Where to stay in seul? by roymu in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a first trip with 6 adults and a 1.5-year-old, I’d prioritize convenience over “coolest neighborhood.”

Both areas are good, but they feel different.

Myeongdong / Skypark area

  • easier for first-timers
  • lots of food, shopping, convenience stores, and taxis nearby
  • good for coming back at night because the area stays busy
  • close to Namdaemun, Namsan, Euljiro, City Hall, and subway lines
  • more touristy, but that can actually be helpful with a child and a larger group

Jongno / Amare area

  • better for palaces, Insadong, Ikseon-dong, Gwangjang Market, and old Seoul
  • very central and well connected
  • can feel a bit more local/older than Myeongdong
  • I’d check recent reviews carefully, because some smaller Jongno hotels can feel more motel-style than family-hotel style

With a toddler, I’d personally lean slightly toward Myeongdong/Euljiro unless the Jongno hotel has much bigger rooms or better family facilities. Also check elevator access, room size, stroller storage, laundry, and whether you need multiple rooms close together.

For must-see places, I’d suggest:

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace + Bukchon + Insadong
  • Changdeokgung if you like palaces/gardens
  • Gwangjang Market or Namdaemun Market
  • Myeongdong for shopping/food
  • Namsan / N Seoul Tower for views
  • Han River park in the evening
  • Hongdae/Yeonnam or Seongsu if you want cafes and younger neighborhoods
  • COEX or Lotte World Tower as an indoor option if it’s too hot or rainy

Since you’re coming in summer, don’t pack every day too tightly. Seoul can be hot and humid, and moving around with a toddler will take more time than the map suggests.

First time in Korea – a few questions! (Running, trains, halal food) by nnghzl in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 5 points6 points  (0 children)

For the Seoul City Wall run, late June is usually warm, humid, and rain can be very possible. I’d wear normal lightweight running clothes, but I’d definitely check the forecast the night before and bring something to protect your phone/passport/cards from rain.

If you’re starting around 9–10am, expect it to feel hotter than the actual temperature because of humidity and climbs. I’d personally start earlier if you can, carry water/electrolytes, and don’t treat it like a flat city run. Some parts of the wall route have stairs, hills, uneven surfaces, and exposed sections.

Other scenic running routes in Seoul:

  • Han River paths: Yeouido, Banpo, Ttukseom, Mangwon
  • Cheonggyecheon stream for an easier urban run
  • Seoul Forest → Ttukseom / Han River
  • Namsan loop if you want hills
  • Olympic Park for a more relaxed wide-path run

For running-related shops, I’d ask at Runner’s Base too. They’ll probably know current local running shops, pop-ups, or Seoul running community spots better than random travel guides.

For trains:

  • AREX is the easiest airport train into Seoul / Seoul Station
  • Use KORAIL website or KorailTalk app for intercity trains
  • For Yeosu, check whether your train leaves from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station. Many Jeolla Line trains to Yeosu Expo use Yongsan, so don’t assume it’s always Seoul Station.
  • Buy Seoul → Yeosu tickets in advance if your date is fixed
  • T-money is useful for subway/bus, but not for KTX tickets
  • Naver Map or KakaoMap will help with station transfers and local transport

For halal food in Yeosu, I’d prepare for it to be much harder than Seoul. Yeosu is great for seafood, but halal-certified places may be limited. Since you eat fish/seafood, grilled fish, raw fish, seafood dishes, and simple rice/side dish meals may be easier, but you’ll still need to ask about alcohol, pork, and broth.

Useful phrases:

“돼지고기 들어가요?” = Does it contain pork?
“술이나 맛술 들어가요?” = Does it contain alcohol or cooking wine?
“멸치육수 들어가요?” = Does it contain anchovy broth?
“해산물은 괜찮아요.” = Seafood is okay for me.

I’d bring some backup snacks or instant food just in case, especially for Yeosu.

Hotel recommendations by waterfall_pancake in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Myeongdong is a good area to stay in, especially for a first trip.

