyDeleteoh dude that's P A V V ... it's from samsung! duhhhh shouldn't a tv aficionado like yourself know that????? ZING!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah Johnny, it's like how Banana Republic has Old Navy. Or like how Giorgio Armani has Armani Exchange. Or like how Abercrombie & Fitch has Hollister. Or like how Apple has Microsoft.
ReplyDelete