Hello, my name is Dyondra, and I live and work abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I started my journey here as a high school English teacher, and now I am a freelancer working multiple jobs and teaching to fulfill and support my current wondrous lifestyle. As an outgoing writer and reader, I often love new adventures, traveling, and meeting new people.
Living in Korea has allowed me to accomplish many of my dreams and aspirations, such as traveling to other countries, learning new things, creating meaningful content, and even publishing books about my experiences.
In 2019, I moved from New York City to South Korea. Although I struggled at times, looking back, it taught me a lot about adjusting to and thriving in a new world.
After the Korean War, a few decades later, South Korea transformed and grew from one of the poorest nations in the world to the mega economic success it is today.
In the end, I chose South Korea for many reasons, and as a beginner's guide, I hope this leads you to discover if Korea is the next best step for you.
Short on time? Here's the cheat sheet:
💭Living in Seoul is ideal for those craving a big city that’s at the forefront of technology and trends.
🏠Although there are a lot of cool neighborhoods in Seoul, I recommend you start off by taking advantage of the free housing provided by your job (if applicable).
🤕Don't rely on luck alone. SafetyWing now offers 2 types of Nomad Insurance coverage options: Essentials for travelers and Complete for expats and digital nomads.
🛂Most foreigners who live here are English teachers or on the new digital nomad visa.
💰Cost of living varies greatly based on if you live on the island or on mainland. Earn travel rewards on all expenses with a Capital One Venture Card.
📞Save the hassle of getting a local SIM or the cost of roaming with Airolo, an e-SIM that’ll have you connected from the moment you arrive.
☂️Although the city can feel overwhelming and the air pollution can get bad,
🏖️There’s always something new and fun to do in Seoul, regardless of the day or the season.
Best Areas to Live in Seoul
Your choice of accommodation in Seoul is crucial as you pursue your life goals and dreams in this vibrant city. Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider:
Hongdae
This lively district is an energetic hotspot filled with energy. It’s especially popular among university students and young adults due to its vibrant mix of art, music, and nightlife, ensuring there’s always something happening.
Itaewon
Known for its foreign-friendly atmosphere, Itaewon has a large expat community and offers a more “westernized” vibe. It's a great area for a more mature nightlife experience.
Insadong
This neighborhood blends traditional Korean culture with charming tea houses and trendy restaurants. It’s one of my favorite places to visit on weekends because there’s always something new to see or do.
Gangnam
Renowned for its shopping, dining, and entertainment. It's well-known for its upscale atmosphere in Seoul. Beyond the catchy "Gangnam Style," the area offers a unique energy and comfort. I loved living here, as it’s consistently trendy.
Overall, these areas are popular among expats.
But, if you're coming to Seoul as an English teacher, I recommend taking advantage of the free housing offered by your school, especially if it’s your first year here.
Living near your workplace can also ease your transition. Free housing is one of the biggest benefits for English teachers, as it is legally mandatory for schools to provide either housing or a housing allowance.”
5 Reasons Why I Love Living in Seoul
1. The Comfortable & Convenient Lifestyle
The fast-paced Korean culture, also known as 빨리 빨리 (bali bali) culture in Seoul, helps make almost everything convenient, quick, and accessible.
Seoul is at the forefront of technology. Since Korea runs on a high-tech lifestyle, public transportation is very efficient, which makes getting around a breeze. Most places are established with fast and reliable internet, and you can even find free WiFi on public transport like buses and subways!
Delivering essentials like groceries to your front door takes less than a day or two via apps like Coupang and Naver. Food delivery is also incredible here—you can enjoy a variety of good food morning, noon, or night at home quickly and affordably!
2. The Vibrant City Life
There’s a whirlwind of things to do in Seoul. Like any big city, the capital of Korea is the epicenter of all the trends, with new things to constantly experience.
You can participate in or attend various cultural events, like the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, Seoul Festa, and more. With such a foreign-friendly atmosphere, you can easily enjoy the city's historical and modern sides.
You'll find stunning ancient palaces, traditional markets, and plenty of K-pop festivals to dive into. For example, you can try wearing traditional Korean clothing (hanbok) while visiting a palace, or take a cable car to the top of Namsan Tower to see all of Seoul.
And if you’re a night owl, Seoul's nightlife is undoubtedly something to experience, with karaoke bars and clubs all across the city.
3. It's Safe & Secure
One of the best things about living in Korea is its safety. The crime rate here is low, and I feel safe almost daily. Violent crimes are rare, and I feel comfortable taking a walk during the day and night.
You can even leave your laptop or phone unattended on a cafe table, and 9/10 times, it's safe and sound when you return.
