New members of the Hungary forum, introduce yourself here

Hi! My name is Olga. I moved to Budapest in September 2013. I am looking for people, who live their lives differently, I would like to meet you and write about all of you in my blog. If you have something to share with this world, contact me, let's create some magic history 

Hope all you newbies to Budapest have a fantastic time here.
i personally would not mind meeting new people for a talk and drink but my Hungarian husband is a bit of a loner.
we are also "old" not really it is just a number.
However if there are any groups of ex pats in the over 55 year old range, that might be a hook up I could talk my stubborn husband into going to.
We have been a few times to the "senior" dances in Hungary but they are for older Hungarians and so far we have never come across any ex pats at these dances. At bit too old fashioned for our taste as well, used to take our 80 year old Hungarian neighbor to these dances to make sure she was ok, got there safe then we took her home.
She would meet up with her 84 year old boyfriend on the sly, her adult daughter did not approve of him. We loved playing Cupid for her!
Actually I have a friend in her early 60's an ex pat who is open for dating. If anyone knows of a senior date site in Hungary for ex pat's that might work for my friend.

Hi, I am an English guy. I will be studying at the sports university for a few months in Budapest. I am hoping to learn Spanish while I am there too. So I am on here looking for a Spanish tutor!

If you teach Spanish please get in touch! Hopefully we can work together while I am there.

Thanks

Rhys

Hi All,
My name is Valerie, and me and my husband Steven will be using this username. I am Hungarian myself and living in Scotland, Dumbarton in the past 10 years. My husband Steven is Scottish. My home town in Hungary is Debrecen, and we are considering moving over for a few years so I can better take care of my elderly parents. I myself dont have too much concerns of moving over (although after 10 years it will take a bit of getting used to for me as well!), but Steven does not speak too much Hungarian yet so we would both like to hear a few advices regarding first jobs in Hungary with limited language knowledge, and general advice about moving over and learning Hungarian.
Any advice would be much appreciated
Valerie and Steven

Hi,

Be careful ! La Hongrie est victime d'une dérive autoritaire. Le gouvernement en place est totalement corrompu.
Salaire moyen 450 euros, retraite moyenne 300 euros. 10% de taux de chômage, 50% de la population vit au seuil de pauvreté.
La Hongrie glisse lentement vers la Russie. Un parti néo-nazi a pignon sur rue (Jobbick).
L'opposition parlementaire est inexistante. Beaucoup d'anti-sémitisme ici.
Le niveau de vie est plus faible qu'au Royaume uni.
Sinon, les hongrois sont éduqués, polis et respectueux de l'ordre.
A Budapest la vie est très agréable, beaucoup d'événements culturels, ailleurs je ne sais pas. Le hongrois est une langue difficile.
Good luck !
Berny.

I don't understand French, wish I did would love to read the above post.
In any case, wow, hate to sound so anti- Hungary but here goes.
My husband is Hungarian , lived in the uS for 40 years. We are now retired in Budapest, I am American.
Hungary is great to retire for the most part but to work here from the UK, I think your husband is going to be depressed by the wages in HU.
Not sure what he does for a living but for us, we would never even think of working here, better off working in the US and bringing money to HU.
We used to starting in the year 2000 for around 5 to 6 years in a row , come to HU to help out with my elderly MIL.
The thing that killed me was we had to give up our life and good paying jobs every 6 to 12 months and come over to HU and "baby sit' my MIL. She had no clue how hard it was for us to store our things, quit good jobs, store or sell our cars etc. and do it all over again every year just so she had co.and someone would help pick her grapes.
We also had to leave our child in the US alone while we played farm hands in Hungary. ( he was a young adult)
My SIL and BIL lived literally a 4 min. walk away from my MIL house but they were not treating her the way my husband thought they should so we came over to make her comfy while our lives were put on hold.
I am not sure what your situation is but I doubt your husband is going to be happy long term moving to HU, getting lower wages and living with his In Laws.
It might be better to think of them coming to Scotland and living with you.
I am not exactly sure here in HU but I do believe the income tax on wages is high, maybe 50% and sales tax is 27% and I have heard it is rising.
Food and rent is cheaper then in the US but if you are working in Hu you will soon see how hard it is to pay bills on average pay here.
We used to come over with perhaps $20,000 to $30,000 USD for 6 months and spend almost all of it doing things, eating out and paying my MIL for stay at her house even though I hated just about every min. I was in her home.
She was 80 but let me know it was her house, messy, cats running everywhere and she never spoke a word of English to me and would go out of her way to make me unhappy.
She always told my husband he should of married a Hungarian, nice and stupid of her since he moved to the US where there are not exactly HU women waiting in line to get married.
I was raised in a large family and am used to putting up with other people, being a mom etc. you get used to getting over things but seriously I don't think many men are ready to move to HU and take care of 2 elderly in -laws.
Ok, when my MIL passed on she left us half of her property, wrote of her dead beat son, sister got half although we had to hassle for 18 months selling the run down farm. I could of made that much money working part-time in a casino in Vegas within a year alone.
If you do bring your husband over to HU, I hope there will be clear limits and everyone knows what to expect from each other before hand.
My husband felt it was his duty to help his mother. So sweet but really to toss away your own life and family for a parents asking allot from a child. I suppose I sound selfish but my mother was dying and never told her 6 kids, she moved far away so we wouldn't know what was going on with her. She lied about her health and never wanted us to worry for a moment about her. Now that was perhaps her Native American culture, the old move over for the younger.
hate to see your marriage go down the dumps, mine almost did because of my MIL and her insanity.
I refused to come back to Hu and live with her after doing it 4 or 5 times in the past. I told my husband he could go alone and maybe I wouldn't be waiting for him when he got back. My MIL died, sad but really it was either her or my marriage.Won't get into it too much but she pushed me to the limits of my sanity staying with her for so long under her roof. Good luck, maybe an old folks home is the way to go.
I do get the jest of what Berny posted, guess I did not forget all of my 7th grade French.

