Back to Feed
Long Read

Tongjin, Korea: A Broke Student's Crap Checklist for Moving Here

@Sofia Lane2/8/2026blog

so, tongjin. yeah, that's right. i moved here from seoul two months ago because my part-time job at the coffeeshop got cut and i needed to survive on a student budget. let me tell you, it's been a trip.

first, the reality check: rent here is stupid cheap. i found a one-room for 350,000 won a month, utilities included. in hongdae, that would be a shared bathroom with three other people. here, i have a kitchenette and a view of cows. the trade-off? everything else is... rustic.

safety? south korea in general is safe, but tongjin? i leave my macbook in cafes and come back hours later. no one touches it. crime rates are super low - i looked it up, violent crime is almost non-existent. try that in itaewon.

job market? uh, brutal. unless you speak fluent korean and have connections, you're looking at farm work, convenience stores, or tutoring english. i do all three. minimum wage is 9,000 won, so i pick persimmons for that, work the night shift at gs25 for 9,500, and tutor for 20,000. it's exhausting, but i'm not starving.

weather? korean autumn is a liar. one day it's t-shirt weather, the next i'm in a downpour that soaks through my jacket. and the wind? it comes off the yellow sea and cuts through you. currently, it's late october and the leaves are changing, but i'm allergic to something and my nose is running like a faucet. classic.

neighbors? mostly older farmers and young families. no other foreigners in my little village, which means i'm forced to learn korean fast. and seoul? just a 45-minute train ride from tongjin station. so if you need city chaos, it's a quick trip. bus to incheon airport is about an hour, for when you need to flee the country.

> the village elder told me the old well by the school is haunted by a teacher who died during the korean war. don't drink from it, even if you're thirsty.

> overheard at the bus stop: the new supermarket is owned by a cult. they give free samples to recruit members.

> my landlord's mother warned that the sound of drums at night is just the wind, but it's actually the ghosts of the tongjin fortress defenders practicing their formations.

now, the checklist stuff i wish i had:

1. *alien registration card - you need this within 90 days. apply at the immigration office in suwon, which is a trek. bring all documents, and expect to wait hours. i was living in a motel for a month while waiting. not fun.

2. bank account - open one at a local bank like shinhan or kb. need your passport, alien card, and sometimes a proof of address. i used a letter from my university. cash is still king here, so get used to carrying wads.

3. phone plan - get a prepaid sim or contract. i have a 30,000 won/month plan with unlimited data. good for netflix with a vpn.

4. transportation - t-money card for buses and trains. buses are cheap but infrequent. train to seoul is reliable. bike? get one, but the roads are hilly.

5. health insurance - enroll in the national health insurance. about 100,000 won/month. covers most things, but you need to find hospitals with english services. good luck with that.

6. social life - join local clubs or language exchanges. i found a hiking group on meetup. it's mostly ajusshis, but they're fun after a few soju bottles.

7. food strategy - shop at the traditional market for cheap produce. learn to say 'gapisahae' for 'give me a discount.' and eat seasonal - persimmons in fall, strawberries in spring.

8. emergency contacts* - know the number for 119 (ambulance/fire) and 112 (police). and have a friend who speaks korean for bailouts.

i embedded a map so you can see how rural this place is. seriously, it's all green and farms.


and here's a pic of my neighborhood. cute, right? until the roosters start at 4am.


sometimes i miss seoul's 24-hour convenience stores and crowded streets. but then i sip cheap soju with my ajusshi neighbors and remember why i'm here: peace, quiet, and rent that doesn't make me cry.

resources that saved my skin:

- r/korea - for all your expat questions and ranting.

- TripAdvisor: Gyeonggi Province Attractions - when you need a break from farming.

- Yelp: Tongjin Restaurants - most are hole-in-the-wall places, but authentic.

- Tongjin Community Facebook Group - for hyperlocal tips, like where to find the best kimchi.

oh, and one last thing: the job market sucks if you don't have skills. learn korean, or learn to farm. or both.

now, if you'll excuse me, i have to go fight a rooster for my morning coffee.

You might also be interested in:

About the author: Sofia Lane

Collecting ideas and sharing the best ones with you.

Loading discussion...