Socialising

So I've lived in Budapest for a while but would love to find new people to socialise with.
I'm 28. I enjoy cultural events and the odd drink. I'm from the UK.

I've tried all/most of the meet up groups and found that it was literally the same people going to them or just 50 year old men looking for wives...

St151 wrote:

.....or just 50 year old men looking for wives...


What's wrong with 50 year old (and older) men?

Seriously, you have the same problem as many others but you can always find some locals to hang around with surely?

I'm looking to socialise with people who are the same age as myself and not my dad :)

Locals aren't interested either it seems

St151 wrote:

I'm looking to socialise with people who are the same age as myself and not my dad :)

Locals aren't interested either it seems


Fair enough.   

Have you tried the Zimpla Kert Pub?  Apparently 80% of the clientele are foreigners and probably younger than 50 (who would be at home with their cocoa and slippers).

Szimpla is just tourists  unfortunately. I wanted to connect with a younger crowd who lived here. Thanks for your comments though :) and there's nothing wrong with a good cup of cocoa

St151 wrote:

Szimpla is just tourists  unfortunately. I wanted to connect with a younger crowd who lived here. Thanks for your comments though :) and there's nothing wrong with a good cup of cocoa


Sorry about that. 

BTW, I think quite a few people in these forums are over 50 (including me). And just for the record I don't like cocoa and I don't have any slippers to confess to (ok, it's a fair cop,  I admit I took some from a hotel - they were free really).  I also don't have a  cardigan, pipe, golden retriever, nor do I sit in front of a log fire. But I'm a non-conformist in many ways ;)

You might find some success on Tinder (if that's not some kind of insult).  A few of my younger relatives have used it very successfully but they aren't in Hungary.

So true , not all of us "old farts" act or look our ages.
I think the reason allot of younger women try and I mean try to push me off the curb when walking the city sts. Is because they may think I am younger then my nearly 63 years or they are just plain old evil.
They don't expect a "Old hag" their grannies age to be wearing the same outfit they would wear.
Sorry, not going down without a fight!

Have you tried looking on Facebook for people who share your interests in Bp?
IMP (International Meeting Point) has many events, and Internations holds events as well with a diverse expat crowd.
As we are heading into a season where people are less motivated to be outdoors, you'll really need to do a little work to find a social life, as opposed to summer where many young people are out and about and happy to have conversations.
And I think Tinder also works :-)

The weather is still good enough to go to Margret Island and take a run or bike ride, you may "run" into some other people your age out there.
Walked yesterday to the city park, lots of people checking out the ice rink on opening day.
Not sure exactly what you want from a "social" life, I expect at your age and if your single, that means meeting a mate and not really just meeting interesting new people.
You could take up a hobby, a art or exercise class and perhaps meet someone there. People can swim indoors all year long as well.
Bars overall may be fun but then again not everyone is a fun or friendly drinker.
If your working, try to get invited to a party, never knew who is a friend of a friend.
My husband and I met at a house party that neither of us wanted to attend. We both were "dragged" there by friends.
Also don't turn your nose up at making friends with some older people, I was in my early 30's when my neighbor a then women in her late 70's became a friend.
I learned allot from her and it was fun to hear her tales of old Cal. Hard to believe she used to go clubbing in the 1930's, just interesting tales.
She also had grandchildren, so many a older friend could introduce you to one of their younger relations.
You have to be open to let people into your world.

fluffy2560 wrote:

I don't have any slippers.... I also don't have a  cardigan, pipe, golden retriever, nor do I sit in front of a log fire.


Stop it. You are scaring me.

Because I do have all those but the pipe. I prefer cigars.....

Local folk dancing clubs are a great way to socialize and learn a little local culture.

klsallee wrote:
fluffy2560 wrote:

I don't have any slippers.... I also don't have a  cardigan, pipe, golden retriever, nor do I sit in front of a log fire.


Stop it. You are scaring me.

Because I do have all those but the pipe. I prefer cigars.....


I said that because I am in denial. 

We're thinking of getting a golden retriever (pressure from kids) and I do actually have a cardigan of a modern design (it doesn't have pockets but has a zip at the front).  I haven't bought a cravat yet.  The end is near when I acquire a bow tie and a comfy chair (for the fire).  I'll be leaving out the pipe for sure (as ex-smoker, 20+ years ago so far I haven't fallen off the wagon).

Don't forget the eyeglass holder hanging around your necks so that those trusty readers are always available.

