Things to Know Before Moving to Budapest, Hungary

Relocating across the world means you need to prepare yourself for the upcoming adventure fully. If you’re wondering can I live in Budapest, the answer is yes, of course. However, knowing how to move to another country will take a bit more. Relocating to Hungary means you’ll have to learn some facts about that country and its capital. Not only will it help you adjust faster, but you’ll also understand the culture and habits you might not be used to. So, let’s check what expats should know about this beautiful country before the international move.

Things to Know Before Moving to Budapest, Hungary

Handling the relocation stress is challenging because it’s not just about making a relocation abroad checklist, thinking about what to keep, and deciding what to pack. You should also be aware of some basic and interesting facts about the place you’re planning to call home.

Many people want to change their routine and have a fresh start somewhere else. Suppose you’re one of them, and you’re thinking about hiring an overseas shipping company and starting living abroad in the Pearl of Danube. In that case, you should know some interesting and useful facts about this capital:

• Besides being the capital of Hungary, it’s also the most populous city with more than 1,500,000 people.
• It’s the ninth-largest city in the European Union,
• Hungarian is the first language,
• The official currency is Forint (Ft or HUF). 1000 HUF is about $3.50 or €3,
• The river Danube separates Buda and Pest – two cities that merged with Óbuda in 1873 and now make the metropolis of Hungary,
• Buda and Pest are connected with eight beautiful bridges,
• The central area is classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site,
• There are around 80 geothermal springs,
• Dohány Street Synagogue, the second-largest synagogue in the world, is situated here,
• The third-largest Parliament building in the world is in this capital,
• You’ll find here the oldest metro in Europe,
• Buildings in this country can’t rise more than 314.9 ft (96 m.)

With Reliable International Moving Company, the Whole Process Will Be Much Smoother

Once you have all the basic information about the place you’re relocating to, check the options for the effortless relocation. Having professionals that will help you with packing services is something you should consider. That means you won’t need to deal with packing fragile items for your new home. In fact, if you have some belongings you won’t transport right away, the professionals will offer you a storage facility, too,

Also, if you plan on shipping your car overseas, it’s better to leave that work to the professional movers. They’ll know exactly what to do and how to protect your vehicle during transportation best. With many years of experience, overseas vehicle shipping will be a breeze.

Consider Obtaining Legal Residency If You’re Planning to Make Pearl of the Danube Your Home

Since Hungary is part of the Schengen visa area, US citizens can stay for 90 days without a valid visa. However, if you plan to stay a bit longer, you should gather all the necessary documents for international travel. This is also important if you want to work as an American here.

So, ensure you apply for temporary or permanent residence by going to the nearest Hungarian consulate or embassy and checking what paperwork and documents are needed. We are all aware of the importance of this task when relocating to Budapest; immigration will require a visa and a valid passport if you plan on staying more than 90 days.

Explore How an Average Expat Is Living in the Hungarian Capital

If you decide to move here, you should be aware of the fact that, like most European capitals this size, you’ll have a vast range of possibilities of where your new home will be. So, once you realize that this is one of the best cities to live in Europe, you should know which areas are right for your needs. Luckily, this city offers you many districts and everyone can find what suits them best. Here are the districts you should check out:

• District I – in the Buda side for foodies and those who are looking for good restaurants.
• District II – once you pick the best place for family, this district will ensure this is where you should be living.
• District V (Inner city) – shopping streets with many famous stylish brands.
• District V (North) – the central Pest.
• District VII – a place for party-goers. There are plenty of bars and nightclubs.
• District XIII – sporty types should find a home here because the Margaret Island park is near.

Is It Expensive to Live in Budapest – Check the Cost of Living and Learn Not to Overspend

Since we’re talking about the capital, you shouldn’t be amazed that it’s one of the most expensive cities in Hungary. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to live comfortably here. On the contrary, the capital itself is very affordable compared to the cost of living in New York, for example. That’s why you should plan every cost and check if all expenses are covered.

So, if you’re wondering is it worth moving to Budapest, you need to consider all the aspects of being an expat in a foreign country. Knowing how to move abroad is one thing, but managing all the expenses after the move is another. The utilities and maintenance aren’t free, as you might suppose. In fact, many expats will say that the rate is slightly higher than they would expect.

