As I’ve grown older, the thrill of discovering big cities has waned. One big city is rarely significantly distinguishable from another. They’re always crowded and kind of boring in their hecticness. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I absolutely loved being in Seoul, and I think it would be a fantastic place to live.
Atmosphere
Everything about Seoul is vibrant and visually interesting. Every neighborhood has its own unique feel that invites long-term exploration. It’s stunning, both in its preservation of traditional architecture and in its embrace of ultra-futuristic modern structures. It feels like you’re walking around in a place that exists 100 years in the future, but without making you feel small or overwhelmed. There are a lot of green and peaceful spaces scattered around the city where you can easily escape crowds. But even in the most crowded of spaces, everything moves in an orderly manner that makes you feel like things just flow. Seoul has great restaurants and bars, and a vibrant café culture – they really know how to curate a space. It feels like an extremely stylish yet cozy city to simply exist.
Food
I came into this trip wholly ignorant about Korean cuisine. I was worried about the spiciness of the food and about the complexity of the dining experiences, but none of that turned out to be an issue. Food in Seoul was richly spiced without being too much. If anything, a lot of it trended toward the sweet. Street food was cheap and consistently good. And the ritualistic way in which you have to prepare Korean barbecue or create your own bibimbap bowl ended up being a joy. Drinking culture is also somewhat intricate but very casual and fun. I like that whether you want a fancy cocktail or to chase soju shots with beer, every place welcomes you warmly.
If I got sick of eating Korean and Asian cuisine, Seoul also has incredible Western food including brunch, pasta, burgers, and pizza. I will not soon forget the pizza from A$AP Pizza. Or the lavender latte from Luft Coffee. And while my blood sugar probably doesn’t need me to have constant access to frozen s’mores, it would definitely increase my happiness.
People
I love Czech people, but it’s clear that life would be easier for me as a foreigner in Seoul. Our first morning in the city, having woken up at 5 am because of crazy jet lag, we wandered into a soup restaurant. Two older gentlemen who were finishing up their meal called the owner of the restaurant from the kitchen and then showed us how to order. They didn’t even speak English – they were just pointing.
That was just one of the many pleasant locals we encountered in Seoul. Another notable one was the bar owner who gave us an entire box of moon pies just because we chatted with her for a bit. The Korean willingness to ensure you enjoy yourself is nearly unmatched. They’re jovial, warm, and I get the sense that they’re happy to see non-Asian tourists – a weird feeling as an American since we usually inspire global disdain. In addition to being one the most proficient exporters of culture in the world, it’s clear that the people of Seoul are pretty open to foreigners.
Cost
The cost of living in Seoul is a huge advantage. Housing and utilities are actually cheaper in Seoul than Prague, with a 1-bedroom apartment averaging less than $900 a month. Groceries might be more expensive, but that’s offset by the fact that eating out is really affordable. Considering how metropolitan Seoul is, it feels like you’re getting a great deal on cost of living.
Safety
Seoul is one of the safest big cities I’ve ever visited, a fact that is corroborated by lists of the safest cities in the world. It’s the kind of city where people leave an open laptop while they use the toilet or their brand-new cell phones sitting outside of a sauna. Petty theft and violent crime are not a huge cause for concern. There are very few places in the world where I would walk down into a subway underpass in the wee hours of the night, but I’d do it in Seoul without batting an eyelash.
Convenience
Seoul is massive, which is one of the only downsides. On the other hand, if you live and work in the same area, you would probably never have to travel very far to get everything you need. If you do, the public transportation system is luckily extensive and easy to use. It feels like everywhere you go, there is a nearby metro station for you to use. One of the things I do find extremely inconvenient is the limited functionality of Google Maps. But I suppose if I lived there, I would learn to effectively use Korean map apps. Aside from that, the city is full of conveniences to simplify your life. Everything from subway turnstiles to self-service kiosks work intuitively to ensure that you never waste mental resources trying to figure anything out.
Total Livability Score 10/10
Seoul is effortlessly cool but also really hospitable. If I was ever going to move to Asia, it would be the number one contender for me.
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