Really though, people shouldn't discount any connection they may get through a older person.
My son met his HU wife through a senior citizen  retired fireman from AZ who didn't speak a word of Hungarian.
Not sure looking back if that was a good thing as she turned out to be a living nightmare...
This old guy lived in the same house we had rented a short term flat in , down in the 5th district.
I noticed he was wearing a T-shirt from AZ and my husband and I struck up a conversation with him.
A friend of his massage therapist had a daughter who was single so our kids hooked up and married.
Never know who know who or where it can lead.
I know in traditional cultures it is often the older women who know all about who is from a decent family, who is trouble etc.
If only we had listened to my 80 year old MIL who knew instantly that my future DIL was trouble just by meeting her one time.She saw trouble written all over her.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Don't forget the eyeglass holder hanging around your necks so that those trusty readers are always available.


oh dear!  I've already got one of those. In fact I have more than one in case I forget where I put the first one. 

Don't get me started on going into a room and wondering why one is actually there. 

Mrs Fluffy (who is younger) says it's lack of attention but I was smiling yesterday that she told me she couldn't find part of the vacuum cleaner which she had in her hand only minutes before.   Kettle, pot and black and welcome to the 50+ club.

OP wanted to find someone her own age.  I think we're proving we're not.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....who knew instantly that my future DIL was trouble just by meeting her one time.She saw trouble written all over her.


Sounds like my brother's comments ("it'll never last") on my ex-wife and that was at the wedding!

You are both proving my point beautifully. I want to meet people MY age.

Have tried all meet up groups. Found it's old men looking for wives, especially internations and English meet ups.

I'm really trying but feel like it's time to give up and move to Berlin where there is obviously a much younger crowd. I don't think anyone below the age of 40 has even commented here..


Slowly but surely giving up.

Nothing was mentioned about meeting a mate,

I want to meet friends.

Insinuating I'm not open is really rude.

I simply posted here to see if there were young people here. It's my prerogative who I want to socialise with. I already have older friends so looking for younger ones my age. And no not a "mate" - the fact I mentioned socialing doesn't mean I was asking for somewhere to meet a boyfriend.

St151 wrote:

Insinuating I'm not open is really rude.

I simply posted here to see if there were young people here. It's my prerogative who I want to socialise with. I already have older friends so looking for younger ones my age. And no not a "mate" - the fact I mentioned socialising doesn't mean I was asking for somewhere to meet a boyfriend.


No harm intended. We're joshing with you and amongst ourselves.   It's an over 50s thing.

It'd be a lot easier in Berlin.  I was there and I liked it a lot.  You might want to consider Munich as well.  I had a great time working there.

While Expat.com might have an older vibe here in Budapest, I offered other avenues which you could try, including 2 other websites.  You're welcome.

Also, biting the hand that feeds you is not polite at all.  If that is your approach, I've no doubt at all you have difficulty meeting people.

Berlin has a population roughly double that of Budapest. Are your chances twice as good to meet someone?  It really depends on many factors.  I'd honestly say it is not difficult for someone to meet someone interesting here in Budapest. In fact, Budapest consistently ranks quite high in social life on the Internations surveys.

For 2017, Hungary is rated #16 out of 65 countries for leisure options; Germany is #42.  For personal happiness, Hungary is #36 while Germany is #55.  And looking at the "Finding Friends" category, Hungary is ranked #43, while Germany is #59.

There are many factors that go into such a rating and it is based on thousands of expat opinions, but the trend tells me that people could be happy in many places in the world, or unhappy, it's a very personal decision. But just changing a location is doubtful to change much, without having a plan on how to take advantage of what each country offers.

The 2017 Internations Expat Survey is freely available for download on their site, a simple internet search should sort that out quite quickly.

Sorry, I assumed the post was written by a male.
We are only kidding anyways,
Sort of proves our point though, allot of young people are way too serious.That will age you faster then working a 9 to 5 job.
I actually mentally get along with 20 years olds more then people getting up in their years, 30 is like, wow I am aging and running out of time, what have I done with my life so far?
Age really is just a number.
Not that I believe everything on the internet but all of those silly tests they post about let's guess your age, I always get a teenager. Some people never grow up, thankfully I am one of them.

Vicces1 wrote:

....I'd honestly say it is not difficult for someone to meet someone interesting here in Budapest. In fact, Budapest consistently ranks quite high in social life on the Internations surveys.

For 2017, Hungary is rated #16 out of 65 countries for leisure options; Germany is #42.  For personal happiness, Hungary is #36 while Germany is #55.  And looking at the "Finding Friends" category, Hungary is ranked #43, while Germany is #59.

... But just changing a location is doubtful to change much, without having a plan on how to take advantage of what each country offers.

The 2017 Internations Expat Survey is freely available for download on their site, a simple internet search should sort that out quite quickly.


I worked in a "young" company (that was very large indeed) in Germany and there were many younger people there (I was one of them in fact) and we used to meet doing the rounds of the pubs and clubs downtown on Friday night. 

There's a similar thing here but a couple of things were different in Germany and Hungary to the HU I know in the earlier 1990s: people had money to spend going out and the language was more accessible.

There's something else I should mention - European integration.  Many young people are just as happy (comfortable) in Berlin as Barcelona or Basel.   It's become a very "flat" Euro space to move around in.  Languages differ but there's a huge amount of Euro-normalisation these days.

