Your Country Home
Starting in Gyeongju
2 hours by KTX from Seoul, land prices 1/5 — Country homes have never been this close
10 recommended areas within 50km of Gyeongju center, 6-stage development process, complete cost breakdown. Based on 20+ years of permit experience, we guide you through everything about country home development.
Why Gyeongju is Great for Country Homes
Ancient capital Gyeongju is the optimal location for rural living in all aspects: nature, culture, transportation, and price
2-Hour Seoul Commute Zone
About 30 daily trains from Singyeongju Station to Seoul Station. First train 05:13, last train 21:33. Optimal for countryside living that needs 'Seoul access' rather than daily Seoul commuting.
Source: KORAIL Timetable
Mountains, Sea & River Trinity
Western Tohamsan Mountain (745m), eastern East Sea coastline, central Hyeongsan River (62km) — 10-20 minutes to nature in any direction. 4 golf courses within 30 minutes.
Mild Four Seasons
Annual precipitation 1,121mm, summer avg high 31°C, winter avg low -3°C. Drier than Jeju, warmer than Gangwon — perfectly balanced climate.
Source: Gyeongju City Climate Statistics
UNESCO Cultural City
Seokguram & Bulguksa (1995) and Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000) — 1,000 years of Silla capital's cultural assets in daily living area. Rich educational and tourism infrastructure.
1/5~1/10 of Seoul Land Prices
Compared to Seoul outskirts (5-10M KRW per pyeong), Gyeongju country home sites cost 300K-800K KRW per pyeong. Same budget secures 3-5x larger plot.
Source: Ministry of Land Real Transaction System
Medical & Living Infrastructure
Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital (379 beds, 25 departments), Gyeongju Centum Hospital and other comprehensive medical facilities. E-Mart, Hanaro Mart and other convenience facilities complete.
Country Home Location Comparison: Gyeongju vs Popular Areas
| Item | Gyeongju | Jeju | Yangpyeong·Gapyeong | Gangneung·Sokcho |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Price per Pyeong | 300-800K KRW | 1.5-5M KRW | 1-3M KRW | 800K-2.5M KRW |
| Seoul Access | KTX 2 hours | Flight 1+ hour | Car 1.5 hours | KTX 2.5 hours |
| Medical Infrastructure | 2+ General Hospitals | Jeju National University Hospital | Small Hospitals | Gangneung Asan Hospital |
| Culture·Tourism | 2 UNESCO Sites | Natural Tourism | Metropolitan Vicinity | Beach·Skiing |
| Annual Average Temperature | 13.4°C | 16.0°C | 11.4°C | 12.5°C |
* Land prices are approximate ranges for country home sites; actual market prices vary by region and lot.
Country Home Reference Areas
Country home location information within 50km of Gyeongju center, evaluated based on 5 criteria
* The information below is reference analysis based on public data and does not recommend specific real estate transactions or investments. Please conduct on-site due diligence and expert consultation before making actual decisions.
Angang-eup
Gyeongju Center 15km (20min)
Most active country home development area in Gyeongju
Well-equipped eup-level living infrastructure enables comfortable countryside living
Isang Expert Opinion
Most recommended area for country home beginners. Eup-level infrastructure minimizes living inconveniences, and land prices are still reasonable. Hyeongsan River view sites have premium value but also high investment potential.
Oedong-eup
Gyeongju Center 12km (15min)
Closest country home location to KTX Singyeongju Station
Pastoral atmosphere harmonized with orchards and farms
Isang Expert Opinion
Optimal for frequent Seoul commuters. Singyeongju Station 15min, Gyeongju IC 10min — transportation access is Gyeongju's best level. Using orchard properties can secure large plots at reasonable prices.
Geoncheon-eup & Seo-myeon
Gyeongju Center 10~15km (15min)
Right next to expressway IC — supreme transportation convenience
Western gateway to Gyeongju with excellent Daegu accessibility
Isang Expert Opinion
Optimal for frequent Daegu-Seoul travel. Expressway IC 5min — Daegu 50min, Seoul 3 hours. Eup-level infrastructure provides country home leisure without living inconveniences.
Gampo-eup
Gyeongju Center 25km (30min)
Coastal country home location with eup-level infrastructure
Daily access to fresh live fish and seafood
Isang Expert Opinion
Optimal for those wanting coastal country living without giving up infrastructure convenience. Gampo has eup-level infrastructure (market, schools, hospital) providing significantly higher living convenience compared to Yangbuk/Yangnam myeon areas.
Gangdong-myeon
Gyeongju Center 18km (25min)
Premium environment harmonizing East Sea coast and forests
True countryside living in quiet myeon-level area
Isang Expert Opinion
Hidden gem area for those wanting both sea and forest. Starting from 200K KRW per pyeong, can secure generous 300+ pyeong plots within 100M KRW. Ogeum-ri area has emerging country home clusters.
Heunghae-eup & Cheongha-myeon
Gyeongju Center 30~40km (40min)
Combination of Pohang living zone + coastal country living
Walking distance to Chilpo Beach sites possible
Isang Expert Opinion
Recommended for those wanting coastal country living while utilizing Pohang urban infrastructure. Heunghae-eup is 20min to Pohang city center — convenient access to general hospitals, large marts and other urban infrastructure.
