Suwon, South Korea 🇰🇷
#799
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
51%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Seoul, more affordable but still higher than many Southeast Asian cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are lower than Seoul but still relatively high for digital nomads on a budget.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are affordable; imported goods and dining out can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and inexpensive, with good connectivity within the city.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for movies, bars, and cultural events; nightlife is less vibrant than Seoul.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Average gym fees; several affordable options available.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
South Korean won is stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
96%
Weight: 100
Excellent high-speed internet widely available, with average speeds exceeding 200 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
67%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but fewer than in Seoul; growing community.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
84%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable seating, popular among students and freelancers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but not as widespread or specialized as in larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42%
Weight: 100
Suwon is less known among digital nomads compared to Seoul or Busan.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
58%
Weight: 30
Korean work culture is demanding, but Suwon offers a quieter environment for better balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
61%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality with occasional pollution spikes; green initiatives improving city environment.
🧼 Cleanliness
79%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean and well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
34%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Korean language skills beneficial.
💨 Air Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can be moderate to high during certain seasons due to industrial activity and dust.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
63%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; quieter environment suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities available; South Korea has excellent medical standards.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
73%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national health insurance and reasonable private care costs.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with easy access to hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
54%
Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters; spring and autumn are pleasant.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
82%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons but generally safe.
🏞️ Green Spaces
68%
Weight: 10
Several parks and recreational areas, though less abundant than in larger metropolitan areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Most indoor spaces and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
71%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with colorful autumns and snowy winters, offering variety for outdoor activities.
🔊 Noise Pollution
65%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter than Seoul but some urban noise present.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with historical sites and traditional festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
48%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to Seoul; quieter city with fewer bars and clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby mountains and hiking trails; urban parks available.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
63%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Korean classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
60%
Weight: 10
Opportunities for cultural tours and local experiences, though less tourist-focused.
🎳 Indoors Fun
57%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
72%
Weight: 25
Good variety of Korean cuisine and some international options; street food is popular.
🧠 Yoga Studios
59%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not as widespread as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are accessible with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67%
Weight: 15
Availability of fresh produce and health-conscious eateries is growing.
💼 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
53%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to Seoul; smaller expat and digital nomad community.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
49%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
47%
Weight: 20
Freelance culture is emerging but still limited in Suwon.
🏢 Coworking Quality
65%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are modern and well-equipped but fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Suwon has some tech startups but the ecosystem is less developed than Seoul or Busan.
💳 Local Payment Services
76%
Weight: 10
Advanced digital payment infrastructure with wide acceptance of mobile payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
61%
Weight: 15
Growing interest and adoption, but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Close to Seoul’s Incheon and Gimpo airports with excellent international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
83%
Weight: 20
Efficient subway and bus systems with extensive coverage.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
64%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps available but less popular than taxis and public transit.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental services, but cycling infrastructure is limited.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
87%
Weight: 15
High-speed trains and buses provide fast connections to Seoul and other cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
52%
Weight: 10
Limited availability of electric scooter rentals compared to larger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
74%
Weight: 20
VPNs work well, though some restrictions exist due to local regulations.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
72%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes and public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
41%
Weight: 40
Standard tourist visas are easy to obtain; long-term digital nomad visas are not available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex with relatively high rates for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
76%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions on sensitive political topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
84%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Foreigners can open accounts but process requires documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate difficulty; procedures are clear but require local language knowledge.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
56%
Weight: 50
Moderate friendliness; infrastructure is good but community and visa options limited.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
38%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence for Suwon digital nomads compared to Seoul.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners but improving.