Moving to Bucharest or not?

Hi,

My husband has been offered a job in Bucharest for 1 year starting in August. We have a 2-year-old and will soon have a newborn. The little one would be 2 months old when we move to Bucharest. We only have a few days to make a decision and without much information about the expatriate life over there, it's difficult to make a choice.

My main concern is the healthcare: are there good doctors/hospitals, serious follow-up of very little babies?
Is it reasonable to move there with little children?

I would also like to find the right neighbourhood to live, I think that's one of the most important aspects of the success of our expatriation. Is there "a place to live", full of expatriates with children? (and as extra: restaurants and pubs, family activities, shopping malls and supermarkets ;-))?

Any advice on the best schools or nurseries to attend?

Thanks very much for your help and sorry if this subject has been debated before but I find it hard to find all this information.

Hello,

I can't tell you much first-hand about child care in Romania, not having children, but in general the state hospitals aren't up to much and are probably best avoided. There are plenty of private hospitals and clinics as a result and as far as I know they are fine. Best you speak to some people with more direct experience, however.

The other question is a little easier to answer. Whilst there is no one particular 'expat' area in Bucharest, one of the more popular areas to live in (assuming you can afford the rents, or better still, assuming your husband's company offers a decent accommodation package) is in the north of town. I would say the Dorobanti/Primaverii area is a good area to look in.

It is very close to Herastrau Park, which is large, clean, are great for walking with the kids, rollerskaing, biking and so on.
It's also well located in terms of transport, with a couple of metro stations close to hand. It has a few shops, particularly specialist food stores, plus a small market. Being in the north of town, it's easy to get to the airports and also a large shopping complex on the edge of town where you have a large hypermarket for your weekly big shop, a DIY store, and an Ikea for furnishings. It also has a few pubs, bars and restaurants. The old town (which is the main centre of nightlife these days) is just a few stops away on the metro.

There are numerous private kindergartens in Bucharest, many who teach in English, plus a smattering of international schools if you're still here by the time the kids reach school age.

Of course, all these things cost. The shops in that area sell some nice produce, but at a cost. The pubs and bars are a bit more expensive than those in the old town, and private health care and private nursary/kindergarten facilies all charge accordingly.

Thanks very much for this useful information. That's exactly what I was looking.
Cheers.

:)

Hello :)

I'm Romanian so i think i can help you a little bit more.
In Bucharest we have great places, but of course they are  expensive.
The best area is the north of Bucharest: Baneasa, Herastrau, Dorobanti, Primaverii, Aviatorilor, Aviatiei etc...
Herastrau and Kiseleff Park are so nice and many expat families go there with the kids.

We have so many pubs, bars, restaurants, supermarkets and if you will move here, i'm sure you will discover them one by one.
The shopping malls are big and you can find everything...clothes, shoes, furniture, food, restaurants, bowling, cinemas etc...

Here are some links for malls:

www.baneasashoppingcity.rowww.sunplaza.rowww.aficotroceni.rowww.bucurestimall.com.rowww.city-mall.rowww.grandarena.rowww.grantshopping.rowww.jolieville.rowww.plazaromania.ro


Here are some links for private hospitals:

www.reginamaria.rowww.medlife.rowww.pulsmedica.rowww.alphamed.rowww.sanador.ro


Here are some links for private schools/nursary/kindergarten:

www.inspe.rowww.aisb.rowww.britishschool.rowww.lyfrabuc.rowww.littlelondon.rowww.gradinitacami.rowww.kinderville.rowww.dreamsworld.ro

Here are some links for pubs/bars/restaurants

http://www.inyourpocket.com/romania/buc … -nightlifehttp://bars-pubs.bucharest-guide.ro/bar … harest.htmhttp://www.deltatravel.ro/bars_pubs.phphttp://bucharestpubs.com/http://www.bucharest-life.com/drink/pubs_cafes.phphttp://www.bestplaces.ro/search/Bucharest/Pubs.html

Here are some links for supermarkets:

www.carrefour.rowww.selgros.rowww.metro.rowww.cora.rowww.billa.ro

I hope these links will help you to have an idea about our country.
If you have any questions or you need more help, please let me know and i will be glad to help you.

Best Regards,
Alexa

Hi and welcome on board Alexap!

Thanks for helping ;)

Armand

Thank you ! :)

Dear Alex,

Beofre accepting any job in Romania, what are the condions to be looked into.

  Living cost, food style, people, their attitude etc

  Hope will explain.

Thanks very much Alexa, the links have been ok great help!

Your welcome !!  :))