Seoul, South Korea 🇰🇷
Nomad Score:
74%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Seoul is the capital city of South Korea, known for its modern skyscrapers, pop culture, and rich history. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 9.7 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed is about 200 Mbps, with widespread availability of fiber-optic connections. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 1,300 KRW. Major banks include KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Woori Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; however, bottled water is commonly preferred. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers like SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ offer prepaid SIM cards for international visitors. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International banks like Citibank, local banks and services such as Revolut are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, guesthouses, and serviced apartments available on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit cards are widely accepted, and mobile payments like KakaoPay and Samsung Pay are popular. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local services like Hometel offer numerous options for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Find hostels such as Kimchee Guesthouse and hotels like G guesthouse for affordable stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork and Hive Arena locations are popular coworking spaces offering flexible plans. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafés like Café de Lulu and The Coffee Collective have good Wi-Fi and a work-friendly ambiance. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Look out for Meetup events and community gatherings facilitated via platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups like Seoul Expats and various cultural events often host meetups for international residents. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | KakaoTaxi is the most widely used ride-hailing app in Seoul. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Services like Seoul Bike 'Ddareungi' and Lime scooters are popular for short trips. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Haeundae Beach is approximately 4 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Korean Air and Asiana Airlines operate regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Airlines like Korean Air, United Airlines, and Delta offer international flights from Incheon Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways like the Gyeongbu Expressway provide access to surrounding cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Seoul Station is the primary transit hub with access to KTX (high-speed trains) and various metro lines. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | T-money cards can be used for subway, bus, and taxi in Seoul. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | KTX trains connect Seoul to Busan and other major cities quickly. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Seoul National University Hospital is renowned for its excellent healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Popular yoga studios include Yoga Tree and Bliss Yoga. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Facilities like Fitness First and CrossFit Seoul offer various workout options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats such as Wash & Fold and Happy Laundry are available around the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Baedal Minjok (Baemin) and Yogiyo are the most popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Kimchi Jjigae (kimchi stew) and Bibimbap are must-try dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Plant and CafÉ 8 offer great vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Try bingsu at Sulbing or pastries at Cacao Green. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Gwangjang Market is a great place for affordable street food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Coupang and Gmarket are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Gobento and Coupang Fresh provide grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Itaewon is known for its vibrant nightlife scene with many bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Magpie Brewing Co. and The Booth are popular craft breweries. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Try Wine O'Clock or Wine Bar 3 for excellent wine selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Myeongdong Street Food Alley offers a variety of delicious street foods. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Explore restaurants in Itaewon for diverse international cuisine options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Gyeongbokgung Palace and N Seoul Tower are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of Korea and Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art showcase rich cultural heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Bukchon Hanok Village and Changdeokgung Palace highlight traditional architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple are notable places for worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Seoul Lantern Festival occurs every November on Cheonggyecheon Stream. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Hongdae is vibrant for arts, youth culture, and nightlife. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The National Theater of Korea regularly hosts performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Design Plaza offer shopping and cultural experiences. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Areas like Hongdae feature live music venues with various genres. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore areas around Hongdae for vibrant street art and murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Korean Cooking Class offers hands-on experiences in traditional cooking. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Space for Creative Arts and Gallery Hyundai showcase contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Seoul City Hall is a blend of modern and traditional architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The royal palaces and hanoks represent significant cultural heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Bukhansan National Park offers excellent hiking opportunities near the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Seoraksan National Park is about 2.5 hours away, famous for its stunning scenery. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Han River Park features scenic paths perfect for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Namsan Mountain provides panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Seoul Forest is a good spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in parks like Hangang Park allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Services like CJ Logistics and EMS offer reliable parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech-savvy stores such as iFix and various local shops provide tech repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and parks often feature public table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutions like language schools and online platforms like italki for Korean classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Seoul Library and the National Assembly Library are good for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Places like the Seoul Global Center provide resources for expats. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | PC Bangs (gaming cafes) are popular, with locations like GameHub. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Seven Luck Casino is a well-known spot for gaming in Seoul. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = $90,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = $66,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $156,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $320,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 10% for small businesses and 22% for large corporations. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed on Korean-source income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for income above approximately $90,000. |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% standard rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, South Korea implements CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on property value, around 0.1% to 4% depending on the valuation. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% on property transactions. |