Living in Seoul

Living in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, you will find yourself living in one of the global top 10 financial and commercial cities in the world. It is a city of contrasts, which offers expatriates an opportunity to live in a modern but culturally and historically rich city. There is never a dull moment in Seoul and it is full of surprises. Look beyond the towering skyscrapers and you will find a hidden world of palaces, temples and secret gardens.

Seoul's rapidly growing number of foreigners comprise 2.2% of the country's population but this number is steadily increasing on an annual basis and it is tipped to become an extremely popular expat destination.

Living in Seoul- Guide Contents

The Expat Info Desk guide to living in Seoul contains everything you need to know when moving overseas and covers the following information:

1) Living legally in Seoul

The Expat Info Desk guide to Seoul is packed with essential information and compulsory details on the visa requirements for living in Seoul. It contains practical information on the application process as well as hints and tips about how you can ensure that you meet all requirements. The guide also contains information that every expat should know about tax levels and processes, work rights and legal requirements.

2) Setting up home in Seoul

Wondering which area of Seoul you should call home? Maybe you would like the affluent Gangnam district, the predominantly Japanese Ichon-Dong district or the thriving Itaewon-Dong area. The Expat Info Desk relocation guide for Korea will help you to identify the area that is right for you.

3) Navigating the infrastructure

The Expat Info desk guide to living in Seoul contains a comprehensive shopping and services directory that contains contacts and addresses that you will find invaluable when navigating the city and setting up home here. From arranging utilities through to buying clothes and furniture you can be assured that everything you need is available in this single guide.

4) Having fun in Seoul

Seoul is a city that is steeped in culture and history. It has a vibrant and varied nightlife and offers expatriates an opportunity to enjoy endless entertainment and leisure activities. Our relocation guide for living in Seoul provides a thorough lowdown on the best places to go and well as a few tips on those to steer clear of.

5) Staying safe and healthy in Seoul

Staying safe and well is a top priority for any expatriate. Make sure you arm yourself with the best information possible so that you are aware of where to head in an emergency and how best to stay out of trouble in Seoul. The Expat Info Desk contains valuable information about healthcare, medical treatment and other clinical services.

6) Blending in

One of the biggest barriers facing expatriates when they relocate to Seoul is language. The Expat Info Desk guide to living in Seoul will prepare you for what is expected foreigners and how to navigate the city with limited language skills. Living in Seoul will bring challenges beyond just language—there are cultural aspects and local customs that the city guide will address for those brand new to Korea.

7) Reality bites

This guide is the Seoul Expat's bread and butter. Travel books are useful if you're backpacking, but moving to a new area is a completely different experience requiring more detailed information. Use it to plan your move, but continue to utilize it once you start to settle into this exotic and, sometimes, complicated foreign city. This guide will also help you unlock much of the mystery behind the Korean system and will help you make the most of your time in Seoul. Take the plunge and prepare yourself for all Seoul has to offer!

Your only expat guide to living in Seoul; Feel at home abroad – Fast!

Price of this guide:£19.00 / €22.00 / $29.00

Don't forget you'll receive a 20% discount on our prices if you complete our questionnaire during the purchase process.

About the guide authors

Janine MacLean Janine MacLean was born in a small farming community in Eastern Canada. She grew up on a farm, but always dreamed of travelling to far off lands and would spend hours poring over her outdated globe and watching National Geographic documentaries. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada and immediately moved to the Seoul area (Suwon, to be exact) to teach English as a second language and fulfill her dream to see the world.

During her two years in Korea she has travelled extensively throughout East and Southeast Asia, but is always happy to come "home" to Seoul and enjoys writing about her experiences in her blog "Getting My Suwon".

Her ideal day in Seoul includes grabbing a coffee and taking her camera for a walk around the Hongdae and Insadong areas (there's always something to see!), heading to Myeongdong or Gangnam for some window shopping and then, as the sun goes down, going to the market areas of Namdaemun or Dongdaemun for some amazing Korean street food. Finally, a few drinks by Cheonggyecheon- a beautifully restored stream near the City Hall- with some great friends makes her perfect day complete.

Christie Vanorsdale Christie Vanorsdale is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was raised in a small town two hours south, but moved to the city when she was fifteen. She studied psychology and sociology in university and landed a job as a recruiter for a job placement agency after graduation. She always knew that she was meant for greater things, so in 2008 she over-packed her Grandfather's vintage suitcase and landed in Seoul. Three years of teaching, eating, shopping and "living the dream" in the “Land of the Morning Calm", has shown her that anything is possible.

Being fully submerged in a culture that is both incredibly modern and age-old at the same time has been quite the experience. Long walks along the Cheonggyecheon River, the cherry blossom festival on Yeoido Island, and late night street food are just a few of her favorite things. She also enjoys visiting the many museums in the city, watching live music in Hongdae, and writing short stories in one of Seoul's many cafes. She has also traveled abundantly throughout Asia and the Mediterranean and is planning to move to Istanbul in the summer of 2011.

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