Seoul Housing Guide for Exchange Students
If you get housing right in Seoul, everything else becomes easier: you sleep more, commute less, and you’re always a few metro stops away from your friends, festivals and last-minute trips.
This guide mixes:
Real advice from students already at Hanyang, Korea Uni, Yonsei, Ewha, HUFS, Sogang, Konkuk, Kookmin, Chung-Ang, Sejong, Dankook, etc.
Concrete examples of prices, neighborhoods, housing types
A spotlight on three super-popular options used by exchange students:
- Shared Homies
- Sophian’s Apartments
- Seoul Housing
Most of the guide is written in normal paragraphs so you can really understand your options. Bullet points and tables are only there to make things easier to scan.
1. Big picture: how housing works in Seoul
Seoul is huge. You won’t be “close to everything” – that doesn’t exist. What you can do is choose which triangle you want to live inside:
- Close to campus (less commute, more sleep)
- Close to nightlife (Hongdae, Sinchon, Itaewon, Mapo-gu)
- Cheaper & smaller vs bigger & more comfortable
Most exchange students end up in one of these categories:
- University dorms – cheapest and most social, right next to campus
- Shared houses / coliving – central, international vibe, more expensive
- Tiny private rooms or studios – goshiwon, officetel, Airbnb, small flats
On top of that, three options keep coming up again and again among exchange students using Studcasa:
- Shared Homies – trusted shared houses in Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam
- Sophian’s Apartments – private/shared flats, huge community of past students
- Seoul Housing – private studios, perfect for Ewha/Yonsei/Sogang area
We’ll walk through the general types first, then zoom in on these three.
2. Housing types in Seoul
2.1. University dorms 🏫
Dorms are the classic Erasmus/Exchange choice: cheap, convenient and full of other students.
From your data, this is what dorm life looks like:
- At Hanyang (Wangsimni), one student paid about 1 000 € for the whole semester with cafeteria meals under 3 € and no curfew. Another was paying roughly 300 €/month in Hanyang dorms, close to the main plaza and canteen.
- At Chung-Ang, dorms on campus cost around 200 €/month. Rooms are small and shared; kitchens are minimal (microwave, shared fridges, no cooking in rooms). But the building has study floors, gyms, convenience stores and restaurants.
- At Sogang, a student paid about 325 €/month on campus. Great value, but they warned about theft between exchange students and advised paying attention to your stuff.
- At Dankook (Jukjeon), dorms cost around 1.6 M KRW/semester. You’re ten minutes from the international hall with gym, kitchen, study rooms, convenience store and sometimes private bathrooms. Campus is surrounded by nature, less polluted and less overwhelming than central Seoul.
Overall, dorms give you three big advantages:
- Price – Usually the cheapest “normal” housing for the comfort you get.
- Location – You walk to class; no freezing at 7:30 am waiting for a metro.
- Built-in social life – People in your hallway quickly become your friends.
The trade-offs are:
- Limited or shared kitchens, often just microwaves and shared fridges
- Roommates chosen randomly (can be great, can be awkward)
- Rules: curfews, guest restrictions, “no eating in rooms”, etc.
Dorms are ideal if you’re on a tighter budget, want an easy social life and don’t mind rules or tiny kitchens.
2.2. Coliving & shared houses 🏡
Shared houses are extremely popular in Seoul, especially in Hongdae, Sinchon, Itaewon, Mapo-gu. You usually get a private bedroom and share the kitchen and living room.
Students describe coliving like this:
- A huge shared housing complex in Sinchon/Hongdae hosted around 70 exchange students across several houses. The community was amazing socially, but one student called it “dirty af”, showing how much cleanliness depends on management and roommates.
- In Itaewon, Simple Spaces runs coliving houses where you can book with friends or strangers who often become friends. They organise events so everyone meets. The location is central and perfect for going out, even if the commute to some universities is 45 minutes.
- Around Hongdae, a student lived in a Shared Homies flat about ten minutes away, paying roughly 530–570 €/month, fully furnished and well located.
- Borderless House between Hongdae and Sinchon gives you your own room, private bathroom and a small kitchen, plus a big common area. More expensive but more comfortable.
The strengths are obvious:
- Social life – built-in roommates, often other internationals
- Central locations – Hongdae, Sinchon, Itaewon, Mapo-gu, Gangnam
- Fully furnished – arrive with a suitcase, live from day one
The downsides:
- Higher rent than dorms or goshiwons
- Noise & mess – depends on house rules and your housemates
- Quality varies – some companies are extremely solid, others less so
Coliving is perfect if you want big social energy and don’t mind paying more and sharing your space.