People have to make their own decisions regarding where best to live. Being a carer for family members is often hard work. I have had few difficulties in arranging a new life in Hungary but as yet my language skills are poor and I have been too busy to attend classes. I am currently still working in the uk.

If you are setting up home the cost of living is a lot lower than in the uk.  The food in Hungary is much tastier. And people generally are very kind and respectful.

In a few years the uk will be far too expensive for me to maintain a home as  i   will be semi retired. So it is just as well I have a beautiful  country home in Hungary that cost me less than a caravan on a windswept Lincolnshire beach.

If you have good work skills and favour self employment the internet is very useful to help with networking.
I do intend to keep some work interests once I fully settle but what I do is fairly specialist and in the English language and most people who are interested  live in and around Budapest .

Hi Expat —

I am a Canadian who has lived in Europe for 23 years, mostly in Italy. I am currently in Canada but will be leaving again for Europe in a month and would like to find a place to settle in Hungary, especially Budapest or in the outlying area. I have been to Budapest many times and it is one of my all-time favourite cities. I would welcome any advice you could give me on acquiring a residence visa and renting a small (cheap) apartment, not necessarily in the centre.

I am living on a Canadian pension and add to that income by writing short stories. I once wrote a story that was published in a Canadian Literature journal, and won an award, featuring my experience in Budapest and especially the wonderful, but unfortunately now-defunct bar, Tilos Az A. So you can see I really love Budapest.

I also have 5 years of experience teaching English (in Italy) and would consider the idea of giving English lessons in Hungary.

Human5481

P.S. — This is a great blog.

Welcome . It sounds like you have got all the right skills regarding developing a life in Budapest. Message me if you want any further advice.
Regards Anns

Hello everyone,

Bernyberny, kindly note that the language used on this discussion in English,could you please stick to this condition..

The purpose of this discussion is for new members to introduce themselves and also share their projects.

Try to stay on the topic please..

Thank you
Yuveshen

I'm David Pearce, signwriter from UK and now 90% retired, still in UK while growing a life around Poroszlo on the Tisza river in Hungary. I've no Hungarian blood in me but found myself owning 2 houses in an area where few people speak any english.
I'm in at the deep end, sink or swim. I'm learning Hungarian as fast as possible and getting my head round quite elementary aspects of Hungarian life and administration, at the same time as renovating part of the property, and seeing the country.
Hence the very basic questions that I'm raising. I greatly appreciate the responses I had to my first question. Thank you. I hope that in time I might be able to contribute to answers. I've picked up 2 areas of survival that weren't planned: being admitted to a hospital and issuing a summons in a Hungarian court. I survived both and don't mind sharing either experience.
First language english: Also Irish and French: Soon Hungarian.

David welcome to my home country. (Although I'm typing this from Scotland). I would gladly help in anything you might need so if you need advice just get in touch. Good luck in setting down in Poroszló Valerie

Well done . it takes time to settle .

Is your friend english / hungarian bilingual?
I was in the opposite position 9 months ago, and found a worthwhile site.
( I found myself on my own in Hungary with Hungarian property and no language, because I split with Hungarian partner 2 months before the wedding)
Would happily tell her how I got on with site but not on a public forum. I am [email protected]. I would practice my broken Hungarian on her in explaining.
To be honest, I was expecting to need Hungarian to be on this site, and expecting to practice till 'faj a fejem', so very happy to have somebody to email with in Magyarul / Angolul mix.

No, I am really horrible at Hungarian. No real excuse since my HU husband and I have been together since 1974!
Of course he needed to learn English at the time more then I needed to learn HU.
My son was in a relationship with a HU women about 13 years back. They even got married here in HU. Divorced within the first 2 1/2 months she entered the US. She changed over night once she got a ring on her finger.
I have a friend from the UK age 61 this week who is also on this site and is retiring in HU later this year if all goes well for her.
I know she is single and wanting to date. Just playing cupid here as I told her I would!
She so far does not speak any HU.
I would be interested in setting up a meeting later with ex pats that are of senior age.
So many young people on here which is great but doubt most believe older ex pats are still fun and have things to share.As one ages we don't loose our sense of humor or personality unless we are drugged or physically ill.
More on that later, see if my friend actually gets here to HU in one piece.
My friend from the UK is coming over next week. I will give her your e-mail address if that is ok with you, never know...

