Experience in Kaunas, Lithuania by Mia

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

Architecture and landscape 4 stars. There is much nature also in the city. There are big variety of architetural history, in city and residental areas like "Alexsotas" area where botanical garden also is. It is missing one star because there are lots of neglected houses and historical buildings around. But the new mayor is changing that these next two years.

Culture, Customs and Gastronomy only three stars, because i see a mixed country who never really found it's own style because of all the occupations. There are traditional food, but not my liking most of it, lots of fat and olie. Else the food in city are international touch like pizza, pasta, chinese. One place "Bella Italia, pas Romanos" is good traditional Italian, and "Jourdas" Makes delicious chinese/Japanese food.

Entertainment and Party has many ways of diplaying. Like punk/rock bar Dzam pub, Irish pubs, House music pubs, Strip club, Erotic dancing disco club, Museums, Art galleria, Ruins, Gokart, sky diving etc.

Transport with buss and trains are cheap compared to Denmark, and goes like clockwork. Prices on transport and eating out is cheap compared to Denmark. fx. A'la carte lunch menu at "Jourdas" cost 5 Euro. There is Rice, Meat, Sauce, Cola and salat incl. and it is GOOOOODDDD. It is located next to "Ortopedijos Technicas" (Dental teknical klinik - good prices too compared to Denmark)and "Grozio surgary AKA Danish "Luxus-kirurgi" (Also cheaper and good service)

Weather is real Winter and Real summer so far year 2015-2017. We have down to -24 in winter around new years usually. but else most common is between -6 to -12 from December to March.

In Summer 2016 we had +35 degress, mixed with some weeks with rain. most commen was 25-35 degrees. And at 28 April 2016, we had 18 degees at 10Am already.

People are usually freindly towards turists, also in Taxi it is way cheaper then in Denmark. about 0. 50 Euro pr. km. in Deytime, and a little more during night hours.

The city is vibrant with people in Laivas Aleja, and in Old town usually as well in the evenings all week.

There are lots of arrangements in "Zalgrio Arena". Concerts, sport games, chairity arrangement etc. The arena is located by city center as well, on it's own island with a park next to it.

Beautiful rivers surround Kaunas, and places with small beach sites is also located close to city center.

We also have a big area called "Urmas / Urmo" where there a bazar shop from clothing to food and annouced brands in the bazar prices as well.

I didn't expect so much attraction power when i went to Kaunas, i expected more sovijet union post trauma city, but it is growing, expanding, vibrant, international and modern from my point of view. More then expected. I recommend it both for studiyng abroad, and for traveling to relax, party, shopping or spa.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Kaunas?

Most student from Abroad party, eat, drink, study and sleep.

I also party more here then i usually do in Denmark. Because meeting new people, and a lot different once from different countries as well, inspires to be more social.

Else i study, work voluntary at a non-governmental children house "Namu zidinys.com", i am going at my school internship at "NJU institution" with diabled adults, and i go out with my new familiars, freinds and live here like it was my family. I live at the children house at the moment, where i work voluntary, and they have been so warm hearted that i decided to move here the rest of my studies. So now i have lvied in Kaunas for 14 Month, and i am pleased with my life here, the people and the weather :)

Lots of caffe's, bar, restaurents, shops that i still havent visited. And i still want to see the rest of the country too; )

How much does it cost to live in Kaunas?

At the website Aruodas.lt you can find apartments etc. for renting. Downtown center you can get about 50 squaremetres apartment, full furnished for about 300-400 Euro, utilities like water and heat is additional 60-90euro a month Summer/Winter. The building will be from around the last 50 years then and there are some gourgeus ones with ballcony also or small garden areas or awedsome views.

If you dont mind sharing apartment, and just want to save money. There are also students who rent our a room fx. or smaller apartments for around 100-200 Euro for 20-40 squaremetres. Then you shared kitchen, bathroom etc. Some times utilities are inclusive in there prices. Look at:

Erasmusu.com for student accommodations.

Prices on groceries is more international prices and almost the same compared to Danish prices. Except sugar product like Coca Cola or booz. fx. oranges cost around 2-2. 5 Euro for 1 kg.

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

Be a part of Erasmus community on their website Erasmusu.com'

Or maybe talk to student you know already is there, or just was there, so they can help you. They have a network and maybe connections that can help.

Also the website Internations.org could give some help to start up a network and maybe get help to find accomodations.

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

mmm.. They have a traditional pink/red soup - i don't like it but some other student loved it. They also make zeppeliners which is deep friess mashed potato balls with stuffing. They come with different studding but traditional mostly pigs meet. They are alright.

Personally i am not a big fan of fatty oily food, like deepfried to much. But it can work.

They eat every day for lunch warm food. First a soup and the potatoes/rice/makaroni and meat.

I have been trilled with that arrangement, though it is unusual for a danish person. But i like the many different vegetable soups and warm food for lunch.

At dinner they also eat warm food, but more simple dishes. Like letfovers, baked bread with cheese and salami etc.

What places would you recommend visiting in Kaunas?

The castle ruins, botanical garden.

Laivas aleja, oldtown has a lot of hisotry in the restaurents as well, like basements with architectural features from down history.

Visit museums and cathedral or churches also gives good history or the monastery.

Walk around city or residental areas as well, if what i like to do a lot.

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

"Juodas" for chinese, adress: Savanorių pr. 288, next to "ortopedijos technicas and macdonals.

"Bella Italia Pas Romano Paolo" at S. Daukanto g. 14 near Laives Aleja. Best place for italian dishes.

"Bernelių užeiga Senamiestyje" adress: M. Valančiaus g. 9. Is a small reataurent that povides variaty of lithuania style food.

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

Is you are into oldstyle music mixed punk, rock or karaoke go to:

"Džem'pub" at Adresas: 5th floor, Laisvės al. 59.

Irish pub are two but one is located next to Dzem'pub and also one in Old town. Music style is mixed old more pop music.

rePUBlic No. 1, Adresas: Laisvės al. 57

rePUBlic No. 2, Adresas: Vilniaus g. 13

You like house music go here - they also have a smaller room with pop music. in total they have three different music/dancing rooms:

DEJAVU PARTY BAR, Adresas: Rotušės a. 2

Also there are this place:

MOJO Lounge Kaunas, Adresas: V. Putvinskio g. 50

I havent been there yet, but on pictures and their website it looks like they have more arrangement with like "open mind" to sexuality and cage dancing. For those who wish to try different dancing clubs.

What advice would you give future students heading to Kaunas?

Make sure if you come in winter to have WARM clothes. And ready for fun in the snow :P

Are you here in summer have umbrella ready and sunblock!

Shoes to match fun and work.

Nature and indoor environment.

Take pictures cause you will enjoy yourself, with the new people you will learn to know and thing to see and visit.

Be patient with the native public, because their time messasure is somewhat like in france or spain.. they say 10 minutes and it becoems 20 minutes or maybe more.. on restaurant, clinics and with sociall arrangements or meetings.;)

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