Read more about expat life in Romania in our Expat Arrivals Romania country guide.
About Matt

A: Toronto, Canada
About Cluj-Napoca
A: It’s beautiful and tranquil, surrounded by hills, not far from the mountains, yet it offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle not unlike any large Western city. I love the air here, but its vibrant people make it. There is a real energy to the city as it continues to grow. It was exciting to be around when they opened the first big stadium in the region, or even the first Thai restaurant in Transylvania.
About living in Cluj-Napoca
A: In Cluj, the city centre is a good choice for a single or student expat given the proximity to entertainment and other places of interest. The nicer areas of the city are Andrei Muresanu, Zorilor, and Grigorescu if you want to be closer to the city centre, while Buna Ziua and Europa are new residential areas that are quiet and offer spacious homes, but aren’t great to live in without a car.
A: I can’t answer this without some bias (I was born here). I mix with locals more than with expats, though I feel more at ease with expats. In either case, I enjoy spending time with Romanians because I feel like I am re-discovering my culture. A ‘pure’ expat would simply feel like they are discovering a new culture. In both cases we would find that the people are extremely direct, possibly stand-offish at the beginning, but they soon turn out to be very welcoming and warm, likely to offer you a place to stay in their house or to visit their family home in another city (and mean it). There are often Romanians who hang out in expat circles as they want to improve their English (often not really necessary) or because as a nation, we’re curious about foreigners and why they choose to be here.
About working in Cluj-Napoca
Family and children
And finally…
A: Accept the fact that many sidewalks are used for parking, that excellent customer service is not a high priority, and that you won’t be surrounded by shiny, brand-new buildings. Instead you’ll get an authentic living experience where life itself is much more engaging, and story worthy.
~ Interviewed February 2013