As the influence of buyers in their 30s and 40s with school-age children has grown in the recent housing market, whether children can walk to and from school has become a key selection criterion. Amid heightened social concern for child safety, a residential environment that allows children to commute to school on foot without using vehicles is emerging as an important factor.
According to statistics from the Korea Real Estate Board, among 495,002 apartment sale transactions in 2024, households in their 30s and 40s purchased 261,517 units, accounting for 52.83%. In 2025, this increased, with 305,459 purchases by this 30s-40s age group out of a total of 570,490 transactions (53.5%), showing that they continue to form the central axis of the market.
These buyers, whose primary purpose is actual residence, tend to prioritize living infrastructure, especially accessibility to elementary and middle schools, rather than simply price competitiveness. So-called "safe school district" locations are analyzed as a factor that drives stable subscription demand in the presale market as well.
Actual subscription cases support this. "Hillstate Isuyeok Central," a presale project in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, is an "elementary school adjacent to the apartment complex" development, with Namseong Elementary School and Samil Elementary School directly bordering the complex. Within a 1 km radius are many schools, including Namseong Middle School, Sadang Middle School, Kyungmoon High School, and Seomun Girls' High School, earning the area a reputation for strong school districts. The project drew high interest, recording a competition rate of 326.7 to 1 on average for first-priority subscriptions.
A real estate expert explained, "Households with school-age children place very high importance on commuting safety," adding, "Complexes that have schools within walking distance tend to enjoy solid long-term occupancy demand, so their popularity is maintained even during periods of market volatility."
Against this backdrop, "Ulsan Gyeongnam Honorsville Signature," to be introduced by Samhwan Corporation, a construction subsidiary of SM Group, is a residential officetel to be built in the Bangeo-dong area of Dong-gu, Ulsan. Educational facilities such as Sangjin Elementary School, Bangojin Elementary School, Hwaam Middle School, and Munhyeon High School are located nearby, enabling households with children to enjoy walking-distance commuting conditions.
"Ulsan Gyeongnam Honorsville Signature" by Samhwan Corporation will consist of two buildings with 197 units in total, from three basement levels to 39 above-ground floors, all with a single exclusive area of 84 square meters. It offers excellent accessibility via Ulsan Bridge and the Bangojin Ring Road, and its proximity to everyday amenities and industrial facilities is sustaining interest from buyers who wish to consider both proximity to work and a good educational environment.
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