Bucharest, Romania

"- Know the cost of living in Bucharest to help plan your budget. Research in advance the quality of health care and availability of private health insurance. - Learn about Romanian government benefits and retirement schemes. Ensure that you will be able to access your pension and other social services when moving abroad. - Become familiar with the local environment in Bucharest. Knowing the transportation system, language, culture, housing options and other social activities that you can participate in could help with your transition in settling in Bucharest. - Research and plan the type of Visa that is necessary when moving to Bucharest. Understand the regulations of immigrating to Romania before relocating to ensure that you have the required documents required for staying in the country. - Locate a safe area to live in and consider the healthcare facilities nearby. Also look into the different shopping and recreational venues available in Bucharest. - Think about the preservation of your rights when retiring. It is important to understand your rights and be aware of the taxes and legal implications for retirement in Romania. - Find out about the visa requirements when traveling to and from Romania from different countries. Plan in advance for any necessary travel and medical documents that may be needed when visiting other countries," remarked one expat who made the move to Bucharest.

"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.