Moving to Budapest

Expats moving to Budapest may very well expect an authentic post-communist experience, and considering that the city emerged from behind the wall of the Iron Curtain a mere two decades ago, such an expectation seems well-warranted.  
 

For the most part though and much to the surprise of many foreigners, Budapest has shed its socialist past and has recaptured much of the cosmopolitanism spirit that it had in the first half of the 20th century.  Not to mention, foreign companies have helped bolster the economy by locating regional headquarters and shared service centres to the city, and a thriving international community now exists. 
 

Still, for curious and adventurous types, remnants of the 40-year Soviet-influenced regime can be found if one scratches beneath the surface.  
 

Most importantly though, expats moving to Budapest will find themselves in the centre of Hungarian life and culture, and in a destination that’s both the gateway to Eastern Europe and the Balkans (for western expats) and the entry point to the West (for eastern expats).  
 

Choosing a place to live in Budapest, then, becomes a question of preference—bustling, urban, and exotic Pest, or stately, comfortable and considerably quieter Buda.  In general, accommodation is easy for expats to find, and is considerably cheaper than housing in high-profile expat destinations. In fact, the cost of living as a whole is considerably lower than in many of the city’s western European counterparts.  
 

Additionally, while easily one of the most walkable cities in Europe, Budapest also has an excellent transportation network—if not the best and most friendly transportation provider – and in turn, makes not having a car easy and stress-free.  The metro is primarily a Pest operation, with two lines covering wide North-South and East-West arcs, and a third, smaller line connecting the centre with the City Park (Városliget). Buda is dominated by a complex tram and bus system. 
 

In terms of culture shock, throughout the city you will hear the charming, if baffling, sound of Hungarian chatter, but English is increasingly being heard as well (proficiency tends to be best closer to the city centre in the lower-numbered districts). 
 

On that note, it’s important to keep in mind that life outside the centre is starkly different from the bustling urban core, and is much more similar to daily life in the countryside and in the smaller cities of Hungary.  This means that while it’s easy to get by with only English inside the Big Ring Road, expats who fail to explore the fringes of the city will find themselves missing out on some of the nation’s more endearing and exciting cultural practices and idiosyncrasies. 
 

 In example, markets like Ecseri, Kőbanyai, the Józsefvárosi Kinai Piac, and many others are hubs of commercial activity that as of yet are untouched by the westernising influences of malls, chain stores and fast food.  
 

Overall, expats—and English speakers —now flood the streets of Budapest and many services exist for them; though, for foreigners, getting the most out of Budapest requires understanding the city’s unique position as a Europe-in-miniature, and appreciating all the little quirks that go along with it.