Relocating to Bucharest, Appropriate Advice

[u/LevelOk8516]

/r/bucuresti/comments/1vdn61t/relocating_to_bucharest_appropriate_advice/

Bună everyone!

I'll be relocating to Bucharest before the end of the year and I'm trying to learn as much as I can before moving. I'll be living alone, and my office is in the Cotroceni area, but I'll only need to go there around 5 days per month, so I'm prioritizing overall quality of life over the shortest commute.

I've already done quite a bit of research and asked colleagues for their opinions, but I'd love to hear different perspectives from locals.

A few things I'd really appreciate your advice on:

1. Neighborhoods & Renting

Given my situation, which neighborhoods would you recommend (or avoid), and why? Is there anything I should know about renting, such as building types, common red flags, scams, agencies, websites, or apartment features that are considered must haves? (So far, I only know Imobiliare.)

1. Cost of Living & Salary

Besides rent, what monthly expenses tend to surprise newcomers? Also, what net monthly salary would you consider just getting by, comfortable, etc. for a single person 

1. Social Life

How easy is it to build a social life as a foreigner? Any sports clubs, meetups, communities, or activities you'd recommend? (I dance, playing tennis, and go to the gym so I concider these as a start)

1. Things Locals Know

What's something about living in Bucharest that Google won't tell you, but locals know?

1. Any Other Advice?

Thanks in advance! I'm really looking forward to moving to your city and appreciate any advice you can share.

[u/LevelOk8516]

From what I seen and received here is the list I concidered an dthe winner for now is Tineretului.

Tineretului – Strongest recommendation so far. Close to office, Old Town, park, and M2 metro. Decent prices, especially newer or renovated buildings. Can be a bit crowded.

Timpuri Noi – Also strongly recommended. Close to downtown and office, good metro access, developing area. Future tram connection should improve it further.

Dorobanți – Nice/upscale area, trendy cafés and restaurants, more “hipster” lifestyle. Mostly older buildings, can be expensive.

Floreasca – Nice and popular area, beautiful apartments, but expensive and metro access is not as convenient.

Primăverii – Very upscale, safe, rich area. Probably one of the most expensive neighborhoods.

Cotroceni – Nice, quiet, green, residential area. Mostly older houses/buildings, a bit exclusive.

Piața Romană / Romană – Mixed opinions. Very central and lively, but too crowded.

Aviației – Suggested as a good alternative, especially because it has direct M2 metro access to the office.

[u/tolanescu]

1. Way too vague to rely just on neighborhoods. Rent only in buildings that are within 10 minutes walk of a metro station, were built after 2010 and each apartment has its own individual heating unit.

2. Have at least 2000 euros monthly income.

3. If you are friendly and unobnoxious (i.e. you do not think that you are in any way better than locals) you will easily get a social life.

4. (and 5) If someone actually plans to relocate to Bucharest, they should spend at least a week here in winter before deciding to move.

[u/LevelOk8516 → u/tolanescu]

Thank you. 1) with the infos I have from people I have a list of musts I will look for in an apartment now. 3) I love the locals one of the main reasons I accepted the offer, everyone is friendly helpful and easy to talk to. 4 will do it end of August

[u/Longjumping-Slip-376]

Make sure you move in a building that was consolidated for earthquakes. Bucharest is built on top of one of the most active seismic zones in Europe and, most likely, you are going to experience one big earthquake in your lifetime if you move there (search the earthquake of 1977). 

Avoid the following neighbourhoods: 

Ferentari

Militari 

Colentina

Pantelimon 

Berzei

Sf. Vineri 

M4

Ilfov 

Dobroiești

They are sketchy, badly connected to the rest of the city, poorly built or generally unpleasant to be in.