South Korea
Profiled in Seoul · East Asia
Seoul runs on pure energy, a neon megacity where 600-year-old palaces sit next to glass towers and the subway gets you anywhere at 2am.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Housing needs a big lump-sum deposit, but food and transit are cheap.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung PalaceThe grand Joseon-era palace with a changing-of-the-guard ceremony.
- Bukchon Hanok VillageSteep lanes of traditional wooden homes between two palaces.
- N Seoul Tower on NamsanCable car up the mountain for the whole-city panorama.
- Changdeokgung and the Secret GardenA UNESCO palace with a serene hidden royal garden.
- MyeongdongPacked shopping and street-food district, skincare on every corner.
- InsadongAntiques, tea houses and galleries on a browsable main street.
- Dongdaemun Design PlazaZaha Hadid's swooping silver landmark and night market.
- Gwangjang MarketOld covered market famous for bindaetteok and mung-bean pancakes.
- HongdaeUniversity quarter buzzing with buskers, bars and indie clubs.
- Cheonggyecheon StreamA restored stream cutting a calm green line through downtown.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- BusanBeaches, seafood and a temple on the cliffs, two and a half hours by KTX.
- GyeongjuOpen-air museum of an ancient kingdom, tombs and pagodas everywhere.
- JeonjuKorea's food capital and a preserved hanok village of tiled roofs.
- Nami Island and ChuncheonTree-lined river island and the home of spicy dakgalbi, an easy day out.
- Sokcho and SeoraksanGranite peaks and coast, prime hiking near the east sea.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Anthracite CoffeeRoaster in a converted shoe factory, serious single-origin brews.
- Fritz Coffee CompanyBeloved local roaster with a seal mascot and great pastries.
- Cafe Onion AngukMinimalist cafe inside an old hanok, famous for its pandoro.
- TerarosaRespected Korean coffee brand with airy, design-led branches.
- Blue Bottle SeongsuThe US roaster's flagship in Seoul's warehouse arts district.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Gwangjang Market food stallsClassic street eats, bindaetteok and mayak gimbap side by side.
- MinglesRefined modern Korean tasting menu, one of the city's best tables.
- JungsikInventive new-Korean fine dining in Gangnam.
- Byeokje GalbiLong-running grill house prized for premium marbled beef.
- Tosokchon SamgyetangInstitution near the palace for ginseng chicken soup.
- HadongkwanDecades-old spot serving one thing, clean beef gomtang soup.
- Gwangjang's SobanHomestyle Korean set meals near the market, comforting and cheap.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Tosokchon SamgyetangLocals line up early for restorative ginseng chicken soup.
- Onion AngukMorning pastries and coffee in a courtyard hanok setting.
- Isaac ToastHomegrown chain doing griddled egg-and-ham toast to go.
- Gwangjang MarketKalguksu and hotteok from dawn among the market stalls.
- Paris BaguetteThe ubiquitous Korean bakery for a quick pastry and coffee.
- NadaonWarm bowls of Korean porridge, juk, to start the day gently.
- Egg DropFast-growing local chain of fluffy egg sandwiches.
- Fritz Coffee CompanyCroissants and cortados before the crowds arrive.
- Myeongdong GyojaEarly kalguksu noodles and kimchi that clears your head.
Residency
Most newcomers arrive on a work visa tied to an employer, and there is a points-based skilled-worker track plus a growing digital-nomad route. Time on a visa can lead to the F-2 long-term residency and eventually F-5 permanent residency.
Tax
Residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates that top out around 45 percent, though a flat-rate option exists for some foreign workers for a fixed period. National health and pension contributions are deducted on top, and you count as a tax resident after roughly 183 days.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified South Korea residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the South Korea tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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