In considering off-post accommodations, we had -- in essence -- three choices: 1.) high-rise apartments, 2.) "villa" style low-rise apartments, and 3.) an office-tel.
High-rise apartments had the advantage of being near bus lines and shops, but didn't really use up our full housing allowance. Sometimes the layouts were strange, being more of a "2 bedroom + office" than a true 3-bedroom place, and the two we saw didn't have U.S.-style outlets.
Villa apartments were generally larger and newer, with better appliances, but were more remote. They're in the middle of the countryside -- but not this nice, picturesque Wisconsin kind -
-more of the "down by the railroad tracks" kind. And similar to living in Texas or Virginia, there's nothing in the immediate vicinity that you can walk to (SY didn't like that part). Utility expenses will probably be more expensive than normal during summer and winter, though most have U.S. style outlets.
The one office-tel that we looked at was very stylish and right in the middle of Pyeongtaek (with a great view of the city), but didn't suit our needs as a family. The bedrooms were small (one didn't even have a closet), we wouldn't have either a dryer or a dishwasher, and there were no U.S. style outlets. (Not even a kitchen, per se -- it was a kitchenette.) It was the kind of place I dreamed of as an English teacher, but alas -- those days are behind me.
Our one on-post option was in the new family housing high-rise apartments. There was a spot on the 10th floor that was very nice by anyone's account: it had a nice view overlooking the post, all-new furniture, and a good layout. In addition to the typical 3/2, it had a huge kitchen...
(Like this)
... a laundry room and a walk-in pantry. And while most of the outlets were U.S. style, it also had some Korean style ones. My guess is that most Americans would jump at the chance to have this place.
However, for me there were two problems. First, for being on-post, it's actually kind of remote. In fact, as one of the first Phase II buildings, it was only recently enclosed by the perimeter fence.
The access road that leads up to it stretches over a mile to the next nearest building, and there are no shuttle busses that stop there (those red dots in the map). Since families are by policy only allowed one car, that means either paying for taxis or lots of coordination for the family car.
Second (and it took a while to understand and explain myself) was that I didn't come to Korea to live in on-post housing. Sure, it was a nice place, but there was nothing particularly *interesting* about it. The shower heads were plain, the furnishings were ordinary, and the kitchen was so incredibly huge there was no way our stuff would ever fill it. As strange as it sounds, it came off as too "American" for me.
SY and I went through a lot of anguish in trying to decide what to do, but in the end decided on this 4/2 villa-style apartment for the following reasons:
- As the ground level unit, we get to use the yard and won't have to hike groceries up the stairs.
- The security system is built-in -- all we have to do is activate it.
- Being off-post, we get ~$950 a month as a utilities allowance. Whatever we don't use up we get to keep.
- Being off post, I think we'll be able to get an exception-to-policy for a second car.
- I won't need to get a pass if we decide to go away for a weekend.
- It has the Korea-style 온돌 heating
- If things don't work out, our (Army-required) lease terms allow us the option of moving back on-post later (and at government expense).
The yard and deck.
The living room and the kitchen. (Note that the oven door opens awkwardly toward the end of the counter. :-P )
A guest room with the built-in wardrobes.
The guest bathroom and the laundry area (I dig that shower head -- it just *rains* on top of you.) The master bathroom is similar, but a little larger and has a spa tub.
This doesn't mean it's perfect. Although the interior is great, construction is still going on next door, and there's trash everywhere.
I can ignore that mess for a while, but I sure hope they clean things up soon.
-more of the "down by the railroad tracks" kind. And similar to living in Texas or Virginia, there's nothing in the immediate vicinity that you can walk to (SY didn't like that part). Utility expenses will probably be more expensive than normal during summer and winter, though most have U.S. style outlets.
The one office-tel that we looked at was very stylish and right in the middle of Pyeongtaek (with a great view of the city), but didn't suit our needs as a family. The bedrooms were small (one didn't even have a closet), we wouldn't have either a dryer or a dishwasher, and there were no U.S. style outlets. (Not even a kitchen, per se -- it was a kitchenette.) It was the kind of place I dreamed of as an English teacher, but alas -- those days are behind me.
Our one on-post option was in the new family housing high-rise apartments. There was a spot on the 10th floor that was very nice by anyone's account: it had a nice view overlooking the post, all-new furniture, and a good layout. In addition to the typical 3/2, it had a huge kitchen...
(Like this)
... a laundry room and a walk-in pantry. And while most of the outlets were U.S. style, it also had some Korean style ones. My guess is that most Americans would jump at the chance to have this place.
However, for me there were two problems. First, for being on-post, it's actually kind of remote. In fact, as one of the first Phase II buildings, it was only recently enclosed by the perimeter fence.
The access road that leads up to it stretches over a mile to the next nearest building, and there are no shuttle busses that stop there (those red dots in the map). Since families are by policy only allowed one car, that means either paying for taxis or lots of coordination for the family car.
Second (and it took a while to understand and explain myself) was that I didn't come to Korea to live in on-post housing. Sure, it was a nice place, but there was nothing particularly *interesting* about it. The shower heads were plain, the furnishings were ordinary, and the kitchen was so incredibly huge there was no way our stuff would ever fill it. As strange as it sounds, it came off as too "American" for me.
SY and I went through a lot of anguish in trying to decide what to do, but in the end decided on this 4/2 villa-style apartment for the following reasons:
The yard and deck.
The living room and the kitchen. (Note that the oven door opens awkwardly toward the end of the counter. :-P )
A guest room with the built-in wardrobes.
The guest bathroom and the laundry area (I dig that shower head -- it just *rains* on top of you.) The master bathroom is similar, but a little larger and has a spa tub.
This doesn't mean it's perfect. Although the interior is great, construction is still going on next door, and there's trash everywhere.
I can ignore that mess for a while, but I sure hope they clean things up soon.
1 comment:
I would have recommended the High Rise Apartment. I think your kids would have a better opportunity to meet other kids and make lots playmates. When Youngjin and I lived in Pyeongtaek, we lived in a high rise, my son made a whole lot of friends in the play area, and when he went to Korean Pre School and lot of his classmates lived in the same apartment. There are also lots of convenient stores located around these apartments so it is easy to walk down and grab a carton of milk and eggs.
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