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Is it safe to live in Hungary for Arabs origin?

Last activity 17 May 2014 by GuestPoster109

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GuestPoster109

I'm a French citizen of North African origin (Algeria) and live / work in UK for the last 20 years. I'm soon reaching my retirement age and wish to move to Hungary to live with my Hungarian wife because we presumed cost for foods, properties etc...could be cheaper than moving to France, Spain or Portugal. I did visit Hungary several times during the last few years on holidays and do like the country, history, culture etc...but to live it would be different and I wonder if this is the right option. My only concern is the rise of far-right and radicals in East Europe along with discrimination and racism against minorities such as Gypsies, Jews, etc....and due to my light dark skin and Arab origin I have the fear of being discriminated and this will spoil all my life.

I would appreciate anyone from minorities or foreigner who has lived in Hungary to address his comment and experience with many thanks in advance.

fluffy2560

I don't know about ethnic origins but it's not cheaper here than the UK for living expenses.  Housing is cheap but everything else is the same price as in the UK or even more expensive. If you own property in the UK, then do not sell it to move here. Retain a foot in the property market in the UK. If you continue to own your own house in the UK, then rent it out. The income may actually cover your entire living expenses.  I know of expats in other countries (not Hungary) who live entirely on the rental income from their UK property to pay for their monthly living expenses in cheaper locations. Worth a thought.

fidobsa

I would not agree that it is only housing that is cheaper in Hungary. Vehicle insurance and tax is a lot cheaper here, particularly if you can manage without a vignette. My 200cc motorcycle costs me about £12 per year to insure. Labour costs for most things are cheaper here, although materials might be dearer. I had a concrete floor put down in my barn and employed 2 men to do the work for a total of £30 per day. There is no TV licence to pay for. For me the main cost I find to be much higher overall in Hungary is food and I probably spend about twice as much as I would in UK. Having said that, certain items like white bread, milk, ham, pate and some other processed meat products are cheaper here.
Obviously alcoholic drinks and tobacco are much cheaper in Hungary and eating out is much cheaper.

fluffy2560

Certainly some things are cheaper here, labour is obviously cheaper but I think the car insurance is more expensive here - hard to get the same cover, like comprehensive.  Everything is an extra. Car registration tax is much higher, so this clobbers you even more. Overall, I'd the cost of ownership for cars etc is higher than the UK.  House insurance is considerably cheaper.  Food I'd say is the same price overall but with less choice.

GuestPoster109

All things are relative, but Hungary is no longer as cheap a country to live in as it was a decade ago.

And if you are retiring, one should consider other issues than just cost of living. For example, health care -- Hungary is not currently, in my opinion, the best country in Europe to be in if you get sick.

anns

I have not had any problems relating to racism . However Budapest is much more multi cultural than the countryside. I have noticed that the cost of food and household items is creeping up in Hungary. However property prices are very  very low alongside the costs for public transport, and other monthly household bills.
My occupational pension, not considered to be high in the UK,  is generous compared to what an average hungarian family earn and I can afford to socialise and travel more than in the UK but then I lived in Dorset which is an expensive conservative area. And accomodation costs in Dorset are very high.
So go for it or just try before you decide to settle.
Regards Anns

GuestPoster109

Many thanks Anns and much appreciated. True we live in Bournemouth (Dorset) and cost of living is too high. Kind regards.

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