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Best City Guide
April 4, 2026 at 10:41 AM
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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.
The table below gives a high-level comparison of all three cities before diving into the details.
Category | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Real-World Inspiration | Seoul, South Korea | Santa Monica, California | Bali and coastal Indonesia |
Climate | Four distinct seasons | Warm and sunny year-round | Tropical, warm year-round |
Residential Lots | Around 12 (compact, urban) | Around 14 (spread out, larger) | Island plots across three islands |
Fast Travel | Subway system | Bus stops | Taxi, seaplane, shuttle |
Exclusive Career Highlights | Idol Trainee, Pro Gamer, Firefighter | Football Player, Gangster, Amusement Park roles | Farmer, Sea Turtle Conservation, Yoga Instructor |
Architecture | Modern Korean cityscape with temples | Coastal American, bungalows to villas | Tropical Southeast Asian resort style |
Vibe | Bustling metropolis | Laid-back beach town | Island paradise, rural living |
Dowon is a vibrant 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.
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:
Career | Employer | Description |
|---|---|---|
Practice dance moves, vocals, and music production at a full entertainment agency with practice rooms and recording studios. Your Zoi must be a young adult to apply. | ||
Entertainment Planning Team | Work behind the scenes managing schedules, events, and promotions for idols. | |
Pro Gamer | Compete in esports from a dedicated gaming cafe. Good for Zois with high focus and low stress traits. | |
Firefighter | An active career where you directly control your Zoi on the job. Progresses from Trainee through Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Chief. | |
Street Soldier | Local gang | Dowon's entry point into a life of crime, with its own promotion track. |
Convenience Store Employee | AZ Convenience | A part-time job option for supplemental income. |
Deli Employee | Local deli | Another part-time position unique to Dowon. |
Location | Activities |
|---|---|
High-end gaming PCs, arcade machines, beverages. Open 8 AM to 10 PM. Hub for the Pro Gamer career. | |
Sing from a selection of hits and classic tunes. Great for stress relief. | |
Get tarot readings and mystical fortune-telling experiences. | |
Food stalls (tteokbokki, bungeoppang, fishcakes), coffee booths, claw machines, easels, workout equipment, basketball courts, and flea markets. | |
Large public space with outdoor activities, food vendors, and social events. |
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.
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.
Dowon features 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.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Unique K-pop and esports careers not found elsewhere | Smaller residential lots with limited building space |
Four seasons add visual variety and gameplay depth | Seasonal outfit management can feel tedious |
Efficient subway system for fast travel | Dense, compact city may feel crowded |
Rich cultural attractions (karaoke, tarot, gaming cafe) | Fewer standalone houses; many lots are apartments |
Korean-inspired architecture and ambiance | No beach or ocean access without traveling to another city |
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.
Bliss Bay has its own set of city-specific careers that reflect its coastal, sporty, and somewhat gritty character:
Career | Employer | Description |
|---|---|---|
Football Player | A high-paying, competitive sports career. Great for athletic Zois. | |
Amusement Park Office Employee | Manage operations at the iconic theme park. | |
Amusement Park Field Worker | Work on the ground running rides and attractions. | |
Amusement Park Convenience Store | Sell snacks and merchandise at the park. | |
Gangster | Westside Hustler | Bliss Bay's criminal career path. Starts as a rookie but can climb to Boss, which pays the highest salary in the base game cities. |
Furniture Store Employee | Local furniture store | A retail position exclusive to Bliss Bay. |
Location | Activities |
|---|---|
Rollercoasters, carnival rides, and games. The park transforms into a fireworks spectacle at night. | |
Outdoor gym with squat racks, bench presses, free weights, and pull-down machines. Adjacent to the volleyball court. | |
Beach Volleyball Court | Interact with the net to join a match and compete on the sand. |
Surfing Spot | Grab a surfboard near the pier and ride the waves. Develops the Surfing skill. |
Lumiere Art Gallery | Browse and appreciate art in a coastal gallery setting. |
Liberty Square and Clover Park | Public spaces for socializing, relaxation, and recreational activities. |
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.
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.
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.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Larger residential lots with more building space | No seasonal variety; always sunny |
Beach activities: surfing, volleyball, swimming | Fewer cultural attractions compared to Dowon |
Amusement park with rollercoasters and fireworks | Bus transit covers a spread-out city less efficiently |
Relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere | Less dense urban feel may seem empty to some players |
High-paying criminal career (Gangster to Boss) | No K-pop or esports career paths |
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.
Cahaya introduces nine career options, all of which are full-time positions (no part-time jobs are available on the island):
Career | Employer | Description |
|---|---|---|
Farmer | Local farm | Work the land seven days a week with short morning shifts. A core island lifestyle career. |
Miner | Local mine | Consistently short daily hours. Extracts island resources. |
Yoga Instructor | Wellness center | Lead yoga and meditation classes. The most stress-free career on the island, though lower pay. |
Travel Guide | Travel agency | Give guided tours of the island. Steady pay and a great fit for social, outgoing Zois. |
Sea Turtle Conservation | Conservation org | Protect and preserve sea turtles found on beaches and underwater. Highly rewarding work. |
Taxi Driver | Jallan Network | Drive passengers across the connected islands, including routes over the sea. |
Lawyer | Local firm | One of the higher-paying careers on Cahaya, second only to the criminal boss. |
Natap Encyclopedia Investigator | Natap Encyclopedia Association | Research and investigate island phenomena. The lowest-paying career on Cahaya. |
Criminal (Red Tissue Gang) | Red Tissue Gang | Starts as a Rookie and can reach Boss. The Boss position earns the single highest salary in the expansion. |
Activity | Details |
|---|---|
Farming and Gathering | Grow crops, harvest resources, and sustain yourself on the main island. |
Cast your line from beaches or boats. A primary income source for self-sufficient Zois. | |
Snorkeling | Purchase snorkeling gear and explore coral reefs, swim with dolphins, encounter sea turtles, and discover submerged ancient temples. Requires the Swimming skill. |
Boating | Travel between the three islands by boat. |
Swim in crystal-clear tropical waters. Builds the Swimming skill. | |
Treasure Hunting | Explore the deserted island and ocean floor for hidden treasures. |
Resort Relaxation | Visit the resort island for spa activities, poolside lounging, and vacation experiences. |
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.
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).
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.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Unique self-sufficient gameplay: farming, fishing, mining | No part-time job options available |
Snorkeling with marine life and underwater exploration | Careers generally pay lower base salaries |
Three islands with distinct purposes and exploration | Requires the free Island Getaway DLC |
Lower cost of living balances out lower salaries | |
Relaxing tropical atmosphere with cats everywhere | More isolated; travel to other cities costs money |
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.
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.
The right city depends entirely on what kind of experience you want. Below is a breakdown of which city suits common playstyles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | Best City | Why |
|---|---|---|
Career climber | Unique K-pop, esports, and firefighting careers with engaging active gameplay | |
Family life | Larger lots, simple weather, beach outings, and amusement park for all ages | |
Creative builder | Most spacious lots and diverse housing styles for ambitious builds | |
Relaxation and exploration | Snorkeling, treasure hunting, farming, and three islands to discover | |
Urban lifestyle | Dense city, subway, karaoke, cafes, and vibrant nightlife | |
Sports and fitness | Surfing, volleyball, outdoor gym, and a professional football career | |
Self-sufficient living | Farming, fishing, mining, and low cost of living on a tropical island | |
Criminal empire | Both have gang career paths; Cahaya's Red Tissue Gang Boss earns the highest salary in the expansion |
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.