Job Opportunities for Americans in Budapest, Hungary

One of the first things you need to think about is what you will work on after the move (unless you have already found the job.) Like in many cities worldwide, the tech and IT sectors are the most wanted positions. However, there are, of course, other jobs for Americans in Europe. Nowadays, there are many options for finding a job – LinkedIn and other online platforms.

Health Care and Education Will Be Easy to Find

There are many reasons why we move. Some of us are finding a better place, and others are looking for better education. However, your job before the move is to explore the possibilities you’ll have as an expat. For example, Hungary is one of the European countries that have top-notch healthcare and education. But do expats have the same opportunities as legal residents?

Explore all of your options because you’ll find a high-quality medical system with some of the best international schools here. This is important info because there surely will be a language barrier in the beginning. But when you have well-equipped medical and school institutions, you’ll feel free to get everything done more swiftly.

The Transportation Here Will Get You  Around Easily and Fast

What makes this city one of the greatest places to be abroad is getting around easily. The public transport isn’t on the highest level, but it’s not expensive either. On the other hand, the gasoline isn’t pricey, either, so you can drive around with your vehicle or the rented one.

Experience All the Benefits of Visiting Neighboring Countries

Its location is one of the reasons why many expats decide to move here. It is in the center of Europe, which makes it very easy to travel to other European countries. Also, having good rail connections between its neighboring countries (Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia), you won’t even have to go by plane.

Lifestyle and Leisure Here Will Help You Adapt Faster and Fall in Love With the CIty

We all have fears of the unknown, and it’s completely normal. When you’re relocating to a country you’ve never visited before, be prepared to experience culture shock. Getting familiar with customs and traditions will help you adjust to another country more easily and faster.

Luckily, if you decide to move here, the adjustment process will go smoothly since the Hungarians are a very welcoming nation, and they love expats in their country. Also, their slow lifestyle and plenty of opportunities for leisure will be a great help.

Food Is Part of Culture and Hungarians Are Very Proud of It

If you’re a dedicated foodie, then you’re at the right place. Hungarians are known for their specific yet delicious and spicy local dishes. That’s why you can’t avoid tasting their paprikash, goulash, langos, meat and fish soups, and Dobos torte. These dishes will open the door to delicious food because you’ve probably haven’t tried anything similar before.

Their culture and traditions have a lot to do with the way they prepare these meals. It’s because Magyar heritage is vividly present in the local dishes they prepare daily.

Breathtaking Landscapes and Rich Nightlife Are Some of the Options in Your Free Time

Besides relocating to one of the friendliest countries, there are landmarks you shouldn’t miss visiting. There are not just sightseeing opportunities, but the places that will take your breath away:

• Chain Bridge,
• Buda Hill,
• Andrassy Avenue,
• Gellért Hill,
• City Park and Heroes Square,
• Stephen’s Basilica,
• Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park,
• Hungarian Parliament Building,
• Banks of Danube.

And if you want good music and drink after an exhausting sightseeing day, no problem because this capital has it all. The Pearl of Danube is known all over the world for its rich and exciting nightlife. So, ensure you get enough of your beauty sleep in your free time because weekends are reserved for some of the best DJs.

Learn Some Common Hungarian Phrases Before the Move

When thinking about overseas relocation where English isn’t the official language, then you probably feel anxious. However, learning a language abroad will bring you many opportunities and open many doors for you. When it comes to the Hungarian language, it’s better to learn some tips for learning this language because it will surely be a challenge to overcome language barriers right after the move.

In the video below you can hear some of the most common phrases and learn the correct pronunciation of some words.

Don’t Let Be Discouraged by the Language Gap Because the Expat Community Here Is Active

Once you get a bigger picture of being in Hungary and its capital, you should answer the question: is Budapest a good place to live? Count in all the positive and negative sides of this relocation because no place will have absolutely everything you want. However, some of the most important things to look at when relocating abroad are the expat communities. The first period after the move will be the hardest and having people around you that have been through the same things will be more than supportive.