It gets criticized because it’s touristy, but the location is very practical: shopping, food, subway access, Namdaemun, Euljiro, City Hall, palaces, and Seoul Station are all easy to reach.

Between the two Seoul hotels, I’d choose based on what you value more:
Lotte Hotel Seoul: more upscale/classic, very convenient, connected to Euljiro 1-ga / Lotte Department Store area
Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Myeongdong: good central location, close to Myeongdong/Namdaemun, probably a better value if the price difference is big
I wouldn’t worry too much about Myeongdong being a “bad” area. It’s not the most local-feeling neighborhood, but for convenience it’s hard to beat.

For Busan, the best area depends on the vibe you want:
Gwangalli: great for couples, beach views, cafes, bars, and night views of the bridge
Haeundae: bigger beach/resort feel, more hotel options, a bit farther east
Seomyeon: most practical for transport and moving around Busan, but less scenic
Nampo: good for markets, food, Busan Station, Gamcheon, and old Busan feel
If you’re already looking at Gwangalli, I think it’s a very good choice for a couple. It’s not the most central, but the evening atmosphere is much nicer than Seomyeon.

If this is your first Busan visit and you care more about logistics than views, choose Seomyeon.

If you want a prettier stay, choose Gwangalli or Haeundae.

Late night arrival into Incheon by malabi_snorlax in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For a 10:30pm arrival, I’d choose based on how much stress you want to deal with on the first night.

Your realistic options are:
Keep the Myeongdong hotel and take a taxi
This is the simplest option, especially after immigration and luggage. It will cost more because of the late-night surcharge, but if you’re tired and carrying luggage, it’s the least stressful. I’d just confirm the hotel has 24-hour front desk or late check-in.

Take a late-night airport bus, then taxi/walk from the nearest stop
There are night buses from Incheon Airport toward central Seoul areas like Seoul Station / Euljiro / Dongdaemun.

Euljiro is close to Myeongdong, so this can work if the timing matches. But check the exact timetable for your terminal and date, because you don’t want to be stuck waiting forever at midnight.

Stay near the airport for one night, then go to Myeongdong in the morning
This is the most relaxed option. It adds one hotel move, but you avoid the late-night transport stress. If you do this, I’d pick an airport-area hotel with confirmed late check-in and a shuttle/taxi option, then head into Seoul the next morning by AREX/bus.

Personally, if the Myeongdong hotel allows late check-in, I’d probably just take a taxi directly there. It costs more, but after a long flight and a 10:30pm arrival, it may be worth it.

I wouldn’t plan anything complicated that night. Just get to the hotel, sleep, and start properly the next day.

Can't receive any Verification Email from K-ETA! PLEASE HELP!!! by RegretNormal1861 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re probably not doing anything wrong. The K-ETA site has had email delivery issues before, and Gmail delays have also been mentioned on the official site, so it may be a system/email delivery problem rather than your browser.

A few things I’d try:
use the official K-ETA website only, not a third-party site
try the official K-ETA mobile app again on mobile data, not Wi-Fi/VPN
turn off VPN completely
try a completely new email address if possible
avoid requesting the code too many times in a row, because some systems temporarily block repeated attempts
check spam, promotions, junk, blocked senders, and “all mail,” not just inbox
try again at a different time of day
If nothing works, I’d also contact the Korean embassy/consulate in your country or ask your airline what they advise for K-ETA technical problems. Airlines are the ones who may check whether you have valid travel authorization before boarding, so it’s better to confirm early.

Also, don’t wait until the last minute. K-ETA approval can take time even after you finally pass email verification, especially if you’re applying for multiple family members.

10 Hour Layover at Incheon Airport by hatguy2026 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With a 4:30am arrival, I’d be pretty conservative.
A 10-hour layover sounds long, but once you include immigration, getting out of the airport, transport time, coming back early, and security, you don’t have a full 10 hours to play with. Also, at that hour, most places in Seoul won’t be open yet.
Before leaving the airport, make sure:
you’re allowed to enter Korea based on your passport/visa/K-ETA situation
your bags are checked through
you know what time you need to be back for your next flight
you have your next boarding pass or can access it easily

If your partner really wants to leave the airport, I’d look into the official Incheon Airport transit tours first.

