How to Find an Apartment in Ch’ŏngjin Without Getting Scammed
look, i'm not gonna sugarcoat this-finding a place to live in ch'ŏngjin is like trying to find a decent avocado in the middle of winter. it's possible, but you're gonna get your hands dirty. and yeah, i'm talking about the second-largest city in north korea, not some hipster neighborhood in brooklyn. so buckle up, because this is gonna be messy, real, and probably a little chaotic.
first off, let's talk numbers. the average rent for a small apartment in ch'ŏngjin is around 50-100 won per month, depending on the district. yeah, i know, it sounds cheap, but don't get too excited. the average monthly salary here is about 2,000-3,000 won, so even that "cheap" rent can eat up a chunk of your paycheck. and before you ask, no, i don't have a source for that. i overheard it from a guy at the market who claimed he was an economist. take it with a grain of salt, or a whole shaker, really.
now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. if you're a digital nomad like me, you're probably thinking, "cool, i'll just hop on a plane and find a place when i get there." nope. not happening. ch'ŏngjin isn't exactly a hotspot for remote workers, and the internet situation is… well, let's just say it's not fiber-optic. you'll need to do your homework before you even think about packing your bags.
here's a quick rundown of what you need to know:
- *the districts: ch'ŏngjin is split into four main districts-hyesan, ch'anggwang, ch'ŏngam, and seongjin. hyesan is the most developed, but it's also the most expensive. ch'anggwang is more industrial, so it's cheaper but less scenic. ch'ŏngam and seongjin are a mix of both.
- the scams: oh boy, where do i start? there's the classic "too good to be true" rental ad, where the landlord asks for a deposit upfront and then disappears. there's also the "shared apartment" scam, where you think you're renting a room, but it turns out to be a closet. and let's not forget the "key money" scam, where you pay a huge upfront fee for a place that doesn't even exist.
- the locals*: most people in ch'ŏngjin are friendly, but they're also wary of foreigners. if you don't speak korean, you're gonna have a hard time. learn a few phrases, or better yet, bring a local friend who can help you navigate the rental market.
i know what you're thinking: "this sounds like a nightmare." and yeah, it kinda is. but here's the thing-ch'ŏngjin is also one of the most fascinating cities i've ever been to. the people are resilient, the food is incredible (if you like seafood and kimchi), and the history is rich. so if you're up for an adventure, it's worth the hassle.
one last piece of advice: don't trust anyone who says they can "guarantee" you a place. in ch'ŏngjin, nothing is guaranteed. but if you're patient, persistent, and a little bit lucky, you might just find a gem. and when you do, it'll feel like winning the lottery.
oh, and before i forget-here are a few links that might help you out:
- tripadvisor: ch'ŏngjin travel guide
- yelp: ch'ŏngjin restaurants
- reddit: r/northkorea
happy hunting, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
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