An Expat Talks about Living in Budapest, Hungary
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Budapest
How long have you lived there?
6 months
What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?
British Women's Association, Budapest Accueil (French), Dutch Club Hungary, Expat Hungary, International Women's Club Association of Budapest (IWCA), North American Women's Association of Budapest, Professional Women's Association of Budapest, Institut français de Budapest, Instituto Cervantes de Budapest, Xpatloop.com, Baby Blue Banana (Expat Events), Concerts and bookreadings at TreeHugger Dan's bookshop (there are many branches), Internations Expat Community (they have live meetings), Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Hungary, Buda Juniors Football (Soccer) League (for children), Bat and Ball Junior Cricket Club (for children)
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.
Citizens are quite diverse: when you go to work or home you will pass by men and women of every social standing, race, age and income level. It is truly fascinating and a nice break from Washington, DC where I was working previously. That said, there are neighborhoods that establish themselves with a certain demographic (9th district is for young urbanites, defined sections of 8th district are low-income and uncared for).
As mixed as it is, I feel that some locals are a bit closed off to the minority & low income Roma population, homeless, and other minority groups. I was struck by the non-pc attitudes of some of my friends.
What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?
-Service centers (high-end call centers for major international companies)
-Business and conversational English teaching
In general, what are peoples' priorities in this city? For example, do lives revolve around work, family, socializing, sports, etc.?
In my opinion they revolve around socializing. Hungarians seem to place a lot of focus on Holidays, meeting in cafes, traveling to the countryside to visit parents/grandparents on weekends. I say socializing and not family because individuals find it difficult to save money therefore there is a low birth rate.
Back to socializing -I heard that even the Metro ticket controllers work in groups of 2 and 3 so that they have someone to eat lunch with (this could be another interesting priority--as it is lunch and not dinner that is the main, hot meal of the day here).
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SJB-Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model. Our clients benefit from their country’s most favorable tax environment by utilizing the efficient investment vehicles we offer. Our commitment to quality service is reflected in our stellar reviews, with over 300 testimonials boasting 95% five-star ratings.
If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.
Hungary is quite cheap compared to Western Europe and the United States, therefore visitors can enjoy buying food, beverages and souvenirs without feeling a pinch. That said, cost of living is high when local salaries are taken into consideration. When calculated as a percentage of salary, items like clothing, shoes, accessories, baby equipment, furniture, bedding and electronics can feel expensive. Try to bring these with you.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to Budapest
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Budapest
- Pros & Cons of Living in Budapest
- Tips for Expats Driving in Budapest
- Cost of Living in Budapest
- Health Care in Budapest
- The Insider's Guide to Budapest
- Living in Budapest
- 5 Tips for Living in Budapest
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Hungary
- Best Places to Live in Hungary
- Real Estate in Hungary
- Pros & Cons of Living in Hungary
- Health Insurance in Hungary
- What It's Like Living in Budapest
- Pros and Cons of Living in Hungary 2024
- 2024 Guide to Moving to Hungary
- More Advice about Retiring in Hungary