Hidden Gem
 

My husband and I have been wondering why Hungary is such a hidden gem. The majority of people we know in the UK do not seem to know much about it, let alone its geography or history. Is there a reason for this? We just find it a bit odd. Other countries near to Hungary, i.e. even Slovakia/Slovenia appear to have a much higher profile.

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Yes, most people I speak to think I am mad to want to live in Hungary but I don't think they really know enough to make a proper judgment. I sometimes wonder if our ancestors were better informed in the days when the Austro Hungarian Empire was a major player in the world.
Having been several times to Bulgaria I can understand why there are a lot more Brits there than in Hungary. It's all to do with marketing. Apart from all the house ads on Ebay there are loads of English language estate agent websites in Bulgaria. It is also much easier to find someone who speaks English in shops, banks, public transport etc. The other aspect with regard to Brits is that Hungary is landlocked and traditionally as a nation we go to the seaside for holidays, retirement etc.

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Well, in a way I am glad its a hidden gem! I have never been to Bulgaria so cannot comment. Everyone thinks we are mad moving to Hungary as we are selling up and will be 'mortgage free'. People say we should remortgage ourselves to the hilt and rent out. Which would be fine if we had oodles of cash and our circumstances were different. We like the idea of being mortgage free though. I am not wearing rose tinted glasses, but likewise I am not the sort of person who lets other people project their own fears (real or imagined) on to me. Hungary feels like home to us, strange isnt it, when you get a feel for somewhere :D

Re: Hidden Gem
 

I know exactly what you mean about it feeling like home. I had the same feeling about Scotland before I came to live here. I felt it was my kind of place, whereas I felt alienated in England where I had lived all my life. I still love Scotland but the summers seem colder and wetter than when I arrived in 1997.

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Well we will have to meet up once we arrive! We are just going through the ridiculous house sale process in the UK. June is our ETA, but you never know!

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Having just come home at 2am from a garden party, nothing I say now would make much sense or would probably have avery bias slant to it, so I shall reply in the morning but tonight was very good ;)

Re: Hidden Gem
 

A case in point. Yesterday in the travel section of The Sunday Times there was a peice on the best lakes in europe....and they didnt mention Balaton but did mention a lake in Slovenia. :blink:

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Any other suggestions why Hungary doesnt appear to register with the majority of Brits? :)

Re: Hidden Gem
 

It was only after reading a travel article in The Mail on Saturday (begining March) that we actually gave Hungary a thought. There seems to be very little written about it......so, I suppose people automatically think of the more publicised places.
Although I haven`t even visited yet, I have been around Hungary quite a bit recently, courtesy of the internet !!
It`s probably very selfish, but I think it`s lovely that, for the moment, it remains `a hidden gem`.

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Unfortunately the only place that may be visited is Budapest, the Hungarian Tourist Board needs to get its act together and promote an industry that would be so good for its economy!

The Germans, the Dutch and now it seems the Swedes, who all drive over, have discovered the gem, the Germans or rather the East Germans having discovered it before the Wall came down. A lot of Germans & Swedes have properties there and now the British ex-pat community are discovering Hungary rather than Spain!

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Hi Polgardi, just realised I never replied to this - that's what a few too many glasses of Hungarian wine does to you ;)

I think there are several reasons which till now have kept expats away from Hungary, not counting the fact that many Brits seem to believe it is cold, damp and full of concrete apartment blocks. My thoughts on them are based solely on the more rural areas and around Balaton.
Firstly, it is land locked - many expats like to be near the coast.
Secondly, with the scarcity of airports, much of the country is closed to potential buyers, who, once in Hungary, prefer not to spend their well earned holiday commuting 3-4 hours to their home.
Then there is the Hungarian nightlife (albeit there are a few exceptions) is less lively than the Costa's and many other expat enclaves (hence the return of several expats to Spain). For us it is an advantage but everyone is different.
Finally, the sales tax on property meant that unlike other countries where investors could renovate and sell property quickly, in Hungary, this wasn't possible, so compared to the likes of Bulgaria, there was no "gold rush" meaning less media hype and less awareness of the country.

I once read a comment on a French forum, the poster was having to move on due to financial difficulties. Whilst asking for suggestions on cheaper destinations, they commented "don't anyone suggest Bulgaria or Hungary, I would rather return to the UK than live there " and there you have another reason, Hungary is viewed by some as another "Bulgaria" whereas in reality, there is no comparison!

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Thanks Rural. The points you have highlighted make complete sense. Its a shame in one way, but good in another :)

Re: Hidden Gem
 

I would agree it is mostly down to tax/property laws which meant that Hungary didn't suffer the same plague of property-buying locusts that ruined places like the Costas. I agree also the lack of beaches keeps the Brits away.

