Korea Retire Guide

One of the first questions I faced after moving to Korea was surprisingly simple:

“Where should I live?”

Like many people researching retire in Korea for expats, I spent countless hours comparing apartments, reading expat forums, and watching YouTube videos. At first, I assumed renting a normal apartment would be easy. I quickly discovered that housing in Korea works very differently from what many foreigners expect.

During my first few years of living in Korea as a foreigner, I personally stayed in an Airbnb, visited multiple goshiwons, and eventually rented an officetel. Each option had advantages and disadvantages.

The truth is that there is no single “best” accommodation. The right choice depends on your budget, visa situation, length of stay, and lifestyle goals.

In this guide, I’ll share what I learned from real experience and help you decide which accommodation type may work best for your situation in 2026.

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1. Understanding the Three Most Common Options

1-1. What Is an Airbnb?

For most foreigners arriving in Korea, Airbnb is usually the easiest starting point.

You can:

• book before arrival
• pay online
• avoid complicated contracts
• move in immediately

When I first landed in Korea, I stayed in an Airbnb in Busan for six weeks while searching for long-term housing.

It was stress-free.

No deposits.
No paperwork.
No Korean language skills required.

However, convenience comes at a price.

1-2. What Is a Goshiwon?

A goshiwon is a very small private room originally designed for students preparing for exams.

Most rooms include:

• bed
• desk
• mini refrigerator
• Wi-Fi

Shared facilities often include:

• kitchen
• laundry room
• bathrooms

Many foreigners use goshiwons when first arriving because monthly costs are extremely low.

1-3. What Is an Officetel?

An officetel is one of the most popular long-term housing options among expats.

Think of it as a small studio apartment.

Typical features include:

• private bathroom
• kitchen
• washing machine
• air conditioning
• security system

For many people pursuing Korea expat life, officetels offer the best balance between comfort and affordability.

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2. Cost Comparison in 2026

Housing is usually the largest part of the cost of living in Korea for retirees, so let’s compare realistic monthly expenses.

Accommodation Type	Monthly Cost
Goshiwon	₩350,000–₩700,000 ($260–$520)
Airbnb	₩1.2M–₩3M ($890–$2,220)
Officetel	₩700,000–₩1.8M ($520–$1,330)

The difference becomes even more obvious when comparing annual costs.

A retiree staying in an Airbnb long-term could easily spend more than double what an officetel tenant pays.

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3. Quick Comparison Chart

Feature	Airbnb	Goshiwon	Officetel
Best For	New arrivals	Budget travelers	Long-term residents
Privacy	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Monthly Cost	₩1.2M–₩3M ($890–$2,220)	₩350K–₩700K ($260–$520)	₩700K–₩1.8M ($520–$1,330)
Deposit Required	No	Usually No	Yes
Kitchen	Usually Included	Shared	Private
Bathroom	Private	Shared or Private	Private
Laundry	Usually Included	Shared	Private
Space	Medium	Very Small	Medium–Large
Contract Complexity	Very Easy	Easy	Moderate
Suitable for Retirees	★★★☆☆	★☆☆☆☆	★★★★★

Overall Rating

Accommodation Type	Affordability	Comfort	Convenience	Long-Term Suitability
Airbnb	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Goshiwon	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆	★★★☆☆	★☆☆☆☆
Officetel	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★

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4. My Experience Staying in an Airbnb

4-1. The Good

My first Airbnb experience was excellent.

I arrived after a long international flight and simply entered a keypad code.

Everything was ready:

• furniture
• dishes
• internet
• bedding

For newcomers, this simplicity is incredibly valuable.

Especially if you’re still deciding whether Korea is the right place for retirement.

4-2. The Bad

The downside was cost.

My monthly Airbnb fee was approximately:

₩1.6M ($1,185)

That was significantly higher than local rental prices.

I also noticed that many Airbnb properties are designed for tourists rather than long-term residents.

Storage space can be limited.

Cooking facilities are sometimes basic.

After two months, I began looking for alternatives.

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5. My Experience Visiting Goshiwons

5-1. The Biggest Advantage: Price

When I first visited a goshiwon, I was amazed by how affordable they were.

Many included:

• utilities
• internet
• laundry
• rice
• ramen

all within the monthly fee.

For budget-conscious foreigners, this can be attractive.

5-2. The Biggest Disadvantage: Space

The room I toured measured roughly 6–8 square meters.

To be honest, it felt smaller than I expected.

For younger students or digital nomads, that may be acceptable.

For retirees seeking comfort and a slow living lifestyle, I found it difficult to imagine living there long-term.

Noise can also be an issue depending on the building.

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6. Why I Ultimately Chose an Officetel

6-1. It Felt Like a Real Home

After several weeks of searching, I rented an officetel.

Immediately, daily life became easier.

I had:

• my own kitchen
• private bathroom
• washing machine
• dedicated workspace

Most importantly, I felt settled.

That emotional difference matters more than many people realize.

6-2. The Deposit System Was Confusing

One challenge foreigners often face is Korea’s deposit system.

My officetel required:

Item	Typical Amount
Security Deposit	₩5M–₩20M ($3,700–$14,800)
Monthly Rent	₩700,000–₩1.3M ($520–$960)
Maintenance Fee	₩50,000–₩150,000 ($37–$110)

Understanding deposits, maintenance fees, and contracts is an important part of living in Korea as a foreigner.

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7. Which Option Is Best for Retirees?

7-1. Best for Short-Term Stays

Choose Airbnb if:

• staying less than 3 months
• arriving for the first time
• wanting maximum convenience
• still exploring cities

7-2. Best for Budget Travelers

Choose Goshiwon if:

• budget is your highest priority
• you spend little time indoors
• you need temporary housing

7-3. Best for Long-Term Living

Choose Officetel if:

• staying more than 6 months
• pursuing a retire in Korea visa
• seeking stability
• wanting a comfortable retirement lifestyle

In my opinion, most retirees eventually prefer officetels.

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8. Hidden Costs Foreigners Often Forget

One lesson I learned quickly was that rent is not the only expense.

Additional costs may include:

Expense	Monthly Cost
Electricity	₩20,000–₩80,000 ($15–$60)
Gas	₩10,000–₩70,000 ($7–$52)
Internet	₩30,000–₩50,000 ($22–$37)
Maintenance Fees	₩50,000–₩150,000 ($37–$110)

Many Airbnb listings include these costs, while officetels usually separate them.

Always ask before signing.

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9. Conclusion

After living in Korea for several years, my recommendation is simple.

Airbnb is excellent for your first few weeks.

Goshiwon is excellent for saving money.

But if you’re serious about retire in Korea for expats, planning a long stay, and building a comfortable daily routine, an officetel usually offers the best balance of affordability, privacy, and convenience.

Looking back, choosing the right housing had a bigger impact on my happiness than almost any other decision I made after moving abroad.

A comfortable home doesn’t just reduce stress.

It helps transform Korea from a temporary destination into a place that genuinely feels like home.

Next Reading:
“How to Open Your First Korean Bank Account as a Foreigner (Step-by-Step Guide)“ — everything about banking, transfers, debit cards, and managing money during the first month in Korea.