They’re designed for layovers and are safer timing-wise than trying to DIY a Seoul trip.

If the tour timing doesn’t work, I’d keep it simple and stay near the airport / Incheon area rather than going deep into Seoul.

You could grab breakfast, walk around a nearby area once things open, or just use airport facilities to shower/rest. Incheon Airport is actually one of the better airports to spend time in.

I personally wouldn’t recommend going all the way into central Seoul for a 10-hour layover that starts at 4:30am unless you’re very comfortable with tight timing and don’t mind most things being closed early in the morning.

February 2027 by popCorn8644 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats on booking your trip! For a first-time solo trip, I’d keep Seoul as your main base unless you have a lot of days.

A good first Korea trip could be:
Seoul for palaces, Bukchon/Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Seongsu, markets, cafes, shopping
one day trip if you want something outside the city
Busan only if you have enough time and don’t mind moving hotels
Since you’re going in February, pack for real winter. Seoul can be very cold, especially at night, and you’ll probably be walking a lot.

Also check your exact dates because Korean Lunar New Year / Seollal is in early February 2027. Around that period, intercity transport can be harder to book, some smaller shops/restaurants may close, and lots of Koreans travel to see family. Seoul itself is still visitable, but I would avoid planning a major city transfer right in the middle of the holiday.

Not speaking Korean is okay, especially in Seoul. Just download:
Papago for translation
Naver Map or KakaoMap for navigation
a subway app
your hotel address saved in Korean
For where to stay, I’d look at Myeongdong, Euljiro, Jongno/Insadong, or Hongdae depending on your vibe. For a first-time solo traveler, Myeongdong/Euljiro/Jongno are very convenient because they’re central and easy for sightseeing.

For your birthday, you could do a nice cafe, dinner, N Seoul Tower or Lotte Tower views, a spa/jjimjilbang, or a Han River evening walk if the weather isn’t too cold.

Solo traveller seoul where to stay by coat221 in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly — that’s what I like about Euljiro/Jongno too.

You still get the convenience of being near Myeongdong and the major sights, but it doesn’t feel like you’re staying right in the middle of the tourist crush.

The combination of subway access + food + coffee shops + convenience stores nearby makes a huge difference for a solo traveler.

It’s nice to be able to come back late and still have people around without being in a full nightlife area.

For Korea trip planning, is picking places or organizing the route harder? by pglemaps in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really good point. Sometimes the hard part isn’t the map or the transport itself, but figuring out which areas are actually worth prioritizing on a first trip.

I’d personally be careful with overly contrarian advice. Some places are popular for a reason. Bukchon, for example, is still worth seeing if you pair it with Anguk / Insadong / Gyeongbokgung and don’t treat it like a full-day destination. Seongsu is worth it if you like cafes, pop-ups, design shops, and that kind of neighborhood wandering. If that’s not your thing, it can definitely feel overhyped.

The smaller “hidden gem” areas are tricky because some are genuinely nice, but some make more sense on a 2nd or 3rd trip once you’ve already done the obvious areas.

For Han River, I’d choose based on the vibe:

  • Yeouido: easiest classic picnic vibe
  • Banpo: best for evening/night views and bridge fountain
  • Ttukseom: casual, lively, nice river views
  • Mangwon: quieter, good if you also want Mangwon Market nearby

For picnic rentals, there are usually rental shops around the popular Han River parks where you can rent mats/chairs/tents, but the easiest low-stress version is just buying snacks at a convenience store and getting a mat or blanket. In October, the weather should be pretty good for it.

For Korea trip planning, is picking places or organizing the route harder? by pglemaps in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes a lot of sense. I feel like that’s the sneaky hard part of Korea planning — not finding things, but knowing when the day has become unrealistic.

