Essentials
- City
- Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
- Population
- 2,400,000
- Internet Speed
- 500 Mbps - 1 Gbps (Standard for ₩35,000/month)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 1,350 KRW, 1 EUR ≈ 1,460 KRW
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though locals often boil or use purifiers
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type F/C sockets
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, LG U+. Prepaids available at ₩36,000/month for unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- Hana Bank (Global desks), Woori Bank, KakaoBank (requires ARC)
- Accommodation
- Short-term studios (One-rooms) via Dabang or Zigbang Apps
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, nearly 100% acceptance including small stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Weve Stay (monthly rentals) ₩800,000 - ₩1,200,000/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Empathy Guest House (₩25,000/night), Go Hostel
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Jung-gu (Dongseong-ro area) for shopping and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Beomeo-dong (Suseong-gu) for safety and quiet, or Nam-san for central access
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- GARAGE Daegu (Beomeo Station), ₩250,000/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- A Twosome Place (Dongseong-ro), Coffee Myungga (Camp Tap-dong branch)
- Networking Events
- Daegu Startup Hub (DASH) networking nights
- Social Events for Expats
- Daegu Expats & Friends Facebook Group, Language Cast Daegu
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- KakaoT (Standard taxis), Uber (UT)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Dalgubul Bike (Public rental), Beam, Swing (₩1,200 starting)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pohang Yeongildae Beach (1 hour via KTX/Bus)
- Top Regional Airline
- T'way Air (Base: Daegu International Airport - TAE)
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air, Asiana Airlines
- Highway Access
- Gyeongbu Expressway (Connects Seoul and Busan)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Dongdaegu Station (KTX and SRT Hub)
- Public Transport Passes
- T-money Card or Cashbee (₩1,250 per ride)
- Regional Travel
- KTX to Seoul (1 hr 50 min, ₩43,500), SRT to Busan (45 min, ₩15,000)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital (International Clinic)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Tao Yoga Daegu, Suseong-gu Yoga Center
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness & Anytime Fitness (₩60,000 - ₩90,000/month)
- Laundry Services
- WashEnjoy Coin Laundry (Self-service, ₩4,000/load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin), Coupang Eats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Makchang (Grilled Pork Intestines) at Anjirang Alley
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Common (Vegan grocery/cafe), Loving Hut Daegu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Slow Turtle (Dongseong-ro), Bakidaki Bakery
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Seomun Market (Large traditional market)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (Rocket Delivery), Gmarket Global
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly, SSG.com
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Dongseong-ro (Jung-gu) and the 'Red Zone' for international crowds
- Local Brewery
- Daedo Brewing Co. (Near Kim Kwang-seok Street)
- Wine Bars
- Pelt (Suseong-gu), B-One
- Street Food Stalls
- Seomun Night Market (Open nightly 7 PM)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Black Box (Mexican), Hi Thailand (Dongseong-ro)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- 83 Tower/E-World, Apsan Observatory (Cable car: ₩12,000)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Daegu Art Museum, Daegu National Museum
- Historical Sites
- Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine
- Religious Sites
- Donghwasa Temple (Palgongsan Mountain)
- Annual Events
- Daegu Chimac (Chicken & Beer) Festival (July)
- Cultural Districts
- Kim Kwang-seok Memorial Street
- Theater Venues
- Daegu Opera House
- Local Markets
- Seomun Market (established in Joseon Dynasty)
- Music Scene
- Club Heavy (Live indie/rock music scene)
- Street Art
- Mural streets in Kim Kwang-seok-gil
- Cooking Classes
- Daegu Food Tour cooking classes (Traditional Korean)
- Art Galleries
- Bongsan Culture Street
- Historic Buildings
- Old Gyesan Cathedral (Gothic style)
- Local Heritage
- Textile Industry Heritage (Fashion Capital of Korea)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Suseong Lake (Boardwalk and light shows)
- National Parks Nearby
- Gaya-san National Park (approx 1 hour away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Sincheon Stream Path (runs through the city center)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Apsan Mountain Summit
- Birdwatching Locations
- Dalseong Wetland
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Limited; designated camping spots in Palgongsan
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CU/GS25 Convenience Store Delivery, Korea Post
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung/LG Service Centers (Ubiquitous in Jung-gu)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local 'Takgu' halls (₩10,000/hour)
- Language Classes
- Daegu University Korean Language Center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Daegu Jungang Library, Cafe Pascucci (Study-friendly)
- Community Centers
- Daegu Support Center for Foreign Workers/Residents
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs (Ubiquitous, ₩1,500/hour)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Hotel Inter-Burgo Casino (Foreigners only)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩6,500,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₩260,000,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩4,200,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₩168,000,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩7,000,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₩420,000,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩4,500,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₩270,000,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩8,500,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₩680,000,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩5,000,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₩400,000,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 9% to 24% depending on income brackets
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% standard (plus 1.4% local income tax)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (above 1 billion KRW)
- VAT
- 10% (usually included in sticker price)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to foreign companies over 15% ownership
- Property Tax
- 0.1% to 0.4% (Property tax) plus Comprehensive Real Estate Tax for high-value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1% to 3% Acquisition Tax depending on price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- F-1-D Workation Visa allows 0% local tax on foreign-sourced income