Share house vs. goshiwon vs. officetel: which room fits you in Seoul?
Compare goshiwon, share houses, one-rooms and officetels in Seoul by deposit, monthly cost, privacy and contract length, with safety checks and tips for choosing by budget and length of stay.
Updated Based on: 2026-10 기준5 min read1 views
In Seoul, students and new workers usually look at four room types: goshiwon, share house, one-room and officetel. They are very different in deposit, privacy and contract length. The prices below are examples only. Real prices vary by area, building, room size and season.
| Type | Deposit (example) | Monthly (example) | Privacy | Contract length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goshiwon (고시원) | Low or none | ₩300,000–550,000 | Low: very small room, kitchen and often bathroom shared | Monthly | Short stays, very tight budget |
| Share house | Often about 1 month’s rent | ₩400,000–700,000 | Medium: private or shared room, shared living space | Varies by house; short contracts are often possible | A cheaper start and living with others |
| One-room (원룸) | About ₩3–10 million | ₩450,000–700,000 + maintenance fee | High: your own studio | Usually 1–2 years | Stays of a year or more |
| Officetel (오피스텔) | About ₩5–10 million or more | ₩600,000–900,000 or more | High: studio in a mixed-use building | Usually 1–2 years | Longer stays, bigger budget, convenience |
All amounts are examples, not quotes. Always ask what is included: maintenance fee, internet, utilities and cleaning.
Pros and cons
- Goshiwon — Pros: low cost, little or no deposit, quick move-in, you can stay month by month. Cons: very small, thin walls, some rooms have no window, and many places share the kitchen and bathroom.
- Share house — Pros: furnished, small deposit, easy to make friends, and some include utilities. Cons: less privacy and house rules. Cleanliness and noise depend on your housemates.
- One-room — Pros: your own space, kitchen and bathroom, and more choice of areas. Cons: bigger deposit, you pay the maintenance fee and utilities separately, and the contract is usually longer.
- Officetel — Pros: often newer buildings, good security and facilities, many are near stations. Cons: the highest cost, a higher maintenance fee and a bigger deposit.
Safety checks for a goshiwon
- Check for sprinklers in the room and corridor, a fire detector and fire extinguishers.
- Make sure the emergency exit route and exit signs are clear, and the corridors are not blocked.
- Look for a window that opens to the outside. Rooms with windows often cost more, but they are better for fresh air and in an emergency.
- Check that your door locks, there is CCTV at the entrance and you can contact a manager.
- Look at the shared kitchen and bathrooms, and ask how often they are cleaned.
A goshiwon and some share houses may not be ordinary housing leases. You often sign a use agreement with an operator, not a lease with the owner. So the usual deposit protection, such as the address report and the fixed-date stamp, may not work the same way. Keep the deposit small, get a written contract, pay only to an account in the name of the person or business on the contract, and get a receipt.
How to choose
- Staying less than about 3 months: a goshiwon, or a share house with a short contract.
- Staying about 6–12 months: a share house, or a one-room if you can find a shorter contract.
- Staying a year or more with money for a deposit: a one-room or an officetel.
- On a tight budget: compare the total monthly cost (rent, maintenance fee and utilities), not only the rent.
- For any type: see the room first, and check the contract before you pay.
Official sources
Written by KOVIA 편집팀
