InterNations compiled a list of the best and worst cities for expats in 2019, and Budapest finished in the top 10 in the local cost of living category, in which the Hungarian capital stands in fifth place, and seventh in the finance and housing category.
InterNations has been asking participants of their Expat Insider survey since 2017 to answer questions about their cities of residence on questions ranging from transportation options, housing, local career opportunities, friendliness of the locals, and the language to compile a list, the Expat City Ranking. The list provides an in-depth analysis of 82 cities around the world. The 2019 edition of the ranking focuses on quality of life, getting settled, work-life balance, as well as finance and housing, to provide an overview of the best and worst cities for expats worldwide according to the experiences of 20,259 participants.
The list is once again dominated by Asian cities in the global Top5. Although Budapest is not among the best with its overall 18th place out of 82, there are some categories in which the Hungarian capital is among the top 10 by the experience of expats.
Budapest owes this result to the fact that the foreigners who work here say that the local cost of living, as well as the costs of finance and housing are really favorable. They ranked the city in these categories 5th and 7th, respectively. 64% say the money they earn is more than enough to make a living, 53% also found housing affordable.
Expats living in Hungary also like the weather here (73%), and 84% like the leisure facilities. Budapest also ranks relatively well in 17th place in terms of transportation. In contrast to the better results, Hungary finished at the end of the list regarding healthcare, where the capital finished 65th.
Although 64% of those surveyed said it was easy to find an apartment, they also said it was difficult to settle down (48th place). Not surprisingly, expats also said that it was difficult to learn Hungarian (72nd), and 27% said the locals were unfriendly to foreigners.
However, the overall impression is good of the capital, landing in 18th place out of the 82 cities surveyed, and 51% of expats say people can make their way in Budapest even if they don’t speak Hungarian.
featured photo: Balázs Mohai/MTI