Panni36

Thank you! numbeo.com is one of the sources I use. The problem is that they give a sum of what is needed over and above rent, but when I add-up the expenses according to their list that breaks them down, I come up with a totally different number. ... Read More

Thanks! I don't drink, so wine prices will not effect me : ) Read More

Thank you. The Youtube videos were very helpful! When are you moving to Hungary? Read More

In Memoriam Babs Bush has passed away, I hear And some (not Marilyn) shed a tear As Governor of Texas killed more innocents than often billed His wife behind him as support Has answers to God to report Rest in Peace, Barbara, if you can One less ... Read More

To Marilyn Tassy: "So off topic, should follow up on absolutely anything else. Just not sure how to move this over there." That was some story about your son... Yes, I do have children - two daughters, ages 44 and 42. They have their ... Read More

Oh, that's odd... I just did a new post on my page addressed to you... Would you mind trying it from there? Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Read More

OMG!!!! Thank you so much!!! Any chance you could scroll down and find my black&white David Bowie with purple background and do the same? It is a large canvas leaned on a bench... Thanks! Read More

Excellent! (I guess, you found me...) Hmmm.... Just tried it; it does not work for me. Maybe because I am on a laptop and don't use a mouse. Will buy a mouse and try later... Thanks for the tip! Actually; could I ask you a favor? ... Read More

How do you know that?!Above "Add picture" button, in my browser (on a PC not a tablet or using an app), it says "Discover and share your pictures of Hungary." ;)On my computer when I clicked on " + Add pictures " a ... Read More

The pictures need to be about something in Hungary. ;)How do you know that? They should say that when one is trying to upload the photos... I spent time on titling and explaining each (six in all) just to be rejected... Bummer! Read More

I like Szentendre, BECAUSE it seems like quiet place... I lived in New York City for over 26 years and loved it at the time. Dallas, Los Angeles area not so much... Also traveled to 31 countries and lived in five. Have seen over 250 cities... ... Read More

Thanks! I did that. My photos - just my paintings that I wanted to show to some friends on this site - were NOT approved... Have no idea why. They are images of acrylic paintings of David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe, couple of landscapes, and a ... Read More

Hmm... Did not think of that. Why would that be? I used to use the commercial service for a while in the U.S. and it was fine. Who would have thought that "laundry" would be a HUGE consideration in moving my life to a new world...? ... Read More

Almost everything I wear is black... I like dark color bed sheets, but ONLY baige and cream towels. The few things that are not dark and delicate, I wash by hand. So, it is only the towels that need to be washed separately and I can do just one ... Read More

What Marilyn said: Medical tourism is for the easy, come and go, cases and all private, usually cash payment, patients. And for people who want to save money. Does not necessarily mean all the care is "world class". But it is cheaper. I ... Read More

What Marilyn said: Medical tourism is for the easy, come and go, cases and all private, usually cash payment, patients. And for people who want to save money. Does not necessarily mean all the care is "world class". But it is cheaper. I ... Read More

What horrible story about the movie! Poor lady! It seems like your husband also has tachycardia. Does he have just fast heart rate or is it also irregular? "Supraventricular tachycardia - (SVT) is usually heart rate over 100 for no ... Read More

Where did you read this? I know the government is spreading this claim. But the system is underfunded. Staff is underpaid. There is a brain drain of staff. There has been cutbacks in services. Our local hospital was closed, for example.OMG - ... Read More

That bad? Really? When I looked on the Internet, Hungarian healthcare is described as one of the best in Europe... Like I said - it only happens on occasion, and with meds it has been under control all my life... Just should not do anything ... Read More

How so? 2,000 Ft is only $8 - that would average out to $35 per month.... Of course, the convenience of doing laundry at home is more appealing, but with all the issues of venting, electricity capacity and charges, I will have to evaluate what ... Read More

Now you're scaring me! I am very healthy as a rule but have had supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) most of my life, so I like to live near hospitals. ("irregularly irregular rhythm" both in its atrial and ventricular ... Read More

I understand the sentiment... I have lived in Australia for almost two years and spent three months in Fiji. Had washer and dryer most of the time, but only a washer since December in the spacious 200 sq meter (2,100 SqFt) house I share just ... Read More

I guess; I will find a place close to Bubbles (just in case); rent an apartment with a good washer; see about installing a dryer, and see how it goes. Thank you so much for the information! Read More

500 is too slow. Our 12 year old LG 5 KG washer spin cycle goes up to 1000. And at that speed things are easy to hang dry. And If I remember correctly, it was only about 80,000 HUF at the time. Not expensive (IMHO).That's not too bad, however, ... Read More

Now that you described the realities of doing laundry in Budapest, I think I will probably opt for Bubbles... I guess, I will need to rent a place that is close to one. I could not possibly live with wet clothing hanged everywhere... I grew-up ... Read More

