Busan, South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท
Nomad Score:
69%
Essentials
| ๐๏ธ City | Busan is the second-largest city in South Korea, located on the southeastern coast. |
| ๐ฅ Population | Approximately 3.4 million |
| ๐ป Internet Speed | Average speed of 25-50 Mbps |
| ๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 South Korean Won (KRW) โ 0.00085 USD |
| ๐ฐ Tap Water | Safe to drink |
| ๐ Power | 220V, 60Hz, ๐ Type F sockets |
| ๐ถ SIM Card | SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ are popular mobile providers. |
| ๐ณ Banking for Expats | Major banks include KEB Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Woori Bank. |
| ๐ Accommodation | Variety of options including hotels, guesthouses, and rentals on AirBnB. |
| ๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, mobile payments popular. |
| ๐ Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental websites are widely used. |
| ๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Busan Station, prices start at approximately 15,000 KRW per night. |
Working and Networking
| ๐ข Best Coworking Space | WeWork Busan, located in the Centum City area. |
| โ Best Cafe for Work | Fritz Coffee Company, known for a great atmosphere and good internet. |
| ๐ผ Networking Events | Busan International Film Festival networking events in October. |
| ๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | Busan Expat Meetup on Facebook provides various community events. |
Transportation
| ๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | KakaoTaxi is the most popular ride-hailing app. |
| ๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and Kickgoing provide bike-sharing services. |
| ๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | Haeundae Beach, approximately 20 minutes by subway. |
| โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Korean Air and Asiana Airlines operate regionally. |
| โ๏ธ Top International Airline | Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Jeju Air are major carriers. |
| ๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Access to Gyeongbu Expressway connecting to Seoul. |
| ๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Busan Station serves KTX and local trains. |
| ๐ Public Transport Passes | T-money cards can be used for subway and bus fares. |
| โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Trains from Busan to Ulsan and Gyeongju take about 30 minutes. |
Health and Wellness
| ๐ฅ Best Hospital | Busan National University Hospital |
| ๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaOne offers classes and sessions. |
| ๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Gold's Gym are popular choices. |
| ๐งบ Laundry Services | Speed Queen laundromat located in Seomyeon. |
Food and Drink
| ๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | Baedal Minjok and Yogiyo are the most used apps. |
| ๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the famous Busan-style raw fish (ํ, hwae). |
| ๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plant Cafe is popular among vegetarians and vegans. |
| ๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Caffe Tiamo offers a variety of desserts. |
| ๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Gwangbokdong Food Street for affordable eats. |
| ๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Coupang and Gmarket are popular online marketplaces. |
| ๐ Grocery Delivery | Market Kurly provides grocery delivery services. |
| ๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | Seomyeon is well-known for nightlife and bars. |
| ๐ป Local Brewery | Busan Brewing Company serves craft beers. |
| ๐ท Wine Bars | Wine and Beer House in Haeundae. |
| ๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Gwangalli Beach has many street food options. |
| ๐ Popular International Cuisine | Nampo-dong offers various international dining options. |
Culture and Attractions
| ๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | Haeundae Beach, Busan Tower, Gamcheon Culture Village. |
| ๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | Busan Museum of Art and Busan Modern History Museum. |
| ๐ฐ Historical Sites | Beomeosa Temple and Dongnae Eupseong. |
| ๐ Religious Sites | Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, located seaside. |
| ๐ Annual Events | Busan International Film Festival in October. |
| ๐จ Cultural Districts | Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its colorful houses and art. |
| ๐ญ Theater Venues | Busan Cinema Center is famous for its architecture. |
| ๐๏ธ Local Markets | Jagalchi Fish Market for fresh seafood. |
| ๐ผ Music Scene | The Bay 101 offers live music and a vibrant atmosphere. |
| ๐จ Street Art | Gamcheon Culture Village is filled with murals and art installations. |
| ๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Hanbok Cultural Center offers Korean cooking classes. |
| ๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Busan Opera House and various galleries downtown. |
| ๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | Busan Station, a beautiful example of Japanese colonial architecture. |
| ๐ด Local Heritage | Cite the legacy of Busan as a port city and cultural hub. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| ๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Taejongdae Resort Park is a short drive from the city. |
| ๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Byeonsanbando National Park, about two hours from Busan. |
| ๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | The waterfront promenade along Haeundae Beach. |
| ๐ Scenic Viewpoints | Busan Tower provides panoramic views of the city. |
| ๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Daejeo Ecological Park, great for birdwatching. |
| ๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas on Haeundae Beach allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| ๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | Korea Post and CJ Logistics for parcel delivery. |
| ๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Repair shops available in Nampo-dong. |
| ๐ Table Tennis Spots | Busan Sports Complex has public table tennis tables. |
| ๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | Busan Language Institute offers Korean language classes. |
| ๐ Libraries & Study Spots | Busan Metropolitan Library has great study spaces. |
| ๐๏ธ Community Centers | Busan Cultural Center hosts various local events. |
| ๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | PC Bangs are popular for gaming. |
| ๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | Paradise Casino Busan is a popular choice. |
Business
| ๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,500,000 KRW per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = 140,000,000 KRW) |
| ๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,800,000 KRW per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = 112,000,000 KRW) |
| ๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,200,000 KRW per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = 192,000,000 KRW) |
| ๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,500,000 KRW per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = 150,000,000 KRW) |
| ๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,000,000 KRW per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = 240,000,000 KRW) |
| ๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,300,000 KRW per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = 184,000,000 KRW) |
| ๐ผ Corporate Tax | 10% for small businesses. |
| ๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% for foreign investors. |
| ๐ฆ Tax System | Progressive income tax system with various brackets. |
| ๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | 42% for income over 500 million KRW. |
| ๐งพ VAT | 10% standard VAT. |
| ๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules exist. |
| ๐ Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on assessed value. |
| ๐ Property Transaction Tax | Between 1% and 3%, depending on sale price. |