A little over a year has gone by since we moved to Seoul and it was the fastest year of my life. Maybe thats my mid-life talking, but it feels like we just got here and already we are over 1 year in. I wanted to take a few moments and reflect on what this year has brought and how we have changed. I’m sure my thoughts and ideas will continue to develop during our time here, but a year mark is a great time to pause and reflect.

Finding Peace in a Big City

Firstly, I was off base with my pre-disposed ideas around living in a very large Asian city. I was very prepared for the chaos of crowds and feeling largely disoriented among a language that I couldn’t even attempt to read let alone pronounce.   A year later, I can confidently say that there is a peacefulness in this city.  Sure, there are large crowds, giant skyscrapers, traffic jams and long lines, but it is a city built to handle this scale of people. It is a very coordinated chaos. We generally don’t have problems (outside major seasonal attractions) getting reservations, waiting too long for subways, taxis or dinner reservations.  Daily life is convenient, and generally accessible at all times. 

Seoul is an explorers paradise.  There are endless neighborhoods, all with different personalities to uncover.  Because Seoul is so safe, you don’t have to worry about wondering into an unsafe area. There are subways stations and bus stops everywhere. Cafe culture is thriving, you could visit a new one every day of the year and barely tap the surface. I don’t know if my family will ever choose to live in a large city again after this experience; I do think we all yearn for more open space from time to time. However, I am going to soak up my endless choices for dinner within a 2 block radius of my apartment for now.  

Teens and City Life

Living in Seoul with tweens/teens has gotten easier over the course of this year.  I would say the hardest adjustment for the kids has been coming from a free roaming suburban area to the middle of the city and living in an apartment.  Their freedom had to shift; their ideas of what to do while bored had to shift.  Because they attend a foreign school around 30 minutes away, their friends are scattered across the city in all directions.  The other side of this is having the world right outside your door. We have spent this past year building independence in our kids. Slowly giving them more and more freedoms in a city that is safe. Kids regularly take public transportation alone, to and from after school activities. While our daughter isn’t doing this just yet, our son has free range to roam with friends.

The People

I find Koreans to be quieter and more reserved in nature, but really respectful of their surroundings and others.  I have heard some people say they are cold, but I have always found them to be helpful and generally welcoming.  They aren’t big fans of lots of small talk, and thats just fine by me. Elevators are quiet spaces and it keeps everything from being sensory overload.

I have been asked if Koreans like and welcome us as Americans? Truthfully, I’m not sure. I know that many Koreans are interested in American culture (especially the younger generations), and some have spent at least a short time living in the US. They like speaking English with us and asking where we are from. Most of my close circle of friends are not Korean, so I have yet to really ask these questions.

How difficult is it making friends every time we move? You have to be open to lots of social opportunities. We all have to say a lot of “yes’s” to activities and social gatherings to find our people. There are many events planned where you can organically meet other expats, but it’s usually parents of other kids or people you meet in your daily life that become your closest pals.

I have found with many moves that you will almost always find the people you need. They will welcome you and love your children. You will weave them into your life for this season and beyond. I am so grateful for everyone I have met along the way. Frankly, in the moments when I am homesick, it is for the people who know me so well and have been a part of so many of my life’s stories.

The Food

There is one truth I know for sure, I’m ruined for asian food and maybe just food in general. There is so much great food available at all times. You can have a hankering for any type of cuisine and it’s never too far away. Is there anything I really miss? Why yes, a good sub sandwich… (ahem… jersey mikes). Also, really good Mexican food. I’m a west coaster, it’s basically a weekly staple. Aside from those, I feel like the quality of food is better and the care with which it is prepared is far superior.

I feel like there is so much more to say but putting it all into neat categories is difficult. Our time here has been something I never expected. I never dreamed of living in Asia and I certainly didn’t expect to love it the way I do. Getting to explore this part of the planet has been an eye opening journey and we aren’t even half way done.