Living in Hannam-dong: An Expat Guide to Seoul's Premier Address
Hannam-dong (한남동) in Yongsan-gu is widely considered Seoul's premier expat and diplomatic address. If your move comes with a corporate housing budget and a preference for space, privacy and quick access to international life, Hannam is usually near the top of the shortlist. This guide walks through who lives here, the foreigner draw, what homes look like, and how to think about commute and schools.
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Who lives in Hannam-dong
Hannam is home to a long-standing community of diplomats, senior corporate transferees (주재원) and international families. The hillside enclave known as UN Village sits above the neighbourhood and is a byword for high-end living, while embassies and ambassadors' residences are scattered throughout. The mix is genuinely international, which makes settling in easier for families arriving without much Korean.
The foreigner draw
The appeal is a rare combination of calm and convenience. You are minutes from the global dining and nightlife of Itaewon, a short hop from the Han River, and surrounded by designer retail along the Hannam stretch. For families weighing neighbourhoods, our where to live in Seoul guide puts Hannam in context against the other expat hubs.
Homes in Hannam-dong
Expect higher-end stock: spacious apartments in well-managed complexes, detached villas on the UN Village hillside, and a growing number of furnished homes aimed at shorter corporate stays. Standalone apartments with hotel-style amenities are common. Because budgets here run above the Seoul average, it pays to understand lease structures early — see jeonse vs wolse vs buying and our cost of renting in Seoul guide.
Schools and family fit
Hannam sits in the heart of the international-school catchment. Yongsan International School (YISS) is close by, and many of the city's other international options are an easy commute. Our international schools in Seoul guide maps the curricula and locations so you can match a school to a neighbourhood before signing a lease.
Getting around and commute
Hannam offers fast road and subway access to the Gangnam business district across the river and to the downtown CBD around Jongno. Embassy staff and executives often value the central position, which keeps most commutes short. Renting as a foreigner can feel daunting at first — our renting in Seoul as a foreigner guide covers deposits, contracts and what landlords expect.
Relocating a team or a family
If a company is arranging the move, our corporate housing service handles foreigner-friendly landlords, English-speaking verified agents and 법인 (corporate) leases with a single point of contact.