Budapest

[ginsberg]

If anyone needs information on Budapest (or Croatia), I'll try to help. I am currently living in Budapest and recently spent three months in Croatia (mainly Split).

Ed

 

[Loose Gravel]

This is the top place on my list of places to visit. What is it like? Could an English speaking only ( a little German ) make it there? Is it as beautiful as I imagine? How would it be to use a view camera there? What's the cost of being there? Can one get around without a car? Thanks.

 

[ginsberg]

A few notes about Budapest

First, can you get by on English and a little German. It depends what you mean by get by. Many people study English but only a few really speak it. So, you will be limited to the number of Hungarian friends that you make (but you should make some). German is a useful language to know here.

Do you need a car? Not in the city itself. There is a good subway and tram system augmented by busses.

Cost of living? Food for my wife and I (which we prepare at home) costs about $100/week. A reasoable apartment will rent for $350-450/month with another 50% on top of that for gas, water, electricity, tv, etc.

Beauty? That's very personal. I don't know what you like. The main street, Andrassy, is on the UN Heritage list as is the Castle area. Most of the buildings in the main part of town are about 100 or so years old, grand, in need of repair, and remind one of the Kaiser and pre WWI times. But, although I don't know if you'd call it beautiful it is interesting. And its only a few hours by train to Slovakia and Austria.

Trains are inexpensive and enable you to take many day trips.

View camera? Why not. Although I haven't seen any in use here Hungarians tend to let people do what they want to. So I doubt if anyone would bother you.

A good source for apartments, etc. http://www.budapestsun.com
Ed

 

[BWGirl]

Hi Edward,

I realize this is a bit off the subject, but how are things down Romania way? My grandparents came from the Transylvania area (when it was still part of Hungary). I would love to see their towns!

Do you know about travel there and if non-hungarian speaking people are welcomed?
Just curious!
Jeanette

 

[Max Power]

Hi There!
A couple of years ago, my work led me to a six month stint in Bosnia-Herzegovina. I took some vacation time and went to Split (Croatia) and later went to Budapest. Granted, I was only in Budapest for about 4 days, but they were spectacular!
I found it to be a beautiful city, full of warm and welcoming people. They were always happy to speak to me in either English or French, and seemed to relish the thought of having international visitors. Budapest struck me as a European city just waiting to be discovered by international travellers; it is dynamic, inviting, embraces its past and future and has a lot to see. What I found most interesting is that Budapest had not tried to bury its past, but rather to acknowledge it. The public transit system was second to none. To top it all off, I found it very inexpensive.

Just my $0.02

 

[ginsberg]

A reply (I never know what to title these)

I've talked to a lot of people in Budapest about Romania but haven't been able to go yet. The first thing know is that, before 1920, about half of Romania (the northern or Transylvania section), was part of Hungary. And Hungarians are very much aware of that. So many towns in Transylvania are considered (still today), Hungarian towns. A good example, a friend of mine is an English teacher. She was born in Transylvania into a Hungarian family. She complains that people think she is Romanian but she is (in her view), actually a Hungarian who happened to have been born in Romania.

I agree, the Hungarian people are friendly, and cultured (like classical music, are well read, etc.) and there are a number of very beautiful buildings and areas in Budapest.

Split, Croatia, is one of my favorite places. We, (my wife and I), rented an apartment and stayed there for a month last year. Did you get to Trogir?

Ed

 

[Ed Sukach]

One of the "MUST - someday.." destinations on my list.

The cities of "Buda" and "Pest" - and a River Runs Through It...

 

[Max Power]

Split, Croatia, is one of my favorite places. We, (my wife and I), rented an apartment and stayed there for a month last year. Did you get to Trogir?

Ed

I only got to spend 2 days in Split. Because of the short period of time, I spent most of it in the harbour area. After BH, what struck me the most was the 'European-ness' of Split, and from what I understand, the entire Dalmatian coast is like this. I have a couple of friends who managed to get down to Dubrovnik and reported that it, too, was stunning. One of these days I would love to take my wife there and spend a couple of weeks driving up and down the coast, perhaps as far north as Rijeka (another city which I found amazing, but didn't get a lot of time to see).

Kent

 

[Denis P.]

Croatia

One of these days I would love to take my wife there and spend a couple of weeks driving up and down the coast, perhaps as far north as Rijeka (another city which I found amazing, but didn't get a lot of time to see).
Kent

I grew up in Split, and was lucky enough to cruise around all the Croatian islands on a sailing boat. I later moved inland, to Varazdin (near the capital, Zagreb).
Anyone needing info on Croatia or Dalmatian coast, feel free to ask ))
And, yes, Dubrovnik is a must, absolutely.