Why I Like Living In Seoul
by Jason -- June 7, 2011
While I was sad to leave the US again a few months ago, I was also looking forward to coming back to the Korean lifestyle. In fact, I like the lifestyle here so much that if it were possible to take my friends and family from the states and move them all here, I’d take that deal. In today’s post I’ll give a few of the reasons why I enjoy my Korean lifestyle more than the one back in California.
- Public Transportation – I hate driving. While it might be more convenient to have a car at times, it’s absolutely unnecessary in Korea. Between the subways, bus system and cheap taxis it would be easy to go your entire life without driving a car, and I have no problems with this.
- Internet speeds – It’s ridiculously fast. When most of your life is spent on the computer, this is a huge (nerdy) plus. Surfing the web is quick and movies and TV shows download in minutes. You also don’t have to fork over a lot of money for these speeds either. Our Internet connection is about $30 per month and I chose an upgraded package.
- Safety – Whether it’s ignorance or whether Korea is just that safe, I never feel unsafe walking around. On subways you don’t need to worry about being pick pocketed or someone going through your backpack. It’s one less thing to have to worry about.
Cheap, Delicious & Healthy Restaurants – What makes living in Korea extremely easy is how I much enjoy Korean food. Eating out is often as cheap, if not cheaper, as cooking at home. To ensure I leave the house at least once a day, I eat out for lunch every day. I typically eat a very healthy Tofu Soup (순두부찌개) with a couple sides of vegetables and roots. The total bill – between $3-$5 including tax & tip (there is no tip).- Nightlife – While I don’t participate in the nightlife as often as I used to, I still love it. I love Koreans attitude towards alcohol in general in fact. The amount they drink and their accepting nature of drunks is both impressive and hilarious. The nightlife here can go as late as you like, but typically ends at 5 or 6 in the morning, when the subways begin to run again. One of the more comical things is being up early and seeing the mix of people on the subway who are up early and still have not gone to bed.
This list could go on further — strangers here are incredibly nice, Korea is full of gorgeous mountains, there’s great hiking and many other activities to keep you busy. But all of these things are also true back at home so I chose not to include them on my list.
So, how does it sound? Ready to move to Seoul?
Be awesome and help us share:
Hi Jason! Good post. I am generally uninformed about what day to day living is like overseas. I really appreciate reading about the simple things that make the experience fun and it takes the ‘fear’ out of those scary foreign places!
I am glad you are still living your dream! Cheers to you!
Well, you’ve sold me, sounds like a fantastic place to live!
@Krista — Good to hear from you! I’m glad to hear that I’m taking the fear out of a few foreign places. I never realized that some of our writing would do that, but that’s cool to hear!
@Andi — It’s definitely a nice place to live!
Jason,
thanks for the update on your trip. I love the comparison post, it helps me understand places I have never been and it squelches any myths I might have formed from not knowing.
the hours one could keep (24/7). I can barely make it past 8:30 pm. I am tired just thinking about it.
Enjoy
Jeannette
I agree 100%! I also love that it’s a compact but big city, yet with mountainous wilderness all around, less than an hour away by public transit. Oh, and Koreans are some of the nicest people I have ever met.
Hi Guys, Have enjoyed reading your blog thus far, I am a friend of Holly’s from high school, so came across your blog through her. I love reading travel blogs, and get so excited to hear about other Americans living overseas and exploring the world, it warms my heart! I have lived in London for the past 7 years, so maybe not quite the culture shock of Korea, but still I can relate to so much of what you have written in this post. I so hate driving, and I don’t miss it at all, I think other Americans think I’m crazy. I often think if I could just get my family and friends to move here, I’d stay forever. Thanks for sharing all of your stories, and keep up the great work!
@Jeannette — Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! And haha…I can’t make it out very late anymore either (nor do I really want to).
@Britt — Yeah, all really good points, hope to see you back here some point soon!
@Ashley — Thanks very much for the comment! Sounds like we think very similarly. Sharon and I would love to get to London and explore a lot of Europe at some point. Thanks again!
Great Blog! Looking forward to reading more!
Am I ready to move to Korea? GOD YES!
lol
This was inspiring, and I’m glad I found out there is good internet connection because I heard from someone else that it’s difficult for foreigners if you use Olleh’s net. Something about needing a national security number? You didn’t have to have that?
anyway nice blog^^
Awesome Angel — thanks for the comment! You will need a resident number to register for the Internet. But if you’re planning on teaching, then you’ll receive one and your school will help you get everything setup.
Thanks!