In international student housing Korea, there are exactly three housing-related regret points that come up the most often.
- Underestimating upfront funds (security deposit)
- A mismatch with your commute & daily life routine (meals/laundry/noise/public safety)
- Missing contract & reporting steps (residence/move-in report/confirmed date), increasing risk
So instead of “emotional reviews,” this post will compare things coldly based on money, lifestyle, and risk only.
1) At-a-glance conclusion: Which option is right for you?
- If your goal is your first semester + adapting to Korea → Dorm (safest, with the fewest variables)
- If privacy, freedom, and daily routines (cooking/gym/part-time work) matter → Living alone (studio/officetel)
- If you want to lower the deposit but still get furniture/management/community → Share house/coliving
2) Cost comparison table (Seoul-based “feel” summary)
Costs vary widely by area, building, and room type. The comparison below is to understand the “structure.”
| Category | Upfront cost (lump sum) | Monthly fixed cost (approx.) | Included/extra (commonly confusing) | Typical risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorm | Low to medium | Low | Often includes some utilities; meals are optional/extra | Rules (curfew/overnight stays/guests), roommates |
| Living alone (studio/officetel) | High (deposit) | Medium to high | Management fee/utilities/internet often billed separately | Deposit risk, contract/registry checks, repair disputes |
| Share house/coliving | Low to medium | Medium | Many plans include furniture/utilities/cleaning | House rules, roommate conflict, deposit settlement |
3) Getting a sense of “real numbers” (official/media-based examples)
(1) Dorm cost example: SNU Gwanak Student Residence (monthly)
For Seoul National University undergraduate dorms, the guidance indicates a monthly fee of about KRW 139,800–278,100, and at initial move-in you typically pay a security deposit (generally around one month’s amount) together. (Gwanak Student Residence)
- Pros: Predictable regardless of rental market fluctuations
- Cons: Competitive for popular buildings/rooms + rules directly affect daily life
Key point: Depending on the school, dorm payment may be “paid per semester in a lump sum vs. paid monthly.” Always check the school notice first for the exact payment method.
(2) Living alone (studio) cost example: Seoul studio monthly rent trend
Based on recent media reports, there is an analysis (using MOLIT actual transaction data) stating that the average monthly rent for Seoul studios (≤33㎡ exclusive area, row-house/multi-family) is around KRW 720,000 with a KRW 10,000,000 deposit. (YTN)
- And it doesn’t end there—living alone usually also includes
- Building management fee (elevator/cleaning/security/common-area electricity, etc.)
- Electricity, gas, and water
- Internet/TV
which can be added on top.
Another key point: Asking prices and actual transaction prices can differ, so it’s safer to build the habit of checking nearby real transactions through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Real Transaction Price Disclosure System. (Real Transaction Disclosure System)
(3) Share house/coliving cost example: deposit 1–5 million, monthly rent 390k–1.21M range
As one coliving (shared common areas + private rooms) example, a “wide range” has been mentioned, such as a KRW 1,000,000–5,000,000 deposit and KRW 390,000–1,210,000 monthly rent. (Korea Joongang Daily)
Looking at actual operator examples,
- Some WOOZOO locations show low-entry products such as a KRW 500,000
–1,000,000 deposit and KRW 350,000–380,000 monthly rent (woozoo.kr) - Some Mangrove locations also offer formats like a KRW 3,000,000 deposit + from KRW 540,000/month (utilities included per the guide). (mangrove.city)
Conclusion: With share houses, it’s not “cheap vs. expensive”—total cost depends on (1) the deposit structure (2) whether utilities are included (3) the contract term/penalty fees.
4) Lifestyle experience comparison: when “your personality” matters more than cost
The experience dorms provide
- Pros
- Easier to focus on adapting to life in Korea (administration/campus/classes)
- Minimized commuting stress
- Relatively simple safety/facility management/complaint handling
- Cons
- Clashes over roommates/noise/temperature/lifestyle patterns
- Stress from rules such as guest limits, overnight stays/curfew (varies by school)
Best for: First semester, international students new to Korean language/administrative processes, majors with tight schedules
The experience living alone (studio/officetel) provides
- Pros
- Maximum privacy (your routine 100%)
- Freedom for cooking, workouts, part-time jobs, dating, hobbies—everything
- More choice of homes (near a station/quiet neighborhood/new building/sunlight)
- Cons
- Breakdowns/repairs/cleaning/recycling/utility settlement are “your job”
- You must manage contract and deposit risks yourself
Best for: Long-term stay (1 year+), people with a clear daily routine, privacy-first
The experience share houses/coliving provide
- Pros
- Furniture/appliances/common areas are set up, so you can “move in and live immediately”
- Community helps reduce loneliness (especially in the first semester)
- Deposits are often lower than studios
- Cons
- Roommate risk (cleanliness, noise, shared items, guests)
- House rules/penalties/deposit settlement vary by operator
Best for: International students who feel “living alone is too much, but I also hate dorm rules” / short-term stays (3–6 months)
5) Risk comparison: for international students, this is where it’s decided
(1) The 3-piece set that dramatically reduces living-alone risk
In Korea’s housing lease system, the key to protecting your deposit is usually explained as:
- Opposability: arises from 12:00 a.m. the next day once you take possession (actually reside) + complete move-in reporting
- Priority repayment right: if you meet the opposability requirements + obtain a confirmed date, you may receive priority repayment of your deposit in situations such as auction
That’s the structure. (Easy Law)
And for international students (foreign nationals), this matters even more.
