Experience in Bucharest, Romania by Ioana

What is it like to live in Bucharest? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Welcome to Bucharest. Bucharest's spirit is not easy to put into words, it's a living city with very diverse people and things to do for every taste. I would recommend it to people who want to experience Eastern European lifestyle.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Bucharest?

Student lifestyle is also quite diverse. There are many students who have part time jobs to support themselves through college, student associations which provide leisure time even in the dorms. Easy-going students are very common and usually you can get along with a Romanian fellow student either in English or French/German or Spanish.

PS: for some reason, Romanians in general can also understand Italian.

How much does it cost to live in Bucharest?

You can make a decent living in Bucharest with 300 euros per month if you opt for a place in the dorm, otherwise, the rent solely costs on average 200 euros per month. Also, you can get around with 200 euros as well, if you're not the type to buy books, clothes or go to gym/yoga etc.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Bucharest? Is there any advice you can give?

It's not at all difficult to find accommodation. If you are coming through the Erasmus program or an exchange program, there are places in the dorm for all exchange students (and a small tip, at the University of Bucharest they give international students the very best places in dorms). Otherwise, you can try with real-estate agencies. It's really simple and easy.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is diverse. There is a lot of meat consumed by Romanians on average, especially chicken, pork and beef. Fast foods are also very trending and the prices are extremely cheap. There are shawarma places everywhere in town. My favorite dishes of Romanian food are sarmale -among others- a Balkan food which consists of meat, rice and spices rolled out in vine leafs or bell peppers.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Bucharest?

You can always look up the popular destinations: National Opera, National Peasant Museum, Grigore Antipa Museum, Palace of the Parliament (second largest building in the world after Pentagon), the old city with the symbolic Stavropoleos Church, the Lipscani street and the Triumph Arc. Also I would totally recommend the Carturesti bookshops, Megamall and why not Therme resort & spa (the biggest spa resort in Europe and prices are good).

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Is it good to eat out in Bucharest? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Well I'm a student so mostly I end up either eating at the nearby faculty place, called Fabrica de Mancare (the Food Factory) or at the student cafeteria. There are also nice places in the city center but some are quite exquisite and expensive.

Is the nightlife good in Bucharest? Where is good to go?

You have plenty of options, Romanian students in general are easy going. The most popular place for students used to be Kulturhaus, now it is being renovated, it will probably re-open this fall; however, now Kultur people go to Silver Church, which is an alike club, actually owned by the same guy who owns Kultur. They are really popular among students. Others would be: Hard Rock Cafe, Control, Club A, Goblin, Bordello, Blue Club. It depends a lot on your tastes.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Bucharest?

Bucharest is a big city. So probably you will see some unique images during your stay here. A friend of mine once saw a couple who were cutting each other's nails in the subway. If you come in Bucharest for the fall semester, you can go for the Christmas holiday to places such as Brasov, Sinaia, Predeal and Busteni. If you come to Bucharest for the spring semester, I would recommend you to go at the seaside for the 1st of May (International Labor Day). You should head to Vama Veche, I haven't heard a single person saying they dislike Vama Veche.

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