2.3. Goshiwon & tiny rooms 🧱
A goshiwon is a very small all-inclusive room, traditionally used by Korean students preparing exams. Imagine a bed, a tiny desk, sometimes a micro-bathroom, and a shared kitchen down the hallway.
In your data:
- A Korea University student lived very close to campus via Goshiplace for about 290 €/month. The room was described mainly as “tiny”, but the location was super convenient.
- Near Hyehwa, another student paid around 320 €/month for a goshiwon found through Enkorstay. She chose a “bigger” room than standard and still concluded she’d pick a shared house or studio next time because of the lack of space and storage.
The good side:
- Very cheap compared to coliving and studios
- Private room (you close your own door)
- Utilities and Wi-Fi usually included, no need to buy furniture
The bad side:
- Tiny space, often windowless or with a fake window
- Thin walls and small, basic shared kitchens
- Not great for people with lots of belongings or who need a “cozy home”
Goshiwons work for minimalist students who don’t care about space and plan to be out most of the time anyway.
2.4. Studios, Airbnbs & private flats 🏢
Some students find their own bigger place: studios, officetels, Airbnbs, or apartments shared with friends.
Examples from your data:
- A student at Konkuk shared an apartment in Mapo-gu with other IESEG exchange students, paying around 450 €/month. The area was perfect for social life (near Hongdae and sports fields), but the commute was about 1h15 to campus.
- Two students stayed at StayForU Hongdae (~500 €/month). They loved the location: next to metros, cafés, shops, karaoke and clubs.
- At Dongguk, a student lived in Jongno-gu via Airbnb for about 700 €/month. Central, calm and convenient for exploring different districts.
- Other students used platforms like Enkorstay or Inlife for studios or bigger flats.
The pros:
- More space, more privacy, real kitchen
- You can choose your exact roommates if you rent as a group
- Fewer rules than dorms or structured coliving
The cons:
- Higher rent, especially in central districts
- More paperwork and sometimes less help with contracts
- You can end up a bit isolated if you don’t socialise elsewhere
Perfect if you want comfort and independence and are happy to handle a bit more admin and cost.
3. The 3 super-popular options (Studcasa favorites)
Now let’s zoom into the three options you pointed out, because they show up a lot and are heavily used by exchange students.
3.1. Shared Homies
Shared Homies is a network of trusted shared houses managed by Steve, who has been helping international students in Seoul for over five years. More than 500 international students have stayed there.
Houses are in some of the best areas for exchange life:
- Hongdae – student bars, clubs, cheap food, festivals
- Itaewon – international vibe, more techno and foreigner-friendly nightlife
- Gangnam – more polished, businessy side of Seoul, with great cafés and shops
You get private furnished rooms in friendly shared houses, cleaning is included, and the apartments are fully equipped and move-in ready. The team speaks English and is used to dealing with exchange students who are booking from overseas.
Prices usually range from 750 000 to 1 300 000 KRW/month, depending on room size, location and house.
Shared Homies fits you well if you want:
- A social coliving atmosphere but not a chaotic party hostel
- A central location with easy access to nightlife and other campuses
- A managed solution where someone is responsible for cleaning and maintenance
You can get in touch through the Studcasa listing (WhatsApp link) and ask about availability, exact prices and photos.
3.2. Sophian’s Apartments
Sophian has placed over 2 000 students in Seoul and is widely known in the exchange community. The concept is:
- Shared or private flats, all furnished
- Often cheaper than Airbnb for mid-term stays
- No agency fees, flexible for groups or solo students
- A big community vibe, since so many exchange students book through them
For many, Sophian is “the plug” for housing. You arrive, get a flat with other international students and land directly in a built-in social circle.
However, your feedback also includes a very negative experience: one student reported “really bad recommendation of Sophian, complete scam” and mentioned issues with problems not being solved properly. That doesn’t erase the many students who had a smooth stay, but it’s an important reminder:
- When dealing with any popular agent, always ask for a clear contract, photos or videos of your exact room and precise rules on the deposit.
- Try to talk to one or two students who stayed in that exact flat or building, not just “someone who used Sophian”.
Sophian’s Apartments fit you if you:
- Want a furnished flat, preferably shared with other exchange students
- Prefer dealing with a single person/agent rather than searching on many sites
- Are ready to be a bit thorough about contracts and conditions before paying
You can reach Sophian through the Studcasa listing (WhatsApp contact) and ask about options for your university, budget and dates.
