Is Busan a Good Place to Live? 2026 Honest Review

okay, so look. i’m an aspiring comedian, and honestly, my life is a bit of a mess. i’ve been bouncing around asia for… too long to admit, and right now i’m holed up in a tiny goshiwon in *Seomyeon, Busan. it’s currently drizzling, which is pretty standard. it’s not rainy rainy, more like the sky is just…sad. like it forgot its umbrella. Jeju Island is a quick flight away if you need actual sunshine, though.

people keep asking me if Busan’s a good place to live. like, a serious place to build a life. and my answer is always…it depends. it really, really depends on how much you like fish and hills. seriously, this city is built on a mountain. my calves are screaming.

let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first. rent. it’s…okay. not cheap like some places in southeast asia, but way more reasonable than seoul. i’m paying around ₩400,000 (about $300 USD) a month for this glorified closet, which includes utilities. a decent one-bedroom outside of the super-central areas will run you ₩700,000 - ₩1,200,000. i saw a listing on 직방 for a place near Haeundae beach that looked nice, but it was like, ₩1,500,000. no thanks.

jobs? that’s the tricky part. if you teach english, you’re golden. there’s a constant demand. but if you’re trying to do something else…it’s tougher. i’ve been trying to get some open mic nights going, but the comedy scene here is…developing. let’s just say that. i overheard someone at a cafe saying the shipbuilding industry is still pretty solid, but that’s not exactly my skillset.

okay, drunk advice time. here’s what i’ve gathered from talking to locals (mostly over soju):

*Don’t trust the ajummas at the fish market. they will absolutely rip you off if you look even slightly confused. i learned that the hard way.
*Haeundae is overrated. it’s crowded, expensive, and full of tourists. go to Gwangalli beach instead. it’s way more chill.
*Learn some basic korean. seriously. even just knowing how to say “hello” and “thank you” will get you a long way. people appreciate the effort.
*The buses are amazing. seriously, the public transport here is incredible. you can get pretty much anywhere without a car.


block quote time! i overheard this at a bar in Nampo-dong*:

> "busan is like seoul’s cooler, slightly more chaotic cousin. seoul’s all polished and perfect, but busan’s got…character. and way better seafood."


and another one, from a guy i met at a karaoke room:

> "the hills will kill you. i swear. i’m in shape, and i still get winded walking to the convenience store."

safety? it’s pretty safe. i’ve walked around alone at night without feeling particularly worried. the crime rate is relatively low compared to other major cities. but, you know, always be aware of your surroundings. i read on Reddit’s r/Korea that pickpocketing can happen on crowded buses, so keep your valuables close.

overall? busan’s a good place to live if you’re okay with a little bit of chaos, a lot of hills, and a whole lot of fish. it’s not perfect, but it’s got a vibe. it’s a city that feels…real. and honestly, after bouncing around for so long, that’s what i’m looking for. i’ve been checking out local comedy clubs listed on Yelp to see if i can get a gig. wish me luck. oh, and if you’re thinking of moving here, bring comfortable shoes. seriously.

and one last thing, i overheard this at a coffee shop:

> "don't bother trying to find a flat surface. it doesn't exist."

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