Thank you, Marilyn! This is very helpful! The only real information that is dependable is from real people with real experiences. I looked up information on the Internet, but this is NOT the story that the Hungarians advertise... Read More

Thanks Marilyn! I have been looking at rentals. I do not need a large space, 45-60 sq meters is fine, but I want nearly new, or fully renovated as I am a neatfreak and don't like things falling apart. Don't need to be in the center of ... Read More

Thank you for your comments! Oh, boy... This is getting worse by the minute! They actually have washers that don't spin the water out of clothes? So, even if I rent a place that has a washer in it might not spin the clothes nearly dry as ... Read More

I guess, I will appear to be insanely spoiled by saying this, but OMG!!! (Oh, My God) After 40 plus years of instant dry clothes and no fuss, now I will have to hang things all over the room and wait for them to dry... In the U.S. that would be ... Read More

If you don't have a garden or a balcony, do you keep this in your apartment? How odd is that??? Is there no common place in apartment buildings where people can hang their laundry out? It will take some getting used to after 40 plus years of ... Read More

If you don't have a garden or a balcony, do you keep this in your apartment? How odd is that??? Is there no common place in apartment buildings where people can hang their laundry out? It will take some getting used to after 40 plus years of ... Read More

Thank you! That helps to clarify. I guess then the HUF 24,000 per month was realistic after all. I just hope that it is not much more than that (?) Read More

Oh, good! I inquired online with an insurer and they quoted 24,000 HUF per month, but that was for health insurance during travel for non-citizens... That is fantastic - 7,300 HUF translates to USD 28 per month. I paid USD 950 per month back ... Read More

This was the best!!!! I registered by adding in my old address from 45 years ago in Budapest. I selected everything I could possibly need in one month, then some, plus household items, and beauty supplies that will last me several months and all ... Read More

Thank you! Checked it out - very helpful!!! Read More

That's excellent, thank you! I like many fine things - salmon fillets; French cheeses, balsamic vinegar, etc., so if I figure 38,000 Ft per month on groceries, I suppose I should be fine food wise; righ? Read More

Thank you for your comments! The French villa is really not that bad if that is your taste. It is not mine, but it seems to have some nice features. It is also located what seems to be a good area according to your previous note. I could see ... Read More

====================== "Suffocating American humidity"? Where might that be? I lived in New York, Florida, Texas, and California; had summer home in Vermont, and visited often in neighboring states of those, but never found it as ... Read More

Thank you all for the responses! They are all good points. I sent out my resume (full of heavy experiences in finance, business, marketing, securities law, and commercial real estate finance and development) . I owned my own company and managed ... Read More

You may already know this, but just in case: The moment you earn income in Hungary in a job, you are in the Hungarian tax system, and your entire world wide income, including retirement from the USA, must be reported to the Hungarian tax office. ... Read More

================= I am the "other person" and you are welcome to post there if you don't get responses here, although you will find that people are very helpful... I can tell you, that even when I lived there - 40 plus years ago, ... Read More

============== I have been looking into expenses, and it seems to me that if you can afford to pay 375,000 for an apartment, you should get a very nice two bedroom in a good area... Where do you live now? What are your standards? For many, ... Read More

================== That's the worst part for me... Sitting in a chair is giving me the creeps; feel like a prisoner! I am missing that chip too - I think all that "pampering" in salons; the hair, nails, and especially massages are ... Read More

--------------- Hilarious!!! I meant my hot button.... LOL Read More

====================== Great idea; I will check it out! Thanks! Read More

=================== Thanks Marilyn! I do my own hair; have been doing it for over 30 years... Even when I could well afford the best hairdressers, I was never happy and used to run into a drug store and get a color (sometimes multiple colors if I ... Read More

================= I am the "other person" and you are welcome to post there if you don't get responses here, although you will find that people are very helpful... I can tell you, that even when I lived there - 40 plus years ago, ... Read More

==================== Did not think of that! Thank you! From what I gather, it is about HUF 15,000 per month. Is that correct? Read More

===================== Thank you! I figured HUF 30,000 for restaurants, but thought 40,000 would do for groceries... The 110,000 in utilities plus (Total of HUF 215) are just expenses over and above rent, which I budgeted for about HUF 160,000 ... Read More

===================== Thank you Marilyn! Yes, I like to paint, and intend to also work on my two books. I also enjoy reading, and get lost researching stuff on my computer. Basically I am a nerd and a big loaner, who is most comfortable being ... Read More

My wife and I spend less a month on food and household needs (toothpaste et al.) combined. And we do not consider we live "thin". Which just shows that different people will have different levels of expenses. And, thus, unless we know ... Read More

If this means the 110000 includes rent, then you underestimate it. Or more precisely, it depends on where would you like to live in the city. 70-80000 is enough for a flat which is not in a very good shape in the city centre, or for something very ... Read More

