What are the top factors to keep in mind when searching for a place to live in your city?
Ulsan is a big industrial city and traffic can be heavy during rush hour, so location is very important. During the home search, consider the distance to workplace or school, neighborhood and surroundings, and also the access to public transportation, shops and restaurants.
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What are the most popular neighborhoods in your city for expats?

  • Hyundai Foreigners' Compound (HFC): This is located in Seobu-dong and is a popular area for expatriates as there are a number of apartments, villas and houses that are located very near HHI. The Hyundai Foreign School (HFS) is also located within this compound, which makes it ideal for families with school-aged children. There is a clubhouse with a restaurant, bar, table tennis, squash courts, swimming pool, etc.
  • New Foreigners' Apartments (NFA): This is newly built and ideal for singles/couples working at HHI, as it is located outside of HHI's No.2 Yard in Bangeo-dong. There are a total of 184 units within four apartment complex buildings. The sizes range from 70 - 180 sq.m. For families, there is a shuttle bus that runs to the Hyundai Foreign School. On the complex, there is a clubhouse with good facilities, restaurant, sports facilities and a swimming pool.
  • Luxury High-rise Apartments: There are a number of apartments in the open market in the areas of Dong-gu, Jung-gu and Nam-gu. There are also a few new high-rise apartments nearing completion. Daewoo Prugio opened in Q2 2012 and iPark in Q3 2012. The completion date for Daelim's new apartment, E-pyunhan Saesung, is Q4 2012 - Q1 2013.

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Do expats tend to buy or rent their homes?
Expats almost always rent their homes unless they are married to a Korean or planning to stay in Korea for an extended period. Purchasing a property in Ulsan is quite expensive and loans from local banks are between 40 - 50% of the purchase price.
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Typically, will I be required to pay additional money up front (such as a deposit) before moving into leased housing? If so, how much is common?
Housing is significantly less expensive than in Seoul, with most properties in the range of 2 - 4 million won per month. The rent is usually paid on a monthly basis, which is also quite different from the system in Seoul. Security deposits for expat housing in Ulsan is typically one (1) month. Tenancy lease agreements are normally one to two years.
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Are utilities generally included in the price of rent, or are they extra?
Utilities are typically paid by the tenant or occupant, but can sometimes be negotiated into the contract. Utilities in Ulsan (electricity & gas) tend to be high, especially in the summer and winter months. For an average 2-3 bedroom apartment, the average monthly utility bill will range from KRW 300,000 to 500,000. (Keep in mind there will be spikes in summer and winter months.)

Please note: These figures are dependent upon the size of the house or apartment and upon the amount used per family.
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Are there special security concerns I should be aware of in regards to my home or choice of neighborhood?
Ulsan in general is a very safe city. The Foreigners' Compound and high-rise apartments have guards on duty.
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I’m not sure if I should bring my appliances. What is the electric current, Hz and plug shape in your city?
Voltage in Korea is 220v/60Hz. Please note that the frequency in Korea (60Hz) is different from most overseas countries. Electrical appliances with motors or sensitive systems may not work in Korea or could be damaged by the higher frequency.

The TV system in Korea is NTSC. This system is incompatible with PAL or SECAM systems. Please check that all TV and VCR equipment are either NTSC or multi-system prior to shipment. DVD system is Region 3 (same as Taiwan, Hong Kong and parts of SE Asia).
Type K plugType K plug
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Do you have any other accommodation information that might help me?

  • Individual Houses: These stand on private housing lots, and typically have gardens or yards. The heating system uses petroleum or city gas. Security is the responsibility of the occupant. These are found especially in Hyundai Foreigners' Compound (HFC).
  • Villas (Town Houses): These are constructed on large lots and are more spacious than apartment complexes. They usually are low-rise buildings with four to six stories. A watchman and a manager take care of security and maintenance. This type of residence is popular and found mainly at Hyundai Foreigners' Compound.
  • Apartments (Flats): These are your typical housing for most Korean families, situated in large buildings with many stories. Several apartments congregate together, making huge complexes in some districts. Such complexes, guarded by security persons for each apartment building, come with an exclusive parking lot and a shared common area. There are a number of new luxury high-rises being built in Ulsan.

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IMPORTANT NOTE:
Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.