• Human Ecology Research
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.375-390
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• 2015

This study was designed to understand the residential experience of Korean women living in tropical country. For qualitative research, interviewees were selected by snowball sampling among Korean women living in Malaysia for over 20 years. The selection criteria for interviewees included husband's nationality, occupational experience, future living plan, frequency of travel to Korea. In-depth group and individual interviews were conducted from August 23 to October 7 2014. Subsequently (1) interviewees' general residential experiences in Malaysia were summarized, (2) interviewee's identity and lifestyle with housing pathways approach were clarified, (3) interviewees' residential experiences in 5 issues, reciprocity in residential area, intention of environmental change, meaning of housing and interaction, housing adaptation, and residential satisfaction/dissatisfaction were prescribed and interpreted. In conclusion, the reflection of interviewees' experiences in tropical country, suggested variations of housing structure type within a residential complex, air well and pocket by setback in building block for improving ventilation and noise prevention from neighbors, and ceiling fans in the house were suggested for the upcoming subtropical climate in Korea. Full option and minus options were also suggested for the presale market to reduce before occupancy remodeling needs. The research results implies valuable suggestions for a multicultural society, ecological housing and stronger communities.