Seoul

Seoul at a Glance

Tech workers, culture-led movers and families who value speed, transit and safety.

• Best forTech workers, culture-led movers and families who value speed, transit and safety.
• The main trade-offThe easy version of Seoul can be expensive or isolated from local life. Choose the area around your real weekly routine.
• First bookingUse a short initial stay. Test transport, noise, mobile signal and groceries before signing a longer lease.
• 2026 reality checkVisa rules, rents, provider coverage and hospital arrangements move quickly. Recheck them before paying deposits.

Best Time of Year

April to June or September to October

• Best conditionsUse the most comfortable months for your first visit, when walking and neighbourhood comparisons are easier.
• Value seasonShoulder months can reduce accommodation costs without making daily life difficult.
• Peak seasonExpect tighter short-term housing and more pressure on the areas visitors favour.
• Before a long stayCompare weather, public holidays, school terms and local peak season with your actual arrival date.

Air Quality

Fine dust can affect spring days, while summers are hot and humid. Check the local forecast rather than assuming the coast is always clear.

Keep this simple: use a city-level AQI before outdoor exercise, and pay attention to seasonal smoke, traffic corridors and the exact neighbourhood rather than a national average.

Getting Around

• Public transportStart with the rail, bus or ferry network where Seoul has one. Living near a reliable line usually beats saving slightly on rent.
• Ride-hailing and taxisInstall the locally used apps before arrival, then compare the app fare with licensed street taxis where relevant.
• Walking and cyclingJudge this at midday and after dark. A neighbourhood that looks walkable on a map may be divided by heat, hills or major roads.
• DrivingCheck licence validity, insurance, parking and local road habits before renting a car or scooter.
• Airport transferUse the official airport transport desk, licensed taxi rank or a confirmed app pickup point; ignore unsolicited touts.

Where to Live

The right neighbourhood is the one that makes your ordinary Tuesday easy. Start with work, school and transport, then add lifestyle.

• GangnamBest first stop if you want convenience, services and the easiest introduction to the city.
• ItaewonA stronger choice for routine, more space and a neighbourhood that feels lived in.
• HongdaeUseful when commute time matters and you want daily life without depending on taxis.
• SeongsuLook here for more space or value, but test the journey at rush hour before signing.
• YeonnamStart here if school runs, parks, clinics and practical errands decide the move.

Housing & Cost of Living

• Short-term housingUseful for the first month, but usually priced above a normal local lease. Treat it as research time.
• Long-term rentalConfirm the deposit, notice period, inventory, utilities, maintenance responsibility and early-exit terms in writing.
• Daily spendingTrack groceries, transport, coworking, healthcare and eating out separately. A cheap apartment can create an expensive commute.
• Family budgetSchool fees, insurance, a larger home and private transport usually matter more than restaurant prices.
• Remote-worker budgetAdd coworking, backup data, visa costs, insurance and periodic flights. Do not build the plan around rent alone.

Where to Shop

• Everyday groceriesChoose a home with a normal supermarket, fresh market or reliable delivery option nearby.
• Imported foodInternational supermarkets are convenient but can distort the budget quickly; mix them with local shopping.
• Home and electronicsUse established malls or authorised retailers for warranties and returns, particularly for work equipment.
• MarketsLocal markets are usually best for produce, prepared food and understanding what the city costs outside expat areas.
• Online shoppingSet up the locally dominant marketplace and payment method only after your address and phone number work reliably.

Where to Work

• CoworkingUse a day pass before joining. Check call space, chairs, air conditioning and the real commute from your part of Seoul.
• CafesGood for occasional work, not necessarily for confidential calls or an eight-hour day. Buy properly and avoid peak meal periods.
• Home setupTest the router, mobile backup, desk and noise at the actual apartment. A speed test in the lobby proves very little.
• NetworkingLook for professional groups, founder events and industry meetups rather than relying only on broad nomad gatherings.
• Time zonesPlan where late calls happen. Building management, transport and neighbourhood noise can change after normal working hours.

