Essentials
- City
- Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Population
- 1,080,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 200 Mbps (Gigabit fiber widely available in apartments)
- Currency & Banking
- South Korean Won (KRW); 1 USD ≈ 1,350 KRW. Major banks: KB, Shinhan, Woori.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, but most locals use purifiers or boil it due to old piping in some areas.
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, LG U+; Woori Mobile for easy expat registration (Approx. ₩35,000/month for unlimited data)
- Banking for Expats
- Hana Bank (Expat-friendly service), Shinhan Global, Toss Bank (digital-first)
- Accommodation
- Goshiwons (budget), Officetels (mid-range), Apartments (family-focused)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and mobile pay (Samsung Pay, Kakao Pay) accepted everywhere except some traditional market stalls.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Weve Officetel (Suji-gu), various studio options near Dankook University
- Budget Accommodation
- Yongin Central Co-op Hotel (approx. ₩70,000/night), various Goshiwons near Giheung (₩300,000-₩500,000/month)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Everland area (Pogeok-eup) for amusement parks or Korean Folk Village area (Giheung-gu)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Suji-gu (close to Seoul via Shinbundang Line) or Giheung-gu (near tech hubs and Ak Plaza)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Fastfive (Yongin Jukjeon branch), approx. ₩350,000/month for a hot desk
- Best Cafe for Work
- A Twosome Place (Yongin Bojeong branch) - large tables and abundant outlets
- Networking Events
- Pangyo Techno Valley Meetups (15 mins away via subway), Global Talent Network Gyeonggi
- Social Events for Expats
- Suwon/Yongin Expats Facebook Group, Language Exchange at Bojeong-dong Cafe Street
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- KakaoT (Essential; Uber/Ut is secondary)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Everybike (orange bikes), Beam/Swing electric scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Eurwangni Beach in Incheon (approx. 70-90 mins via car/express bus)
- Top Regional Airline
- Jeju Air (operating from Gimpo/Incheon)
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air, Asiana Airlines
- Highway Access
- Gyeongbu Expressway (Route 1) and Yeongdong Expressway
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Singal Station, Giheung Station (Bundang Line), and Yongin Bus Terminal
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Money Card, Climate Card (Seoul-linked limited), K-Pass (rebate system)
- Regional Travel
- Shinbundang Line (DX Line) to Gangnam in 30 mins; SRT at Guseong Station (opening 2024-2026)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Yongin Severance Hospital (Giheung-gu) - modern, international clinic available
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Kula (Suji), Jain Yoga (Jukjeon)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Spoany Fitness (multiple locations including Jukjeon), approx. ₩30,000-₩50,000/month
- Laundry Services
- Laundry 24 (self-service 24/7), WashEnjoy (Giheung)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin), Coupang Eats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Baekam Sundae (traditional blood sausage from Baekam-myeon)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Loving Hut (nearby Suwon), Sukkara (Seoul-bound), local temple food options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bojeong-dong Cafe Street (numerous boutique bakeries and bingsu shops)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- E-Mart Traders (Guseong), Yongin Central Market (5-day market)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (next-day Rocket Delivery), G-Market Global
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly (premium/fresh), SSG.com
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bojeong-dong Cafe Street (craft beer/wine) and the area around Dankook University
- Local Brewery
- Magpie Brewing (available in craft bars), nearby Suwon breweries like Levee
- Wine Bars
- In the Wine (Giheung), Vinga (Suji-gu)
- Street Food Stalls
- Yongin Jungang Market - famous for Tteokbokki and fried chicken
- Popular International Cuisine
- L'unidou (French-inspired in Bojeong), various Thai and Indian spots in Suji
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Everland Resort, Caribbean Bay, Korean Folk Village
- Museums & Art Venues
- Nam June Paik Art Center (dedicated to the world-renowned video artist)
- Historical Sites
- Waujeongsa Temple (famous for the giant wooden Buddha head)
- Religious Sites
- Saingeol Catholic Church, Waujeongsa Temple
- Annual Events
- Yongin Cyber Science Festival, Everland Tulip Festival (March/April)
- Cultural Districts
- Bojeong-dong Cafe Street (designated cultural street)
- Theater Venues
- Yongin Poeun Art Hall
- Local Markets
- Yongin 5-Day Market (dates ending in 5 and 0)
- Music Scene
- Busking performances at Bojeong-dong, concerts at Poeun Art Hall
- Street Art
- Gogicheon stream walkway murals
- Cooking Classes
- CJ CheilJedang classes (nearby Seoul), local cultural center classes
- Art Galleries
- Ho-Am Art Museum (near Everland)
- Historic Buildings
- Daejanggeum Park (Drama set with historical replicas)
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Korean pottery and Folk Village architecture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Gwanggyosan Mountain (hiking trails), Yongin Nature Forest (Glamping/Camping)
- National Parks Nearby
- Bukhansan National Park (1 hour north), Namhansanseong Provincial Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Tancheon Stream Path (leads all the way to the Han River in Seoul)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The summit of Gwanggyosan, Everland Ferris Wheel
- Birdwatching Locations
- Gigal-myeon reservoirs and Tancheon stream areas
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Yongin Nature Forest (recreational forest designated BBQ areas)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CU/GS25 Convenience store delivery (very cheap), CJ Logistics
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung Electronics Service Center (Suji/Giheung branches)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Yongin Table Tennis Club (Suji-gu)
- Language Classes
- Yongin Global Family Support Center, various private Hagwons in Jukjeon
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Yongin Central Library, Western-style study cafes like 'Gong-bon' (₩10,000/day)
- Community Centers
- Suji-gu Community Center (classes and sports)
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs (widely available, e.g., Jacks PC Cafe, ₩1,500/hour)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Paradise Casino Walkerhill (Seoul) - foreigners only
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩8,500,000 per m² (e.g., 33 m² = ₩280,000,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩5,500,000 per m² (e.g., 33 m² = ₩181,500,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩9,000,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ₩450,000,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩6,000,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ₩300,000,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩11,000,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₩880,000,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩7,000,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₩560,000,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive: 9% on first ₩200m, up to 24% for higher brackets
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15.4% (including local income tax) for residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days), territorial for non-residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (on income over ₩1 billion)
- VAT
- 10%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applies when tax rate in foreign country is <15%
- Property Tax
- Yes, 0.1% to 0.4% annually; additional Comprehensive Real Estate Tax for high-value properties
- Property Transaction Tax
- Acquisition tax: 1% to 3% depending on price and number of homes owned
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- F-1-D Workcation Visa available (must earn ₩85m+ per year, 0% local income tax if categorized as non-resident tourer)