What to expect when moving to Latvia

Hello everyone,

Is there anything you wish you had known before moving to Latvia? For example, transportation, internet speeds, types of housing, aspects of the culture or social life.

In your opinion, what's the most important thing to know about Latvia?

When would you recommend someone should begin planning their move to Latvia?

What were the most helpful ways you found to get organised? For example, did you use a checklist, were there any particularly useful websites or apps?

What advice would you give to future expats preparing to move to Latvia?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Priscilla

Explore all other options before choosing Latvia .  Only come if your certain that you understand how things work .
Don't expect please and thankyou .  Doors will be let go in front of you .........your responsibility , people will push by you instead of saying excuse me .  Expect dogs being carried in food shops as they belive that EU hygene laws don't apply to them nor the signs on the doors . Shop security simply turn a blind eye as they dont want confrontation.       Shop assistants will simply walk in front of you and stack shelves even if your looking at something .
They hate confrontation and will simply smile if they are embaressed and never admit they are wrong .
Neighbours don't often talk to each other .
Lots drive using a mobile phone the police don't seem to care .  Unless you know someone don't expect a smile .
It is not getting the right information , it is knowing which questions to ask .
Its no good being soft and weak here , you have to help yourself and be pushy otherwise your wasting your time .  It seems often in Latvia , Latvians think its rude to say no , so they say they will ring you .....their way of telling you no ?????......quite mad .

Do not expect things or people to be on time , don't expect exactly what you are told .  Always agree a fare with the taxi before you get into it .  And also you will be told anything sometimes just to get you off their work load .    Do not expect logic or common sense , just rules when it suits them ?

The food is questionable , buscuits awful , customer service often debatable .  And if you make a mistake they will make it hard to give you a refund even if EU rules say they musy in this case stand firm and quote EU rules insist to see the manager , they hid and don't like being disturbed by customers . .   The alcohol is cheap , buses and trains run on time but the trains are slow .

And if your still thinking of coming here , good luck you will need it as you must be as mad as they are !!

Do not think I am joking this is a tiny fraction of the experience living here and I am streetwise from London .