I am actually driving over 25/3 but intend to take my time. Won't come the direct Mway route, but cross north Germany, spend a few days in rural Poland and then drop down via Bardejov and Kosice to Poroszlo. Done the driving move with trailers and night driving and that bit; and would now caution against it. That was what broke the marriage! UK - Hungary is a long way. There is good Man and a van database in UK which I could dig out if it is any use to your friends move. I was amazed at the prices being quoted and those before the fuel price drop. I drive from Staffordshire and take the Harwich  - Hook of Holland ferry. More expensive but it saves the distance and aggravation of driving through the most desolate part of France.

Hi all

Yuveshen wrote:

The purpose of this discussion is for new members to introduce themselves and also share their projects.

Try to stay on the topic please..

Thank you
Yuveshen

My GF from the UK is arriving this weekend, she will leave before you return here, she will be back to HU though.
I will give her your E-mail address if that is ok.
she is a professional women with an open mind and heart.
she may of sorted out her moving plans but I will let her know about the Van in case she needs another mover.
Poland, going anywhere near Gorlice? Have family there.

Apologies. I may be guilty because I got into private dialogue, not realising that I was in open pages. I am probably being naive, but how is it possible to separate private dialogue from open pages.

Yes, me too, will E-mail if anything personal.

davidpearce wrote:

...... how is it possible to separate private dialogue from open pages.

Click on the name or photo of the member with whom  you want to communicate  and it will take you to their profile page. On there you will see a button for "Send Message".

Hi, I am raja from India. I came on deputation to work here for 1 to 2 years. Currently I am staying at mester utca for the past 6 months.. But I was searching for music institutions to learn music on weekends

I'm from Key West moving to Hu. in May. I do speak the language,looking to meet people.I'm a sea captain,so unless ther's a 100 ton boat on the Balaton that needs a captain I'm shit out of luck

Guess you are out of luck. I don't believe they allow power boats of any sort on Balaton. Only boats with engines are police and rescue boats.

Hello!

I recently moved to beautiful Pécs with my wife, two parrots, and just welcomed our first daughter here as well. If you live or plan to live in the area, drop me a message. I'm currently looking for a job here, would love to network with people.

I come from Puerto Rico, moved to the USA, then met and married my Hungarian wife in the USA. We're here so she can complete her master's degree at a fraction of what it costs in the USA. We think the lifestyle here is better suited for us and our new family, even if there are plenty of hardships for an expat. So far I like it!

If you'd like to practice your Spanish or English, I'm open to meet. I'd also like to practice my Italian, it's getting rusty.

Cheers to my fellow expats from around the world! Keep making the world and interesting place to live in.

Hi Emma

Same here, Im coming over in April..I lived in England (London) for 7 years. Loved it. How is your job hunting going?

Hi Rhys!

I am coming over to Budapest in April. Ive been searching for an English institution to do a Fitness/Personal Trainer etc course but all seems to be in Hungarian. Do you have any info for me regarding this? Thank you so much! Ronel

Hi

My name is Julius and I am very keen to explore the possibility of retiring (perhaps working) in Budapest with my wife (Debra). I have duel Hungarian Australian citizenship. We own a flat in the XIIIth near the Vth and the river. I have degrees in science and social work and I am currently working in local government managing community development projects. I speak Hungarian poorly however I am sure it would improve if I were had to speak more regularly.  Both my parents are Hungarian however I was born in Adelaide, South Australia. I now live in Melbourne.

I love Hungary and I have travelled here on and off for 30 years.

I would love to work in Budapest if I could find a job in either my area of expertise (community development or social policy or teaching in these areas) or even teaching English as a 2nd language. It would mean that we could come sooner.

My wife and I will be in Budapest for the 1st 3 weeks of May. I have hundreds of questions. If there is a regular get together with expats at that time, I would be keen to attend. Alternatively, happy to meet with individuals/couples/small group over cake and coffee at a time that suits.

Kind regards

Julius

Hello everyone,

Just moved to Budapest and Looking for new friends

I am new to Budapest and this blog.

I am from Canada, but I have been living in Turkey, istanbul. Since two months i am living in Budapest now, but I still have not managed to get to know many people.

Being alone in Budapest is really boring and i am tired of going out alone.

So please, if anyone is up for some drinks or anything fun, please let me know.

Best Wishes,
Alp

[moderated: off topic]

@Ronel555 > you should please start a new topic with your questions on the Hungary forum as this topic is specially for the introduction of new members and their projects in Hungary.

Thank you.
Christine

My name is Girish Kapur and I am from India  and a pharma professional .I work in pharma R&D and planning to move to Hungary for a job opportunity in one of the pharma MNC in Hungary .

I plan to move along with my family and want to know about culture ,people ,life in Hungary .Would also like to know about schooling options for my son ( 9years old) and overall cost of living(taxes etc.) .

Any additional information w.r.t life in hungary,medical facilities,recreation etc . would really be of great help .

Regards/Girish