Though there are lots of regulations and laws to prevent the price of real estate (especially apartments in Gangnam district) to rise, housing cost is a major issue in South Korea.
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Gangnam refers to three gus (wards) in southern part of Seoul, south of Han River, which includes Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu and Songpa-gu. Gangnam district is famous (or infamous) for its expensive apartments. Apartment prices in Gangnam are the most inflated, according to a Kookmin Bank analysis on apartment prices in the seven areas where prices have soared. Songpa-gu and Seocho-gu come second and third respectively followed by Chungdam- dong, all in Seoul. Besides, many multinational corporations are located in the Gangnam area.
The rich moved to Gangnam in the 1990s. Some believe that the rest are those who could not afford to buy a home in Gangnam. There is an ever-widening gap in living standards between Gangbuk and Gangnam, the North and South banks of the Han River.
Mok-dong lies west of Seoul, in Yangcheon-gu. Residents in this area are considered relatively affluent.
It is situated within walking distance of Bukhansan National Park, it boasts fresh air and scenic beauty. Many citizens of Seoul consider the Pyeongchang-dong district in Jongno-gu as one of the most wealthiest neighborhoods. The area is lined with two- or three-story houses with a fairytale gable roof, a symbol of upscale homes in Korean society. However, the area is no longer an exclusive territory of the affluent, as Gangnam has laid claim to the title of rich neighborhood.
A hilly road leading to Bukak Park Hotel on Segumjung road, and Pyeongchang-dong is on the left, across the Olympia Hotel Seoul. The road is quiet and tranquil. A few cars are parked on the roadsides lined with houses and buildings. Newcomers, as well as those with an aesthetic sense for architecture, can easily feel a distinct atmosphere because of the calmness, artistic vibes, something which is missing from hectic city life.[1]
Hannam-dong, the UN Village vicinity, contains residences of several high ranking Korean officials and many foreign ambassadors. The Itaewon area, close to the Yongsan Garrison of United States Forces Korea, is dotted with apartments, villas and large houses with gardens.
The big advantage of living in Seongbuk-dong is its beautiful surroundings and cleaner atmosphere, as the hilly area is located near the wooded Mt. Bukhan.
Yeouido is a large island within Seoul, and the center of Seoul's business district. Its 8.4 square kilometers are home to some 30,988 people. The island is located in the Yeongdeungpo-gu district of Seoul, and largely corresponds to the precinct of Yeoui-dong. Lying on the south edge of the Han River, it contains the National Assembly of South Korea, the Yoido Full Gospel Church, and many office buildings including the 63 Building and the headquarters of LG, and other chaebol.
Bundang is the southernmost district of Seongnam, South Korea. It is considered to be the thriving, beating heart of modern day Seongnam. In the early 1990s, the Bundang area became a planned community as a response to alleviating the excessive demand for apartments in the similarly affluent, but much older Gangnam district area. Many of Bundang's early residents actually hailed from the Gangnam area, thereby distinguishing Bundang as an affluent burrough in much the same manner as Gangnam. Before this period of expansion however, there was mostly farmland in this area. There are still a few farms in the Bundang area, particularly in the Pangyo area. As the demand for more housing continues, Bundang is expected to continue expanding.
Ilsan is the name of two districts (West and East) in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do. It is more organized and planned than the rest of the city, Goyang (Deogyang-gu), and its residents are generally more affluent. Ilsan is located northeast of Seoul. Like other satellite cities such as Bundang and Pyeongchon, Ilsan was planned in order to alleviate housing shortages in the city of Seoul. Ilsan has experienced phenomenal growth in the past 15 years, usually drawing in younger generations of upper middle-class Koreans.
Pangyo is planned for alleviating the excessive demand for apartments in Gangnam and Bundang.
When comparing the rental deposits or Jeonse with the apartment price, the ratio was the lowest for Gangnam apartments. The Jeonse to house price ratio is often used as a tool to gauge whether or not the house price is inflated.
In Korea, there is a unique way of renting a house called Jeonse, in which a renter makes a lump-sum deposit on a rental space, instead of paying monthly rent, at anywhere from 50-100% of the market value, and gets back the whole deposit when the rent contract ends. The homeowner is free to invest the deposit as he or she wants, as long as the same amount of money is returned to the tenant at the end of the contract.
Since the Jeonse price reflects the actual demand of people who reside in the area, the gap between rental deposits for [[Jeonse and the apartment sales price means there might be a bubble in the apartment price.