10 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Bucharest (From a Slightly Exhausted Indie Film Scout)
okay, so you're thinking about bucharest? good. honestly, it's… a lot. i've been scouting locations here for about six months, and it's less 'eastern european mystery' and more 'organized chaos with really good street food.' it's currently that weird time of year where it's trying to decide if it wants to be pleasantly cool or just straight-up damp. like, it'll be 18 degrees one minute, then drizzle the next. think perpetually overcast London, but cheaper and with more stray dogs. and, like, a short flight gets you to Greece or Turkey.
right, let's get into it. ten things. no fluff. i'm running on three hours of sleep and too much cafea.
1. *The Bureaucracy is… an Experience. Seriously. Prepare for paperwork. Lots of it. And lines. And people who look deeply, deeply tired. Getting a visa, registering your address, opening a bank account - it's all a process. Bring snacks. And a translator if your romanian is rusty.
2. Rent is Still Relatively Cheap (But Rising). Okay, this is the good news. You can still find a decent one-bedroom apartment for around €400-€600 a month, depending on the neighborhood. But it's creeping up. I've seen places in the center listed for €800 now. Check out this subreddit for current rental listings.
3. Traffic is a Nightmare. Like, genuinely biblical levels of traffic. Avoid driving if you can. The metro is pretty good, though crowded during rush hour. Buses are… an adventure. Expect delays. A lot of delays.
4. Street Food is Your Friend. Forget fancy restaurants (mostly). The mici (grilled minced meat rolls) are legendary. Seriously. And the covrigi (pretzels) are everywhere. Cheap, filling, and delicious. You'll survive on these.
5. English is Spoken, But… Younger people, especially in the service industry, generally speak english. But don't expect everyone to. Learning a few basic romanian phrases will go a long way. "Bună ziua" (good day) and "Mulțumesc" (thank you) are a good start.
6. Safety - It's Complicated. Bucharest isn't dangerous, per se, but petty theft is common. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and on public transport. I heard a story from a local sound guy about someone getting their phone snatched right out of their hand on the tram. TripAdvisor has some safety tips.
7. The Nightlife is… Intense. Bucharest knows how to party. There are clubs open until sunrise, and the bars are packed. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's a lot of fun. Just be prepared for a late night.
8. The Architecture is a Mess (But Beautiful). You've got communist-era blocks, art nouveau buildings, and everything in between. It's a visual feast, but also a bit jarring. It's like the city couldn't decide what it wanted to be.
9. The Stray Dog Situation. It's a real thing. There are a lot of stray dogs in Bucharest. Most are harmless, but it's best to avoid approaching them. The city is trying to manage the population, but it's a slow process.
10. Don't Trust the 'Best Restaurant' Lists. Seriously. Yelp is… questionable. Ask a local. Or just wander around and see what looks good. I found the best sarmale (cabbage rolls) in a tiny, unassuming restaurant that wasn't listed anywhere. Here's a local guide to restaurants.
Overheard Gossip (aka Drunk Advice):*
> "Don't ever take a taxi without agreeing on the price beforehand. They'll rip you off, guaranteed."
> "The Old Town is a tourist trap. Go to Cotroceni instead. It's much more authentic."
> "If someone offers you a 'deal' on something, it's probably a scam."
look, bucharest isn't perfect. it's rough around the edges, a little bit weird, and definitely not for everyone. but it's also cheap, interesting, and full of surprises. and honestly? it's growing on me. just… pack comfortable shoes and a healthy dose of patience.
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