Living in South Korea, especially in metropolitan areas like Seoul, can be an incredible experience. With its well developed public transportation system, amazing food choices, beautiful public spaces, and its proximity to off the beaten path destinations, it’s the ideal place for work or retirement. Due to the limited landmass, the majority of people in the city live in apartments, with 61 percent of Seoulites residing in apartment complexes or high-rise towers. Most of these apartments are built following a modern Western aesthetic. They also have features that are tailored to Korean customs, such as heated floors, since most Koreans like to sleep and sit on the floor. If you want more space though, or if you’d rather live in a single detached house, you may have to consider moving somewhere out of Seoul, such as Ilsan, Yongsan, or Pyeongtaek.
Moving to a new home has its advantages, especially if you manage to find a spacious home that’s not too far from your workplace. But it can be a complicated process, especially if you’re fairly new to South Korea. If it’s your first time moving house in the country, here’s what you need to do to get properly settled in your new place.
Book a Moving Service
Moving can be a stressful experience– not only do you have to spend hours or even days packing up, but you also have to make sure that all of your belongings arrive unscathed at your new place. To avoid feeling stressed while relocating, make sure to practice mindful moving techniques, such as taking breaks when you need them or playing your favorite music to relax or energize you. Also, make sure to book a moving service, especially if you’re moving from a high rise apartment. Keep in mind that price quotes will vary. Factors such as whether your apartment has an elevator or not, or if you wish to have your furniture disassembled and reassembled, or if you need an additional moving truck will have an impact on the fees. There are also some companies that offer to pack your things for you, but make sure to ask for the cost of this service since it’s typically not included in their standard packages.
If you’re worried about having miscommunication problems with the movers on the big day, don’t fret. There are some moving services in Seoul with English speaking movers, so your requests and directions will be understood. Make sure to leave your former residence in good condition so that your deposit will be returned in full. You can hire a cleaning company to clean your apartment, but you may also ask the moving service if they provide apartment cleaning services so you have one less thing to worry about.
Report Your Change of Address
Foreign residents are required to report their change of address within 14 days of their move to the immigration department, and this should be done in person. Failure to do so means that you’ll get fined, and the fine racks up daily so make sure to prioritize this once you’re in your new place. You should also go to the local district office in your area to let them know that you’ve relocated to the neighborhood. Bring your passport, foreign registration card, and the signed lease since they’ll need these documents from you. Don’t forget to change your car’s registration address if it was registered by your former city or province. You can do this online through the Korean Car Registration Office website.
Take Care of Your Utilities
Before moving, make sure that you’ve paid all outstanding fees for your utility bills, such as your electricity, water, gas, telephone, and internet service. Upon moving out, call the Korea Electricity Power Corporation to let them know about your new address. It’s the only electricity provider in South Korea, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting your bill sent to your new place. Meanwhile, your water and gas bill may be included in the property management fee of your new place, so check with your landlord first before making any calls to service providers. As for your phone and internet, you can call your service providers to terminate your contract, or ask them to transfer and install lines at your new residence.
Moving houses can be difficult, especially if you’re in a foreign country. But by following the steps above, you can relocate to a different place and start enjoying life in your new home in South Korea.
