Ulsan, South Korea 🇰🇷
#801
,
Nomad Score:
57%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Ulsan is moderately expensive compared to other South Korean cities, with costs higher than smaller cities but lower than Seoul.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
45%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate; cheaper than Seoul but still on the higher side for South Korea, especially for furnished apartments.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are affordable, while imported goods and dining out in restaurants can be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is affordable and efficient, with buses and taxis reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
51%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but somewhat limited; prices are moderate.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
57%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options including chain gyms and local fitness centers.
💱 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
Ulsan benefits from South Korea's world-class internet infrastructure with very high speeds and reliability.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
38%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces compared to Seoul or Busan; options exist but are sparse.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though quality and speed can vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
41%
Weight: 30
Few cafes specifically cater to digital nomads; most are traditional coffee shops.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
29%
Weight: 100
Ulsan is not a popular destination for digital nomads compared to other Korean cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
55%
Weight: 30
Industrial city with a strong work culture; work-life balance improving but still challenging.
🌳 Environmental Quality
40%
Weight: 15
Industrial pollution affects air and water quality, though efforts are ongoing to improve environment.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean and well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
32%
Weight: 30
Limited English proficiency among locals; Korean language skills are important.
💨 Air Quality
35%
Weight: 15
Air pollution is a concern due to heavy industry and occasional yellow dust from China.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Decent schools and parks; quieter city suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities available, with well-trained medical professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
79%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national health insurance and government subsidies.
🏥 Healthcare
83%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access to hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
50%
Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters; spring and autumn are pleasant but short.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons and flooding possible but rare.
🏞️ Green Spaces
54%
Weight: 10
Some parks and riverside areas, but limited compared to larger cities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
78%
Weight: 15
Most modern buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
71%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with noticeable changes in temperature and foliage.
🔊 Noise Pollution
45%
Weight: 10
Industrial areas contribute to noise; quieter in residential zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
62%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with traditional festivals and industrial heritage.
🌃 Nightlife
40%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more subdued compared to Seoul or Busan.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
56%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby mountains and coastal areas, but industrial zones limit some outdoor experiences.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several language institutes and cultural centers offer Korean classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
53%
Weight: 10
Some industrial tours and cultural experiences available, but less tourist-focused.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
68%
Weight: 25
Good variety of Korean cuisine with some international options; seafood is a highlight.
🧠 Yoga Studios
39%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; fitness centers may offer limited classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
55%
Weight: 15
Several gyms and sports facilities available but not abundant.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
61%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce and traditional Korean healthy dishes are accessible.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
KST (UTC+9) is favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
37%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads or startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Local job market is industrial; remote work opportunities are limited locally.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
35%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and not well-established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
39%
Weight: 30
Existing coworking spaces are basic and lack extensive amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
33%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is underdeveloped compared to Seoul or Busan.
💳 Local Payment Services
70%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and local apps widely used and reliable.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
65%
Weight: 30
Ulsan Airport offers domestic flights; nearest international airport is Busan (Gimhae) about 1.5 hours away.
🚇 Public Transit
68%
Weight: 20
Bus network is comprehensive; no subway system.
🚶 Walkability
52%
Weight: 20
City is moderately walkable in central areas but less so in industrial zones.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
60%
Weight: 15
Taxi apps available but ride-sharing like Uber is limited.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental options, but infrastructure is not extensive.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
73%
Weight: 15
Good connectivity via buses and KTX trains to major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
41%
Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter rentals; bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Standard South Korean visa policies apply; no special digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
Tax rates are moderate; foreign income taxation can be complex.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free society with some restrictions on sensitive topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
82%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political risk.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Requires residence and documentation; somewhat bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is straightforward but involves paperwork and some language barriers.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in South Korea.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
38%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few digital nomad events or meetups in Ulsan.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for digital nomads specific to Ulsan.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
85%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe public spaces.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
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.