Looking for American Expats in Seoul?

Thinking about moving to Seoul as an American? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. Country-level percentages aren't broken out for Seoul, so the points below reflect what US American expats there wrote in their own words.

• The transit system is a standout. Americans rave about the fast, cheap, comprehensive mass transit — you don't need a car.

• It's extremely safe and convenient. Safety and sheer everyday convenience come up constantly, in a fast-paced city that suits many Americans.

• Nature is closer than you'd think. Mountains, temples, and green space are easy to reach right from the city.

• Healthcare and food impress. Affordable healthcare, cheap and quick food delivery, and a great food scene are recurring favourites.

• Bureaucracy trips newcomers up. Opening bank accounts, phone contracts, or getting medical records is described as a red-tape maze.

• Work culture is demanding. A tough business culture and rough work-life balance come up often, alongside hard-to-navigate websites and payments.

• The language is a barrier. Americans mention the language and a highly competitive academic culture as real adjustments.

• Winters and air quality wear on people. Cold winters, old buildings, and spring pollution drifting in from China round out the downsides.

For Americans, Seoul is safe, convenient, and endlessly energetic, with world-class transit, healthcare, and food. The trade-offs are the bureaucracy, a demanding work culture, and the language. It rewards those who thrive on a fast pace and invest in the language.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.

• Browse our network of members to get to know American expats in Seoul and connect with others.
• Take part in our expat forums to get firsthand tips and information from fellow Americans in Seoul.
• Meet other American expats and global minds at 600 monthly official events and share your interests at more than 4,600 monthly activities in Seoul and across the globe.

InterNations provides an easy, casual way to get to know expats from the USA and further afield in your local community. Sound good? Then let us welcome you into our Seoul Community today!

Our community in Seoul is also very active offline. Our InterNations Ambassadors organize regular events and various expat activities, e.g. a dinner in Seoul’s hippest restaurant or an outing with other American expats to explore the urban sprawl of Gyeonggi. These activities are a casual way to get to know expats from the USA in your local community as well as Americans in South Korea nationwide. Interested? Simply become a member and we’ll be happy to welcome you among our Americans living in Seoul!