Wagsie

Hi all,

My husband and I recently found some information about properties in Hungary and found it really interesting, the lifestyle appeals to us both and we have arranged a viewing trip later this year to come out and look at properties and get a feel for life there.

If we eventually buy a property we will probably use it as a holiday home in the beginning with the view to moving in full time in a few years, we would like to have a place with out buildings that could be turned into holiday lets to give us an income. We are both feeling dispondent with life here in the UK and would love to retire early.

Would love to hear of anyone's exepriences of relocating to Hungary, particularly the Lake Balaton area, what life is like there, if you have holiday lets and has it worked for you.

Look forward to your replies and thanks in advance

Rural Hungary

Hi Wagsie and welcome to the forums. A browse through and you will find lots of useful information. I think most will agree that you need to be careful about where you buy as it can seriously impact your experience but if you buy in a good area then the lifestyle really is amazing.

Wagsie

Can you give any advice on what are good and bad areas?

fidobsa

Your best bet would be to visit for a holiday before you decide whether to get a holiday home in the area. I personally find the lake resorts themselves too expensive and commercialised but I know different people have different perceptions. The north shore seems to be more picturesque than the south.

Wagsie

We are coming out on 27th November for a few days to have a look at some properties and to have a look at the Christmas Market in Budapest, we are looking at South of the Lake, a holiday home at first with a view to retiring out there in a few years.

We are just a little concerned about the comments of good and bad areas and wonder what sort of areas we should be looking at?

Would be really grateful for any advice anyone can give, we don't want to be too isolated but don't really want to be in the main tourist/commercialised areas either.

Rural Hungary

Unfortunately, several on the forum have had to deal with negativity for being honest so now prefer not to comment.

South of the lake, away from the Lakeside villages themselves, is hit and miss if you don't know the area well, some villages are basically no go areas with high crime and social and economical problems. If you are viewing with an honest and trustworthy agent who will only show you property in "good" villages then you will be fine however, some agents sell in these villages because property is cheap so they can ensure high profit margins of up to 100%.

Wagsie

Hmmm so how can we find out if our agents are honest and trustworthy?

BEVS

Hi there and a belated warm welcome to BE.

I expect Rural Hungary will probably list the no-go villages for you & perhaps list some of the ones considered A OK. That way you'll be better informed and will be able to decide on the credentials of any agent.

BEVS

Oooo. Is Wagsie your wee dog please?

I've just seen the picture. That lad is a bit cute.

Rural Hungary

I would Bev but it's more than my life is worth as there are Brits who have bought in many of these villages and who would be greatly offended if I put them on the "no go" list!

One agent in particular who targets Brits at shows and the like in the UK has sold a large number of properties in these types of villages and unfortunately many of them are of the generation who don't typically use the internet so have no way of finding out otherwise.

Only last week I was asked by a chap to help sell 14 properties from his portfolio, 7 of which are in villages that I would never recommend and in fact I can name those two as I don't know of any Brits actually living there - Somogysamson and Somogysitfa.

What I will try and do and have been meaning to do for a while is compile some stats so that people can hopefully become more aware without me pointing it out all of the time.

Another point to consider is the viability of holiday lets in a rural area. It's been covered on here several times, lets in rural areas will struggle unless you have a niche and too many times agents are telling buyers they can renovate an old property then let it out when the truth is actually very different...

gcroft

It is a difficult area this but why would you any more buy from an agent after the briefest of visits in Hungary than do the same in an area of the UK you have never been to before?
Price does reflect location and the state of the property.
I think you have to drive round the area you want to be in and look around carefully. Are then any guest houses? They may be competition but it also might tell you there is trade to be had.
Have a coffee in the village pub. No pub suggests no life. Would not want to have a second one in there? Maybe the village is not for you. Those sorts of observations do not take long but are invaluable.
Your criteria will be different from mine but define them and then test them in your preferred areas.
You are coming at a good time to see the country without the gloss of summer and its tourists.....the season is very short.
Don't be put off either the country is beautiful!

cathyg

What a minefield this is. We have travelled all around the lake and for us the north shore was our preferred area mainly because we like a more hilly area. We spent several years staying in different areas so really knew where we wanted to buy when the time came. The area we live in is more expensive so even though property is a lot cheaper here it will still depend on how much money you have and how much work you are prepared to do. If you want somewhere you want to lock up and leave, and have the possibility of renting it out then I would suggest Tihany northwards towards Balatonalmadi is a good area but it will cost you more. We also looked around the Badacsony area which is also beautiful and down towards Keszthely is popular with tourists. Likewise the area around Heviz is very popular.
If you want somewhere for a self sufficient lifestyle I.e. A good solid house with land in a nice rural area then there are lots of opportunities everywhere in Hungary .bearing in mind what Rural has said about good and bad villages. I recently discovered the area around Papa which I really like.
Remember that if you get it wrong you will not be able to resell quickly so be very sure before you buy.

Wagsie

Hi Bevs,
My profile pic is of my dog, however Wagsie is not her name, its my nickname, Mollie is my dog, a rather pampered but lovely miniature schnauzer

In response to the other posts added, I would love to have a list of no go areas Rural Hungary, maybe you would be kind enough to PM me one if you don't wish to put anything on here and any reputable agents

I too have thought of the holiday let not bring very popular in a rural area, this is the husbands idea, depends where we buy, if we buy, I guess.

And I'm quite concerned as we found out about Hungary at a show! Worried now as to what we have let ourselves in for

Rural Hungary

Are you viewing with GLM or I think their UK chap goes under the guise of Hungarian Guide or something like that?

Wagsie

Yes, does that mean it's bad?