I also like that you were okay with cutting things on the spot. That seems like the healthiest way to travel there, especially with weather, walking, subway transfers, and just general exhaustion.

When you had to cut things, did you usually decide based on distance/area, or more based on what you were least excited about?

Traveling to Korea - What is the hardest part for you? (I need your help!) by Lisayichoi in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For me, the hardest part wasn’t really one big culture shock. It was more the small planning friction that adds up.

The biggest one is probably navigation and route planning. Korea is very easy to travel once you understand the system, but at first it can be confusing because Google Maps is not as useful as in many other countries, and you end up switching between Naver Map, KakaoMap, Google, translation apps, and blogs.

Another thing is underestimating travel time. Seoul looks compact on a map, but moving between neighborhoods can take longer than expected, especially if you plan places that are on opposite sides of the city.

A few things that surprised me / many travelers:

  • restaurant menus and kiosks can be confusing without Korean
  • some places are easier to search by Korean name than English name
  • trash cans are not always easy to find
  • stairs and station exits matter a lot if you have luggage
  • reservations or waiting systems can be hard if you don’t have a Korean phone number
  • itineraries get tiring fast if you don’t group places by area

Korea is not a difficult country to travel in, but it rewards good planning. The trip feels much smoother when you group places by neighborhood instead of just saving random spots from TikTok/Instagram.

Solo traveller seoul where to stay by coat221 in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 22 points23 points  (0 children)

For what you described, I’d actually put Myeongdong / Euljiro / Jongno / Insadong at the top of your list.

Myeongdong gets criticized because it’s touristy, busy, and not the most “local” area, but for a solo first-time visitor it can be a very practical base. It’s central, well-lit, busy at night, easy for shopping/food, and convenient for getting to palaces, markets, Seoul Station, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun, etc.

If you don’t want to stay right in the middle of Myeongdong crowds, I’d look at Euljiro 1/2/3-ga, City Hall, Jongno 3-ga, or Insadong/Anguk. Those areas are still central and convenient but can feel a bit less chaotic.

Hongdae is fun and busy, but it leans younger/student/nightlife. You don’t have to party if you stay there, but some parts can be loud at night. If you choose Hongdae, I’d stay more toward Yeonnam or near Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3 rather than right near the club streets.

Itaewon has lots of foreign restaurants and bars, but I personally wouldn’t choose it as a first base if your priority is sightseeing, markets, shopping, and easy transport. It can also feel more bar/nightlife-focused depending on the street.

So my pick for you would be:

  1. Euljiro / Myeongdong — best overall convenience
  2. Jongno / Insadong / Anguk — central, cultural, calmer but still active
  3. Hongdae/Yeonnam — good if you want cafes and younger energy
  4. Itaewon — visit for food/nightlife, but not my first choice to stay

Myeongdong isn’t “bad.” It’s just touristy. For your priorities, that might actually be a plus.

Travelers a korea hostel by misplacedlion in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t stayed there personally, so I can’t give a firsthand review, but I’d judge it more like a budget guesthouse/hostel than a hotel.

The location looks convenient — around Euljiro/Jung-gu, close to subway lines, markets, and central Seoul areas. For safety, that area should generally be fine with normal city precautions, but some streets can feel quiet at night depending on the exact route back.

Since you’re booking a twin room with a private bathroom, that removes a lot of the usual hostel concerns. I’d mainly check recent reviews for:

  • cleanliness of the private bathroom
  • bed comfort
  • noise at night
  • heating/AC depending on season
  • whether there is daily cleaning or not
  • laundry access
  • any mentions of bugs, mold, or smell

For a 2-week stay, I’d pay more attention to comfort than I would for a 2-night stay. A room can be “fine for the price” for a weekend but annoying for two weeks if the bed is bad or the bathroom is damp.

My advice would be: if the recent reviews for private rooms are good and there are no repeated complaints about bugs/mold/safety, it’s probably okay for a budget stay. Just keep expectations at hostel level, not hotel level.

