Best City Guide

Overview

Choosing where to live in inZOI is one of the first major decisions you will make, and it has a lasting impact on your Zoi's lifestyle. The game currently offers three distinct cities: Dowon, Bliss Bay, and Cahaya. Each city has its own exclusive careers, recreational venues, architectural style, climate, and transportation system. While some jobs and careers are shared across cities, many of the most interesting ones are locked to a specific location. Once you pick a city, your Zoi cannot permanently relocate to another (though vacations and travel are possible). This guide breaks down everything you need to know so you can pick the right city for your playstyle.

At a Glance

The table below gives a high-level comparison of all three cities before diving into the details.

Dowon

Dowon is a lively urban landscape modeled after Seoul, South Korea. Ancient temples sit alongside towering skyscrapers, and the city pulses with a modern K-pop and esports culture. It is the most densely built city in the game, with a compact layout connected by a fully functioning subway system. If you enjoy fast-paced city life, entertainment careers, and seasonal weather changes, Dowon is your best bet.

Exclusive Careers

Dowon is the only city where your Zoi can pursue a career in the K-pop industry or competitive gaming. The following careers are exclusive to Dowon:

Notable Attractions

Housing

Dowon has approximately 12 residential lots. The city's dense, urban layout means lots tend to be smaller, and about five of them are apartments or flats where the exterior shell of the building cannot be modified. Empty lots like Aram Estate and Evergreen House allow for custom home construction. If you prefer building large, sprawling houses, Dowon's compact lots can feel restrictive. However, apartment living suits players who want to focus on interior design and career progression rather than exterior building.

Climate and Seasons

Dowon is the only city with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The changing weather affects daily life. Your Zoi needs appropriate outfits for each season. Failing to dress for cold weather in winter can cause freezing, while heavy clothing in summer leads to overheating. The seasonal cycle adds visual variety and gameplay depth that the other cities lack.

Transportation

Dowon has a fully functioning underground subway system. Players can enter any subway station and fast travel to other stations across the city. This makes getting around Dowon quick and convenient, especially given the city's dense layout. Note that fast travel only works between subway stations; you cannot ride the subway to a bus stop or vice versa.

Dowon Pros and Cons

Bliss Bay

Bliss Bay draws heavy inspiration from Santa Monica, California. It is a sun-drenched coastal city with a sprawling beach, a pier-side amusement park, and a laid-back atmosphere. Buildings are spread out compared to Dowon, and residential lots are generally larger. If you want sunshine, surfing, and space to build big homes, Bliss Bay delivers.

Exclusive Careers

Bliss Bay has its own set of city-specific careers that reflect its coastal, sporty, and somewhat gritty character:

Notable Attractions

Housing

Bliss Bay has approximately 14 residential lots. Because the city is less densely populated than Dowon, property lots tend to be larger and more spread out. Housing styles range from quaint bungalows to luxurious sea-facing villas, with a healthy mix of detached houses and apartment buildings. If building large custom homes is your priority, Bliss Bay gives you significantly more room to work with. Named apartment complexes include City Nest Apartment, Heaven Hill Apartments, and Ocean Bliss Apartment.

Climate and Weather

Bliss Bay enjoys warm, sunny weather year-round. There are no seasonal changes, which means your Zoi can wear summer attire or swimwear at all times without worrying about temperature effects. This makes daily outfit management simpler. The downside is that the perpetual sunshine can feel visually monotonous compared to Dowon's seasonal shifts.

Transportation

Bliss Bay uses a bus system for fast travel. Players can travel between bus stops scattered around the city. Like Dowon's subway, fast travel only works between bus stops, not across different transit types. The bus system is functional but covers a more spread-out area, so some walking may still be needed to reach destinations far from a stop.

Bliss Bay Pros and Cons

Cahaya

Cahaya arrived as a free DLC with the Island Getaway expansion in August 2025. Inspired by the tropical coastal regions of Indonesia (Bali, Lombok, and Yogyakarta), Cahaya is a collection of three islands: a main island for farming and working, a resort island for recreation and relaxation, and a deserted island full of mystery. It represents a complete departure from the urban gameplay of the other two cities, focusing instead on nature, self-sufficiency, and island life.

