That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. I really don't want an apartment in one of the complexes. I'd much rather have a loft above a shop so I can play my music without waking up the person in the room 2 foot away. I'd also like to NOT get woken up by someone else gettin' busy when I'm trying to recover...I mean...get some sleep before work. We're going to have to get a beer when I get there logic and you can show me the ropes...

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Joeninpo

The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down

Korea Realty and the others near the front entrance don't charge a fee for service (they collect from the landlord/seller's end), so you don't get a "Mike discount" or any other kind. And I don't know about the other realtors, but at Korea Realty, I wasn't pressured into any kind of decision whatsoever. And although, all the realtors have their own lists, Alex seemed to work with other realtors in the area because he showed me places that weren't on his personal list (I think he and the other realtor split the commission if you go with someone else's listing). In any case--don't feel pressured into anything you don't feel comfortable with. Just say you want to keep looking and do exactly that.

You won't get a discount if you tell them "Mike sent me." I said tell them Mike sent you because Korea Realty is a sponsor of the classifieds and forum and one of my first clients. I am good friends with Alex and June. They are some of the nicest Koreans you will meet and they are extremely professional.

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Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

We found a brand new house through Hambi realty (Arnold) which is straight out of the main gate and to the right. Arnold told us straight up that he would find us something CLEAN and decent and definatley would not waste our time with anything substandard. Arnold is a wonderful realtor I can call him about anything here and he is on top of it.

The question is how much can you afford. Will you be Command Sponsored or paying your own way?

Well...neither...I'm not bringing the spouse, but my unit does let E-6's live off base with all of the benefits. So, my ceiling is around $1,300, but I don't think I'll need to hit that. The REAL factor is that I'll be on bike. I don't want to be riding 10 miles back and forth to work. These old bones just won't do it...especially in the cold.

Seems kinda stupid that it's ok for SOME 22 year olds to drive, but a OTHER grown men and women can't. That's a totally different rant, though.

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Joeninpo

The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down

I think I worded it wrong. The store owners are advertising rooms for rent in apartments or nearby duplex's. I don't think it would be possible to find an available room above a store in Songton... >.<

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"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. " -E. B. White

Actually, I have a friend of mine over there right now with a loft over a store. He probably lucked out though. He's that type of guy. It's all good, though. I'll just have to get there first and see what I can find. I'll be there on the 27th! Yippie!

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Joeninpo

The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down

It sounds like you are comming unaccompanied. I know they have become more strict on allowing unaccompanied military personnel to move off base. May depend on the commander and unit. I remember in 95 some guys chose to live a year in a local hotel. As a signle GI I lived in a house in the Shing Jang Dong II area - near the subway stop and
Tagwon school. It was great. Force protection became an issue and caused leadership to become more involved. Personally, I think you are safer sleeping downtown than on base. You may consider emailing your gaining unit or asking your sponsor about the rules in your unit about living off post.
Also, from what I read on the Osan homepage regarding living off post - they have limited to no support for appliance and furniture for non-command sponsored personnel. If that is the case you may want to consider finding a place tht is being vacated by someing PCSing.
they may have some of the household items you need. Or renting a furnished place.

If enough guys who live in the dorm get together and pitch in they could rent, or possibly key money, an apartment off post. If they miss curfew they have a place to stay. The place don't have to be fancy, just a room to sleep in. This was especially helpful during gthe days of the evil Lt. Jason Davis ( See MilitaryCorruption.com) and the 9 PM curfews.

Also, I would not recommend the hill 180 area since they have closed the gate.