Of course, you should always be aware of your surroundings since no country is 100% safe, but for the vast majority, Korea is very safe and makes expat living comfortable for men and women alike.
4. Amazing Food & Friendly People
With Seoul being the capital, many locals know basic phrases and can speak English, making communicating and navigating different parts easier. If needed, apps like Papago and Google Translate are handy sidekicks that can help support you and other languages.
I’m a big fan of Korean food and cook it at home occasionally. Korean street foods like hotteok (Korean pancakes) and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) are very popular among travelers, and you can find their carts in areas like Myeongdong.
Korean fried chicken and K-BBQ restaurants also top my list since they’re great foods to share with family or friends.
5. Great Base for Exploring East Asia & Beyond
One primary reason I moved abroad was to travel more; living in Seoul has given me the luxury of doing that. So far, I’ve visited many different countries, like Japan and the Philippines, all at a reasonable cost. Having Korea as my home base has made traveling more accessible and fun.
The Pros & Cons of Living in Seoul
Let’s dive into some pros and cons of living in South Korea.
The Pros
First off, healthcare here is pretty fantastic and affordable! The universal healthcare system covers about 50% of your medical costs. Healthcare expenses are manageable, and seeing specialists is usually a breeze. Unfortunately, back in my own country, the healthcare system has no universal coverage, is expensive, and is slow compared to other countries.
The cafe culture is another highlight! You can find beautiful spots with fantastic views all around. No matter your mood, there’s a cozy place to grab a delicious cup of coffee or tea. Also, there are convenience stores everywhere. There you can buy snacks to eat, your T-money metro card, and even send postage across the country at a reasonable price.
Plus, staying connected about cool events and pop-ups is easy with social media and local blogs since Seoul is a content maker's dream. Events happen all year round, in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
The Cons
On the flip side, living in Seoul can sometimes be overwhelming. It’s the capital and largest city, so it’s often bustling and crowded, especially during rush hour. It can feel a bit hectic if you’re not used to that.
The cost of living here is also higher than that of other cities in Korea, and renting an apartment can come with a hefty deposit. For a one-bedroom studio, you might need between 10 million and 20 million won in key money, unless your job covers your housing, which often happens with native teachers in Korea. Once you settle in, apartment living is quite comfortable. If you’re worried about cost, consider moving to some of the other best places to live in South Korea.
The work culture can also be quite competitive. Finding your work-life balance can be tough since the pressure to succeed is high in the workplace and the education system. Matched with a strong work ethic, this can lead to stress and burnout, which even many locals recognize as a common struggle. Korean culture is also based on a hierarchical system, which may take some time to get accustomed to if you work for a company.
If you’re looking to navigate the language barrier, I’ll admit, learning Korean can be a challenge. The Korean language is one of the most difficult languages to learn. I don’t speak Korean perfectly, and it can sometimes be frustrating to navigate Korea without it. Most Koreans are friendly and eager to chat in English, so you don’t have to worry too much.
Also, remember that air quality can be less than ideal, especially during certain seasons when “yellow dust” can blow in, so wearing a mask is a wise idea, especially in the springtime.
Finding a Job as a Foreigner in South Korea
Now, let’s talk about working in South Korea! It’s become much more accessible, especially in Seoul. After living here for six years, I found my way.
With new visa options like the digital nomad visa, remote workers can stay for up to two years if they meet specific requirements. Various work visas are also available, such as the E-7 visa for specialized jobs and the D-10 for job seekers.
The most popular option for English teachers is the E-2 visa. If you’re a native English speaker from countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and a few others, this could be your ticket!
Do know that the South Korean job market presents challenges for non-Korean speakers looking for positions outside the education sector. Teaching in public schools offers more job security since they’re government-run.
On the other hand, private academies, or hagwons, can provide more flexibility in location and possibly higher pay, but they often come with longer hours and less security. There’s a mix of experiences at either option, so it’s worth digging into what works best for you, and always expect the unexpected.
If you decide to make the move, I recommend bringing enough savings to cover your initial month since pay often comes a little later. After a few months, you should be able to adjust fine and feel more comfortable and confident.
Will You Move to Seoul?
Overall, moving to a new country can be a big adventure! By moving here, I have been blessed with a great sense of independence and the ability to believe in myself. I feel so lucky to experience the rich culture of East Asia here in Seoul.
Korean people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, even if it can be a bit of a culture shock for those from more diverse backgrounds.
Korea has so much to offer, and it’s a great place to call home. Plus, with nearby countries like Japan and Thailand just a quick trip away, there are plenty of opportunities for exploration beyond Korea’s borders. Even if you’re not fluent in Korean, many of us expats get by just fine, making connections and enjoying all that this vibrant country has to offer!
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