Areas and suburbs in Busan

Apart from being a popular tourist destination, Busan is also home to a large expat community, and as such, the city has a welcoming rental market. While the city's rental market may be welcoming to foreign residents, expats may struggle to find suitable rentals and have to scour the different areas and suburbs in Busan before finally finding a home. 

Busan is divided into districts (gu), further separated into neighbourhoods (dong). If an area has the suffix '-gu', it's a larger area made up of various dong. If the name has '-dong' at the end of it, then it refers to a specific neighbourhood.

While the choice of which neighbourhood to live in will depend largely upon where new arrivals are working, below are some of the most popular expat areas and suburbs in Busan. 

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Areas popular with young expats in Busan

Centum City and Marine City

Just down the coast from Haeundae Beach, these two areas have become two of the most prestigious areas to live and work in the entire city. Both are located just two metro stops away from each other.

Centum City has become a hub of both commerce and entertainment. While living in high-rise apartments, residents can take a short walk to the Shinsegae Department Store, the Busan Museum of Art, the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, the Busan Cinema Center, and other attractions.  

Marine City is a collection of high-rise luxury apartments on the coast near the mouth of the Suyeong River with its set of shops, parks, and restaurants. It's a small community unto itself.

Gwangan-dong

Gwangan-dong has become one of the most popular gathering spots for foreigners and locals alike, while nearby Gwangalli Beach offers iconic views of the Diamond Bridge. 

The beach features many seaside cafés and restaurants for residents to enjoy. The number of affordable housing options has increased considerably as more apartment buildings are constructed and renovated. While not as trendy as the more upscale areas of the city, there are several expat bars in the area. Cheaper accommodation and many entertainment options make this a sought-after area for younger expats.

Pusan National University

Pusan National University is one of ten national universities in Korea. Its main campus is conveniently located in the north-central part of the city. One of the original hubs of Busan expat social life, the area remains a destination for music, art, food, and culture. People living in this area can easily get to other areas in the northern part of the city, such as Oncheonjang Hot Springs, Geumjeong Fortress, and Sajik Baseball Stadium.

Seomyeon

The downtown area of Busan is a convenient central area with access to any part of the city. Located at the junction of Metro Lines 1 and 2, people living in Seomyeon will find the commute around Busan simple.  

While businesses in this area don't specifically cater to foreign patrons as much as more tourist-friendly parts of the city, the area still offers plenty of options for food and shopping. In particular, Jeonpo Café Street has plenty of food and drink options and has become a trendy gathering spot.  

There are also many affordable apartment options. Residents living in this area would be just one metro stop away from the Busan Citizens Park, the Dream Theater, and the Busan International Finance Center. 

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Family-friendly areas in Busan

Haeundae-gu

Haeundae District (Haeundae-gu) contains some of the more foreigner-friendly neighbourhoods in the city. There's a large variety of shops and restaurants catering to both Korean and foreign tastes. Residents can also enjoy being adjacent to the beaches and coastal parks of the area, while nearby Jangsan Mountain is a well-liked hiking destination. 

Haeundae-gu is also one of the more family-friendly areas of Busan and is home to the Busan Foreign School. While affordable housing can be found here, the general cost of living is slightly higher than in other parts of the city. The area can also become congested with tourists, especially in the summer.

Yeongdo-gu

Largely considered a country town, Yeongdo-gu is an ideal area to raise a family while maintaining proximity to a big city. As is the case in most of South Korea's major cities, the accommodation here is largely apartments. Expats will discover magnificent views and green spaces at the nearby Taejongdae Resort Park while plugging into a tight-knit local community.