What to Expect: Housing

When many teachers first think about coming to Korea, their eyes often go straight to Seoul or Busan. These cities are the ones that dominate news, media, and social media feeds, so it’s natural that they feel like the obvious choices. But Korea is much more than just its two largest cities. Across the country, there are countless towns and mid-sized cities with rich histories, dynamic communities, and vibrant local cultures that don’t get nearly as much attention outside of Korea as they deserve.

 

One major reason to expand your search beyond Seoul and Busan is housing. In Korea’s largest urban centers, especially Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi-do region, space is limited, which means apartments tend to be smaller and more expensive. By contrast, in places like Daegu, Daejeon, or other regional cities, housing is often noticeably more spacious and comfortable because there is simply more land available for development.

 

This difference can make a real impact on your daily life as a teacher. Larger apartments not only give you more room to relax and settle in, but they also help create a stronger sense of stability and comfort during your time abroad. Beyond housing, living outside the biggest cities can also mean lower costs of living, easier commutes, and the chance to immerse yourself more deeply in local culture while still enjoying the conveniences of modern Korean life.

 

Here are some examples of what teacher housing looks like in Seoul compared to housing in other parts of Korea.

I have attached some photos of example housing below. 

 

 

Sample Gyeonggi-do, Siheung Housing 

 

 

 

 

Sample Incheon-si, Songdo Housing