Sokcho Homebuyers Choose Living Infrastructure Over Views, Prefer Urban Complexes

- Real Homebuyers Prioritize Daily Convenience... Residential Trends Shift and Regional Value is Redefined
- Areas Like Geumho-dong with Excellent Living Infrastructure Gain Popularity... Apartment Sales Prices and Jeonse Ratios Also Rise

The residential trends in Sokcho City have been changing recently. While "ocean-view apartments" along the coastline were once highly popular, there is now a clear preference among actual homebuyers for urban complexes with well-established living infrastructure. This shift, prioritizing convenience of daily life over sea views, is creating a new balance in the local real estate market.

Coastal complexes in Sokcho are known for their views of the East Sea, but there is a growing sentiment that the satisfaction of actual residents is low because it is difficult to access schools, private academies, and general hospitals on foot.

One Sokcho resident said, "I used to live in a complex near the beach because of the sea view, but after moving in, I found it inconvenient to access daily life infrastructure." The resident added, "Being right by the sea meant the air was humid, making ventilation difficult, and there were seasonal inconveniences such as strong winds. Eventually, I decided to move to an urban area with better access to daily amenities."

For these reasons, complexes in Sokcho City that offer well-developed pedestrian living zones are particularly popular. Residents can easily access all necessary facilities on foot, and when schools are located close to the complex, children can walk to and from school without safety concerns.

This preference is reflected in local property values, with the rising value of the Geumho-dong area in Sokcho attracting attention. According to data from Real Estate R114 on July 2, the average sales price per pyeong (3.3 square meters) of apartments in Geumho-dong in the first half of this year rose by about 4.74% compared to the first half of last year. This figure is approximately 0.86% higher than Sokcho City's overall increase of about 3.88% during the same period.

The Geumho-dong area is also seeing a rise in the jeonse price ratio, driven by strong demand. According to Real Estate R114 statistics, the jeonse price ratio in Geumho-dong in May this year was about 79.47%, the highest in Sokcho City. This is about 8.44 percentage points higher than the same month last year (about 71.03%). A high jeonse price ratio means that jeonse prices are high compared to sales prices, indicating robust demand for residency and that prospective residents perceive the area as a desirable place to live.

An industry insider commented, "Sokcho is a city with outstanding natural surroundings, but the era when Sokcho's real estate value was determined solely by the 'view' is over. In terms of actual living conditions, factors such as children's commute to school, hospitals, and transportation infrastructure play a greater role in improving quality of life. As a result, the surrounding living infrastructure is becoming one of the main criteria for choosing real estate."

Against this backdrop, attention is focusing on "Hillstate Sokcho," a new development in Geumho-dong, Sokcho City, known for its excellent infrastructure.

Hyundai Engineering is currently selling units at "Hillstate Sokcho," located in Geumho-dong, Sokcho City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The complex consists of 11 buildings, ranging from three basement floors to 25 above-ground floors, with a total of 925 units and exclusive areas of 84 and 104 square meters.

The complex is situated in the heart of Sokcho City's emerging residential town and stands out for its excellent living infrastructure. For example, Jungang Elementary School and Sokcho Haerang Middle School are within 300 meters of the complex, allowing students to walk to school. In addition, there is a wide range of daily amenities nearby, including Jungang Traditional Market, Sokcho Fisheries Market, Seorak Rodeo Street, Sokcho City Hall, Sokcho Medical Center, and the Culture and Arts Center.

The beautiful natural environment is another advantage. To the north of the complex is Yeongrang Lake, to the south is Cheongcho Lake, and to the east is the East Sea. All of these are within a 1-kilometer radius, offering residents access to a pleasant natural environment.

Convenient transportation is also a key feature. The Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal is within 750 meters of the complex, making travel to other regions easy. The Sokcho Port International Passenger Terminal is also nearby. In addition, National Route 7 and Local Route 56, located near the complex, provide convenient access within the region, and there are bus stops for various routes right in front of the complex.

Meanwhile, the Hillstate Sokcho model home is located in Joyang-dong, Sokcho City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.