An Expat Talks about Moving to Bucharest, Romania

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Bucharest

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

WISH I HAD BROUGHT:

More books in my language (there are none here), computer mouse (spending more time alone made me use my laptop more), ice skates.

WISH I HAD LEFT AT HOME:

Creams and all those body care products, A dress that I hoped to get into again after miraculously loosing some weight, suit

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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

I enjoy the Obor area, because it has all I need, including the biggest grocery market in the city, but has fair prices for the accommodation.

I would suggest searching for a place both next to metro stations and parks.

Because public transport is doomed to be trappet in rush hour trafic and parks, such as Herastrau, grant an escape from the busy streets, especially for those who come from smaller cities.

The far North of the city, above Herastrau park, has the richest area with new apartments. The rest of the city is filled with communistic buildings with simple flats.

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

I live in a rented flat on the 9th floor. It's a renovated 3-room apartment in a communistic block and I share it with 2 other expat, one of which is a colleague of mine, the other - a firend of a colleague.

It's quite typical to share apartments, because most expats work in a more or less international environment with other expat folks.

Also, compared to food prices at a market, for example, I find apartments to be disproportionately expensive. Especially when renting a studio.

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

Through aquaintances. Met some international exchange students and kept in contact with them shrough social networks.

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

The housing costs are a little higher than in Latvia.

The cost for a studio is the same.

But a multiple room apartment outside the city center in Riga should be a bit cheeper. Even if there isn't a big difference in the price, the salary rates vary a bit more for the disadvantage of Bucharest...

We pay a monthly fee of 2100 lei - 470 Euro for rent+utilities for a simple 3 room apartment between the downtown and outskirts.

Simple studios are around around 250 - 350 Euro.