Experience in Bucharest, Romania by Laura

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

Bucharest is a nice city, but I can't lie and say that is the most beautiful one in our country because we also have the historical cities that can't compare to anything. Bucharest is just a city full of life, after all is the capital of Romania. You can find many awesome and spectacular views and museums in Bucharest, so don't worry if you are a tourist type of person. If you are the party-animal type of person, you've chosen the perfect city: we have a lot of clubs, from the elegant and shiny to the most cheap and underground ones. If we compare the traffic with the one from cities like Istanbul, Madrid or Rome, ours is not that harsh. We have 14 important neighborhoods and from each of one of them you can reach the center of the city in 1 hour (it depends, it can take less, from 20 minutes to 1 h 30 min). If you are not lucky enough, your area won't have metro but you could take the bus and it'll take about an hour or a bit more to reach the center.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Bucharest?

I can't talk too much about this because although I live here as a student, I was born and raised here and I still live with my family. I know that are so many places where you can go out and enjoy yourself, but I can't say many things about the conditions provided in dorms.

How much does it cost to live in Bucharest?

If you want to live by yourself and not share the apartment with other students, you can find a flat from 200 € (bills not included). If you want to stay in a private dorm you will pay around 200-250 € (bills included). If you can't afford none of the above, you can try the university dorms, which may cost from 50 to 150 €. If you can make home cooked meals, you can survive with 100 e for groceries and things like that. If you will just eat out, you should start calculations because a meal can cost from 5 € but it can be quite pricey. The monthly card for buses, trolleybus and trams costs 12 € (one single ticket is 0, 30 €) and if you also want a monthly metro card it'll cost 15 € (one single ticket is 0, 55 €). If you want to go out, you should be prepared for an avarage cost of 2, 5 € for a soda and 6-7 € for a cocktail, depending on the place you go. This website may be helpful http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Romania&city=Bucharest because it shows you Bucharest's prices, and they are probably better estimated than mine. The prices on the website are in RON (our currency) and 1 € = 4, 5 RON.

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

Is not that difficult to find an accommodation in Bucharest because you can use websites like: http://www.imopedia.ro/bucuresti/inchirieri-apartamente.html , http://www.imobiliare.ro/inchirieri-apartamente/bucuresti or http://www.anuntul.ro/anunturi-imobiliare-inchirieri/garsoniere/. The websites are in romanian, but with the Google Chrome translator or any other automatic translator, you could easily understand everything.

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

You can find any type of food, from fast food (Turkish food has become very big in Bucharest) to traditional food. My favorite dishes are: sarmale with mamaliga, polenta or mamaligawith cheese, cream and butter.

What places would you recommend visiting in Bucharest?

Well, I should definitely start by recommending the Palace of Parliament which is the second biggest building in the world, after the Chinese Wall, also known as Ceausescu's Palace. You should also see:

The Romanian Athenaeum

The Stavropoleos Monastery

The Village Museum

The National Museum of Art of Romania

The Cantacuzino Palace

The Cismigiu Gardens

The Museum of Romanian Peasant

The Old Court Church

The Old Court

The Mihai Voda Church

The Romanian Savings Bank or CEC Building

The National Theater

The Central University Library

The Antim Monastery

The Calea Victoriei

Bucharest University

University Square

Union Square

Bucharest's School of Architecture

Domnita Balasa Church

Villacrose and Macca Passages

The Arcul de Triumf

New St. George's Church

Sala Palatului

The National Bank of Romania

There are many other places to visit, but these are the most important ones. As you could see, we have a lot of impressive churches which are worth the visit because we are an Orthodox nation.

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

I do not eat out too often, but you should definitely try City Grill restaurant that has good prices and good food and Caru' cu bere (the beer wagon) restaurant.

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

Yes, I think nightlife in Bucharest is well developed and you can go to elegant and good clubs such as: Bamboo, One, Princess, Bellagio or you can choose nice places in the old part of the city which is close to the Union Square; there you can find so many places, there is no point in naming just one, you just have to walk on the little historical streets and can get in wherever you like. Just go to Centrul Vechi (old center) and you will be delighted.

What advice would you give future students heading to Bucharest?

That's a tricky question, but I think they should all know that if you come to a university which is not a private one you will have to study, they expect a lot from us the students, but they are also good at teaching. Of course you will have time for yourself and for going out and having fun, but also keep in mind you'll have to spend time studying, don't expect classes in which you won't do anything and that won't require your attention and involvement. That being said, I think you won't regret it if you chose to come here. And boys, be prepared: girls in Romania are internationally known for their beauty! Also, the guys are beautiful and here people care a lot about their physical appearance and they take care of themselves.