Even With a 900 Million Won Deposit and 2.5 Million Won Monthly Living Expenses, Residents Say "It's Good to Be Taken Care Of"... Inside a Luxury Silver Town [Opening Silver Housing]

[On-site Report] From Meals and Nursing to Swimming Pools...
Why Seniors Are Paying for Hotel-Level Services: Communities That Ease Loneliness Compete Despite High Deposits

Residents are enjoying basketball at the sports facility within Baegunhosu Prugio Forest Morning in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Seo Yoon Choi

Choi Jinhee (age 74), who returned to Korea after living in the United States and moved into 'Baegunhosu Prugio Forest Morning' (hereafter referred to as 'Forest Morning') in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province with her husband after retirement, said, "The thing I dislike most as I get older is cooking and cleaning," adding, "I love being freed from housework and being treated well now."

In the mornings, she attends gymnastics classes. During the day, she plays table tennis and golf with other residents. On Wednesdays and Fridays, she learns line dancing. Choi said, "Living here, there's no time to feel depressed or even bored."

Seo Hyeun (age 95) moved into 'Wirye Symphonia' (hereafter referred to as 'Symphonia') in Songpa-gu, Seoul two months ago after losing his wife. Seo said, "I no longer need honor or ambition," and added, "I moved in because I want to live out my life healthily."

Interior view of a bathroom at Wirye Symphonia in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Safety handrails are installed around the toilet, and an emergency call bell is placed at the bottom to prepare for emergencies such as falls. Photo by Seoyoon Choi

Older adults are spending money to free themselves from decades of housework and to ensure immediate medical attention in emergencies.

The so-called 'active seniors'—those aged 50 and above who enjoy their own lifestyle and possess significant financial resources—are choosing quality of life by paying security deposits of hundreds of millions of won and monthly living expenses that can reach several million won.

Residents encountered recently in Silver Town named three main reasons for choosing the unfamiliar housing option of a senior residence.

They wanted to escape housework, be prepared for emergencies, and socialize with others. Most residents discovered these residences through independent research via the internet, YouTube, or recommendations from acquaintances.

Inside a unit of Wirye Symphonia in Songpa-gu, Seoul. A no-motion sensor that detects abnormal signs when there is no movement for a certain period is installed at the upper right wall, and an emergency call bell is installed at the lower part for urgent situations. Photo by Choi Seoyoon

The majority of residents moved in from neighborhoods near where they used to live. Their backgrounds are diverse, including former ministers, legal professionals, and corporate CEOs.

Kim Jonggil, CEO of Symphonia, explained, "After large corporations entered the market and began active promotions, interest has broadened."

At Forest Morning, the security deposit per person ranges from 596 million to 995 million won, and monthly living expenses are between 1.9 million and 2.5 million won. The security deposit is frozen for four years.

At Symphonia, the security deposit ranges from 550 million to 1.1 billion won, and monthly living expenses are between 2.3 million and 3.35 million won. There is also a security deposit deferment program. To ease residents' concerns, the company issues a security deposit return certificate in its name. Both facilities require a minimum stay of two years.

Interior of a 5-star Marriott Executive Apartments room in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The residence-style layout separates the living room, bedroom, and dining area. Household appliances such as a washer, dryer, water purifier, and microwave are also provided. Photo by Seo-Yoon Choi

There are also alternatives for older adults who find a security deposit of hundreds of millions of won burdensome or are hesitant about long-term contracts. One option is a package utilizing long-term stays at luxury hotels.

The 'Golden Senior' package at the 5-star Marriott in Yeouido is a representative example. It is available to those aged 55 and above, with a minimum stay of 30 nights. The nightly rate is about 300,000 won. There is no security deposit except for a refundable deposit of 500,000 won upon check-out.

Under the Elderly Welfare Act, Silver Town is classified as a residential facility rather than a nursing home, so there is no requirement for on-site nurses. The only mandatory staff at the time of establishment are one facility manager and one social worker.

High-end facilities hire medical staff at their own expense.

At Forest Morning, five nurses are on duty in shifts 24 hours a day. There are 20 to 30 health consultations per day. Kang Taegeon, CEO of Empore (an MDM Group affiliate), the operator of Forest Morning, noted, "Some residents injure their bones while playing table tennis, or suddenly experience stiffness."

Residents are receiving health consultations with a nurse at 'Baegunhosu Prugio Forest Morning' in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province. In the background, other residents are undergoing body composition tests such as InBody. Photo by Seo-yoon Choi

Symphonia provides 50 meals per month. Every Monday, resident meetings are held to discuss the menu and manage satisfaction levels. The menu is carefully curated, earning praise from residents who say, "It tastes like home-cooked meals my mother used to make."

Forest Morning provides 30 meals per month. Meals are handled by Ourhome, the nation's second-largest food distribution company.

Marriott offers a breakfast buffet with 132 menu items, using animal welfare and eco-friendly certified ingredients. For general customers, the cost is 50,000 won per person.

Community facilities go beyond simple exercise spaces and serve as venues for social interaction. Forest Morning features a swimming pool, which is rare in Silver Towns. There are also 14 resident-created clubs, including billiards and Go.

At Symphonia, not only external instructors but also social workers and nurses organize programs directly.

At Marriott Yeouido, the 'Soo Fitness & Spa' is open to guests without restriction. Normally, a deposit of 50 million won and an annual membership fee of about 4.6 million won are required to access these facilities.

Resident complaints are addressed promptly. At Forest Morning, when a verbal complaint is received, it is immediately shared in a group chat where employees from six relevant departments participate. Complaints submitted via the application (app) are answered within two days.

At Symphonia, 102 households are managed by five social workers, reducing the number of households per staff member to about 20. This allows for customized services based on each resident’s personality, health status, and dietary preferences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.