There is guidance stating that, in principle, foreigners may not be protected parties; however, there is also guidance that if you file a “change of residence report,” which is equivalent to move-in reporting, you may exceptionally become a protected party. (Easy Law)
Practically, it’s safest to understand it as “move-in report = Korean nationals,” “change of residence report = foreign nationals.”
(2) Change of residence report: “Within how many days after moving?”
Government civil-service guidance and laws state that you should report within 15 days from the day you move in. (Government 24)
Also, international student guidance pages clearly mention penalties for violating the reporting obligation. (Easy Law)
Recommended operating tip: If you’re unsure, finish it within 7 days after moving. (Removes variables like document prep, weekends, and waiting times at service centers.)
(3) Also check rental reporting (lease contract reporting)
Korea’s rental reporting system has regional/amount requirements; for example, if the deposit and monthly rent exceed certain thresholds, it becomes reportable. (Easy Law)
Seoul City guidance also explains a method where if you file the report by submitting the contract together, a confirmed date number is shown and the effect begins from the date of receipt. (Open Government Seoul)
In other words, “report → confirmed date in one go” may be possible, so it’s good to build it into your post-contract routine.
(4) How not to get ripped off on brokerage fees (agent commission)
If you sign through a real estate agent when living alone, you’ll pay a brokerage fee.
The transaction amount for leases is typically calculated as deposit + (monthly rent × 100) (or × 70 in certain cases). (My Home Portal)
Example (Seoul): If your deposit is KRW 10,000,000 + monthly rent KRW 720,000
Transaction amount ≈ 10,000,000 + 72,000,000 = KRW 82,000,000
→ Depending on the bracket, a maximum rate/cap amount applies (see government/local rate tables). (My Home Portal)
6) Make the choice easier: recommended “first-semester strategy” plans
Plan A: Dorm for the first semester → move to living alone/share next semester
- Pros: Your failure rate drops sharply because you choose after understanding admin/classes/neighborhoods
- Cons: If dorm competition/rules feel burdensome, it can be stressful
Plan B: Share house for 3–6 months → switch to a studio
- Pros: Lower deposit 부담 and save time on furniture/life setup
- Cons: If roommate variables are big, it can drain your mental energy
Plan C: Go straight to living alone (studio) from the start
- Pros: Privacy and routines fully set; efficient for long-term stays
- Cons: Early-stage contracting/reporting/building life infrastructure is tough (high difficulty for beginners)
7) Pre-contract checklist (for international students—copy and use as-is)
Common (dorm/living alone/share—applies to all)
- Commute time (door-to-door): which is OK—30/45/60 minutes?
- Soundproofing (university area/main road/exam-taker village), sunlight (north-facing?), mold/condensation
- Heating/cooling (central/individual), laundry (shared/private), recycling rules
Living alone (studio/officetel) — additional
- In the contract, clearly state what’s included in the management fee (water? internet? common electricity?)
- Check nearby price levels with actual transaction prices (MOLIT system) (Real Transaction Disclosure System)
- Post-move-in routine:
- (As soon as possible) Change of residence report (foreign nationals) (Government 24)
- (Deposit protection) Follow the opposability/confirmed-date routine (Easy Law)
Share house/coliving — additional
- “Included in monthly rent” items: utilities/cleaning/detergent/toilet paper/Wi‑Fi
- Contract term, early move-out penalties, deposit deduction standards (cleaning fee/repair fee)
- Roommate composition (gender/nationality/age group), guest/cooking/noise rules
FAQ (international student housing Korea)
Q1. What is the safest choice for an international student coming to Korea for the first time?
For the first semester, a dorm or operator-managed coliving (a well-managed place) usually has fewer variables. Dorms tend to have a more predictable monthly cost structure (e.g., monthly fee + deposit structure) and often come with life infrastructure already in place. (Gwanak Student Residence)
Q2. For a Seoul studio, what budget should you typically plan for?
Based on recent media reports, there’s a case showing an average monthly rent of about KRW 720,000 with a KRW 10,000,000 deposit. Since management fees/utilities may be added, it’s risky to set your budget based on “rent only.” (YTN)
Q3. Do share houses really have low deposits?
It depends on the product, but ranges such as KRW 1–5 million for deposits and KRW 390,000–1,210,000 for monthly rent are mentioned. Since variation is large by operator, location, and room type, check included items and contract conditions first. (Korea Joongang Daily)
Q4. Can international students (foreign nationals) receive protections like move-in reporting/confirmed date?
Guidance explains that foreigners may not be protected parties in principle, but that if you file a “change of residence report,” which is equivalent to move-in reporting, you may exceptionally become a protected party. (Easy Law)
Q5. By when do you need to file a change of residence report?
Government guidance and laws state within 15 days from the day you move in. Since delays may lead to disadvantages (penalties), it’s recommended to handle it quickly after moving. (Government 24)
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