Where to Live in Foreigner-Friendly Areas

Living in Seoul has its appeal—vibrant city life, endless options, and great infrastructure. But let’s be honest: it’s also crowded, expensive, and can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to Korea.

That’s why more and more foreigners are looking just beyond the city limits, to places like Gyeonggi Province. It surrounds Seoul on all sides, offering easier access to the capital but with more space, lower living costs, and often, a quieter pace of life.

This post will guide you through some of the best places in Gyeonggi for foreigners in 2025. From well-known hubs like Bundang and Ilsan to lesser-known gems like Janggi-dong in Gimpo, there's a lot to discover—no matter your lifestyle or budget.

What Makes a Neighborhood in Gyeonggi Foreigner-Friendly?

Gyeonggi Province is huge. It stretches from the edge of Seoul all the way to rural countryside, with cities that range from dense urban centers to quiet riverside towns. So how do you know which area is right for you?

Here are a few key things to look for when choosing a foreigner-friendly neighborhood in Gyeonggi:

• Commute & Transportation Access
  If you work or study in Seoul, a nearby subway or express bus route is essential. Areas close to major transit lines like Line 3, Line 4, Bundang Line, or GTX corridors are highly desirable.

• Affordable but Livable Housing
  One of Gyeonggi's biggest advantages is cost. Many neighborhoods offer more space and newer apartments for less money than Seoul—without sacrificing safety or quality.

• Local Services & English Support
  While English is less common than in central Seoul, some cities have growing support services—like bilingual clinics, English-speaking realtors, or international schools nearby.

• Balanced Lifestyle
  Whether you're a remote worker, a parent, or a newcomer to Korea, the right area should support your daily life—calm neighborhoods, good food, green spaces, and walkability all matter.

• Community Potential
  While expat communities are smaller in Gyeonggi, places near universities, tech parks, or international businesses often have a slowly growing network of fellow foreigners.

The key isn’t just finding a “foreigner area”—it’s finding a place where you can build a life that feels right for you.

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Top Cities and Neighborhoods in Gyeonggi for Foreigners

🔹 Northwest of Seoul: Best Picks for Foreigners

📍 Ilsan (Goyang-si)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰💰 (3/5)

• 🚌 Commute: 30–40 min to Hongdae, ~50 min to central Seoul

• 🏙️ Vibe: Family-friendly, clean, planned city with parks and lakes

• 👍 Best For: Families, teachers, long-term residents

• 📝 Notes: Ilsan has been a popular choice among foreign teachers and long-term expats thanks to its balanced lifestyle, great infrastructure, and moderate cost of living.

📍 Gimpo (Janggi-dong, Unyang-dong, Gurae-dong)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰 (2/5)

• 🚌 Commute: ~40–60 min to western Seoul (via Gimpo Goldline)

• 🏙️ Vibe: Quiet, suburban, newly developed areas with green spaces

• 👍 Best For: Remote workers, families, long-term settlers

• 📝 Notes: I have strong personal ties to Janggi-dong—my family lives there, and I plan to move back after living abroad. It’s calm, safe, and ideal for those who want a local Korean lifestyle with just enough urban convenience.

📍 Bundang & Pangyo (Seongnam-si)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰💰💰 (4/5)

• 🚌 Commute: 20–30 min to Gangnam

• 🏙️ Vibe: Modern, developed, efficient—Korea's original planned city

• 👍 Best For: Professionals, families, digital workers

• 📝 Notes: Bundang and Pangyo are clean, safe, and full of modern conveniences. International schools, bilingual clinics, and express trains make it especially attractive for long-term expats.

📍 Suji & Jukjeon (Yongin-si)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰💰 (3/5)

• 🚌 Commute: ~30 min to Gangnam

• 🏙️ Vibe: Residential, education-focused, close to tech hubs

• 👍 Best For: Young families, Korean-American returnees

• 📝 Notes: These neighborhoods are growing fast and are popular among Korean returnees and education-focused households. You get good value for money without sacrificing too much proximity to Seoul.

