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
47%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate; cheaper than Seoul but still relatively high for budget nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are affordable; imported goods can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is efficient and affordable with extensive bus and subway connections.
🎟️ 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 gyms and fitness centers available.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
South Korean won is stable with low inflation and a strong economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
96%
Weight: 100
One of the fastest and most reliable internet infrastructures globally.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
68%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces available but fewer than Seoul; growing digital nomad infrastructure.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
84%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable seating, popular among students and freelancers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and WiFi, though not as abundant as in bigger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
43%
Weight: 100
Suwon is not a major hub for digital nomads compared to Seoul or Busan.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
59%
Weight: 30
Korean work culture is intense, but Suwon offers a quieter environment with some balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
61%
Weight: 15
Generally clean with some industrial areas affecting air quality occasionally.
🧼 Cleanliness
80%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
42%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Korean language skills helpful.
💨 Air Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can be moderate, especially in spring due to yellow dust and industrial activity.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with modern hospitals and clinics.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
79%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national health insurance and reasonable private care costs.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare system with easy access to specialists and emergency services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
54%
Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters; spring and autumn are pleasant.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons and minor earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
67%
Weight: 10
Several parks and nearby mountains for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
78%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with colorful autumns and snowy winters.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich Korean cultural heritage with local festivals and historical sites.
🌃 Nightlife
48%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to Seoul; mostly local bars and karaoke.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Access to hiking trails and parks; close to mountains and rivers.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
73%
Weight: 10
Many language schools and cultural centers offering Korean classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
62%
Weight: 10
Some local tours available; less tourist-focused than bigger cities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
56%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Good variety of Korean cuisine and some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
59%
Weight: 10
Limited but growing number of yoga and wellness studios.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63%
Weight: 15
Several gyms and fitness centers available, including chain gyms.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68%
Weight: 15
Availability of fresh vegetables and healthy Korean dishes like bibimbap.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
71%
Weight: 20
UTC+9 is favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited expat and digital nomad networking events; more opportunities in Seoul.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most remote jobs come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
47%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small but slowly growing.
🏢 Coworking Quality
64%
Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with good amenities but fewer options than major cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
52%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene; more vibrant in Seoul and Pangyo Techno Valley.
💳 Local Payment Services
76%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of mobile payments and cards; local apps like KakaoPay popular.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; South Korea is active in crypto but regulations are strict.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
69%
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 good coverage.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps like KakaoTaxi widely used and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
54%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental services but not extensive.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
80%
Weight: 15
High-speed trains and buses connect Suwon to Seoul and other cities efficiently.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
57%
Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter rentals; bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
92%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78%
Weight: 20
VPNs work well; some restrictions on certain services but generally reliable.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
75%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes and public spaces but can be inconsistent.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
41%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa process is straightforward but no specific digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
43%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex; foreign income may be taxed; limited incentives for nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
79%
Weight: 15
Generally free society with some restrictions on sensitive political topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
84%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Requires residency or alien registration card; difficult for short-term visitors.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; foreigners can register businesses but process is involved.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
53%
Weight: 50
Moderate friendliness; infrastructure improving but language and visa issues remain.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
37%
Weight: 25
Few digital nomad-specific events; most networking happens in Seoul.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Limited online communities focused on Suwon digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women; some cultural conservatism.
✊ Racial Tolerance
51%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; foreigners may experience occasional social barriers.