Exclusive Careers

Cahaya introduces nine career options, all of which are full-time positions (no part-time jobs are available on the island):

Notable Activities

Housing

Cahaya's housing options differ significantly from the mainland cities. Instead of traditional urban lots, players choose plots spread across three islands. The main island supports a rural, self-sufficient lifestyle with space for farming plots. The resort island offers more luxurious accommodations. Living costs on Cahaya tend to be lower than in Dowon or Bliss Bay, balancing out the generally lower salaries. Players can form new families on the island or immigrate with an existing household.

Climate and Environment

Cahaya has a warm, tropical climate year-round, similar to Bliss Bay but with a distinctly Southeast Asian feel. Lush vegetation, coral reefs, and sandy beaches define the scenery. The deserted island adds a sense of mystery and exploration not found in the other cities. The abundance of cats roaming the islands adds to the locale's charm (the full name, Kucingku, translates roughly to "my cat" in Malay).

Transportation

Getting around Cahaya involves a mix of taxis, seaplanes, and airport shuttles. The Taxi Driver career lets your Zoi drive across connected islands, including routes that cross the sea. For visiting Cahaya from another city, Zois can use a computer to learn about travel options and then take a shuttle or seaplane. Accommodation at vacation destinations costs between 1,000 and 2,500 Monies per night, and your household needs at least 5,000 Monies before booking.

Cahaya Pros and Cons

Shared Careers

Not every career is city-exclusive. Several jobs and careers are available in both Dowon and Bliss Bay (with different employers depending on the city). These shared careers include positions like University Professor (at Bliss Bay University or the University of Youngsung in Dowon), Developer, and other professional roles. If a specific shared career is important to you, it should not be a deciding factor between Dowon and Bliss Bay since both offer access. However, none of the mainland shared careers are available on Cahaya, which has its own entirely separate career roster.

Traveling Between Cities

As of the v0.3.0 update, Zois can travel between cities for vacations. To start, interact with a computer and select "Learn how to get to another city." Your Zoi will then have the option to take an airport shuttle or seaplane. Keep in mind that travel requires resort accommodation at your destination, costing between 1,000 and 2,500 Monies per night. Your household also needs a minimum of 5,000 Monies before you can book a trip. Permanent relocation between cities is not yet supported, though Krafton has indicated plans to add this feature in a future update.

Best City for Your Playstyle

The right city depends entirely on what kind of experience you want. Below is a breakdown of which city suits common playstyles.

Career-Focused Players

If climbing the career ladder is your primary goal, Dowon offers the most diverse and high-profile exclusive careers. The Idol Trainee path is one of the most engaging active careers in the game, and the Pro Gamer career appeals to players who enjoy the esports fantasy. The Firefighter career provides hands-on, action-oriented gameplay. For players chasing the highest possible salary through less legitimate means, both Bliss Bay (Gangster) and Cahaya (Red Tissue Gang) offer criminal career paths that lead to the top-paying Boss position.

Family-Oriented Players

For players focused on raising a family, Bliss Bay is a strong choice. The larger residential lots give you space to build a proper family home, the year-round sunshine simplifies outfit management for multiple household members, and the beach and amusement park provide easy outings for the whole family. Cahaya is also excellent for family play if you enjoy a slower pace. Farming, fishing, and exploring the islands together create a cozy, Stardew Valley-like family experience.

Creative Builders

If building and designing homes is your main interest, Bliss Bay wins thanks to its larger, more spread-out lots and variety of housing styles. From bungalows to seaside villas, there is more architectural flexibility. Dowon's apartments limit exterior customization, and Cahaya's island plots are geared more toward rural aesthetics. That said, Dowon offers the unique challenge of fitting creative interiors into compact urban spaces, which some builders enjoy.

Relaxation and Exploration

Cahaya is the clear winner for players who want a laid-back, exploratory experience. Snorkeling through coral reefs, discovering submerged temples, treasure hunting on the deserted island, and living off the land through farming and fishing all cater to a relaxed pace. The resort island adds spa and vacation activities. If you prefer a tropical getaway over city life, Cahaya delivers something the other two cities simply cannot match.

