I’m an American who’s lived in South Korea for 10 years. Here are 9 things I don’t miss about the US.

• I moved from the US to South Korea in 2013, and there are some things I don’t miss about America.
• I love not having to rely on a car. The public transit here is clean, efficient, and reliable.
• I don’t miss America’s healthcare system or its drawn-out political campaigns.

In 2013, I moved from Portland, Oregon, to Daegu, South Korea, to teach English. I intended to stay for one year, but I’m still living here over a decade later.

I’ll always have roots in the US, but Daegu has become my home away from home. Not only have I gotten used to the way of life here, but also I’ve come to prefer certain aspects of it.

Here are nine things I don’t miss about living in the US.

Taxes are included in South Korean prices, so I’m never surprised by the number at the cash register

Many residents in major American cities use public transportation every day. However, I grew up in the suburbs before moving to Denver and Portland, so I relied on a car the entire time I lived in the US.

When I moved to South Korea, I was delighted to find an extensive and well-maintained public transit network. Because I’ve had such a positive experience getting around on the high-speed KTX train, subway lines, and regional buses, I don’t miss driving at all. 

Plus, these modes of transportation are very affordable. A one-way ticket to travel three hours on the KTX from Seoul to Busan costs about $45. A plane ticket for the same route would cost at least double the price. Flying would also take just as much time if not more.

South Korea’s universal healthcare system has saved me time and money

South Korea has universal health coverage. The wait time at pharmacies and doctor’s offices is usually short, and my appointments typically cost less than $10. A hospital visit racks up a heftier bill, but it’s still affordable compared to what I used to pay for similar services in the US.

My favorite thing about the healthcare system here is that I can get replacement contact lenses without vision insurance or a special prescription. I can walk into a shop that sells contacts, show them the empty box from my last set, and leave with a fresh supply. And they cost less than they do in the States.

To get a contact prescription in the US, I had to visit an optometrist annually for an eye exam. The checkups were good for my overall health, but the frequency of the appointments felt excessive. 

Through my vision insurance, I’d be able to get a six-month supply of contact lenses. If I ran out early, I sometimes wore my contact lenses longer than recommended to avoid paying for new, expensive ones out of pocket.

I really prefer the healthcare system in South Korea.

I feel safer here than I ever thought I could

Having an in-unit dryer isn’t as common in South Korea as it is in the US. The machines are more expensive and not nearly as efficient here.

When I first moved to Daegu, I was nervous to hang-dry my socks, towels, and bedsheets. But I’ve been astounded to find that all of my clothes have held up longer as a result of the more gentle drying method.

Even though a laundromat opened down the street a few years ago, I continue to hang-dry my clothes and am convinced it’s the best way to care for them. I do, however, lug my bedsheets and towels to the laundromat.

This story was originally published on February 24, 2023, and most recently updated on October 31, 2024.