Pros and cons of moving to Seoul

As with any city, there are pros and cons to moving to Seoul, but expats who try to learn about and assimilate into the Korean culture will start to feel at home in the city. Seoul’s city motto is ‘the Soul of Asia’, and once you move here, or even visit, it’s easy to see why people fall in love with it.

Below is our list of pros and cons of moving to Seoul.

Accommodation in Seoul

Most expats will have their accommodation arranged for them by their employers, ideally in popular residential neighbourhoods. These apartments will often come fully furnished. If your employer doesn’t provide housing directly, they may still offer guidance on where and how to look for a place to live.

+ PRO: Creature comforts

South Korean apartments regularly have a washing machine, gas range, floor heating, and air conditioning. This is especially true of newer buildings. Older buildings may lack these extras, but will at least have floor heating installed.

Korean buildings are also very secure. Even though the crime rate in South Korea is already quite low, most Seoul apartments require a gate or front door key or combination, as well as the individual door key or combination.

- CON: Expensive deposits

The down payment on a rental is typically exorbitant. Korean landlords almost always charge ‘key money’ under the jeonse rental system, which allows tenants to live rent-free for the lease period. Key money functions as a refundable deposit but can amount to a substantial portion of the property’s purchase price. Apartments in popular expat areas increasingly follow the wolse (conventional monthly rent) system, where tenants pay a smaller deposit and make monthly rent payments.

Housing in Seoul 
Areas and Suburbs in Seoul

Lifestyle in Seoul

+ PRO: Friendly locals

South Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, leading to foreigners being a rare sight. Despite this, native residents of Seoul are more accustomed to seeing foreigners than residents of other South Korean cities and are generally quite ready to help newcomers feel welcome in the city.

+ PRO: Wide range of activities to suit any interest

Seoul is so massive that the city’s 25 different districts have each been encouraged to develop distinct characteristics. Consequently, every district has its own personality and presents exclusive pursuits. Seoul is also surrounded by a mountain range to the north, so nature lovers will easily find outdoor activities to suit their needs.

+ PRO: Large and welcoming expat community

Making new friends in Seoul is easy, as the city hosts a large and friendly expat community. This community hosts frequent events that are easily found on platforms like Meetup, Facebook groups and through English-language news outlets.

- CON: Extreme winters and summers

Winters in Seoul are freezing, while summers are sweltering. Korea prides itself on the vividness of its four seasons, but autumn and spring are brief transitions lasting only a few weeks before extreme temperatures take hold.

Lifestyle in Seoul

Cost of living in Seoul

+ PRO: No need for a car

Public transport in Seoul is fast, efficient, affordable, safe and clean. The roads are full of inexpensive taxis that make personal cars even less necessary.

+ PRO: Affordable and varied food

Eating in restaurants, as long as they serve Korean-style cuisine, is cheaper than cooking at home. Korean cuisine offers substantial variety with regional specialities and seasonal ingredients.

- CON: Expensive groceries

Western-style products are much pricier than Korean ones. Produce availability is also more dependent on the seasons than in many other countries.

Public Transport in Seoul

Working and doing business in Seoul

+ PRO: Wealth of opportunities in ESL

The English as a Second Language (ESL) industry is huge in Seoul. Schools are always looking to hire new teachers, especially around February and August when the school year and semester begin.

- CON: Limited non-teaching positions

Without knowledge of Korean and substantial experience in a specific field, it’s difficult to find positions in Seoul outside the education sector. Opportunities exist in tourism, international companies and tech startups, although these remain competitive.

Working in Seoul

Local culture in Seoul

+ PRO: Korean alphabet

Unlike other Asian writing systems, the Korean alphabet (Hangul) has been intuitively designed and is quick to learn. The shapes of consonants mirror the shapes your mouth makes when saying them. Each character block is a syllable, combining consonants and vowels into readable units.

- CON: Communication challenges

The Korean language, particularly grammar, can be difficult to learn, and the way Koreans communicate meaning verbally with one another can feel different from how Korean is initially learnt.

- CON: Hierarchical culture

Respect for one’s elders is hugely important in Korean culture, and some elders take full advantage of this. Their behaviour could be seen as rude to outsiders, but in South Korea, it’s normal.

Culture in Seoul

Safety in Seoul

+ PRO: Low crime rates

Serious crimes and petty theft alike are rare in South Korea. Walking alone at night is generally safe in Seoul, although you should remain aware of your surroundings and exercise common sense, particularly in entertainment districts.

- CON: Traffic safety concerns

Bending traffic rules is common among Seoul motorists. Electric scooter riders sometimes use pavements when roads are congested, and some drivers run red lights when they think they can avoid consequences. Drink-driving is also an issue. Pedestrians should always stay alert when crossing streets and use designated crossings where available.

Safety in Seoul

Education and schools in Seoul

+ PRO: Excellent school options

Seoul is home to numerous public and international schools that teach at a high standard. The majority of expat families send their children to international schools due to the language of instruction at public schools being Korean. International schools offer British, American, International Baccalaureate, or other international programmes.

- CON: High-pressure education culture

Koreans take education very seriously. Those born outside of Seoul work hard to have the chance to attend university in the city, while those already in Seoul strive to maintain their educational opportunities. Students, starting at a young age, often attend after-school academies (hagwon), which focus on various subjects. High school students face tremendous pressure to achieve excellent grades and secure places at prestigious universities, either in Seoul or abroad.

International Schools in Seoul 
Education in Seoul

Healthcare in Seoul

+ PRO: Accessible and affordable healthcare

Korea has a universal healthcare system available to all foreign residents staying longer than six months, including those working in South Korea. The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) typically covers 60 to 80 percent of medical costs, and many employers provide their employees with supplementary insurance to cover most of the remaining expenses.

- CON: Limited international clinics

While many doctors speak English, there are limited facilities where all medical staff, including nurses and administrative workers, are fluent in English. International clinics and hospital international centres exist in Seoul, but appointments can be difficult to secure during peak times, such as flu season.

+ PRO: Access to English-speaking doctors

Many doctors in Seoul are highly skilled and well-trained. A significant number of doctors, particularly in major hospitals and international clinics, speak English at an intermediate level or higher, making communication easier for foreign patients.

Healthcare in Seoul