Hi All, I am preparing a budget to live in Budapest... According to what I could find online, the monthly food encompassing shopping at the market/cooking and once a week mid-priced restaurant for one person would come to approximately HUF ... Read More

=============== I am an American citizen and have been in 30 countries and lived in five. I have not lived in Hungary for 40 plus years, since I left at age 17, but I can tell you that if you are too slow and provide inadequate service in the U.S., ... Read More

-------------------- If I may chime-in... For the weather, I would recommend Australia. I visited over 30 countries and have lived in five, but never have I ever experience what I would call as close to perfect weather as possible as in the ... Read More

This is the only response I'm willing write to all this nonsense you guys threw at me.There really is not much else to say; is there? May I suggest that instead of sulking, read the links I sent (I would bet that you did not read them, ... Read More

You're not the first person to say that. Hard to say if it's trolling or plain ignorance or influence of propaganda by certain politicians/parties. There is an amazing amount of selective thinking here and a lot of people suffering from ... Read More

Oh, my... This reminds me when I was a kid in Budapest... Patients had to "tip" doctors to get good service. Those who had no money, would bring gifts. There was always someone in the waiting room with some pastry or something. When I ... Read More

Totally agree. Excellent posting! I'm afraid some of our friends here need to check their history.Frankly, the ignorance is astounding! I am surprised that "our friend" did not point out my typo of "steeling" instead of ... Read More

So, one of the largest jewish population in Europe is the result of systematic, government sanctioned, hate?============================================== Dear Rawlee, Hungarian Anti-Semitism is well documented not only during WWII, but up to ... Read More

I am assuming that when speaking about "Freedom of Speech" you are talking about the Constitution of the United States of America... According to that document, you cannot use symbols to incite violence. You can display them in your ... Read More

Where in the U.S. did you have bad experiences regarding Asians? I lived in New York City, Florida, Texas, and California and have never seen people having problems with Asians. Then again, I've never been friendly with people who ... Read More

Where in the U.S. did you have bad experiences regarding Asians? I lived in New York City, Florida, Texas, and California and have never seen people having problems with Asians. Then again, I've never been friendly with people who ... Read More

Hungarians are terribly prejudiced against anything that is not exactly like them, but I guess they appreciate the industrious and smart Asians... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jobbik I am a Conservative, and believe in restricting immigration ... Read More

As strange as it sounds, I watched a scientific program on TV about water changing its consistency when it is affected by voices. It was fascinating.... Read More

Hi Randy, I immigrated to the U.S. in 1974, when I was 18. I did not give-up my citizenship, but do not have my Hungarian birth certificate. I was 17 when I left Hungary, escaped to Italy through Yugoslavia pretending to be a tourist with just a ... Read More

Sounds like it... Strangely, it sounds like that they verified that you were born in Hungary, but you still need to register for a birth certificate. I think! Strange... I am just gearing-up to do the same. Was told that it can take "up ... Read More

Hello, My name is Livia. I actually joined the expat.com a few months back, but never really introduced myself to the community. I am a Hungarian born American citizen planning to return to Budapest in about six months to semi-retire. I left ... Read More

Great! I appreciate the input anyway! Here is the link to my Facebook page... I discovered that there are quite a few Livia Baloghs on the site... facebook.com/livia.balogh.5855 Read More

Thank you for the suggestion Marilyn! Great story about your housemate. I have had similar success in the past (arrived in U.S. without speaking the language and without even a high school diploma yet ended-up building a couple of businesses; ... Read More

Thank you for the information! I paint very large canvases, so everything I do makes quite a statement. There does not seem to be a way to attach any photos here, but if you are on Facebook, you can find me there under Livia Balogh and look at my ... Read More

Like I said, I am 63... Regardless of my experiences, getting a job would require competing with the younger generation, and it is extremely difficult in the U.S., which is highly competitive. In addition, if I did get a job, even part-time, my ... Read More

I am in a similar situation, but older; 63 and retired... I was born in Hungary and lived there until 18, so I am initiating the same process as you for the citizenship. Will be moving in about a year. I learned enough by now to know, that with ... Read More

I am just starting the process of getting my Hungarian citizenship "reinstated".... Was born there and immigrated to the U.S. when I was 18. Now retired, I decided to move back. My U.S. monthly government pension (Social Security ... Read More

I have been in Fiji for six weeks, working on a work visa. Also might gain residency by investing $50,000 in a business. I do not know who you've been talking to, but I've noticed, that people are very polite and deem it rude to be ... Read More

Hello, I see that you posted three years ago... Not sure if you will see this message, but wanted to ask you about working in Fiji. I looked online on government site and it did not say anything about 3-year wait... I am going there next month, ... Read More

I am going to Fiji next month and want to explore residency there. How long a process is that? On the website, it says that if you can prove sufficient income, then it is not a problem. What is required? I have $1,370 USD per month in pension ... Read More