I think there's also historically a bit of a fear about countries beyond the 'Iron Curtain', especially amongst the retirement age folk.

Re: Hidden Gem
 

lets hope it stays a Hidden Gem

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Well I am pleased to say it looks like UK house sale is finally through:thumbup: so we will be relocating to this hidden gem soon :eek:

Re: Hidden Gem
 

I heard this evening, that the Russians are moving in:eek: with some ex-pats moving out to other climes?

Re: Hidden Gem
 

I heard a couple of years ago that Heviz and Keszthely were attracting a lot of Russian buyers, could explain SCD trying to bring Aeroflot onboard. Yes, lately I have heard of quite a few expats leaving or intending to leave. In the main, expats who came from Spain only to discover Hungary is not a "cheaper Costas" then those who bought in "the wrong" area :(

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Hi Rural,

When you say about 'cheaper costas' do you mean that some people may expect the kind of 'sun 'sea' and sangria' lifestyle where it doesnt have too big an impact if you cannot speak the language?

I am sure I will soon find out for myself anyway :)

Re: Hidden Gem
 

There is sun, from about this time of year to late September/ October, there is "sea" in the form of the lake, there is local wine and plenty of festivals for the whole family. There are walks too. Yes it can be cold in winter. Language, well that's a different matter sometimes. Then there's the culture and the people and a slow emerging economy that still needs to get its act together, but getting there ...... slowly ;)

I would say if you don't go for the UK type Tesco shopping (frozen things) and actually cook things for yourself it may not to be too costly. If you're going to buy your frozen fish fingers, chips, veg etc., yes it will probably be just as costly, or?

Take in the country and you'll love it and its people!

Re: Hidden Gem
 

I agree we lived in Spain for 11 years my husband 22 years and it is very costly there. It is no where near as expensive here. Our council tax is 45 Euros a year in Spain it was near the 1000 the gas, elec we find cheaper here and also the food. I guess it does depend on peoples life styles.
But overall we have found it is far better value for money than the Costa's

Re: Hidden Gem
 

We have finally exchanged contracts on our UK house :D So we hope to be in Hungary from the end of June, just in time for summer! :thumbsup:

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Hi Polgardi, yes exactly that :) Some discover that the lake doesn't appeal to them in quite the way that the sea did or that the lack of "nightlife" and earlier closing hours isn't what they expected. Last year, we had a couple over from Spain who where considering buying here. It was the height of the season and we stopped off at the lakeside in Keszthly around 8-9pm, they commented on how there was nothing to do and it was like a ghost town. I suppose in comparison to where they had come from, it was indeed "dead".

So though it may well be cheaper, it wasn't the life style to which they had become accustomed - each to their own.
I have heard this corner of the Balaton being referred to as the Eastbourne of Hungary as many permanent expats tend to be older. As such, understandably, the lack of nightlife and more sedate lifestyle here is probably appealing.

So pleased to hear your house sale is complete and wishing you the best of luck with the move. Remember, if you need any help, just ask :-)

Re: Hidden Gem
 

In the height of the season there are festivals throughout - festivals for the whole family.:thumbup:

And "beach" events throughout the summer season as well!:thumbup:

Eastbourne? Bournemouth maybe, having lived there.:cool:

Nightlife? Even Blackpool "closes" down out of season.

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Granted, but the fact is - it isn't a "cheaper Costas" hence several younger (and not so young) expats returning to Spain - and not just the Costas.

The nightlife I was referring to is in season, out of season - which is rather short compared to other European countries - it is practically non existent. Doesn't affect our lifestyle in the least but others have found it lacking ;)

The most frequent question I am asked, when suggesting introductions between expats under the age of about 55 is, "what age are they, everyone we have met so far is old". It's not being derogatory, simply that some expats move here, struggle with the language then look for British friends and company only to discover that many are of a different generation - hence comments drawing comparisons with British retirement towns. Admittedly, there are more younger couples/families slowing moving or considering moving over.

My personal opinion is that if anything, Hungary is a "cheaper France" (without the delicious cheese, bread and seafood) whereas Bulgaria, more so on the coast, is a cheaper Costas or Spain. However, expats are sold the "cheaper Costas" belief by agents in Spain touting this end of the lake as such, they arrive here only to discover it isn't :( Some will be looking for a different way of life or appreciate what Hungary has to offer and stay. Naturally, everybody is different and some will find what they are looking for whilst others won't and will leave and the Russians will take their place :eek: LOL

Re: Hidden Gem
 

Hi, useful info on Hungarian cost level:

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cac...-11-028-EN.PDF