hello all,

i'm just wondering if it's against regulations to rent housing from a relative (wife's sister) or if we live with my wife's parents can i still draw oha to pay them. if possible, are there any special arrangements that need to be made.

thank you for your responses!

p.s. if post is pyongtaek, possible to live in seoul and commute?

h. west

Hi, and welcome to the forums. I really don't know anything about your OHA question but I sure wouldn't want to commute between Pyeongtaek and Seoul. It's possible but probably too difficult to do on a daily basis. Plus, I doubt you would be able to get permission to live that far away from base. It takes about 2 hours to drive. I think the Korail train takes at least an hour maybe more and the metro about 2-2 1/2 hours. If you take the train or metro you would have to tack on an extra 30 minute bus ride or 15 minute taxi ride.

I think I read on here that someone was trying to live with relatives also. If I remember correctly they were having problems with their relatives home passing inspection. Maybe they will see your post and let you know how it turned out for them.

There was a case several years ago where a Korean-American civil servant rented a place owned by his parents. Someone thought they smelled a rat and reported him. He got busted and eventually fired for fraud. But he took it to court and not only got his job back, he got back pay for the 2-3 years he missed.

Humphrey_west
Commuting that far is expensive and time consuming and should not be considered. Another thing you NEVER want to do is live in with her relatives.
Nor do you want to let your wife live with her parents (for longer than a week or so) while you live "Alone" at your assigned post. Unless you are considering a divorce. (This advice is specifically for a person married to a Korean person; written by an expert on that subject!)
Research your plan very carefully, and coordinate with realtors, lawyers and your housing office before you act. If you are planning to retire here, consider buying an apartment with your government provided allowance. Yes, you may under approved circumstances.

thanks for the replys!

you're right. i have absolutely no desire to live with my korean in-laws, but my wife is really fond of this idea to save money.

you mentioned under certain circumstances i can try to buy an home with oha. is that possible and if so how do i go about it? this might appease her.

praying for a miracle,

h. west

You need to research buying an apartment yourself, with the aid of the legal office and your housing office and an approved realtor. If you know for sure where you are going to be stationed, it should be nearby. The idea of renting it out if you return to the states must be considered. I suggest you research the idea with one of the realtors and/ or an English speaking Korean Lawyer, advertising at WWW.USFKCLASSIFIEDS.COM. I doubt if the Legal Office or the Housing Office at your prospective post/base will work with you until you arrive.
Apartments increase in price daily. Any investment in property near Humphreys should make money eventually. My brother-in-law, near Osan AFB, has an apartment on the 9th floor, in an older building, which will sell for maybe 90 Mllion Won. (over 90 thousand dollars) It has 2 rooms,1 bath and a kitchen/dining area. So you see, you would normally not be able to pay more than a down payment on any sizeable apartment with your OHA unless you have rich relatives or your own bank account. Maybe you could have a small house built out in the country for a reasonable amount. Just remember, many apartments cost the equivalent of 1 million U.S. Dollars in Seoul, and we pay up to $5000 U.S. Dollars per month to rent them. On a two year tour, we pay up to $120,000 cash to the Korean landlord. Prices at Humphreys are less, but still rising. Research well. Watch out for "Key Money" deals. My wife's niece had such a deal, and all was fine until the person she gave the money to died. She will never get a return on that money. Korea has opportunity, but also dishonest deals, untrustworthy lenders, and no insurance you can depend upon. So, just as in any country, buyer beware.