Experience in Budapest, Hungary by Kata

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

Im from Hungary, and I live in Budapest. I can recommend the city, cos its pretty good place to live. We have good night life, many bulidings, museums, (really good museums!), theatres, free theatres, good cultural programs, cool bars, underground places etcetc... i belive everybody can enjoy it!

What is the student lifestyle like in Budapest?

During the day we are in unis, then the students usually go out to take some drink in pubs in the city. its really general, u can see students in pubs always. I belive the most popular days to go out (party) its Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and one of the popular streets where u can find pretty cool party places are Kiraly street, Dob street, and Deák Ferenc tér... people usually just go to take some food during the day also, or just drink coffe eith friends.

I guess also basic to go to the theatres in the evenings, we have really cheap, modern, free theatres, I love them so much!

But u can find concerts, art cinemas, cinemas as well, acutally i belive pretty good to be student in Budapest. Cos that kind of programs are affordable, and u can enjoy them day after day.

How much does it cost to live in Budapest?

It depends. I live here, and usually the price for me can be expensive..

One euro = 300 Forint

For me Budapest can be expensive sometimes, we often choose free or 1-2 euros programs, which are good, but go out every day, for me its inpossible.

If u want to take food in restaurants, which is not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive place, the soups are 2-3 euros, the main dishes are 4- 10 euros, and desserts... I dont know the desserts prices :D i guess similar than the soups.

But we have a lot turkish pubs, fast food places, and u can choose menu as well, and these are more cheap, around 2-3 euros..

The shops are not so expensive, but not the cheapest here...

I know, the hungarian salary usually really not enough to live here, but for foreigners, I know many people, who said, Budapest is pretty cheap.

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

It depends also... if u know somebody, who know somebody, who know somebody...its easy... but i belive the problem not to find accomodation easily, the difficult thing is find a nice accomodation with good price.

If somebody interested to come Budapest, my advice is to find a hungarian people who knows the websites for hungarians, cos I know, people are publish their flats for foreigners for more money, than normally. and the "flats for erasmus students" kind of websites are really not show the normal price...

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

Hungary famous for unhealthy food... i mean we like the fat foods, and also like everything with /from meat.. we have not so much salads forexample unfortunately... we are famous for our salami, sausages as well, Gulyás soups, red paprika, wines etc...

One of my favourite soup is Gulyás soup, but im very easy in foods, my favourite food is potato with parsley :)))

What places would you recommend visiting in Budapest?

Ooh definitely visit the musems! Ludwig museums is the best if u want to visit modern art exhibition, but ERNST museum as well, and also Kunsthalle... but for sure go to Museum of fine arts, art Gallery in the castle... etcetc...

We have many place to visit, but go to the Castle, yes, and walk in Andrassy street in the end of this big, famous, and old street u can find Hero Square, Széchenyi Bath, Zoo...

Also people likes the baths here, visit them!

We have Pest and Buda side, between brideges, and everywhere u can find place to see...

If u want to go out in the evening u should visit Szipla bar and Instant, if u want to climb a little bit, I mean... walk... go to Gellért montain or Normafa...

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

Yes. u can find good place to eat everywhere. but my favourite places is in Madach tér.. like Keksz, Castro Bistro for example... they have pretty good foods for good price.

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

The nightlife just amazing! my favourive places are Kolor, Lámpás, Telep, Keksz, Hivatal, Hitel, Szipla as well, but not every day... also like Instant sometimes, but in Szimpla or Instant ll be hard to find hungarians :D :D cos now they are really tourist places... but good tourist places! :))

What advice would you give future students heading to Budapest?

Make contact with hungarians in the first period if u need help, (and then of course also :D ) cos u can live here less money if u know where u can find flats, restaurants, and many times, the hostels or sightseeing tours ask more money to visit something, and then u ll rekognice that u can go there for free.. or less money... just this.

And enjoy the city! :))