Experience in Craiova, Romania by Iuliana

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

Craiova is one of Romania's biggest cities. Situated in the south of the country in the most extended plain, the Romanian Plain, it has a really warm climate and due to this fact here you'll find a great diversity of fruits, vegetables and cereals.

The city is a quiet one, you can enjoy long relaxing walks in in the second largest park in Europe, the Romanescu Park. I recommend this city to those that want to start an independent life and are scared to move in a really noisy and agitated city.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Craiova?

There are a lot of pubs and clubs where the students from Craiova spend their evenings, nights and money. The pubs are usually divided according age, for instance there's this pub for High school teenagers where underground bands have concerts, or another one that targets people over their 30s. So if you want to have fun for sure you'll find a place to do it, of course if you have the right company too.

How much does it cost to live in Craiova?

Considering the fact that there are supermarkets like Real, Kaufland, Lidl, Profi, Carrefour and the local brand Succes and a en-gros et en-detail market and also 3 vegetable markets I can say that if you look carefully you'll find the most conveyable prices. For example a bread can cost from 0, 50 Euro up to 10. And also Craiova is full with cheap clothing shops.

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

It is difficult if you are looking for only one month of accommodation and after the university courses begin, because students have already rented.

I recommend you take the newspaper and look there, avoid the agency because they ask 50% commission and if you are from abroad have someone to translate for you.

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

The food is great of course, I mean I grew up with it. I recommend you try the traditional dishes especially if you arrive between December and march. I like this dish called "ghiveci" which is a mixture of rice with green bean pods, potatoes, Turkish pumpkin and tomatoes, it's brilliant! And we also have a lot of pastry and sweet dishes. All of them are worth trying!

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What places would you recommend visiting in Craiova?

I recommend visiting Romanescu Park, the museums, the Botanical Garden, the central square and all the pubs (this is recommended only during night).

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

"Carul cu stele" is a restaurant where you can serve traditional dishes, "Big Ben", "Flora", "Casa cu tei", "People's". My favourite is "Big Ben".

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

Like I said you can have great time if you also have the right company. I must admit that people from Craiova are not that active at night and the ones that keep the city alive during the night are the students (oh, wait isn't that normal? ).

What advice would you give future students heading to Craiova?

Enjoy the landscapes you'll see, enjoy the people you'll meet, be opened to try anything new and if there is something that you wanted to do for a lifetime now is the chance (your parents will never find out! ), be brave!

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