Is Busan a Good Place to Live? 2026 Honest Review
so, busan. 2026. that’s where my camera’s been pointing for the past year. moved from seoul because the rent was killing me and the art scene felt... well, a bit too corporate. busan? i heard it was the rough-around-the-edges cousin of seoul. turns out, it’s more like a cool uncle who still knows how to party.
first off, the safety thing. people ask me all the time: "is busan safe?" and my answer is: safer than most cities i’ve shot in. violent crime? almost non-existent. pickpocketing in the touristy areas? yeah, that exists. but it’s nothing your street smarts can’t handle. according to korea’s 2025 crime stats, busan’s assault rate dropped 12% year-over-year. so yeah, pretty safe to walk around with your expensive gear at 2am. just don’t flash it like you’re showing off.
now, rent. oh man, the rent. in seoul, i was paying almost 1.2 million krw for a shoebox in a neighborhood that smelled like fried chicken and regret. in busan, i found a one-bedroom in the hills near haeundae for about 800,000 krw. that’s a steal. but here’s the catch: the closer you get to the beach, the more it goes up. outside the center? you can find places for 500,000 krw. this subreddit is gold for finding affordable spots. just be ready for a commute.
job market? as a photographer, busan is a mixed bag. tourism is huge, so there’s work in hotels, resorts, and event photography. but it’s seasonal. winter? quiet. summer? you’ll be shooting beach weddings every weekend. the digital economy is growing, so if you can do remote work, that’s a plus. busan’s startup scene is picking up, and some tech companies are setting up offices here. but for traditional jobs? it’s not seoul. that’s for sure.
the weather. right now, it’s that weird spring limbo. the air feels like a damp sponge-sort of muggy, sort of refreshing, and definitely unpredictable. one minute you’re in a light drizzle, the next you’re squinting under a sudden sunbreak. but that’s busan for you: four seasons, all in one day. and if you need a break? jeju island is a one-hour flight. or drive up to ulsan for a day trip-about an hour by car. both are completely different vibes.
now, let’s get to the real stuff. the rumors. the overheard gossip.
> “don’t even think about living in seomyeon unless you’re 22 and love neon lights and questionable street food. it’s fun for a week, but then the bass from the clubs starts vibrating your fillings.” - overheard at a coffee shop in gwangan.
> “the best light for photography? early morning at gamcheon cultural village. but if you go on a weekend, you’ll be fighting with influencers for that perfect shot. go on a tuesday. seriously.” - something a local photographer warned me about over soju.
and then there’s the drunk advice from a bartender at a tiny pojangmacha:
> “busan is great, but you gotta learn the language. at least a little. people will smile and nod if you speak english, but if you want real connections? korean. and for the love of god, don’t call it ‘pusan’. it’s busan.”
so, is busan a good place to live? if you’re a photographer looking for a city with a growing art scene, affordable rent, and plenty of subjects? hell yeah. but if you’re looking for a fast-paced, corporate grind? maybe not. it’s a city of contrasts-old and new, calm and chaotic. and that’s exactly what makes it interesting.
and that’s my two cents. check out tripadvisor for the touristy stuff, and yelp for the hidden gems. but remember: the best spots are the ones you find on your own.
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