How to Find a Place to Live in Seoul as a Foreign Student
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Seoul is the most expensive city in Korea for students, and rooms near popular universities go fast before each semester. Here is where students live, what rooms really cost in 2026, and how to rent safely.
Step 1. Dorm first, if you can
A university dorm is usually the cheapest and safest option for your first semester. There is no big deposit and no contract in Korean. Apply as early as your university allows, because dorm places for international students are limited in Seoul.
Step 2. Choose an area near your campus
| Universities | Where students live |
|---|---|
| Yonsei · Ewha · Sogang · Hongik | Sinchon, Ewha Womans Univ. and Hongik Univ. stations (Line 2) |
| Korea University | Anam-dong, Anam and Korea Univ. stations (Line 6) |
| Kyung Hee · Hankuk Univ. of Foreign Studies | Hoegi-dong and Imun-dong, Hoegi Station (Line 1) |
| Konkuk · Sejong | Hwayang-dong, Konkuk Univ. Station (Lines 2 and 7) |
| Hanyang | Wangsimni and Haengdang-dong, Hanyang Univ. Station (Line 2) |
| Sungkyunkwan | Myeongnyun-dong, Hyehwa Station (Line 4) |
| Chung-Ang | Heukseok-dong, Heukseok Station (Line 9) |
| Seoul National University | Nakseongdae and Sillim, Line 2 and the Sillim Line |
Step 3. Know the prices
In July 2026, one-rooms of up to 33 m² near ten major Seoul universities asked for an average rent of about KRW 625,000 a month, with a KRW 10 million deposit. On top of that, the average maintenance fee (관리비) was about KRW 84,000. Rents rose about 8% in one year.
- Most expensive: around Ewha Womans University, about KRW 767,000 a month.
- Cheaper areas: around Seoul National University (about KRW 533,000) and Sungkyunkwan University (about KRW 550,000), though prices near SNU rose fastest.
Can't manage a KRW 10 million deposit? Many landlords accept a lower deposit with higher rent. Goshiwon and shared houses often need little or no deposit, but rooms are very small. See Types of housing in Korea.
Step 4. Search
- Your university's housing board or international student community. Many rooms pass from student to student.
- Dabang (다방), with a foreigner section in several languages since September 2026, plus Zigbang (직방) and Naver Real Estate.
- Real estate offices (부동산) near campus. Many good rooms are never posted online.
- Start early. The busiest months are February and August, just before each semester.
Step 5. Sign safely
- Use a licensed agent (공인중개사) and ask to see the property register (등기부등본). The landlord's name must match.
- Ask for the English standard lease contract from Korea's Ministry of Justice.
- Pay the deposit by bank transfer to the landlord's own account, never in cash.
- Check what the maintenance fee includes (internet, water, gas?).
Step 6. After you move in
- Report your new address within 15 days at the community center (주민센터), the immigration office or on HiKorea.
- Get a fixed date stamp (확정일자) on your contract to protect your deposit.
- Take photos of the room on move-in day.
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