How I found my perfect goshiwon in Sinchon

Finding housing in Seoul was honestly the most stressful part of moving to Korea. After visiting 8 different goshiwons, I finally found a great one in Sinchon and I want to share what I learned.

What to look for: Private bathroom (not shared!), window for ventilation, close to a subway station, and free rice/kimchi (many goshiwons offer this). My room is about 3.3 pyeong (roughly 11 sqm) and costs 380,000 KRW/month all inclusive.

Red flags to avoid: No window, shared bathroom with too many rooms, musty smell (means bad ventilation), and a landlord who doesn't speak any English and seems annoyed by your questions.

My strategy: I walked around the neighborhood near my university and looked for goshiwon signs (고시원). Many of the best ones don't advertise online. Just walk in and ask to see a room. Bring a Korean friend if possible!

I'm now 2 months into my stay and I'm very happy with my choice. The location is perfect - 5 min walk to university, tons of restaurants nearby, and the subway is 3 minutes away.