- "Green Life" Emerges as a Key Factor in Choosing Residences
Apartments with Walking Trails and Parks See Soaring Popularity
- Health Trends and Residential Comfort Drive High Demand
Record-High Transactions Continue to Be Reported
As "green life" emerges as a dominant keyword in the real estate market, there is growing interest in complexes that feature well-maintained natural landscapes such as walking trails and parks. This trend is attributed to the increasing demand for residential complexes that offer a comfortable and leisurely lifestyle, as well as opportunities to pursue health and wellness, even within urban environments where various infrastructures are concentrated.
According to the "Park Usage Status and Citizen Perception Survey" released by Korea Research's Public Opinion Survey Division in January this year, 78% of respondents indicated that parks and walking trails are important factors when choosing a place to live. This figure significantly surpasses the response rate for traditional preferences such as educational environment (proximity to schools and academies), which stood at 60%. This suggests that more consumers are prioritizing comfort and pleasant surroundings when selecting residential areas.
This trend is particularly reflected in subscription results. According to Korea Real Estate Board's Cheongyak Home, the complex that recorded the highest competition rate among nationwide new developments this year was "Otierre Foret" in Seongsu-dong 1-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, which was released in June. For 40 units available for general subscription (excluding special supply), there were 27,525 applicants, resulting in an average competition rate of 688.13 to 1 for first-priority subscriptions. The presence of Seoul Forest, an urban park spanning approximately 490,000 square meters, and the proximity to the Han River, which allow for a leisurely lifestyle, were cited as key factors driving demand.
Earlier, in February this year, "E-Pyeonhansesang Seongseonghosu Park" in Cheonan, Chungnam, also saw strong demand, with an average competition rate of 17.49 to 1 in the first-priority subscription. The complex's location, which includes access to Seongseonghosu Park and its 4.1-kilometer ecological exploration trail, was highlighted as a major advantage.
The pronounced demand for complexes with well-maintained natural landscapes such as walking trails is attributed to changing lifestyle trends.
It is noteworthy that the walking and running craze, which began among the MZ generation, is now spreading across all age groups. According to the "2024 National Sports for All Survey" released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, "walking" received the highest response rate at 41.2% among sports activities participated in over the past year, while "running" accounted for 6.8%. As more people take up walking and running, the demand for spaces such as parks and walking trails has increased accordingly.
A real estate expert commented, "As interest in health continues to rise, complexes located near parks or walking trails are becoming increasingly popular. In particular, the ability to enjoy a relaxing and healing lifestyle even in urban areas is a major locational advantage, attracting strong interest from both end-users and investors."
In fact, even as the real estate market remains subdued due to the government's stringent lending regulations, complexes with well-maintained natural landscapes continue to demonstrate strong presence, with record-high transaction prices being reported.
According to actual transaction data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a 117-square-meter unit in "Misa Station Paragon" in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, was sold for KRW 1.72 billion in June this year, setting a new record. A month earlier, a 102-square-meter unit in the same complex was sold for KRW 1.52 billion, also marking a new high. The complex is located between Misa Lake Park and Misari Kyungjeong Park, offering not only a pleasant residential environment but also excellent conditions for leisure activities.
As a result, interest in newly launched complexes that can realize a "green life" continues to grow among potential buyers.
Shinyoung Co., Ltd. is set to launch "Gwell Elium Yangju Deokgye Station" in Deokgye-dong, Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, in August. This large-scale complex, featuring the flagship residential brand "Gwell" by Shinyoung and "Elium" by Daebang Industrial Development, consists of 10 buildings with 1,595 apartment units ranging from 49 to 122 square meters (exclusive area), spanning four basement levels to 39 above-ground floors. Of these, 1,355 units will be available for general sale, with construction handled by Daebang Industrial Development. The complex is noted for its location, which is conducive to realizing a green lifestyle. Various recreational spaces such as riverside parks and Gojang Mountain are nearby, and the "Deokgye Industrial District Sports Park" is also planned to be developed adjacent to the complex.
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