Many of my students have expressed interest in living in Korea someday. They often ask me, “What are the real benefits of living in Korea?” Having lived here my entire life, I don’t find it particularly new or different, but for foreigners, living in Korea can be a fresh and exciting experience.
Especially for those from non-Asian countries, life in Korea might feel even more unique. So, for those asking, “Is Korea a good place to live?“, I’d like to share my perspective.
The Pros of Living in Korea: A Teacher’s View
Today, I’d like to share four of the biggest pros of living in Korea that my international friends and students mention most often.
1. Convenient and Efficient Korea Public Transportation
Most people visiting Korea for the first time will likely choose Seoul as their destination. As the capital and largest city, Seoul is bustling, but its Korea public transportation system is incredibly efficient and well-developed, making it easy to get around.
The subway and buses in Seoul are clean, safe, affordable, and punctual.
- The System: You can use a single rechargeable “T-money” card for subways, buses, and even taxis. The real-time arrival apps (like Naver or Kakao Maps) are hyper-accurate, telling you exactly when the next bus will arrive, down to the minute.
- The Subway: It’s extensive, with signs in English, Japanese, and Chinese. A unique feature for many foreigners is the presence of platform screen doors at every station, which enhances safety and reduces noise.
- Intercity Travel: To travel between cities, Koreans often use high-speed trains like the KTX and SRT. Recently, a new train called “KTX-청룡” began operation, and it’s even faster than the regular KTX, reducing the travel time from Seoul to Busan to just 2 hours and 17 minutes!
The only downside is rush hour (usually 8-9:30 AM and 6-7:30 PM), which can get very crowded.
2. Super-Fast Internet (A Digital Paradise)
Korea is world-famous for its incredibly fast and robust internet infrastructure. This is one of the benefits of living in Korea that you will appreciate every single day. Not only can you enjoy high-speed fiber-optic internet at home (often at a low price), but you can also access free Wi-Fi in most public places, including subway cars, bus stops, cafes, and shopping malls.
Since I teach Korean online, internet speed is extremely important to me. When I lived in Thailand for four years, I was concerned because the internet there was slower than in Korea. Thankfully, I didn’t encounter major issues, but in Korea, this is never a worry. The internet is reliable and fast, making it an ideal place for digital nomads or anyone who relies on a strong internet connection.
3. A Remarkably Safe Living Environment
This is probably the most important point for anyone asking, “Is Korea a good place to live?“
Some people, particularly those from other countries, might think Korea is dangerous due to its proximity to North Korea. However, Koreans live peaceful, normal lives, with no daily concerns about this.
The real story is the incredibly low domestic crime rate. Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. People feel safe walking alone even late at night.
One unique aspect of Korean culture that always shocks foreigners is that people generally don’t take things that aren’t theirs.
- It is perfectly normal to leave your laptop, wallet, and phone on a table in a crowded cafe to “save your spot” while you go to the counter to order.
- If you lose your wallet or phone in a crowded place, the chances are incredibly high that you’ll be able to find it again, often turned into a lost-and-found or a nearby police station.
This sense of public trust and safety is one of the most significant benefits of living in Korea.
4. The Unbeatable Korea Delivery Culture
This one will amaze you! The Korea delivery culture is on another level—it’s incredibly fast, convenient, and comprehensive.
- Grocery Shopping: You don’t even need to go to the store. With services like “Dawn Delivery” (새벽배송) from companies like Coupang and Market Kurly, you can place an order by 11 p.m., and your groceries will be at your door, well-packed in insulated bags, before 7 a.m. the next morning.
- Food Delivery: You can get almost any of your favorite Korean dishes delivered to your home using apps like 배달의민족 (Baedal Minjok) or 쿠팡이츠 (Coupang Eats). The wait times are usually short.
- Anytime, Anywhere: Many restaurants in Korea operate past midnight, so you can enjoy delivery food at almost any hour. You can even get fried chicken and beer delivered directly to your picnic blanket in a public park, like the Han River Park.
A Balanced View
➤ Today, we talked about some of the benefits of living in Korea. Of course, there are downsides to living here, just as there are in any country (such as the high-pressure “ppalli-ppalli” work culture or the high cost of housing in Seoul).
But I hope that those studying Korean will have the opportunity to visit and have only positive experiences. These pros of living in Korea are real and tangible. These experiences could even fuel their motivation to continue learning the language. If you haven’t been to Korea yet, why not start planning a trip? 🙂
