Bucharest, Romania Report of what it's like to live there - 02/11/08
Personal Experiences from Bucharest, Romania
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This is our 5th tour overseas.
2. How long have you lived here?
One year.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
I am affiliated with the U.S. Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
About 9 hours direct from Bucharest to New York City on Delta.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
High density apartments buildings in the center city, soulless duplex, and 'pleasantville' arrangement in the suburbs.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Slightly more expensive then the U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local post service is ok. We use the pouch when necessary but very much miss APO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available at approximately US$300-$500 a month.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
There is a lot of internet and credit card fraud here. Reducing your use of ATMs is wise.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Not much.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Bucharest would be tough. There is no parking available in the city so everyone parks on the sidewalk. As a result there is no access.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
In rush hour you just sit in traffic. At other hours, you drive on the right.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes.
3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
The smallest thing you can find. Unless your work provides you a parking place, a big honkin SUV will drive you crazy in this city. The roads outside the city are all paved and unless you're going way up into the hills, you don't need anything too massive.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Readily available.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
They are readily available, but require a laundry list of documents (copy of your lease, passport, etc.).
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Skype.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
If you are European. With EU membership there are good opportunities for Europeans. For Americans it is pretty limited. EFM jobs at the Embassy are rare.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Formal.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate outside. Indoors with the cigarette smoke, it is awful.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Minimal.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is decent but not up to EU standards.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
A lovely spring and fall with a hot summer (115F in August 2007) and a grey, grey, grey depressing winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is a large American International School in the Baneasa suburb as well as a few other options. In the city, there are two English-speaking primary schools and one English speaking secondary school.s
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Preschools and daycare providers are both available but expensive and low quality compared to our other overseas experiences (Asia, Central America, South America).
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
2. Morale among expats:
Low. The folks we have met over the past year both inside and outside of the U.S. mission community speak openly about their dislike of Bucharest. The high (and rising) costs, gritty ugly city, traffic and cigarette smoke will wear you down.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
At home with the occasional expensive night out on the town.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Good for single males and that's about it. For families it is limiting, expensive, and incredibly boring.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes. In Bucharest you will find more tolerance towards diversity than in the rest of the country. Sexual orientation would not be an issue.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
In Bucharest it is not so bad. Racial slurs against minorities are common outside of the city though.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are a few decent parks and playgrounds, some ok restaurants, and two airports with access to great sites in the region. Bucharest is a dump, but the greater neighborhood is pretty nice. Turkey, Greece and even the coast of Bulgaria are all enjoyable getaways.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
9. Can you save money?
Not anymore.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No way. Bucharest and Romania, in general, have been the worst of our 5 posts. Knowing what we know now, we'd not come back or recommend it,.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Images of being in the green hills of Transylvania in a quiet peaceful place.
3. But don't forget your:
Willingness to drive 3 hours each way to get the heck out of Bucharest into the green hills of Transylvania in a quiet peaceful place.