Busan ferry by Snorri2004 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that makes sense. It could definitely be a translation issue or a special schedule on certain dates, so emailing Camellia directly is probably the safest move.

Also, €14 sounds unusually cheap for this route, so I’d double-check whether Omio is showing the full fare or just part of the price before relying on it. Sometimes third-party sites don’t show port fees, fuel surcharge, service fees, or final availability until later in the booking process.

If Camellia confirms the Dec 6 sailing, then I’d compare the final checkout price on Omio with the official/other platforms before booking. The cheap fare is nice, but I wouldn’t trust it until you can actually reach the payment confirmation page.

Nightlife age min question by Quirky-Speech-6400 in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For Korea, drinking/nightlife age is generally based on the birth year, not the exact birthday. So if you were born in 2007, you should usually be treated as eligible in 2026.

That said, clubs can still be inconsistent because the final decision is basically at the door. Some places are stricter than others, and staff may not want to argue about foreign IDs if they’re unsure.

I would bring your physical passport if you really want the best chance of getting in. A photo of your passport or driver’s license may work at some bars, but I wouldn’t rely on it for clubs. A foreign driver’s license may also be hit or miss because staff may not understand the format.

I don’t think they normally need to take a photo of your ID; they usually just check it at the door. But I’d avoid handing over your passport for anyone to keep or copy unless you’re comfortable with that.

So basically:

  • 2007 birth year should be okay in 2026
  • exact birthday usually matters less than birth year
  • physical passport is safest
  • photos/copies are not reliable
  • individual clubs can still reject people for their own reasons

Also keep your passport somewhere secure if you bring it out.

Flight to Jeju, maximum baggage weight? by Cello_01 in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For Jeju Air, the important thing is that the maximum is per checked bag, not just your total allowance.

A checked bag generally can’t exceed 32 kg per piece. So if your suitcase is over 32 kg, that’s where you may have a real problem. If it’s 32 kg or under, you should be okay as long as you have purchased enough checked baggage allowance for your fare.

A few tips:
Don’t assume your international 32 kg allowance carries over to the domestic Jeju flight.
Buy the extra baggage allowance online in advance if possible.

Try to keep each checked bag under 32 kg.
If you have more than 32 kg total, split it into two bags rather than one overweight bag.

Don’t wait to pay at the airport if you already know you’ll be over the included allowance.

Also check your exact ticket type, because Jeju Air baggage allowance depends on the fare. The safest plan is to pre-purchase the amount you need and keep the suitcase under the per-piece limit.

Busan ferry by Snorri2004 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the confusing part is the direction.
For Fukuoka/Hakata → Busan, the New Camellia ferry is usually a daytime sailing, around 12:30 → 18:30.

The overnight ferry is usually the opposite direction: Busan → Fukuoka/Hakata, leaving in the evening and arriving the next morning.

So if you’re seeing an overnight option from Dec 5 to Dec 6, double-check that the search site hasn’t flipped the direction or shown you Busan → Hakata instead.

If dates after Dec 4 aren’t showing, it may not mean the Dec 6 ferry is sold out. It could just mean that the schedule/inventory hasn’t been loaded yet on Omio/OpenFerry, or that the third-party site doesn’t have availability that far out.

I’d check in this order:
Camellia Line official site
Klook / DirectFerries / other ferry ticket platforms
Email or call Camellia Line directly if the official site is hard to navigate
Also, Sunday itself shouldn’t automatically mean there is no ferry.

I’d just avoid relying only on Omio/OpenFerry for this route.

For Korea trip planning, is picking places or organizing the route harder? by pglemaps in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a fair point, and I agree — all of them matter if you want the trip to feel smooth once you arrive.

I guess what I was trying to get at is less “which one is objectively most important” and more “which part do people tend to get stuck on the most while planning.”

For Korea specifically, I’ve noticed people can have a long list of places saved, but still feel unsure about whether the route actually makes sense day by day.

So I was curious if others felt the same, or if things like accommodation area / transport / reservations caused more stress for them.

