“Work over school districts”: Living close to work is the top reason for moving this year

[Financial News] As demand for housing close to workplaces grows, areas with clusters of major corporate facilities are becoming more popular.
According to a survey released on the 4th by Danggeun Real Estate as part of its “2026 Real Estate Trends” report, the top reason for moving was “changing jobs and shortening the commute (40.2%).” This was followed by reducing housing costs (17.8%), moving to a more desirable area (13.1%), and children’s school districts (8.8%). Respondents could select multiple answers.
As demand for housing near workplaces concentrates in these areas, home sales are increasing in locations with major corporate production facilities. According to the Korea Real Estate Board, 13,175 apartment transactions took place in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, home to the Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus, in the first half of this year, up 26% from the same period last year.
Transactions at record-high prices have also continued. According to actual transaction data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, an 84-square-meter unit at Sibum Hanbit Village Kumho Eoullim in Bansong-dong, Hwaseong City, sold for 1.06 billion won last month. That was 350 million won more than the 710 million won transaction price in October last year.
A similar trend was seen in Cheonan and Asan, South Chungcheong Province. With major production facilities such as Samsung Electronics’ Asan Onyang Campus and Samsung Display’s Asan Display City located in the area, apartment transactions in Cheonan and Asan totaled 22,842 from January to August this year, up 9% from the same period last year. That exceeded the 8% increase in apartment transactions nationwide over the same period.
Some apartment complexes in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, home to the SK hynix Cheongju Campus, also recorded sales at higher prices. An 84-square-meter unit at Cheongju Gagyeong IPARK Complex 3 in Heungdeok-gu sold for 810 million won in September, 165 million won more than the 645 million won recorded in the same month last year. An 84-square-meter unit at Seo-Cheongju Park Xi in the same area also changed hands for 550 million won in September, 76 million won more than its transaction price of 474 million won in September last year.
New residential developments are expected to continue coming onto the market in the second half of this year near major corporate facilities and industrial complexes.
In Asan City, South Chungcheong Province, the residential officetel e-Pyeonhansesang City Cheonan-Asan Station is on sale. Korea Asset Trust is developing the project, and DL Construction Co., Ltd. is building it. It will comprise 396 units, each measuring 84 square meters. Nearby is an industrial complex designated as a specialized cluster for semiconductor back-end-process materials, parts and equipment, and efforts are also underway to expand the industrial base in line with the mid- to long-term investment plans of Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display.
In Jangseong-dong, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, HL D&I Halla Corporation is selling Sinbunpyeong EFETE The Way City. The development will comprise 992 homes, with exclusive-use areas ranging from 59 to 112 square meters. The site offers road access to industrial facilities including the SK hynix Cheongju semiconductor plant, Cheongju Technopolis, Cheongju General Industrial Complex and Osong Bio-Health Science Complex.
In Doryang-dong, Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, Taeyoung Engineering & Construction plans to launch sales of Gumi Park One Desian this month. Of the development’s 2,648 homes, 1,355 units in Complex 1, with exclusive-use areas of 84 to 110 square meters, will be offered first. The nearby Gumi National Industrial Complex is home to clusters of facilities operated by major companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Innotek and SK Siltron Co., Ltd.

[email protected] Choi A-young Reporter