Living in Seongsu: The "Brooklyn of Seoul" Guide for Expats

If Hongdae is for partying students and Gangnam is for business, Seongsu (성수) is for the cool kids.

Old red-brick factories turned into massive cafes. Luxury pop-up stores. The Seoul Forest park. It is undeniably the trendiest spot in Seoul right now. But is it a good place to live?

The Vibe

Seongsu feels industrial yet chic. It is flatter than most of Seoul (great for walking) and right next to the massive Seoul Forest Park and the Han River.

Housing in Seongsu

Seongsu has fewer "One-rooms" than university areas because it used to be a factory district.

• Cost: Rents have skyrocketed. A decent studio can cost 700,000 ~ 1,000,000 KRW.

• Type: You will find many older red-brick villas or high-end new officetels. There is very little "middle ground."

Is it good for Students?

• Hanyang University: Very close (walking distance or short bus/subway).

• Konkuk University: Very close (1-2 subway stops).

• Yonsei/Ewha: Far (40+ mins).

Verdict

If you have a slightly higher budget and love cafe culture and parks, Seongsu is unbeatable.