Move to Korea — Living & Travel Guide

Korea Phone Plan Comparison: What You Need to Know as a Foreigner Major Carriers vs. MVNO (알뜰폰) Category Major Carriers (SKT · KT · LG U+) MVNO (알뜰폰) Cost Generally more expensive Significantly cheaper; data-focused plans available Network Own infrastructure (SKT / KT / LG U+) Leases one of the three major networks Store Availability Many physical stores; some English-speaking locations Primarily online sign-up; USIM delivered by mail or convenience store pickup Membership / Bundles Membership perks and bundle discounts available Typically none Popular with Foreigners Yes, especially for in-person setup help Very popular among foreign residents for cost savings Short-term Visitor vs. Long-term Resid...

A Foreigner's Guide to Using Hospitals and Pharmacies in Korea (Treatment / Emergencies / Pharmacies) Healthcare in Korea is easy to access and treatment is usually fast. This guide explains where to go and what to do when you actually get sick — for how to enroll in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), Korea's public health insurance system, see the separate health insurance guide. Quick answer: In Korea, go to a neighborhood clinic (called an uiwon ) for minor issues like a cold, a hospital for admissions or specialist care, and the emergency room (ER) only for life-threatening situations. Bring your Alien Registration Card (ARC) or passport plus your health insurance details. If you're enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), you pay only a small out-of-pocket share. Prescription medicine is filled at a pharmacy, while a limited set of basic medicines (fever reducers, painkillers, cold medicine) can be bought at convenience stores. ...

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Seoul Per Month? A Guide for Foreigners Cost of Living in Seoul for Foreigners (2026): Monthly Budget Breakdown Category Notes Est. monthly cost Housing Studio apartments (원룸/오피스텔) require a deposit ( 보증금 ) plus monthly rent. Prices vary significantly by location and building age — central areas and subway-adjacent spots cost more. A management fee ( 관리비 ) is usually billed separately on top of rent. The jeonse (full-deposit, zero rent) option exists but requires a large lump sum upfront. Outer districts (Guro, Nowon, Geumcheon) run roughly 30–50% cheaper than central or Gangnam-area neighbourhoods. ≈ ₩600,000–1,500,000 (approx., varies, 2026) Food & Groceries Cooking at home cuts costs significantly. Large supermarkets and traditional markets ( 시장 ) are cheaper than convenience stores. Eating out ranges from affordable ...

A Foreigner's Guide to Getting an English Teaching Job in Korea (EPIK vs. Hagwon) Teaching English in Korea (2026): EPIK vs Hagwon Comparison Category EPIK (Public School) Hagwon (Private Academy) Hiring Schedule Two intakes per year — Fall (applications open ~Feb, start Aug–Oct) and Spring (applications open ~Aug, start late Feb–Mar); rolling admissions, no fixed deadline — positions fill as slots are claimed Year-round rolling hiring; flexible start dates Work Hours Standard school hours (Mon–Fri, approx. 9 AM–5 PM); maximum 22 teaching hours/week Typically afternoon to evening (after students finish school) Housing / Benefits Fully furnished apartment provided (or ₩400–500K/month housing allowance in some provinces); settlement allowance ₩300K; entrance allowance ₩1.3M–1.8M; contract completion bonus ₩1.3M–1....

This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep this site running. Getting Around Korea: Transport Options at a Glance T-money Card Subway City Bus KTX / SRT Taxi Best for Seamless transfers across all transit modes Navigating Seoul & major cities; English signage throughout Local neighbourhoods; colour-coded routes (Seoul: blue = trunk, green = branch, red = express, yellow = circular) Fast intercity travel; advance booking recommended on weekends & holidays Door-to-door convenience, especially late night How to get / book Buy at convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) or subway station vending machines; top up with cash at the same locations Tap T-money card at entry & exit gates Tap T-money ...