Life in South Korea will provide expats with many opportunities, but it also comes at a price. When planning to move here, you should be prepared for certain advantages and disadvantages. Find out what are the pros and cons of living in South Korea and what to pay attention to when planning a move to the country

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Many reasons motivate people to change their country of residence, it can be employment prospects and new career opportunities, as well as the desire to live in another country, learn a new culture or find a more comfortable climate for themselves.

South Korea is a popular expat destination because it has a lot to offer foreigners. However, as in any other country in the world, life here has certain drawbacks.

We talk about the pros and cons of moving to South Korea.

Pros of moving to South Korea

1. Beautiful nature

Photo – LonelyPlanet

70% of the territory of South Korea is hills and mountainous terrain. There are also many rivers here, the local nature is simply amazing with its beauty.

2. You can plan your move in advance

Usually, expats move to South Korea with an existing employment contract and also have a signed apartment rental agreement. Such conditions greatly ease the stress of moving.

3. High level of security

South Korea has a very low crime rate. You can easily leave your belongings anywhere and find them untouched a few hours later. Also, expats don't have to worry about armed robberies and petty crimes in South Korea.

4. The health care system is developed

The health care system in the country is developed at a very high level. It is also affordable. Medical bills won't burden your budget even if you don't have insurance.

5. One of the best transport infrastructures in the world

South Korea has a well-developed and modern transportation infrastructure that makes it easy to get around even without a car. Public transport is one of the best in the world, boasting train, metro, bus and taxi services linked by a single card that can be used anywhere in the country.

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6. Delicious cuisine

Photo by RemoteLands

Food is the foundation of South Korean culture. There are many dishes based on dashi, soy sauce, seaweed and sesame oil.

Restaurants in South Korea offer fast service and no tipping, so they are ideal.

South Korean coffee shops are comfortable, modern, diverse and creative, despite the fact that the coffee culture here is quite new.

The number of non-Korean restaurants and ingredients is increasing due to the growth of the foreign population.

7. Effective system

One of the best things about South Korea is that everything works flawlessly.

People respond quickly to emails, are never late, and always get back to you on time.

Also, they take their work very seriously.

The postal service is reliable and fast, and all government services operate efficiently.

Also, there are never any problems with transportation, electricity or infrastructure.

8. 24-hour shops

You don't have to go far to find a 24-hour convenience store in South Korean cities.

Here you can buy anything: from personal hygiene products to food, alcohol, ready meals and snacks.

9. Ideal opportunities for waste sorting

Waste disposal regulations in South Korea are strict and you can be fined if you don't recycle your waste.

There are color-coded bags to separate plastic bottles, food waste, glass bottles, Styrofoam and paper.

10. A large community of migrants

Friendship with other foreigners helps reduce culture shock. There are many meetings and parties where you can make new friends.

11. Friendly working environment and career prospects

Koreans value relationships between colleagues and often spend time together even after work. Also, South Korea can offer an expat fantastic prospects for career development.

12. High level of the education system

Korean public elementary and middle schools are generally quite good and focus on science and math, as well as English and Korean. Many schools also hire native English speakers, even in rural areas.

Moving to another country requires preparation and careful planning. If you are considering South Korea as your future residence, it is important to have a clear understanding of the process of obtaining a residence permit here. We have already talked about the procedure for submitting documents and obtaining a visa to South Korea in 2024.

Cons of living in South Korea

1. High cost of living

The cost of living in South Korea can be quite high. Apartments in major cities can cost up to SGD 1,600 ($1,200). Expenses for communal services are usually combined into one account. Outside the city, rental prices are not so high.

  Locally produced products are cheap, but if you want imported products, you will have to pay a lot more.

2. Polluted air

Photo – npr.org

Air pollution is a serious problem in South Korea, especially in Seoul, the capital. Seoul is one of the cities with the highest level of air pollution in the world. However, the rapid industrialization in the country is most to blame for this.

3. Unstable weather

The Asian monsoon affects the climate of South Korea: cold air from Asia prevails in winter, and warm and humid air from tropical regions enters the country in summer.

This means that the rainfall pattern is not what you would expect, with winter being the driest and summer being the wettest.

4. Small apartments

If you plan to rent an apartment in Seoul, expats should be prepared that the apartments will be much smaller than by Western standards. The further an expat moves from the city, the more spacious the accommodation becomes. Despite this, the prices for renting a small space, especially in Seoul, will be high.

5. Tense atmosphere

South Korea has a remarkably high suicide rate, partly because of the stressful atmosphere surrounding education, as students are constantly required to perform better and study longer to get into a prestigious university.

6. It is difficult to develop startups

South Korea's economy is strong, but with giant corporations like LG, Samsung, and Hyundai, it's hard for startups to get ahead in society. More than 11% of young people cannot find a job here.

7. Language barrier

Although young people in Seoul can speak some English, you may encounter language barriers, especially when dealing with government agencies or older generations.

8. Traffic jams

Rush hour traffic can be a real headache in Seoul, making commuting to and from work frustrating.

Working in South Korea offers an exciting immersion in a dynamic mix of tradition and innovation. With its rich cultural heritage and fast-growing economy, the country offers a unique experience for both local and foreign professionals. Before starting the job search procedure, find out about the available types of work visas in the country and what the procedure for obtaining a permit is.

Life in South Korea is different, it has both its advantages - career prospects, beautiful nature, rich culture, and disadvantages - high cost of living or language barrier. What experience you will get from life in South Korea will depend on your preferences and how well you can adapt to new challenges.

We will remind you! We have already told you that Singapore has updated the procedure for obtaining a work permit and simplified the rules for obtaining a residence permit based on a student visa.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To arrange a safe move to South Korea, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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