Honest Review: 5 Months at a Homessignature Apartment Near Korea University

I'll be upfront: I'm not usually the type to write reviews. But my semester in Seoul went so well that I feel like I owe it to future exchange students to share what actually made the difference. Housing was a big part of that. Here's my honest take after 5 months with Homessignature near Korea University.

The Booking Process

I booked from Ann Arbor, Michigan, four months before my arrival. The process was straightforward — I picked my dates, sent some questions over email about what was included, got clear answers within a day, and confirmed. No wire transfer to a stranger, no obscure Korean bank account, no "I promise the place exists" anxiety. For an American student used to being burned by Craigslist, this felt unusually trustworthy. My parents were also relieved.

Living in Anam-dong

My apartment was in the Anam-dong area, which is Korea University's home neighbourhood. Going into it I was slightly disappointed it wasn't in a more "exciting" part of Seoul. By week three I'd completely changed my mind. Everything I needed was within walking distance — 24-hour convenience stores, good Korean restaurants, a jjimjilbang, a pharmacy, and the university campus itself. And when I wanted the excitement of Hongdae or Itaewon, Line 6 got me there in 20–25 minutes.

The KU campus being a 12-minute walk uphill every morning was annoying for about two weeks and then became part of my routine. I started leaving 5 minutes earlier and started appreciating the view from the top of the hill.

The Apartment Itself

Clean, functional, fully furnished with good quality stuff. The mattress was better than my college dorm mattress back home. The kitchen was genuinely usable — I cooked probably half my meals at home once I figured out the nearest 마트 (mart). High-speed WiFi that never went down. The building had a keypad entry system, which felt secure and was easy to use once you set your code.

One thing I appreciated that I didn't expect to appreciate: the apartment had blackout curtains. Seoul at night is extremely bright — signs, street lights, passing cars. Those curtains made a real difference for sleep quality.

The Korea University Experience

This is mostly unrelated to housing but context matters: KU has a strong exchange student program and an active international buddy system. My Korean buddy took me to my first norebang, my first pojangmacha, and the KU–Yonsei soccer game (Yonsei-Kojon), which is genuinely one of the best sporting experiences I've ever had. Having my own space to come home to after those long social days — rather than a shared dorm room — made me more present for all of it.

Bottom Line

5 months, zero complaints I'd consider dealbreakers. I'd stay again if I come back to Seoul. And I think I will come back to Seoul.

Stayed: February – June 2026 · Anam-dong area · Korea University exchange