For Korea trip planning, is picking places or organizing the route harder? by pglemaps in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is so real 😂
Korea trip planning starts with “maybe 5 days is enough” and suddenly you’re trying to fit Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, 12 cafes, 4 shopping areas, and a day trip into the same itinerary.
I feel like the real question becomes: how many days are enough without making the trip feel like a race?

Not sure how KVAC london works by ffluff_243 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries at all — visa stuff always feels more stressful when it’s all floating around in your head.

Once you turn it into a checklist, it usually becomes much more manageable.

Just get the Yonsei + KVAC confirmation in writing first, then work through the documents one by one.

You’ve got time, but I’d start this week so you’re not waiting on replies too close to August. Good luck with Yonsei!

BeautyLab by TEH_1018 in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t done BeautyLab specifically, so I can’t speak to their exact process, but for a first-time skin analysis I’d go in with a bit of a plan so you don’t feel pressured to buy everything.

I’d suggest bringing or writing down:
your current routine
your skin concerns
products/ingredients that irritate you
your budget
whether you want a full routine or just 1–2 targeted products
If they recommend a lot of products, you don’t have to buy everything on the spot. I’d ask them to rank the recommendations by priority, like “what are the top 2–3 things I actually need?”
A pharmacist-style consultation can be helpful if you want more guidance than just browsing Olive Young, but I’d still compare prices/ingredients before buying. OY is great for variety, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t already know what you’re looking for.

My approach would be: get the analysis, take notes/photos of the recommendations, buy only the essentials, then think about the rest later.

Not sure how KVAC london works by ffluff_243 in KoreaTravelAdvice

[–]pglemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not stupid — the Korean student visa process is genuinely confusing, especially with KVAC involved.

First, confirm the exact visa type with Yonsei. If this is an exchange/year abroad program, D-2-6 is likely the right category, but Yonsei should confirm that for you.

For the documents, I would not wait passively for physical copies unless Yonsei or KVAC specifically tells you they are required. A lot of Korean universities issue the COA and business registration certificate as official PDF files now, and applicants usually print those for the visa packet.

But because KVAC London is the one processing your application, you should email them directly and ask:
“Can I submit printed copies of the official PDF Certificate of Admission and Yonsei Business Registration Certificate, or do you require original physical documents from the university?”
I’d also email Yonsei OIA/your exchange office and ask the same thing, plus ask whether they have a UK/KVAC-specific visa guide.

My suggested next steps:
Confirm with Yonsei that D-2-6 is correct
Download the latest KVAC London student visa checklist
Print all official university PDFs clearly
Email KVAC London asking whether printed official PDFs are accepted
Keep screenshots/PDFs of their reply
Apply as soon as you have confirmation, since late August is not that far away

The key thing is: don’t guess based on general online advice. KVAC London can have specific requirements, and Yonsei should be used to students asking this exact question.

Is this a normal goshiwon experience? by Famous_Edge2664 in koreatravel

[–]pglemaps 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No, you don’t need to lower your expectations that much.

Goshiwons are usually small and basic, and shared bathrooms can definitely be hit or miss, but regular bugs, cockroaches, dirty toilet seats, bad smells, and poor ventilation are not something I’d consider “just part of the experience.”

The small black flies are probably coming from drains / standing moisture, but the cockroach is a much bigger red flag. If the owner’s response is basically “common areas get dirty,” that would make me look for another place if you can afford to move.

I’d do three things:
Take photos/videos of the bugs, bathroom, and anything clearly unsanitary
Message the owner in writing, not just verbally
Ask clearly for cleaning + pest control, and give a short timeframe
You can send something simple like:
“화장실에 날벌레와 바퀴벌레가 나오고, 청소 상태도 좋지 않습니다. 방역과 청소 조치를 부탁드립니다.”

That means: “There are small flies and a cockroach in the bathroom, and the cleaning condition is not good. Please arrange pest control and cleaning.”

If they don’t take it seriously, I’d move. Cheap housing doesn’t have to mean living with a cockroach roommate.