Changwon, South Korea 🇰🇷
#803
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to Seoul, with lower prices for daily expenses but still higher than many Southeast Asian cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable for South Korea, especially outside the city center, but still on the higher side compared to smaller cities.
🍎 Food & Groceries
65%
Weight: 40
Local markets and Korean cuisine are affordable; imported goods can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
72%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is efficient and affordable, with good bus and train connectivity.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for movies, bars, and cultural events; nightlife is less vibrant than Seoul.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available at reasonable monthly rates, though premium facilities cost more.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
South Korean won is stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
94%
Weight: 100
Excellent high-speed internet widely available, with average speeds exceeding 100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
55%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces compared to Seoul, but some options exist.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable environments for working.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers, but fewer than in larger metropolitan areas.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
39%
Weight: 100
Changwon is not a well-known digital nomad hotspot; most nomads prefer Seoul or Busan.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
67%
Weight: 30
Generally good balance with a slower pace than Seoul, but Korean work culture can be demanding.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Relatively clean environment with industrial areas but good efforts in green initiatives.
🧼 Cleanliness
81%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
43%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Korean language skills are helpful.
💨 Air Quality
54%
Weight: 15
Moderate air pollution due to industrial activity and seasonal dust, but generally acceptable.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Good schools and family amenities, but limited international schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with modern technology and skilled professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
76%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance, though some services can be costly for foreigners.
🏥 Healthcare
88%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access to hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
51%
Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters; spring and autumn are pleasant but short.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
79%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons and minor earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
68%
Weight: 10
Several parks and recreational areas, though less abundant than in larger cities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70%
Weight: 10
Clear seasonal changes with distinct spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
🔊 Noise Pollution
67%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet city with some noise near industrial zones and main roads.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich Korean cultural heritage with local festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
47%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to Seoul or Busan; quieter city atmosphere.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby mountains, parks, and coastal areas for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Korean language schools and cultural centers available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
58%
Weight: 10
Fewer tourist-focused experiences but authentic local culture accessible.
🎳 Indoors Fun
59%
Weight: 10
Shopping centers, cinemas, and cultural venues available but limited variety.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Good variety of Korean cuisine and some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
52%
Weight: 10
Limited number of yoga studios compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available but not abundant.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67%
Weight: 15
Availability of fresh produce and traditional healthy Korean dishes.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
KST (UTC+9) is favorable for working with Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe/Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
45%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads and expats.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Moderate opportunities locally; many digital nomads rely on remote jobs from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and less developed than in major cities.
🏢 Coworking Quality
53%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
51%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but overshadowed by Seoul and Busan.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Good mobile payment infrastructure with apps like KakaoPay widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
57%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Gimhae International Airport (Busan), about 1 hour away.
🚇 Public Transit
71%
Weight: 20
Efficient bus system; no subway but good regional train connections.
🚶 Walkability
63%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Taxi apps available; ride-sharing less common than in Western countries.
🚲 Cycling
59%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental options, but cycling infrastructure is limited.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
74%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to other major cities in Korea.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
48%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of electric scooter rentals compared to larger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G/5G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
83%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well; no significant government restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
42%
Weight: 40
Standard tourist visas available; no specific digital nomad visa; visa process can be bureaucratic.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex; foreign income taxation depends on residency status.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech with some limitations on sensitive political topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires residence documentation and can be time-consuming.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; foreigners can register businesses but process is detailed.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of May 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
41%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
35%
Weight: 25
Few to no regular digital nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for digital nomads specifically in Changwon.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
86%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe urban environment.
♀️ Female Friendly
72%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners due to cultural differences.