Eat & Drink

• Local foodStart where residents eat near offices, schools and transport rather than limiting yourself to visitor districts.
• International diningThe main expat areas usually have the broadest choice, but they also carry the highest lifestyle premium.
• Markets and street foodChoose busy stalls with visible turnover and sensible food handling; ease into unfamiliar food rather than trying everything at once.
• Dietary needsSave translated allergy or dietary notes and identify two dependable grocery shops before relying on delivery apps.
• Water and alcoholCheck local tap-water guidance, stay ahead of dehydration and remember that heat changes how a night out lands.

Evenings & Weekends

• Neighbourhood nightsThe easiest long-term routine is usually dinner, a walk and a local bar or cafe close to home.
• CultureUse museums, live music, galleries, cinemas and performance venues to build a life beyond work and tourism.
• FitnessCompare gyms, parks, pools, studios and outdoor conditions near home before buying a long membership.
• CommunityLanguage classes, sports and recurring activities tend to create stronger friendships than one-off mixers.
• SeasonalityVisitor-heavy areas can feel completely different outside peak months. Visit twice if the seasonal swing is central to the move.

Hospitals & Healthcare

Severance, Asan and Samsung Medical Center are major Seoul options; Busan has strong university hospitals. Call 119 for medical emergencies.

• Severance HospitalSinchon. Major international-patient hospital.
• Asan Medical CenterSongpa. One of Korea's largest tertiary hospitals.
• Samsung Medical CenterGangnam. Major private/tertiary hospital.
• Seoul National University HospitalJongno. Major public university hospital.
• EmergencyCall 119; international clinics help for routine needs.

SIM, eSIM & Local Apps

SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ offer eSIM and local plans. Kakao T is the essential taxi app, KakaoMap helps with navigation, and Baemin/Coupang Eats cover delivery.

• Mobile networksSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ are the main networks. Tourist eSIMs are easy; resident plans usually need ARC details.
• Ride appsKakao T is the essential taxi app. Uber exists, but Kakao is the daily default for most residents.
• Food deliveryBaemin, Coupang Eats and Yogiyo are the major delivery apps. Some features need a Korean number and local payment method.
• Maps and messagingKakaoMap and Naver Map are more reliable than Google Maps for local navigation. KakaoTalk is essential.
• Home internetKT, SK Broadband and LG U+ are common fixed-line providers; officetels and apartments often have building-specific deals.

Immigration & Local Admin

• ImmigrationHi Korea and local immigration offices handle visa, ARC and extension administration.
• ARCThe Alien Registration Card unlocks banking, resident mobile plans and many app functions. Book appointments early.
• TaxNational Tax Service rules depend on residence, income source and treaty position. Check before assuming foreign income is irrelevant.
• Health insuranceLonger-term residents may fall into National Health Insurance rules. Understand timing and premiums.
• Admin habitUse Korean names/romanisation consistently across bank, phone, ARC and delivery apps.

Schools & Family Life

• Seoul Foreign SchoolYeonhui-dong; major international school.
• Dulwich College SeoulSeocho; British-curriculum option.
• Yongsan International School of SeoulHannam/Yongsan area.
• Korea International SchoolPangyo/Jeju campuses; commute matters if choosing Pangyo.
• Family areasYongsan, Seodaemun, Seocho, Pangyo and Gangnam solve different school runs.

Safety & Common Mistakes

• Housing depositsDo not transfer money until the property, owner or authorised agent, contract and payment trail are verified.
• TransportUse licensed transport, wear the appropriate helmet or seat belt and avoid driving when tired or drinking.
• Petty crimeUse normal city awareness around phones, bags, ATMs, nightlife and crowded transport.
• Weather and environmentKnow the local heat, storm, flood, fire, air-quality or sea risks before outdoor plans.
• Online adviceTreat anonymous groups as leads, not authority. Verify legal, medical and financial claims independently.

Day Trips & Other Bases

A city guide should also tell you when another base may suit you better.

• BusanCompare Busan with Seoul for pace, housing, healthcare, transport and the kind of community you actually want.
• JejuCompare Jeju with Seoul for pace, housing, healthcare, transport and the kind of community you actually want.