📍 Gwanggyo (Suwon-si)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰💰 (3/5)

• 🚌 Commute: 35–50 min to Gangnam (via Shinbundang Line)

• 🏙️ Vibe: Clean, nature-adjacent, and well-planned

• 👍 Best For: Mid-budget families, nature lovers, remote workers

• 📝 Notes: Gwanggyo is a rising star in Gyeonggi. It offers a balanced life with proximity to nature, a growing commercial center, and much newer housing stock.

📍 Hanam (Misa & Deokpung)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰💰 (3/5)

• 🚌 Commute: 20–30 min to eastern Seoul (Gangdong, Songpa)

• 🏙️ Vibe: New-town clean, park-rich, riverside lifestyle

• 👍 Best For: Young families, peaceful daily life, bike lovers

• 📝 Notes: Hanam’s Misa area is known for its spacious apartments, riverwalks, and peaceful pace. It’s especially good for those who prioritize nature and family-friendly amenities.

📍 Namyangju (Dasan & Byeollae)

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰 (2/5)

• 🚌 Commute: 30–40 min to eastern Seoul (via Jungang Line or Line 4)

• 🏙️ Vibe: Calm, semi-rural, developing urban zones

• 👍 Best For: Budget expats, remote workers, nature seekers

• 📝 Notes: Dasan and Byeollae are expanding neighborhoods with newer housing and green surroundings. While English services are limited, the peaceful vibe and affordability make them great for long-term, low-stress living.

📍 Uijeongbu / Dongducheon

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰 (1/5)

• 🚌 Commute: 50–70 min to central Seoul

• 🏙️ Vibe: Military-town, mixed Korean-American culture

• 👍 Best For: U.S. military-connected expats, budget long-term stays

• 📝 Notes: These cities have historically hosted U.S. military bases, so English is more commonly understood in some services and shops. While not glamorous, they offer extremely affordable housing and a laid-back, multicultural feel.

📍 Ansan

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰 (2/5)

• 🚌 Commute: ~50 min to southern Seoul

• 🏙️ Vibe: Diverse, working-class, very multicultural

• 👍 Best For: International families, multicultural support seekers

• 📝 Notes: Ansan is home to one of Korea's largest multicultural communities, with migrant families, foreign markets, and city-run support centers for international residents. It’s a unique blend of cultures and very open to diversity.

📍 Paju

• 💰 Housing Cost: 💰💰 (2/5)

• 🚌 Commute: ~1 hour to western Seoul

• 🏙️ Vibe: Quiet, green, creative, and literary

• 👍 Best For: Writers, remote workers, artists

• 📝 Notes: With its design clusters, publishing town, and beautiful natural surroundings, Paju has become a low-key haven for creatives and those seeking a slower pace. Not ideal for daily commuting, but a great retreat for independent lifestyles.

If you're thinking about living in Korea but want more space, lower housing costs, and a quieter lifestyle, Gyeonggi Province could be just what you're looking for. It’s close enough to Seoul for convenience, but far enough to breathe. Whether you're a remote worker, a parent, or someone who simply prefers a slower pace, there’s a neighborhood that fits your needs.

I was born and raised in Seoul, and I lived there for most of my life before moving abroad. But over time, I’ve come to prefer the pace and lifestyle that places like Gyeonggi offer. Personally, I have a strong connection to Janggi-dong in Gimpo—my parents and sister’s family live there, and I plan to settle there myself. It’s peaceful, well-connected, and has everything I need. For foreigners who want more than just the big-city rush, this kind of neighborhood might be exactly right.

The best advice? Take your time, visit a few areas, and listen to what your lifestyle tells you. Gyeonggi isn’t second best. For many people—myself included—it’s actually a smarter, more comfortable way to live in Korea.

👉 Up next in this series: Living in Daejeon: Top Neighborhoods for Foreign Residents.