Urban Lifestyle Enthusiasts

Dowon is the best city for players who want an authentic urban experience. The dense city layout, subway system, karaoke bars, gaming cafes, tarot reading, and bustling parks create a lively metropolitan atmosphere. Bliss Bay has its own charm but leans more toward suburban coastal living than true city energy.

Sports and Fitness Fans

Bliss Bay caters best to athletic Zois. Surfing, beach volleyball, the Muscle Beach outdoor gym, and the Football Player career path offer a sports-focused lifestyle that neither Dowon nor Cahaya can match. Dowon has parks with workout equipment and basketball courts, but Bliss Bay's coastal sports scene is unrivaled.

Playstyle Summary

Tips for Choosing

• Try before you commit. If you already have a household in one city, use the vacation travel system to visit the others before starting a new save there.

• Consider your career goals first. City-exclusive careers are the biggest differentiator. Check the career tables above and decide which jobs interest you most.

• Don't underestimate climate. Dowon's four seasons add depth but require active outfit management. If you find that tedious, choose Bliss Bay or Cahaya.

• Cahaya requires the free Island Getaway DLC. Make sure you have it installed before creating a household there.

• Building enthusiasts should prioritize lot size. Bliss Bay's spread-out lots give the most room for large builds.

• Permanent relocation is not yet available. Pick carefully, as your household is tied to its starting city for now. Krafton plans to add cross-city moves in a future update.

Additional Details

Careers

Dowon has the widest career selection of any city. Several careers are exclusive to Dowon:

• Idol Trainee: A K-pop inspired career path with auditions, training, and public performances.

• Firefighter: Emergency response career with active rescue scenarios.

• Pro Gamer: Competitive gaming career where your Zoi trains and competes in tournaments.

Residential Lots

Residential options in Dowon lean toward apartments and compact homes. Space is at a premium in the urban core. The two largest lots in Dowon are rooftop parcels on top of tall buildings, offering impressive views but limited outdoor space. If you want a sprawling estate, Bliss Bay is the better choice.

Who Should Choose Dowon

• Players who want the broadest career selection

• Fans of urban, high-density city life

• Players who enjoy seasonal weather variety

• Those who prefer public transit over driving

• Anyone drawn to Korean culture and aesthetics

Careers

Bliss Bay has its own set of exclusive careers that reflect its beachside culture:

• Football Player: Athletic career with team practices and game-day events.

• Amusement Park Worker: Operate rides and attractions at the Bliss Bay boardwalk.

• Gangster: Street-level crime career unique to Bliss Bay.

• Surf Shop: Run a surfboard rental and retail business on the beach.

Residential Lots

Bliss Bay offers more spacious residential lots than Dowon. Mid-century modern suburban homes are common, with generous yard space for outdoor furniture and landscaping. If building and decorating a large home is a priority, Bliss Bay gives you more room to work with.

Who Should Choose Bliss Bay

• Players who want beach lifestyle activities like surfing and boardwalk entertainment

• Builders who want larger residential lots

• Those who prefer warm, consistent weather

• Players interested in the Gangster or Football Player career

• Fans of California coastal aesthetics

What Cahaya Offers

Cahaya is built around relaxation and outdoor activities. There are no jobs or schools in Cahaya, so it is purely a resort experience. Key activities include:

• Fishing: Rich fishing spots with species unique to the tropical waters.

• Farming: Small garden plots for growing tropical crops.

• Boating: Rent and pilot boats across the resort's waterways.

• Snorkeling: Explore underwater reefs and marine life.

Limitations

Because Cahaya has no employment or education infrastructure, it is not a place where you can permanently settle and build a full life. Think of it as a vacation destination your Zoi visits to relax, fish, farm, and enjoy the scenery before returning home to Dowon or Bliss Bay.

City Comparison Table

Travel Between Cities

Zois can travel between the three cities. A full travel system with expanded cross-city features is planned for the July 2026 expansion update. Currently, travel allows your Zoi to visit another city for activities before returning home.

Final Recommendation

Choose Dowon if you want the most career options, enjoy urban living, and like experiencing all four seasons. Choose Bliss Bay if you want a relaxed beach lifestyle, bigger homes, and consistently warm weather. Visit Cahaya when you need a vacation from city life. There is no wrong answer; each city delivers a distinct experience, and with cross-city travel available, your Zoi does not have to stay in one place forever.