Experience in Budapest, Hungary by Szilvia

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

It depends. It is good to live here compared to West-European countries because it's cheaper and the weather is warm during the summer and also the winter is not extremely cold but sometimes it does snow. The city is full of beautiful buildings and sights to see, but I would not want to live here forever, unless I have a job with good salary. Many people speak English (but not all) so it's not difficult to get along if you won't know the language.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Budapest?

Students normally party a lot and there are a lot of after-school activities organized by the school/students.

How much does it cost to live in Budapest?

A flat cost approx. 300 euros, but it can be more or less too. A meal costs 5-10 euros depending on where and what you eat. Gyros is 2 euros e. g. public transportation monthly 34 euros.

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

Facebook always work. As far as I know it is not that difficult, but I never tried to search for them. Also if you come with Erasmus many schools offer a place at a dorm.

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

Hmm.... I don't really eat traditional food. I like layer potato with sausages, it is easy to prepare, or chicken with cream and cheese or some kind of pasta. But there are a lot of different restaurants for all taste, even in the main street or in shopping centres.

What places would you recommend visiting in Budapest?

Museums definitely there are two on Heroe's Square, also we have this Hop On-Hop Off bus that takes you to every important sight. You should visit Deák Ferenc Square in the summer cause many just sit around in the grass and Margaret Island, I would go to Szentendre also, it is in the suburbs but it is a beautiful city and it doesn't cost much to get there. I love the zoo too and the park called Városliget, it is near the zoo. Also I would visit the shopping malls.

Heroe's Square

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

I would go to "Octogon Bisztro", it is an all-you-can-eat place and there are many different cuisines, Hungarian too, and it is cheap, but if you go down the Grand Boulevard you will pop into many restaurants. But don't forget to visit small places like "Leves", "Bors" (small takeway places that were established by university students) and places where they make their own burgers - you can check a few out here.

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

The bars are always crowded, so yes, the nightlife is good. I used to go to "Morrison's", there you can dance and there are various types of music. Also "Füge", "Doboz", "Ötkert", "Dürer-kert", "Kraft", "Kolor" are famous but there are dozens of bars here.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Budapest?

Always watch out for yourselves. Bad looking people are normally not nice, so don't speak to them and don't have too much money on you. And taxi drivers may want you to pay too much for the ride! Also you need to have Hungarian forints, cause not every place take euros and you can't everywhere pay with card.