Well first off everyone here is NOT over 50!

I moved here at 35, been here 2yrs now so i am not young but still a good ways from 50!

That said there are many people in their 20s in Budapest! Most people say i look to be in my mid 20s and since i have never been married and have no kids i have more in common socially with someone in their 20s than people my age so many people treat me as such. That said there are plenty of things for someone your age. Many things i see are really geared toward the collage or post collage crowd in Budapest. If you are over going to bars and clubs and many of the things most people in their 20s do then that is the real challenge.

As a black american woman in her late 30s i assure you there is less of my social group in Budapest than their is yours! At our building there was an African guy that used to live here i think he was from Kenya, he was complaining to me about how horrible it is in Budapest and there is no one like him etc. I told him i did not want to hear that as if you gave him a fornet for the number of Africans i have met, seen here and a fornet for the number of black or European blacks i assure you he would come out on top! I am not being racial or ethnic in this what i am pointing out is if you are too narrow in your thinking you are not going to be happy.

As many that posted on here stated it is not really about your age it is about what you enjoy doing. I think you should think about what you define as "socializing". Is it a particular hobby you enjoy? A sport you like playing?

I have seen and met many Hungarians that are totally into like rap and hip hop, urban type music, lifestyle. I never have been never will be, sorry i really do not care who shot Tupac or that fat guy, in my view they were just thugs and both had sucky music that if they lived to be 90 i still would of not listened to them. But i assure you there are millions of usa people that would totally feel comfortable and find socializing here great due to sharing those same type of social views. I went to eat somewhere a month ago and this woman could not be more than 25 standing outside leaning on a car with another woman same age and they were blasting some usa rap songs and singing along in english. Totally vulgar stuff and they knew every single word! I did not sing that stuff when i was 20 will not at 40, not an age thing just different type of person. I met a guy that must of been in his 50s that was totally into snowboarding once again not me, nothing to do with age just different lifestyle.

I mean there are many many things i really enjoy that do not seem available in Hungary but whatever.  And for me personally the things i really enjoy doing are really lacking in Hungary where as i know other parts of Europe i would be able to do them. So no Hungary is not a place i enjoy socially or culturally. But that is just me and some things i really enjoy are not mainframe things anyway! (Most people do not like going ghost hunting or exploring haunted sites for example he hee)

But then there are many things that i know are that either i do not feel like putting the effort to do and find out where or how to do them here, i will say Budapest is really bad at promotions and advertising things, events, or i am mentally tired or stressed and rather just sit at home and read a book or i am not in situation that i can do right now, not cause of Budapest but like personal factors(mostly 99% of everything i own is still in storage.)

It is not a strict age thing i would think just what do you enjoy? That is what the "50 plus" people that posted on here were saying. Like one of my friends back in US she is a good 11yrs younger than me, but she is going threw a serious divorcee that is just pure drama. One of my close friends that lives in Scotland is only a year older than me, 38 but has 2 grandkids! I have no idea of those experiences.

So i think you should think about what you enjoy and focus on that. That is true for any country. It is not a failing of Budapest, if you do not know what you want to do or enjoy there is no where you are going to enjoy yourself.

wow next time your going ghost hunting or checking out spooky places let me know, Im so looking for some spooky fun............seriously.....
:top:

Aries25au wrote:

wow next time your going ghost hunting or checking out spooky places let me know, Im so looking for some spooky fun............seriously.....
:top:


This is the one I'm interested in myself: Kelenföld Power Plant - might not be accessible any more but one cool looking place.

Dang Fleciala . I didn't know you enjoyed "ghost hunting" I Love and I mean Love walking through graveyards.
There are so many nice ones here in Hungary.
My husband thinks I am "weird" and he doesn't see the fun in it.
That being said, I have not been to as many grave sites as I would of liked to have seen.
There was a grave I used to love visiting out near Erd, a little 8 year old girls grave. Her father from what her tombstones read had been a doctor, so obviously she died from something very serious back in the early 1930's. Her parents erected a beautiful statue of a young girl with a ball in her hand and a small dog waiting for her to throw the ball.
Brought me to tears many times seeing that.
We must do a walk about a graveyard soon, rainy days and grey skies are perfect for headstone readings... Never know, maybe we will have contact!

St151 wrote:

I simply posted here to see if there were young people here.


Yes there are. But they are not usually regular posters or viewers of the forums. Rather, you can view the site membership under the menu "Community". You can then "friend" those your age by adding them to your contact list, contact them directly and send them a private message if their interests are similar to yours. Hope this helps.

Facebook is your best bet. Lots of sociable groups. Younger and more Budapest based than this forum. Not necessarily an age based thing but an attitude. I have made lots of friends of all nationalities through similar interest groups on Facebook and via work