Itaewon has been Seoul's foreign quarter for decades and remains the easiest place to live without Korean. The food is the most international in the country, the bars are the most mixed, and services from estate agents to doctors are used to dealing with foreigners. Yongsan around it has been heavily redeveloped, with new towers, parks and good transit. It is more expensive than Hongdae and less Korean in character, which is either the point or the drawback depending on what you came for.

• Most English spoken of any Seoul district

• The best international food in Korea

• Established foreign community and foreigner-friendly services

• Yongsan park and good transit links

International, mixed and comparatively easy.

• You do not speak Korean and want a soft landing

• You want an international social circle

• You value variety in food above all

You pay a premium for the English-speaking environment, which for a short stay is often worth it.

Gigabit is the default. Free public Wi-Fi works on the metro, on buses and in most public buildings. Cafes function as de facto coworking spaces with power at nearly every seat.

Integration requires Korean. A local phone number is the gate to most essential apps, so arrange one early.

Leaving a laptop on a cafe table while you order is normal here, which tells you most of what you need to know about street crime.

Twenty-three metro lines with English signage, mobile coverage in tunnels and fares around USD 1. A T-money card covers metro, buses and taxis nationwide. KTX reaches Busan in under three hours.

Humid continental

Four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are excellent, summer is hot and wet, and winter is cold and dry with real snow.

• More expensive than Hongdae or Jongno

• Less Korean in character than the rest of the city

• Hilly streets make some parts a real climb

• Digimad editorial review - Seoul districtsDigimad2026-07-27

Last reviewed 2026-07-27