3.3. Seoul Housing
Seoul Housing is very popular with students at Ewha, Yonsei and Sogang, which are clustered around Sinchon/Hongdae.
What they offer:
- Private studios with everything included: bed, Wi-Fi, private bathroom, and more
- Locations 3 minutes from the subway, in very convenient and safe areas
- A focus on being calm, clean and well-equipped rather than party houses
- A trusted local manager who has already helped many internationals
Prices start around 1 050 000 KRW/month (~700 €), which fits the pattern for private studios in a great location.
Seoul Housing is a good choice if you:
- Study at Ewha, Yonsei or Sogang and want to walk or do a very short commute
- Prefer a quiet, private studio over a loud shared house
- Want an easy, student-oriented setup that is still very central
Again, you can contact them via the Studcasa listing (WhatsApp) and ask for availability, photos and detailed conditions.
3.4. Quick comparison
| Option | Best if you want… |
|---|---|
| Shared Homies | Central shared houses (Hongdae/Itaewon/Gangnam), private rooms, cleaning included, strong social vibe with international students. |
| Sophian’s Apartments | Shared or private flats with big exchange community; lots of past students, but do your due diligence on contract and deposits. |
| Seoul Housing | Private studios near Ewha/Yonsei/Sogang metro, calm and fully equipped, great if you prefer your own peaceful space. |
These three don’t replace dorms, goshiwons or random Airbnbs, but they give you three very concrete “plug-and-play” options that many other exchange students have already tested.
4. Neighborhoods: where should you live?
A quick mental map:
- Hongdae & Sinchon – student & party heart of Seoul. Bars, clubs (Mongs, B1, La Bomba, Corner Pub, La Luz), cheap food, buskers, festivals. Great if you study at Yonsei, Ewha, Sogang or like being around other students every night.
- Itaewon – more international, more foreign restaurants and techno clubs. Feels a bit like “expat Seoul”, with a lot of exchange students and travellers.
- Mapo-gu / Hapjeong / Mangwon – adjacent to Hongdae but calmer. Cafés, Han River access, local restaurants. Good if you want nightlife nearby but not under your window.
- Wangsimni (Hanyang) – student area with many restaurants, cafés and shops. Great if you’re at Hanyang and want a short walk or one metro stop to campus.
- Anam (Korea University) – campus area with lots of cheap eateries and student bars, lively but less chaotic than Hongdae.
- Hyehwa (SKKU) – northern student/cultural area, theatres and cafés, strong local vibe.
- Dongdaemun (HUFS area) – busy, urban, lots of shopping and markets, big junction for public transport.
- Jongno & central districts – historical heart of Seoul, palaces, traditional streets, good for cafés and culture rather than clubs.
- Gangnam – more office towers and high-end shops, less focused on student nightlife and more on business and trendy cafés.
Your choice mostly depends on which campus you’re attending and whether you want to optimise for nightlife, calm or commute.
5. How much should you budget?
From the feedback you have:
- Dorms: about 200–350 €/month for most Seoul universities
- Coliving/shared houses: 500–700 €/month in central neighborhoods (sometimes more for premium options or studios)
- Goshiwons: roughly 290–400 €/month near campuses
- Studios/Airbnbs: typically 450–800 €/month in central areas (Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Jongno, Dongdaemun…)
On top of rent:
- Many dorms, goshiwons and coliving options include utilities & Wi-Fi.
- Private flats might add 30–80 €/month for utilities depending on heating/AC.
- Transport with a Climate Card is around a few tens of euros per month and is worth it if you commute daily.
Eating out is often cheaper than in Western Europe, especially around campuses, while groceries and fresh fruits/vegetables can be surprisingly expensive.
6. How to actually find a place
A simple strategy that works well with all this data:
Decide your type: dorm, shared house, goshiwon, studio.
Pick 1–2 target areas based on your campus and lifestyle (e.g. Sinchon/Hongdae + Itaewon).
Use the Studcasa Seoul group to:
- Ask who is in which residence (Shared Homies, Sophian, Seoul Housing, dorms, etc.)
- Find people leaving rooms or looking for flatmates
Contact 2–3 options in parallel, including one or more of the “big three”:
- Shared Homies (shared houses in top neighbourhoods)
- Sophian’s Apartments (big network of exchange flats)
- Seoul Housing (private studios for Ewha/Yonsei/Sogang students)
When you contact them, don’t be shy about asking for:
- A video tour of your exact room
- A copy of the contract before sending any money
- Details on deposit, utilities, guests, curfew and heating/AC
Combine that with 1–2 messages to past students from your uni, and you’ll quickly see which option “clicks”.
