Living in Pyeongchang-dong: Seoul's Hillside Retreat
Pyeongchang-dong (평창동) in Jongno-gu is one of Seoul's most exclusive hillside neighbourhoods — a low-density retreat of large homes set against the slopes of Bukhansan. Quiet, spacious and green, it appeals to diplomats, artists and families who prize privacy and nature over a central street life. Here is who lives here, the draw, the homes and the commute.
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Who lives in Pyeongchang-dong
Pyeongchang has long attracted ambassadors, artists and established families looking for space and seclusion. Embassies and grand private homes line the winding hillside roads, and galleries and studios give the area a cultured, unhurried character. It is residential in the truest sense — there is little of the bustle you find in Itaewon or Gangnam.
The foreigner draw
The pull is nature and privacy. Bukhansan National Park is on the doorstep for hiking, the air feels cleaner up the hill, and homes come with the kind of land and quiet that are rare in Seoul. It suits people who want to retreat from the city at the end of the day. To weigh it against more central options, read our where to live in Seoul guide.
Homes in Pyeongchang-dong
This is a neighbourhood of detached luxury houses and low-rise villas rather than apartment towers, often on generous plots. Some furnished homes are available for corporate stays. Because the stock is distinctive and budgets run high, our jeonse vs wolse vs buying guide and cost of renting in Seoul guide are worth reading before you start.
Schools and family fit
Pyeongchang is more car-oriented than the international-school enclaves, so families usually plan school runs by car. Several international schools across the city are within driving range; our international schools in Seoul guide helps you weigh the commute against the lifestyle.
Getting around and commute
The trade-off for the hillside calm is that Pyeongchang is car-oriented, with fewer subway options than denser districts. It has good road access into the downtown CBD around Gwanghwamun and Jongno. Renting here as a foreigner has its own quirks — our renting in Seoul as a foreigner guide covers the basics.
Relocating with company support
When a company is arranging the move, our corporate housing service provides foreigner-friendly landlords, English-speaking verified agents and 법인 leases through a single point of contact.