busan is a city that smells like motor oil and damp socks and still pretends to care about you

i first thought busan was a typo. like maybe someone meant ‘busan’ instead of ‘busanland’ or whatever. but here we are. a place that feels like it was designed by a group of strangers arguing over directions while riding a rollercoaster.

quick answers about busan

q: is busan expensive?
.a: it’s a scam. rent for a 1-bedroom near the beach is like $1,200. that’s a lot. but if you’re here for canned coffee and street snacks, maybe it’s worth it?

q: is it safe?
.a: statistically, yes. crime’s low. but the real danger is buses. they’ll drive you into the ocean if you misread the signs. follow reddit.

q: who shouldn’t move here?
.a: nerds who like order. this city is chaos wrapped in neon. if you need a GPS to find your own house, pack your bags.

i went to haeundae beach once. it was 90% anime tourists and 10% saltwater. i tried to buy a bottled wave but the vendor only took cash. he looked mad. i wonder if he’s still mad.

the subway here is a myth. google maps will send you in circles. but if you ask strangers for directions, they’ll either help or try to sell you a fish cake. it’s hard to tell which is worse.

safety stats? let’s cut to the chase. there are 12 reported crimes per 1,000 people. that’s better than new york. but in terms of emotional safety? you’ll get lost in han river parks and find a quokka staring at you instead. that’s not data. that’s a vibe.

here’s the job market. esl teachers are in demand. if you speak english and want a room for $600/month, it’s doable. but don’t expect a 9-to-5. most jobs involve selling fried chicken from a cart or pretending to edit photos for tourists.

map? it’s a trip. the main station is a 20-minute walk from my apartment. apartments here are tiny. like, ‘this is a bedroom’ tiny. but the view of the port at night? it’s okay. i mean, it’s not okay. it’s just… there.

i overheard a local saying busan is ‘electrifying in a bad way.’ i think they meant the traffic. or maybe the fact that the AC in 70% of buildings smells like burnt hair. don’t hate me.

stay here if you hate structure. leave if you need clarity. but if you’re a botanist? well, there’s a national park 45 minutes away. it’s called jasan. it smells like pine and regret. i’m here now. i’ll tell you more if you ask.

p.s. tripadvisor says busan is ‘worth it for the food.’ yelp says ‘run away.’ reddit’s r/busan has 10,000+ posts about how the buses are haunted. take your pick.

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