Almost every expat I’ve met in the Yongin and Suwon area says the samething during their first month: “I can’t believe how fast everythinggets delivered here.” Groceries ordered at midnight arrive before breakfast. Fried chickenshows up at your door at 11 p.m. in about 30 minutes. If you run out oftoothpaste or diapers, they can … Read more
If you’ve just moved to Korea, sooner or later you’ll stand in front of your apartment’s recycling area holding a bag of garbage, with no idea which bin anything goes into. Everyone goes through this. Korea takes waste separation seriously — much more seriously than most countries — and getting it wrong can mean a … Read more
A few months ago I sat in a real estate office in Dongtan with a tenant who’d just found “the one” — great light, quiet building, landlord seemed friendly. She was ready to sign on the spot. I asked her to slow down for five minutes and actually read the bottom of the page. She … Read more
How to Set Up Electricity, Water & Gas After Moving into a Korean Apartment Moving into a new apartment in South Korea is exciting. You’ve finally got your keys, unpacked your boxes, and you’re ready to settle into your new home. Before you can fully relax, however, there’s one important task you shouldn’t forget—setting up … Read more
Although each manufacturer uses a slightly different design, most Korean boiler controllers work in a very similar way. The basic functions—Heating, Hot Water, Away Mode, and Power—are almost always the same. The three brands you will see most often in South Korea are Navien, Kiturami, and Daesung Celtic. Common Boiler Controllers You’ll See in Korea … Read more