What U.S. Military Families in Korea Say Matters Most When Choosing a Home

Moving to Korea soon for the U.S. Military? Then you may want to know about what U.S. military-affiliated people in Korea say matters most when choosing a home. This research comes directly from U.S. Military living and working in the Pyeongtaek-si area of South Korea. Folks who are living with their choices and know what matters most.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

About the Included South of Seoul Poll Information

SOS SEC partnered with South of Seoul to conduct a poll for the military community living in Pyeongtaek-si via the Pyeongtaek Living Facebook group in late 2025. South of Seoul specializes in providing localized information in South Korea based on research. Around 250 U.S. Military-affiliated respondents participated in this poll. We selected the top 10 responses to create this list.

Poll & Post Sponsorship

Additionally, this poll was sponsored by The A Realty and Hollywood Realty, your USFK-approved realtors for Osan Air Force Base and Camp Humphreys. The realtors wanted to empower incoming U.S. Military-affiliated rentors with the information they need to make informed and confident rental choices. We will drop the locations for these realtors at the end of this blog post.

PCSing to Korea May Feel Stressful

Moving to Korea with the U.S. military and choosing a place to live can feel overwhelming. That is normal. Many people before you felt the same way. They figured it out, and you will too. Of course, the more information you have, the easier the home hunt may feel. This post shares what military families already living in Korea say mattered most when choosing a home. This advice comes from real experiences. It is meant to help you feel supported and prepared.

Everyone’s situation is different. Still, clear patterns showed up again and again. Below are the top ten things people cared about most, ranked by importance.

Top 10 Factors Impacting Happiness Over Time When Choosing a Home

International residents working with the U.S. Military have their own unique experiences living in Korea. For example, many 1) come with larger U.S. vehicles, 2) have some or all of their household goods shipped from the United States, 3) have kids who need to take base school buses, and 5) don’t have bank accounts in Korea. This means their housing needs differ significantly from those of other international residents in Korea.

Therefore, SOS SEC asked U.S. Military-affiliated community members what factors impacted their lives most when choosing their housing. This list reflects some of the factors they chose and the percentage of votes for each

1. Neighborhood Location (20%)

Location mattered more than anything else. However, different respondents had varying preferences. Some respondents wanted neighborhoods that felt comfortable and easy to learn. Others wanted places close to base and familiar faces. Some respondents sought a greater distance from the bases, as they wanted to feel more integrated into the community and closer to local service providers. Many people said that choosing the right neighborhood made Korea feel like home faster.

South of Seoul actually has several blog posts to learn about Pyeongtaek Neighborhoods. A perfect place to deepen your research and get an idea about where you want to live.

2. Parking (15%)

Parking is a big deal in Korea. Many homes have limited or shared parking. Some areas have electric car stations in their parking lots, others do not. Respondents wanted clear, reliable parking. They also needed parking for guests. This mattered even more for those with more than one car. Some wanted covered parking so they didn’t have to worry about snow. Easy parking made daily life smoother and reduced daily frustration. The perfect home can feel like a hassle if you can’t easily park or friends can’t comfortably come over.

3. Housing Type (15%)

People cared a lot about the type of home they lived in. Apartments, villas, and single homes all feel very different. Some wanted elevators and security. Others wanted fewer neighbors or more space. There is no best choice. The best option is the one that fits your family. The most important thing was finding the appropriate house type for their needs. No single type of home won over others because people have different preferences. What mattered was taking time to identify what was needed and researching which type of housing met those needs.

4. Realtor and Communication (12%)

A good realtor made a huge difference. Clear communication mattered more than anything else. Families wanted someone who explained things slowly and effectively. This meant knowing more than English, but also the hidden culture and expectations common within US Military culture. Understanding such a hidden culture helped build and seemed help respondents feel safe while living in South Korea.

If you do not understand something, it is okay to ask again. Good realtors expect that. If you don’t feel comfortable asking questions, consider searching for a realtor who makes you feel more confident.

5. LPG or City Gas (6%)

LPG prices often surprised many people. Homes in Korea use either city gas or LPG tanks. City gas is vastly cheaper than LPG tanks. You have no idea. LPG tanks can be hundreds of USD less per month than city gas. Respondents liked knowing this upfront, so there were no surprises later. Don’t get surprised by your monthly bills; make sure you are on city gas if you want lower costs.

6. Proximity to Public Transportation (6%)

Even if you drive, buses and subways matter. Korea’s public transportation is reliable and affordable. Living near a bus stop or subway station gave families more freedom. It also helped visiting friends or family get around easily.

7. Proximity to School Bus Routes (6%)

For families with kids, school bus access was critical. Being near an approved bus route saved time and stress. It also meant fewer early mornings and smoother school days.

8. Proximity to Restaurants (5%)

Restaurants nearby made daily life easier. Eating out in Korea is common and affordable. Families liked having quick options close to home. It helped on busy days and made exploring Korean food less intimidating.

9. Air Conditioning Setup (3%)

Air conditioning matters more than people expect. Since Korean housing generally doesn’t have central air conditioning, it can be important to make sure A/C units exist in both the central areas and the bedrooms or spare rooms where you will spend the most time. Summers in Korea are hot and humid. Families wanted built-in units in the main rooms. Knowing the setup before moving in helped avoid discomfort later.

10. Size of the Home (3%)

Size mattered, but less than many expected. Families said layout mattered more than square meters. A well-designed home felt bigger than a poorly designed one. Storage and room shape often mattered more than total size.

Wrap Up

There is no perfect house in Korea. There is only the right house for you right now. Many military families felt nervous at first. Almost all said it got easier with time. Ask questions. Take notes. Trust your instincts. You are not alone in this process. Others have done it before you, and many are happy to share what they learned. Korea can feel unfamiliar at first, but the right home makes all the difference.

Read These Additional Articles

If you are US Military-affiliated and making the move to Korea and need to choose the right house for your situation, read these additional articles!

• Renting a Home in Pyeongtaek-si: Info for U.S. Military
• Comparison of Rental Systems Near US Military Bases
• Guide to Used Furniture Shops in Pyeongtaek
• Guide to Used Furniture in Korea

Blog Post Sponsors

SOS SEC would like to thank South of Seoul for doing this poll, and we would like to thank The A Realty and Hollywood Realty for sharing. We deeply appreciate their support. Compiling information for the community is no small task, and having supporters and sponsors helps make it all possible.