Monthly Breakdown for Second Chances, Ocean Views, and Late-Night Market Wanders

I didn’t have the best memories of South Korea growing up — maybe it was just bad timing, or maybe I was too young — but it left an impression. People bumping into you, fast-paced energy that didn’t sit right.

But this trip? Changed that.

The difference was Songdo — a quiet, ocean-adjacent district with parks, shopping strips, and just enough breathing room to enjoy Seoul without feeling overwhelmed.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD1,800
→ Stayed in Songdo, which feels like the calm cousin of Seoul. Business district vibes, with an ocean view and actual peace.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD60/day
→ Highlights: sundae-guk, toppoki, barbecue, and marinated raw crabs.
→ Affordable, hearty, and flavourful — especially in local markets outside the tourist spots.
🚇 Transport: SGD250
→ Metro system is excellent, even from Songdo. A bit of a ride into Seoul city, but super manageable.
💄 Grooming: SGD350
→ Snacks, beauty hauls (it is Korea), and outlet buys.

Total: ~SGD4,260 (excluding activities)

📌 A really balanced month — good food, peaceful base, and plenty to explore nearby.

🏡 Where to Stay in Seoul

✔️ Songdo — Seriously, best stay I’ve had in Korea. Clean, quiet, with its own central park and coastline. Not in the heart of Seoul, but well-connected and honestly… I’d choose peace over proximity every time.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Airbnb gives you more long-stay comfort (kitchen, washing machine, etc.)
✅ Hotels in Songdo = business-style, clean, but still comfortable.

📌 Songdo Moonlight Festival Park hosts weekend events with food stalls, live music, and even fireworks — and if you’re staying nearby? You can just stroll home after.

🍽️ Food and Dining in Seoul (SGD60/day)

✔️ Sundae-guk — Blood sausage soup. Way better than it sounds.
✔️ Toppoki — Sweet, spicy, addictive.
✔️ Marinated raw crabs — If you know, you know.
✔️ K-BBQ — Needs no intro.

📌 Try Mangwon Market over Gwangjang — more local, less tourist-packed.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD250 for the Month)

✔️ Metro is extensive, clean, and on-time.

📌 Even long distances (like Songdo → Seoul) are easy with reloadable cards and route apps.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Blazing fast, as expected in South Korea.

📌 Local SIMs are affordable and easy to activate at convenience stores.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Seoul

✔️ Hyundai Premium Outlets, Songdo — Not just shopping — cafés, food courts, and open-air strolls.
✔️ Songdo Moonlight Festival Park — Weekend events, night markets, and food trucks. Fireworks if you’re lucky.
✔️ Mangwon Market — Go here instead of Gwangjang. Less crowd, more legit.
✔️ DMZ Tour

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD4,260 Worth It?

✔️ Yes — especially if you’re seeking a calm base in a famously chaotic city.
✔️ Songdo turned what could’ve been a stressful month into something grounding.
✔️ Korea redeemed itself for me — and I’d go back, no questions.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• People who love Korean food but want to avoid tourist-heavy areas
• Travellers who value peaceful daily routines over hype
• Nomads looking for infrastructure and insulation