Geumho-eup & Hwasan-myeon
Gyeongju Center 35~45km (40min)
Lowest-priced country home sites in Gyeongju area
35min to Daegu — metropolitan living zone utilization possible
Isang Expert Opinion
Recommended for those prioritizing budget most. 150K KRW per pyeong — 300 pyeong plot securable within 50M KRW. 35min Daegu living zone provides easy access to metropolitan infrastructure.
Sannae-myeon & Naenam-myeon
Gyeongju Center 20~30km (30min)
Mountain country home sites under Gyeongju-si jurisdiction
Clean nature + Gyeongju administrative services
Isang Expert Opinion
Recommended for those wanting mountain village life within Gyeongju-si. 30min to Gyeongju city center while securing 150K KRW per pyeong mountain sites. Ideal for retirement vegetable garden + country home combination.
Yangbuk-myeon & Yangnam-myeon
Gyeongju Center 20~30km (30min)
Gyeongju's lowest-priced coastal country home sites
Premium East coast location with sunrise views possible
Isang Expert Opinion
Recommended for second homes or retirement coastal living. 150K KRW per pyeong — 1/10th the price of Jeju coastal sites to enjoy East Sea sunrise daily.
Punggak-myeon & Gakbuk-myeon
Gyeongju Center 40~50km (45min)
Lowest prices in Gyeongju area — 100K KRW per pyeong sites
Essence of mountain village country living, deep nature healing
Isang Expert Opinion
Optimal for those dreaming of complete departure from city to mountain village life. 100K KRW per pyeong — 300 pyeong plot for 30M KRW. With 200M KRW construction budget, high-quality country home with spacious garden completed.
Country Home Development Process
From land acquisition to move-in, 12-18 months — it's easier than you think
🔍Land Search and Review
1~2 months- Select candidate areas and conduct site visits
- Review Land Use Plan Certificate (zoning and district confirmation)
- Check property register (ownership, mortgage, easements)
- Verify road access conditions (minimum 4m road access required)
- Confirm water supply, sewage, and electricity connection availability
💡 Tip: Always make decisions after site visits. Internet listing photos cannot verify slope, sunlight, or drainage conditions.
📝Land Purchase and Contract
1~2 months- Execute purchase contract (licensed realtor required)
- Negotiate down payment, interim payment, and final payment schedule
- Pay acquisition tax (agricultural land: 3%, residential land: 4.6%)
- Complete ownership transfer registration
- Issue Agricultural Land Acquisition Qualification Certificate (for agricultural land)
💡 Tip: Agricultural land purchase requires Agricultural Land Acquisition Qualification Certificate. Isang supports from document preparation.
📋Agricultural Land Conversion / Development Activity Permit
2~3 months- Apply for agricultural land conversion permit (for agricultural land)
- Pay agricultural land conversion charge (30% of assessed land value)
- Apply for development activity permit
- Environmental impact review (for areas over 1,000㎡)
- Establish drainage plan
💡 Tip: Agricultural land conversion charge is based on assessed land value, which is lower than transaction price. Check amount in advance to include in budget.
📐Design and Building Permit
2~3 months- Select architect and sign design contract
- Basic design → detailed design
- Apply for building permit (city/county office)
- Structural safety review
- Verify fire safety, ventilation, and energy standards
💡 Tip: Invest sufficient time in design phase. Design changes during construction significantly increase cost and time.
🏗️Construction
4~8 months- Select contractor (compare minimum 3 quotes)
- File construction commencement report
- Foundation, framing, roofing work
- Insulation, waterproofing, utilities work
- Interior and exterior finishing
- Garden, landscaping, parking area construction
💡 Tip: Select contractors with country home construction experience. Apartment construction and country home construction are completely different.
🏡Completion and Move-in
1~2 months- Apply for use approval (completion inspection)
- Connect water supply, sewage, electricity, gas mains
- Generate building registry
- Complete ownership preservation registration
- File resident registration and move in
💡 Tip: Specify defect repair period in contract after completion. Usually 1-2 year defect repair period is established.
Complete Country Home Cost Breakdown
Based on 300 pyeong land + 40 pyeong construction, transparent cost structure
🏞️Land Costs
Land purchase
300 pyeong basis, varies by region
Acquisition tax
Agricultural 3%, general 4%
Agricultural land conversion charge
30% of assessed value (for agricultural land)
Broker fee
0.4~0.5% of transaction price
🏗️Construction Costs
Design fee
3~5% of construction cost
Building permit fee
Including stamp tax and fees
Construction cost (40 pyeong basis)
5M~8M KRW per pyeong
Water/sewage connection
Varies by distance
Septic tank installation
When sewage connection unavailable
Landscaping & external work
Garden, parking, fence
Total Estimated Cost (40-pyeong Country Home)
Based on land (300 pyeong) + construction (40 pyeong) + additional costs. Varies by region and finishing materials.
Disclaimer
The regional information, land prices, evaluation scores, etc. on this page are reference materials based on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real estate transaction disclosure system, official data from Gyeongju City Hall, and Korea Real Estate Board data. This does not recommend or guarantee specific real estate transactions or investments, and land prices and infrastructure status may change over time.
Before making actual investment or development decisions, you must conduct on-site due diligence, verify with relevant authorities, and consult with legal and tax experts. Isang (Yeongnam Startup Consulting) assumes no legal responsibility for damages arising from the use of this material.
Data as of: March 2026 | Isang Expert Analysis
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