A One-Month Living Guide to Busan, South Korea, for Foreigners: Practical Advice for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Residents

해수욕과-휴식에-최적화된-해운대-해변
Haeundae Beach: Perfect for swimming and relaxation
                                                     



Introduction:

 Hello, readers! Today, I’d like to introduce some great places in Korea for digital nomads to work or relax while staying for a month or longer.

As the number of digital nomads worldwide rapidly increases, South Korea is emerging as more than just a tourist destination — it is becoming a favored country for long-term stays and one-month living experiences. Among its cities, Busan stands out as a prime choice. This guide shares realistic information that foreigners, especially English speakers, should know when planning to stay and work or relax in Busan for a month or longer — including housing costs, living expenses, environment, and building community connections.

1. Why Busan?

Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city, where the sea, mountains, and urban life harmoniously blend. Compared to Seoul, prices are lower and locals tend to be more welcoming to foreigners. Along the coastline, numerous accommodations, cafes, and co-working spaces create an ideal environment for digital nomads. The climate is milder than Seoul’s, and nature is easily accessible even within the city.

Key Highlights:

  • Variety of accommodations (guesthouses, Airbnbs, serviced residences, etc.)

  • Infrastructure catering to foreigners (English-speaking hospitals, cafes, visitor centers)

  • Rich cultural events such as Busan International Film Festival and Haeundae Light Festival

  • Famous beaches like Haeundae, Gwangalli, and Songjeong offer relaxation and activities

  • Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation Visa) introduced in 2024: Starting January 2024, the South Korean government launched a digital nomad visa allowing remote workers to stay and work in Korea for up to two years. The visa requires proof of remote work and a minimum annual income (around $84,000 USD). Family accompaniment is possible after approval. Busan is considered one of the best cities to utilize this visa.

2. Housing and Accommodation Costs

Average Monthly Accommodation Fees:

  • Guesthouses: About 600,000 to 1,000,000 KRW per month (shared spaces)

  • Airbnb Studio Apartments: 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 KRW (varies by location and season)

  • Officetel Short-Term Rentals: 900,000 to 1,600,000 KRW (some deposit required)

  • Hotel-style Residences: 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 KRW

Recommended Areas:

  • Haeundae: Tourist-friendly with many luxury apartments and hotels, ideal for long stays

  • Gwangalli: Dense with cafes and bars, many accommodations offer ocean views

  • Jeonpo Cafe Street / Seomyeon: Recommended for those who want a lively city vibe

  • Oncheonjang / Dongnae (nicknamed "Oreunjjon"): Quiet and affordable, with hot springs available. This area, affectionately called "Oreunjjon" among long-term foreign residents, offers low housing costs and a genuine local atmosphere.

3. Food and Dining Costs

Typical Meal Prices (per person):

  • Local Korean meals (set menus like kimchi stew, bibimbap): 7,000 to 10,000 KRW

  • High-end restaurants: 15,000 to 30,000 KRW

  • Coffee/Cafe latte: 4,500 to 6,000 KRW

  • Beer at bars/pubs: 4,000 to 8,000 KRW

  • Pizza/Burgers/Western food: 8,000 to 20,000 KRW

Tips to Save on Food:

  • Use convenience store ready meals or supermarket-prepared foods

  • Take advantage of lunch specials offered at many local restaurants

  • Use delivery apps with first-time order discounts

4. Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores, and Daily Essentials Prices

Major Supermarkets (Emart, Homeplus, etc.):

  • 10kg rice: around 25,000 to 30,000 KRW

  • Bottled water (2L x 6): about 4,000 to 6,000 KRW

  • Fruits (5 apples): 5,000 to 7,000 KRW

  • Meat (1kg pork): 10,000 to 15,000 KRW

  • Laundry detergent (2L): approx. 10,000 KRW

Convenience Store Prices:

  • Triangular kimbap (rice ball): 1,200 to 1,800 KRW

  • Cup noodles: 1,000 to 2,000 KRW

  • Drinks (cola, sports drinks): 1,500 to 2,500 KRW

  • Beer/soju: 1,500 to 3,500 KRW

Essential Apps and Services:

  • Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo (food delivery)

  • Coupang (online shopping)

  • Naver Maps / Kakao Map (navigation)

5. Natural Environment and Healing

One of Busan’s charms is its nature within the city. Haeundae Beach hosts daily morning yoga classes, while Gwangalli Beach offers a relaxing sunset coffee atmosphere. In the city center, mountains like Geumjeongsan and Jangsan are great for hiking, and nearby scenic spots like Haedong Yonggungsa Temple offer tranquil escapes.

  • Healing by the sea: swimming, beach walks, surfing (Songjeong Beach recommended)

  • Healing in the mountains: hiking, temple visits, park relaxation

  • Hot spring culture: public baths like Dongnae Oncheon and Heosimcheong relieve fatigue

6. Work-Friendly Environment (For Digital Nomads)

Recommended Co-working Spaces:

  • Cafe Flow Haeundae: Sea views, free Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets

  • WeWork Seomyeon: International atmosphere, English-speaking staff

  • FunOffice: Recommended for small teams or solo nomads

Internet Speed and Quality:

  • Korea boasts world-class internet infrastructure

  • Most accommodations offer 100Mbps or higher; co-working spaces and cafes may reach 500Mbps

Tips for Digital Nomads:

  • Foreigners can easily buy SIM cards (KT, SK, LG)

  • Recommended SIMs support mobile hotspots (1GB+ data per day)

7. Relationships and Foreign Friendliness

Busan locals are warm and friendly but can be a bit shy at first. However, if you ask for help, they tend to do their best.

  • Foreign communities: Connect via Facebook groups like "Busan Expats" or Meetup events

  • Language barrier: Younger people often speak English; middle-aged and older residents may require basic Korean phrases

  • Daily life tip: Use translation apps such as Papago or Google Translate actively

8. Disadvantages and Challenges

  1. Limited English use: Less English spoken compared to Seoul

  2. Hot and humid summers: July and August can be uncomfortable

  3. Noise: Accommodations near tourist spots can be noisy late at night

  4. Rising transport costs: Frequent taxi use can be expensive; public transit is recommended

  5. Some small restaurants don’t accept cards: Cash may be needed

9. Advice from Actual Residents

“I lived in Haeundae for a month, taking morning walks along the sea and working at cafes in the afternoon, which really reduced my stress. The language was a bit challenging at first, and it was hard to understand menus, but translation apps helped. Living costs were lower than in Seoul, and people were very warm, so I adapted quickly.”

Conclusion: One Month in Busan — An Opportunity to Reset Your Life

Living in a city for a month is more than just travel; it’s a special chance to reset your life’s tempo. Busan is the ideal place to start that journey. With warm people, relaxing seas, a dynamic city vibe, and abundant nature, your daily life here will surely gain new energy.

If you’re considering life as a digital nomad or seeking a short-term stay to have your own time, Busan offers an unmatched environment to thrive.

Dear readers, I hope you found this article helpful. I’ll continue doing my best to provide practical and useful information in the future. Thank you!

Location: 미국 뉴욕

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