Seoul

City Overview

Seoul is South Korea's capital and center of K-pop and tech. Ultra-fast internet (among world's fastest), excellent public transit, and a vibrant nightlife attract young internationals. The Chinese community is concentrated in Daerim-dong.

Cost of Living Snapshot

Source: RichBay editorial estimate — indicative, not guaranteed Estimate baseline: 2026-07-20 · Actual costs vary by location, timing, and personal lifestyle.

Getting Around Seoul

9 metro lines cover the city and Incheon Airport. T-money card for metro/bus/taxi. Kakao T ride-hailing is popular.

Main transport

• Subway ↗ One of the world’s largest networks — 20+ lines across the capital region with full English signage; trains every 2–5 minutes at peak.
• City buses Color-coded: blue trunk routes, green feeders, red express to the suburbs, yellow loops — same T-money card, with free transfers to and from the subway.
• AREX & intercity rail ↗ AREX links both airports (Gimpo and Incheon) to Seoul Station; KTX high-speed trains reach Busan in under three hours.
• Taxis Cheap by global standards (base fare ≈ ₩4,800); Kakao T is the standard hailing app; late-night surcharges apply.

Typical costs

Airport access

• Incheon (ICN) ↗ The main international gateway, ~50–80 minutes out: AREX trains to Seoul Station, plus limousine buses reaching most districts directly.
• Gimpo (GMP) ↗ Much closer in, serving domestic and short-haul East Asia routes; on subway lines 5 and 9 and the AREX — often the easier arrival.

Good to know for newcomers

• Buy a T-money card at any convenience store (₩3,000–4,000) or use the phone version — it covers subway, buses, taxis and convenience-store purchases.
• Always tap out — fares are distance-based, and tapping out also starts your free 30-minute transfer window.
• The subway stops around midnight–05:30; late nights mean Kakao T taxis (with surcharge) or the “Owl” night buses on main corridors.
• Install Naver Map or Kakao Map — Google Maps barely works for directions in Korea.

Commuting & where to live

• Rent tracks the subway line and the distance to Gangnam, Jongno or Yeouido; Line 2 — the loop through the job centers — commands the biggest premium.
• Satellite cities (Bundang, Ilsan, Gwacheon) and outer districts cut rent sharply; red express buses and wide-area lines keep commutes to 40–70 minutes.
• Transfers are free but rush hour on lines 2 and 9 is intense — a direct bus can beat a two-transfer subway ride.
• The Climate Card only covers Seoul city — commuters living in Gyeonggi (Bundang, Ilsan…) should look at the separate K-Pass scheme instead.

Housing & Neighborhoods

Universities in Seoul (5)

• Hanyang University
• Korea University
• Seoul National University
• Sungkyunkwan University
• Yonsei University

Deep Dive Guides

Why Live Here

• World's fastest internet, ultra-convenient digital life
• Center of K-pop/K-drama culture
• Rich food scene at affordable prices