Living in Romania

"Expect bureaucracy at every turn! Romanians love to make themselves feel important by holding their ink stamps and having you come back for something 5 times, mostly because they're just too lazy to get off their rears and do their jobs. It's never their fault, it's yours and you're disturbing them that you should even expect them to do something faster than 3 months time. Be prepared to have your patience pressed to its limits, and then some," remarked one expat who made the move to Iasi.

"My advice would mostly depend upon the person's situation. Most single men I know love Bucharest. Most families with small children like Bucharest because of the affordability of domestic help. Nursery schools are plentiful and inexpensive. But the life in Bucharest can wear on you. I know many people who have spent their life living overseas and are frustrated by this city. The traffic and the blatant disregard of the rules of the road are frustrating. While the traffic here is no worse than any major city (and certainly not worse than WDC or New York City), the drivers seem to care only about where they need to go and what they need to do to get there. Lane patterns, the color of stop lights, pedestrians in the road, tram tracks all mean nothing to most Romanian drivers. Service in restaurants is unbelievably slow. At some point you get used to being ignored. Trying to find someone to help you in a store with a question you have is impossible. The general attitude of seeming to not care is frustrating. Yet Romanians are genuinely nice people, which seems to contradict all of what I have just said. They have big hearts if you have a relationship with them," explained one expat living in Bucharest, Romania.

"There's the American corner, though I've never visited it. Social networking sites can be a great resource also, you'll find many curious Romanians that will seek you out if you're friendly and intelligent," explained one expat living in Iasi, Romania.

"Expats in Romania often join local clubs and activities such as language exchange groups, book clubs, and sports teams. Expats can also meet people by attending local events such as festivals, concerts, and art exhibitions. Additionally, many expats find it helpful to join online forums and social media groups related to their interests, as well as attending meetups and networking events," said one expat in Romania.

"A lot of people are focused on work, and construction/renovation of houses in and around the city," explained one expat living in Iasi, Romania.

"The Romanians I work with are pleasant, well mannered individuals. Getting used to the different work ethic was difficult at first but after some cultural training and getting used to the way things work it is getting easier. The majority of locals that I have met have been self centered. Manners are rare especially in public, unless you pay for them. I have found this probably one of the most frustrating things. I have been raised to be courteous and I find most Romanians that I don't know tend to be discourteous. Examples are driving, I have been told by my Romanian cultural advisor that many Romanians buy their driving licenses rather than sit the exam. This is evident after a drive through a town or city centre. Drivers pull out on you, rude, cut you up, also rude. Another example is smoking, I see a lot of families in restaurants with young children. The adults smoke, breathing cigarette smoke all over their children. I appreciate that they don't give a hoot about me and my meal but to submit their children to smoke is unacceptable. If you follow a Romanian through a door be careful of it hitting you in the face," said one expat in Constanta.

"Yes work they have to make a living. I see them walking in the park on weekends. Not much to do here," said one expat who made the move to Constanta.

"Iasi is a very poor city, the average Romanian in Iasi works 10-12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. When they're not working, Romanians in Iasi tend to be "homebodies" and spend their little free time at home, with family and friends," explained one expat living in Iasi, Romania.

"Romanian values are based on family. They like to party and are warm people. Of course, like everywhere, you sometimes have to be careful : being an expat you must "choose" your true friends," mentioned one in Brasov.

"Crime is a problem in Romania, with reports of theft, pickpocketing, and other forms of property crime occurring in major cities. Violent crime is also a concern, with reports of assaults, robberies, and other violent incidents occurring in some areas. Organized crime is also a problem in Romania, with reports of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other criminal activities," said one expat in Romania.

"There are some very disturbing anti-semitic attitudes in Iasi. Also, racism against Roma (gypsies) is prevelant here. Very little cultural diversity here," remarked one expat who made the move to Iasi.

"IMO people are pretty intolerant of gypsies, non-white races, and those that are not orthodox Christian. I've been scoffed at more times than I can remember when someone discovers I'm not Orthodox and don't follow their "rules"," explained one expat living in Iasi, Romania.

"It's mainly Orthodox, but Romanians have open mind about religion. There are a lot of Catholics too. Brasov, by its history, have a lot of German influence," said one expat in Brasov.

"Yes, Romania is a culturally diverse country. It is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including Romanians, Hungarians, Roma, Ukrainians, Germans, and Turks. People in Romania are generally accepting of differences and strive to create a tolerant and inclusive society," said one expat who made the move to Romania.

