Gwanak, A Wonderful Place to Live In

SNU is placed in Gwanak-gu(district), located southwest of Seoul Metropolitan City.

Gwanaksan Mtn., the symbolic mountain in Gwanak, occupies 38% of the total area of the district. For its geographical feature, Gwanak-gu is nature-friendly place to live in, with beautiful sights and parks.

On top of that, Gwanak-gu is a paradise full of enjoy. Gwanak downtown is perfect place for shopping with diverse malls(Egg yellow, Lotte Department Store), famous streets (Sillim Fashion & Culture Street, Sharosugil) available. Traditional markets and reputable restaurants are also features that make Gwanak-gu special than ever.

Gwanak-gu is known for its convenient transportation. Seoul National University Station and Sillim Station are across Subway Line 2, and airport buses are also available.

These factors made Gwanak-gu a perfect strategic place for housing in Korea.

Below are districts of Gwanak-gu, where SNU students prefer to live.

1. Seoul National Univ. Station(서울대입구)

1) Map

2) Average price

💵 Studio KRW1000/75

Officetel KRW1000/83

3) Distance

1. to SNU Main Entrance
   • 👣 33 min, 🚲 8 min, 🚗 5 min
   • transportation 🚌 12min
     • <Seoul Nat’l Univ. Station> bus 5511, 5513, 5515
     • <Gwanakgu Office Station> bus 750A, 501, 502
2. to SNU business department, social science department, humanities department, school of law
   • transportation 🚌 15min
     • <Seoul Nat’l Univ. Station> bus 5511, 5513
   • SNU Shuttle station
     • SNU station stop → SNU cultural center
3. to SNU agricultural science department, natural science department, engineering department
   • transportation 🚌 20~25min
     • <Seoul Nat’l Univ. Station> bus 5511
   • SNU Shuttle station
     • SNU station stop → Agricultural Science College → Engineering Building
4. to subway station
   • 👣 within 10 min to Seoul National Univ. Station(subway line number 2 - you can go to Gangnam, Hongdae, Jamsil)

• there is airport bus that goes to Gimpo and Incheon airport

4) Characteristic

• high security & clean roads
• diverse facilities to enjoy
  • Cinema, sports gym, restaurants, café and so on
  • close to Sharosu-gil Road, one of hottest place in Gwanak
    • can enjoy hand-made hamburger restaurants, beer taverns, cafés and so on
• nice transportation

💡 - Price is high, but considering its nice environment(security, cleanness, facilities, transportation), it might be worthwhile paying the price.

• If you are planning to travel around a lot, we recommend you to choose home near SNU station :) Subway line2 and buses would take you easily to other parts of Seoul. Plus, you could have easy travel on your way to/from flights, using airport bus.

2. Nakseongdae(낙성대)

1) Map

2) Average price

💵 Studio KRW1000/60

3) Distance

1. to SNU international department
   • 👣 26 min, 🚲 11 min, 🚗 8 min
   • transportation 🚌 15min
     • <Nakseongdae Station> townbus Gwanak 02
2. to SNU engineering department
   • 👣 55 min, 🚲 33 min, 🚗 13 min
   • transportation 🚌 30min
     • <Nakseongdae Station> townbus Gwanak 02
   • SNU Shuttle station
     • Nakseongdae stop →  Engineering Building
3. to subway station
   • 👣 within 10 min to Nakseongdae Station(subway line number 2 - you can go to Gangnam, Hongdae, Jamsil)

4) Characteristic

• darker road compared to SNU station but security is in general not bad
• most SNU students live near 4th exit of Nakseongdae station
• Houses near Inheon elementary school are cheap, but were built more than 7 years ago
• Nakseongdae also has nice facilties(restaurants, cafés, and so on)

  • Nakseongdae park is located, where you could take a walk along nature

  • There are sports centers, where you could enjoy your leisure time. Below are major sports center.

