Pros and Cons of Living in Budapest

"Expats and digital nomads generally like the affordable cost of living in Budapest, which allows them to enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank. They appreciate the city's rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, which includes numerous museums, galleries, and theaters. The city's public transportation system is efficient and reliable, making it easy to get around. Budapest also offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. The city has a thriving expat community, making it easy for newcomers to make friends and find support. On the other hand, expats and digital nomads may dislike the language barrier, as Hungarian is a difficult language to learn and not everyone speaks English fluently. The bureaucracy can be challenging to navigate, with complex procedures and paperwork for visas, residence permits, and other official matters. Some expats may find the customer service to be lacking in certain establishments, as it may not be as attentive or friendly as they are used to in their home countries. Additionally, the air quality in Budapest can be poor at times, particularly during the winter months when smog levels can rise. Finally, while Budapest is generally safe, petty crime such as pickpocketing can be an issue in crowded tourist areas," explained one expat living in Budapest.

"Every city has its plusses and minusses. Budapest is no different. But, after living here for more than 7 years, I think that Budapest is one of the best places that I have ever lived (Phoenix, Chicago and New York City). The streets are relatively clean, overall crime is significantly lower than in many US big cities, and the the public transit is clean, frequent, efficient and very affordable. I don't own a car and really have no need for one in Budapest. I am a city person and enjoy living in the central city. It may not be as quiet as other parts of the city, but I don't mind that and I prefer the convenience of walking or taking transit everywhere I need to go. I have found that my overall cost of living is about 1/3 of what it was in New York and Chicago and about 1/2 of living in Phoenix in the US. I am so happy that I settled here in Budapest. It is a lovely city and I recommend it highly," said one in Budapest.