"Make an appointment and take the whole family along - the children will give you feedback about their views. Have questions ready in advance and ask lots of them. The school has a policy of honesty so do not expect 'soft' answers adapted to your own circumstances. The school knows what it does and does it well," remarked one expat living in Bucharest with children attending International School for Primary Education.

"The British School of Bucharest is one of the best international schools in Romania. It is a co-educational school offering the National Curriculum of England and Wales, as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school has a strong focus on academic excellence, with a wide range of extra-curricular activities and a strong emphasis on developing the whole child. The International School of Bucharest is another excellent international school in Romania. It is a co-educational school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, as well as the International Primary Curriculum. The school has a strong focus on developing the whole child, with a wide range of extra-curricular activities and a strong emphasis on developing the whole child. The American International School of Bucharest is a bilingual school in Romania offering an American-style curriculum. The school has a strong focus on academic excellence, with a wide range of extra-curricular activities and a strong emphasis on developing the whole child. The International School of Cluj-Napoca is a bilingual school in Romania offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, as well as the International Primary Curriculum. The school has a strong focus on developing the whole child, with a wide range of extra-curricular activities and a strong emphasis on developing the whole child," said one expat in with children at .

"The cost of living in Romania is generally considered to be quite affordable. Groceries, transportation, and utilities are all relatively inexpensive compared to other European countries. Eating out can also be quite affordable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around 10-15 euros. Rent prices vary depending on the city and the size of the apartment, but generally range from 200-400 euros per month," remarked one expat who made the move to Romania.

"The cost of living in Romania is generally considered to be quite affordable. The capital city of Bucharest is the most expensive place to live in the country, with prices for goods and services being higher than in other parts of Romania. The rental price for a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Romania is around $400 USD per month, while a nice 2 bedroom apartment is around $600 USD per month. Eating dinner at a moderately priced restaurant in Romania will cost around $10 USD per person," commented one expat who moved to Romania.

"In Romania, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as parks, beaches, and outdoor sports facilities. Parks are a popular destination for locals, offering a variety of activities such as walking, jogging, and picnicking. Beaches are also a popular destination, with many offering swimming, sunbathing, and other beach activities. Outdoor sports facilities are also available, such as tennis courts, soccer fields, and basketball courts. Additionally, Romania has a number of indoor recreational facilities, such as bowling alleys, movie theaters, and arcades," commented one expat living in Romania.

"The weather in Romania is generally mild, with warm summers and cold winters. Rainfall is common throughout the year, with the most precipitation occurring in the mountains. Snowfall is also common in the winter months, especially in the higher elevations. The climate in Romania is generally humid, with temperatures ranging from cool to hot depending on the season," mentioned an expat living in Romania.

"One of Romania's most beloved restaurants is Caru' cu Bere, located in Bucharest. This traditional restaurant has been serving up delicious Romanian cuisine since 1879, and is known for its unique atmosphere and live music. The menu features a variety of traditional dishes, such as sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), ciorba (sour soup), and mamaliga (cornmeal porridge). Another popular restaurant in Romania is La Mama, located in Cluj-Napoca. This restaurant serves up a variety of traditional Romanian dishes, such as sarmale, ciorba, and mamaliga, as well as a selection of international dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the restaurant is known for its friendly staff and excellent service. Finally, La Placinte is a popular restaurant in Bucharest that specializes in traditional Romanian cuisine. The menu features a variety of dishes, such as sarmale, ciorba, and mamaliga, as well as a selection of international dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the restaurant is known for its friendly staff and excellent service," remarked one expat in Romania.

"People living in Romania typically buy groceries from supermarkets, local markets, and convenience stores. Other shopping can be done at malls, department stores, and specialty shops. Online shopping is also becoming increasingly popular in Romania," said an expat in Romania.

"In order to visit Romania, foreign nationals must obtain a visa prior to their arrival. The process of applying for a visa involves submitting an application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, and any other documents required by the Romanian Embassy or Consulate. In order to obtain residency in Romania, foreign nationals must submit an application to the Romanian Immigration Office. The application must include a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, proof of financial means, proof of accommodation, and any other documents required by the Immigration Office. Once the application is approved, the foreign national will be issued a residence permit, which must be renewed every year," commented one expat who moved to Romania.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Romania can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is free for Romanian citizens, but the quality of care can be lower than that of private healthcare. Private health insurance can be expensive, but it can provide access to higher quality care and more specialized services. Additionally, some employers may offer health insurance plans to their employees, which can help to reduce the cost of healthcare," said one expat.