Areas and Suburbs in Budapest

Being the main area for expats in Hungary, Budapest has a wide selection of properties available for rent. The city is divided by the Danube River into Buda and Pest. Buda is more of a business area and many companies choose to locate their business headquarters in this section of the city.

Buda is also filled with cafes and vibey nightlife hangouts. Expats choosing to live in the Buda part of the city will find a number of apartments available for rent. Pest, on the opposite bank of the river, is more suburban and tends to be occupied by families who prefer the larger houses, which come complete with gardens and situated in leafy suburbs. One negative about choosing to live in Pest is that the commute to work can be a problem with traffic jams and slightly substandard road quality. Expats deciding on Pest are advised to look for property close to public transport routes or metro stations as this effectively reduces the daily commute. 

 

Budapest is further divided into 23 districts. Buda has six districts, Pest has 16 districts and there is one district between the two on Csepal Island in the Danube River. The districts are numbered in a clockwise direction from the centre of the city outwards. Further afield, on the Buda side, are a number of suburbs that some expats choose to live in.

 

Of Buda’s six districts, the most popular ones for expats are district 11 and 22. On the Pest side, district 5, 6, 7 and 13 are favoured by expats in Budapest. Outlying suburbs on the Buda side include Erk, Torokbalint, Diosd, Budakeszi and Budaors.

 

District 11 – An affluent hilly area just outside of the city central. The Sashegy and Sasad areas in this district are the most popular. The suburb doesn’t have a metro station yet, but the city is in the process of completing Metro Line 4, which will include stops in this area. 
 

District 22 – Also known as the ‘town of wine and champagne’ this area is home to some of Hungary’s major wine and champagne manufacturers. This area commands spectacular views of the city and is home to a number of restaurants and shopping centres including the Campona Mall. 

 

District 5 - This district is as central as it gets. Apartments are the favoured choice of accommodation here. District five is close to restaurants, bars, pubs and shopping centres as well as the main banking and financial district and even Hungary’s parliament buildings. Because of its central location, district five tends to be more expensive and the accommodation options on offer are generally smaller than you can get in other areas.
 

District 6 – This district is great for expats who enjoy cultural entertainment. It is close to the Liszt School of Music and the Budapest Opera House. Public transportation in this district is a breeze and there are a number of shopping and nightlife options within easy walking distance of one another. However, district six also has its down side, small alleys are home to low-life pubs and bars and the noise levels can be irritating.
 

District 7 – Historically, district seven was home to Budapest’s Jewish population. Today there are still a number of beautiful synagogues in the area as well as the city’s medical and veterinary universities. Residentially this neighbourhood is a sound choice and has an international school, diplomatic residences and a variety of public transportation options. 
 

District 13 - This district is a clean and well-kept area in downtown Budapest. The city has spent a lot of money improving the area and setting up a paved pathway alongside the river. The area has a number of malls and shopping centres and is conveniently close to the business district, however all the international schools are located on the opposite side of the river, which can pose a problem for families with kids.