7. Transport & commute: how far is too far?
Seoul’s metro and buses are excellent, but the city is huge. Many students tolerate 30–40 minutes one way without thinking, and quite a few accept 45–60 minutes if that means living in Hongdae or Itaewon and only having class three or four days a week.
Patterns you see in feedback:
- Living on campus or right next to it (dorms) is a lifesaver in winter and reduces stress during midterms.
- Living in Hongdae, Sinchon or Itaewon gives you amazing evenings but often a longer commute if your uni is not nearby.
- A Climate Card is cheaper if you travel a lot inside Seoul; T-money can be better if you move less or often leave Seoul.
When comparing housing, always check the real “door to classroom” time at rush hour, not just “17 minutes on line 2”.
8. What kind of student are you? Pick your strategy
The “party & people” profile
If you want to go out multiple times a week and be surrounded by students:
- Look at Shared Homies, Sophian’s flats near Hongdae/Sinchon, Simple Spaces in Itaewon, or houses near Mapo-gu.
- Accept a 30–60 minute commute and get a Climate Card.
The “budget but social” profile
If money matters but you still want people around you:
- Aim for university dorms (Hanyang, KU, Sogang, Chung-Ang, Dankook, etc.).
- You’ll save hundreds of euros compared to coliving and still meet tons of exchange students.
The “comfort & calm” profile
If you want space, privacy and quiet:
- Look at Seoul Housing (studios near Ewha/Yonsei/Sogang), larger goshiwons with windows, serviced residences like StayForU, or a small shared flat in Mapo-gu/Jongno.
- You’ll party outside and sleep in a peaceful place.
The “balanced” profile
If you want a bit of everything:
- Choose a mid-range shared house or studio in a semi-central area (e.g. Mapo-gu, slightly off Hongdae or Itaewon), with a commute under 45 minutes and at least one roommate to avoid isolation.
9. Timeline & admin
Roughly:
- 3–6 months before arrival – confirm your university, read dorm info, check deadlines, join the Studcasa Seoul group and your uni’s WhatsApp/Discord.
- 2–3 months before arrival – decide your housing type, shortlist 3–5 options (including at least one from Shared Homies / Sophian / Seoul Housing if they match your profile), compare contracts and deposits.
- First weeks in Seoul – move in, verify that reality = photos, register your address with your university’s help and start the ARC process, buy your T-money/Climate Card, and do a big Daiso run for essentials.
10. Daily life in your housing
Most exchange students:
- End up cooking less than they thought because campus cafeterias and cheap restaurants are everywhere.
- Discover that fruit and vegetables are relatively expensive, but basic Korean dishes and street food are super affordable.
- Adjust to extreme seasons: hot and humid summer, very cold winter, sometimes snow until March.
When choosing housing, check:
- Heating (ondol) and AC actually work, and how they are billed
- Windows and insulation, especially for goshiwons
- Noise levels (you can always ask current residents or past students)
11. Quick housing checklists ✅
Before you send any money
- Do I understand the full monthly cost (rent + utilities + Wi-Fi)?
- How much is the deposit and how/when is it refunded?
- Is there a contract in a language I understand?
- What are the rules (curfew, guests, parties, kitchen, cleaning)?
- How long is the commute to campus at 8–9 am?
- Who do I contact when something breaks, and how fast do they usually answer?
When you arrive
- Take photos and videos of the room on day one (for deposit).
- Buy basics at Daiso or similar shops: hangers, trash bags, dishes, storage, cleaning products.
- Learn where the nearest convenience store, metro station and cheap restaurants are.
12. Final word
Every option in this guide has trade-offs: dorms are cheap but strict, goshiwons are tiny but private, coliving is social but more expensive, Airbnbs and studios are comfortable but can be isolating or costly.
The three superstar options you highlighted – Shared Homies, Sophian’s Apartments and Seoul Housing – are extremely popular for a reason: they give you ready-made, student-friendly housing in the right neighborhoods, with English-speaking staff and a big community of past users. Just remember to treat them like any other serious contract: ask questions, read everything and talk to past students.
If you:
- Decide what matters most (social life, budget, comfort),
- Choose the housing type that fits that priority,
- Check your plan with 2–3 students who already did your exchange,
…then your housing will be solid enough that you can focus on what actually makes the exchange unforgettable: friends, trips, random nights out and all the tiny moments in between.