    Community Sports Field

    • Major Facility : Soccer stadium, volleyball court, basketball court, tennis court, etc.
    • Opening Hours : 06:00 ~ 22:00
    • Fee
      • Tennis Court : Weekdays KRW 4,400, Weekends and Holidays KRW 6,600, Night time: KRW 11,000
      • Soccer Stadium : Weekdays KRW 55,000, Weekends and Holidays KRW 7,000 (Separate lighting facility, 2-hour basis)
      • Volleyball Court, Basketball Court : Free
    • Location : 40, Nakseongdae-ro (Bongcheon-dong)
    • Inquiries : Gwanak-gu Facilities Management Corporation ☎ 2081-2660
  • Gwanak-gu Sports Center
    • Major Facility : Gym, swimming pool, squash court, weight room, small gym, auditorium, etc.
    • Additional Facility : Gateball court, parking lot
    • Program : Life Sports Program - 10 classes with 97 classrooms;Educational & cultural program – 54 classes with 114 classrooms
    • Location : 37, Nakseongdae-ro 3-gil (Bongcheon-dong)
    • Inquiries : Gwanak-gu Sports Center ☎ 875-1188
      
      - It is recommended to students who take classes in engineering department, international department and other departments near SNU rear gate - If you like to take a walk, enjoy nature, go for work-out, Nakseongdae would be a perfect place for you!

3. Nokdu(녹두)

1) Map

2) Average price

💵 Studio KRW500/50

3) Distance

1. to SNU Main Entrance
   • 👣 19 min, 🚲 6 min, 🚗 4 min
   • transportation 🚌 12min
     • <Daehakdong Goshichon Entrance> bus 5516, 6514, 5511, 506
2. to subway station
   • to sillim station line No.2 👣 30 min, 🚲 10 min, 🚗 15 min,  🚌 9min
   • to Seoul National Univ. Venture town station line Sillim 👣 5 min, 🚲 2 min, 🚗 3 min,  🚌 6min

4) Characteristic

• SNU students, students preparing for Goshi live a lot
• very quiet
• lots of hills
• cheap pricing → could save cost of living
• properties differ a lot - mostly built more than 10 years ago
• could take a walk along Dorim river
• poor road infrastructure
• low security - gets very dark when sun goes down

💡 - It is recommended to students who want to save budget - cheap housing price and cost of living

• Distance to SNU campus is shortest among districts- however transportation to places other than campus is poor
• Security rate is low
• Quiet neighborhood makes you free from noise disturbance

4. Sillim(신림)

1) Map

2) Average price

💵 Studio KRW500/49

      Officetel KRW1000/74

3) Distance

1. to SNU Main Entrance
   • 👣 50 min, 🚲 16 min, 🚗 10 min
   • transportation 🚌 16min
     • <Sillim Sageori> bus 5516, 6514
2. to subway station
   • to sillim station line No.2 within 👣 10 min

4) Characteristic

• near exit1) quiet, but has hills
• near exit3, 4) noise disturbance as there are many pubs nearby
• many floating populations, so it might not be scary, but road could be dirty or dangerous due to a drunk
• cheap compared to properties near SNU station
• diverse cultural and life facilities available

💡 - It is recommended to students who want to find cheap price, but want to enjoy convenience from diverse facilities

• Might be disturbed by noise
• Nice transportation as it is close to subway line 2

5. Bongcheon(봉천)

1) Map

2) Average price

💵 Studio KRW500/40

3) Distance

1. to SNU Main Entrance
   • 👣 47 min, 🚲 12 min, 🚗 11 min
   • transportation 🚌 11min
     • go to SNU station by using subway line 2 and then take bus there
2. to subway station
   • to Bongcheon station line No.2 within 👣 10 min

4) Characteristic

• while boulevards are secure, small streets are dangerous
• outdated infrastructure and buildings
• a lot of hills
• varies a lot based on which property you are looking at
  • property near SNU station is clean, but expensive

💡 - It is recommended to students who want to find relatively cheap price

• Nice transportation as it is close to subway line 2, but have a lot of hills