Many of my students have expressed interest in living in Korea someday. 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. In today’s post, I’d like to share four reasons why living in Korea is great.
Convenient 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 public transportation system is incredibly efficient and well-developed, making it easy to get around.
The subway and buses in Seoul are clean, safe, and affordable, allowing you to travel anywhere in the city with ease. However, it’s best to avoid traveling during rush hour as it can get very crowded.
Other major cities like Busan, Daegu, and Daejeon also have convenient public transportation. 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!
Super-Fast Internet
Korea is known for its incredibly fast internet infrastructure. Not only can you enjoy high-speed internet at home, but you can also access free Wi-Fi in most public places.
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 anyone who relies on a strong internet connection.
Safe Living Environment
This is probably the most important point. 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 safety.
Korea has a relatively low crime rate, and the police and security systems are well-organized, allowing people to feel safe even late at night. One unique aspect of Korean culture is that people generally don’t take things that aren’t theirs. Even if you lose your wallet or phone in a crowded place, chances are you’ll be able to find it again.
Convenient Delivery Services
This one will amaze you! Korea’s delivery system is incredibly fast and convenient. You don’t even need to go grocery shopping; if you place an order by 11 p.m., your groceries will arrive at your door, well-packed, by the next early morning.
Not only that, but you can also get any of your favorite Korean dishes delivered to your home. The delivery apps are user-friendly, and the wait times are usually short. Many restaurants in Korea operate past midnight, so you can enjoy delivery food at almost any hour.
➤ 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. But I hope that those studying Korean will have the opportunity to visit and have only positive experiences. 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? :)
