Accommodation in Romania
Expat housing in Romania is divided between city living, and those who choose to live in the suburbs. Accommodation within the city tends to be limited to apartments and soviet-style blocks of flats, while housing beyond the city limits can vary, but tends to be more spacious. Housing options available to expats moving to Romania range from furnished to unfurnished; one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom flats; and small cottages to larger villas. Price is obviously a key factor, and a general rule of thumb is that the more you pay, the more you will get in terms of housing. Many expats arrive in Romania with their accommodation already signed, sealed and delivered by their company. Housing is something that you can legitimately request your company to organise as part of your employment contract.
Lease agreements in Romania are quite standard. They tend to last for a 12-month period, but shorter leases can be negotiated. Rent is paid on a monthly basis, and usually includes basic utilities. Furnished accommodation is also available at a higher price. Pre-organised housing takes the hassle out of house-hunting, and lease negotiations in a foreign country; it also means that if something goes wrong, you can always ask your company to handle the problem. Expats who find their own accommodation will have more control over individual specifications, but it is advisable to enlist the help of a Romanian-speaking colleague, a company relocation officer, an in-country rental agency, or all of the above.
Foreigners are often assumed to be wealthy, and thus become targeted by scammers and unscrupulous landlords and letting agents. It is highly advisable to hire a reputable letting agent to assist with the paperwork and lease negotiations. When renting property in Romania, it is also important to note that property advertisements stating ‘three-roomed apartment’ mean that the entire apartment has three rooms, and that it is not an apartment with three bedrooms (the lounge will be included in the room count, and this applies for any apartment or house).Bucharest tends to be the most popular city for expats relocating to Romania. The country’s capital is a great city to live in, and has something for everyone. Expats moving to Bucharest should try to find housing close to public transportation, such as 1 Mai, Domenii, Titulescu sau Eroilor, Timpuri Noi, Moşilor, Ştefan cel Mare and Decebal. Some other suburbs and areas in Bucharest favoured by expats include Primăverii, Unirii, Băneasa, Piaţa Romană, Cotroceni, Piaţa Victoriei, Dorobanţi, Piaţa Universităţii and Floreasca.
Monthly rental prices tend to represent the bulk of any expat’s cost of living, however rental amounts in Romania tend to be less than, or on a par with, regional Eastern European countries. Renting accommodation within the larger cities will cost more, while smaller towns and outlying areas are less expensive. Expats moving to Romania should budget for rent costs in excess of 250 Euro per month, depending on the size of the apartment, as well as access to amenities, shopping facilities and public transport. Most expats tend to pay 500 Euro and upwards a month for a modest two-bedroom apartment in a good area of Bucharest.
