10 Best Cities for Expats in Eastern Europe

Expats moving to a new location can get an idea of the place through current and expat reviews. One such source of information is the InterNations Expat Insider 2021 survey, which helps people compare cities based on their quality of life and ease of settling in. We take a sneak peek at the best cities to live in Eastern Europe, which made it to the top of the list.

The survey looks at a number of factors: Quality of Life, Ease of Settling in, and Family Life. Additionally, expat Insider also provides an overview of what needs improving and whether people would recommend their city as a good place for others to settle in. Here are the ten best cities in Eastern Europe for expats.

1.    Zagreb, Croatia

The capital city of Croatia, with a population of over 800,000 people, is as welcoming as it is cosmopolitan and has thus made it to the list. In 2021, more than 76 percent of expats said that they enjoyed living in Zagreb.

The city has a lot going for it as far as quality of life goes. But it also lags behind other cities on the list when it comes to ease of settling down and making friends. It ranks considerably higher for family life as well. However, Zagreb’s low crime rate and decent healthcare system make it more attractive to expats.

2.    Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s vibrant capital is at number two on the list. Over 79 percent of expats rated their quality of life as good in 2021, which was one percent higher than the previous year. Additionally, 70 percent felt that settling in was easy. As for making friends, Budapest ranked pretty high on the list, but over 81 percent termed it as a recommended place to live.

The Ease of Settling in Index assigns Budapest a higher score than Zagreb’s, which had lesser points despite ranking higher on the list. Meanwhile, Budapest’s place on the Quality of Life Index may be due to its low score for amenities.

3.    Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic (with a population of over 1 million people), ranked third on our list. Despite being one of the cheapest places in Europe to live in, expats are still satisfied with their quality of life, which increased by two percentage points.

Prague also ranked higher than other cities on the list when it came to the ease of settling down and making friends. This can be attributed to its high ratings for Fashion & Shopping, Leisure Options as well as Safety & Security—the city ranked number one on the list for this factor.

4.    Bratislava, Slovakia

The capital of Slovakia (with a population of over 583,600 people) is number 2 on the list. Expats are highly satisfied with their quality of life here—79 percent, which is three percentage points higher compared to 2019.

Additionally, 67 percent felt that settling in was easy, while Bratislava ranked good on the list of cities people would recommend. When it comes to family life, however, expats are not quite satisfied with what they offer—the city ranks low. This is despite scoring highly enough for both Costs of Living and Ease of Settling In.

5.    Ljubljana, Slovenia

The capital city of Slovenia, with a population of 275,000 people, was voted as the best place to live in Eastern Europe by expats. It outranked other cities on the list regarding the quality of life and ease of settling down (it ranked number 5 on our list).

Ljubljana is also a recommended place for settling in by 82 percent of expats. Settling down seems easier here as it ranked number 17 while making friends didn’t do so well with its 56th rank on the list. This can be attributed to its low scores for Leisure Options and Nightlife.

6.    Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with over 275,569 people, made it to the list at number six. About 78 percent of expats said that they enjoyed living in Sarajevo—a three percentage point increase from 2019.

It also ranked high on the list regarding ease of settling down. However, expats are not too satisfied with their quality of life. This is because; it ranked 51 out of 65 for this factor.

7.    Belgrade, Serbia

Serbia’s capital city with over 1 million people is number 7 on the list. Over 76 percent of expats said they are satisfied with living in Belgrade. On the other hand, an eight percentage point increases from the previous year. It also ranked highly (at number 16) when it came to ease of settling down.

As for making friends, Belgrade ranked 50th place on the list—the city didn’t do too well as it scored poorly for Leisure options and Nightlife.

8.    Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, the capital of Romania with a population of slightly over 2 million people, is at number 8 on the list. Just over 76 percent said that they are satisfied living here. Meanwhile, a seven percentage point increase from 2019.

It ranked well on ease of settling down (at 22 out of 65) but not so much in terms of quality of life (ranked at 45). This can be attributed to its poorly scored factors for Cost of Living and Safety & Security.

9.    Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria with a population of 1.24 million people, is number 9 on today’s list. Over 75 percent said they are satisfied living here—a six percent increase from 2019.

It ranked low (at 30 out of 65) when it comes to ease of settling down but did better when making friends (at number 31). This is because of its low scores for Leisure Options and Nightlife.

10. Riga, Latvia

Riga, the capital of Latvia with over 614,618 populations, was voted as the 10th best city for expats in Eastern Europe. Fewer than 75 percent are happy living here, making it an 11 percentage point increase from 2019. It ranked low (at 42 out of 65) when it came to settling down and ease of doing so.

Its poorly scored factors can explain this for Leisure Options and the Cost of Living. Also, nearly two-thirds of expats don’t feel safe walking alone at night. Therefore, Riga ranked at 49th place on the list regarding safety and security.

Top 5 Tourists Attractions in Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is a part of the continent that has been more isolated from Western European countries, and it can also be described as a place where modern architecture has not gone through its greatest changes.

People who travel to Eastern Europe prefer visiting historical sights and landmarks to contemporary art galleries and museums. This means; these people want to experience what they see in pictures rather than admire modern architecture. So, read what you will find as the top 5 tourists attractions in Eastern Europe.

Chernobyl – The Ghost Town

Visiting Chernobyl, a ghost town abandoned after the nuclear disaster in 1986, is not for everyone. Even though it’s mostly safe to travel there now, many people don’t want to live downwind from a potential fallout zone. The surrounding area of Pripyat used to be home to over 50,000 people, and tourists can visit this area and see how the nuclear power plant affected the lives of residents.

Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia, and it consists of 16 lakes surrounded by different types of forests. The lakes are connected with small waterfalls and cascades, while their colors change from emerald green through turquoise to azure blue.

Romania: Bran Castle

Several places claim to be Dracula’s medieval castle. However, Bran Castle – which is visited by around 200,000 tourists every year – has a strong case for actually being the home of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.

Terezin Concentration Camp Memorial

Located in the small town of Terezin, not far from Prague in the north of the Czech Republic, Terezin Concentration Camp was used to house Jews and other prisoners before they were transported to their deaths at Treblinka.

Krakow, Poland

Poland’s second-largest city was almost destroyed during World War II, and it has been restored to its former glory with cobble-stoned streets, Gothic churches, and Renaissance buildings. With so much history painted on each brick of its buildings, Krakow is one of the most visited cities in Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

If you are planning on traveling abroad, it is likely that you will be visiting an eastern European country. These countries have become incredibly popular in recent years due to their affordability and proximity to Western Europe. However, before heading off to these exciting destinations, check our ultimate guide to know what it offers.

Best Cities for Expats in Eastern Europe part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

The ever-increasing number of people looking for a better place to live and work has led many to seek an overseas adventure. Eastern Europe is a popular destination for expats because of its reputation as a safe, economically stable region that also offers a lower cost of living than found in Western Europe.

According to the latest HSBC Expat Explorer survey, nine out of the top ten emerging cities for expats are located in Eastern Europe. In order to qualify as an ’emerging’ city on HSBC’s list, a location must be considered safe and economically vibrant, with a projected economic growth of over 2% annually until 2021.

A total of 48 different variables were analyzed by HSBC based on several key factors. This includes political and social stability, the ease of settling into daily life in a new country, access to health services, availability of schooling options for children, levels of community spirit, and other factors that expats would consider when relocating abroad.

Since we all know that different people prioritize different factors when considering an expat destination, we’ll give you the top ten cities in Eastern Europe for each of the seven major factors. Some items may be considered more important than others for specific expats, and each section has a guide to help you weigh the importance of the given factor when choosing your ideal location.

In addition, we will explain the best tourist attractions for expats in this region. Not only is that, but we will explain the benefits of living in this area and many others. Would you love to relocate to Eastern Europe or be willing to have a vacation to those countries? Worry less as we’ve answered all the questions you may have in mind.

Why Expats Need to Live in Eastern Europe

The expat populations in Eastern Europe have grown significantly over the last decade. With the globalization of our world, more and more people are moving abroad for work or adventure.

Many choose to live in Eastern Europe, where it’s possible to be closer to other countries while also enjoying an affordable cost of living. If you’re considering making a move abroad, here are five reasons why you should consider Eastern European countries.

Quality of Life

The quality of life for expats in Eastern Europe is very high, and whether you’re looking to live in a city or rural area, Eastern Europe has something for everyone. The affordability and variety of amenities make it easy to enjoy your life abroad.

Travel Opportunities

Eastern Europe is very accessible for travelers due to its proximity to other countries. This makes it easy for expats who want an affordable vacation or weekend trip abroad. With so many different destinations within a short flight or train ride away, you’ll never get tired of the travel opportunities.

Exciting Job Opportunities

Job opportunities in Eastern Europe are plentiful and growing every day. If you possess a skill or degree in high demand, you’ll have no problem finding employment abroad.

 Many jobs pay very well, and there is often the opportunity for advancement as more businesses open their doors to the international workforce. Plus, several of these countries do not require you to speak the language fluently, making it easy for expats to get their foot in the door.

Affordability

Several Eastern European countries offer a high quality of life at an affordable price. If you’re looking to stretch your money as far as possible, this is definitely one of the best places to do it. From the cost of groceries to transportation, you’ll find that living abroad is more affordable than back home.

Low Tension

Despite being very close to Western Europe, Eastern European countries are not as stressful as other countries. Many expats enjoy the laid-back nature and warm people they encounter throughout their stay. If you’re someone who enjoys a life with fewer worries, Eastern Europe is the perfect place for you.

Eastern European countries offer many benefits to expats, such as high quality of life and affordable living. If you want to live somewhere where your dollar stretches far and travel opportunities are endless, this part of the world may be the right fit for you.

Interesting Culture

Eastern European countries have a unique culture that is easy to immerse yourself in. The different languages and customs can be an exciting way to learn something new every day, as well as make new friends from around the world! Many Eastern European cities also offer incredible nightlife and entertainment, making it fun for expats to unwind after a long day.

Low Cost of Living

Every expat dreams of an affordable cost of living, and this is often something that many find in Eastern Europe. Whether you want to live in a rural or urban area, the prices are almost always much lower than at home. From buying groceries to paying rent, you’ll be able to stretch your money much further while living in Eastern Europe.

Factors to Consider Before Moving to Eastern Europe

While many people dream of moving to Eastern Europe, the vibrant culture and thriving economies are no secret. Gone are the days when Communist sentiments were repressed by propaganda. This part of the world has undergone a complete transformation into an ideal destination for those hoping to live their version of the American Dream.

However, as technology has made communication between different world regions easier, new obstacles have been introduced. Moving abroad is a major decision with serious long-term consequences. And those considering it should know all of the risks beforehand to make an informed choice about their futures. As such, I’ve compiled a list of five factors to consider before moving to Eastern Europe.

1)    Language Barriers

Although many Eastern European countries have transitioned to English as their second language, knowing the local vernacular cannot be overlooked completely. In reality, much of the vocabulary from Russia and Poland are interchangeable, but only knowing English won’t help you get anywhere with locals if you’re not familiar with some standard Polish slang terms.

2)    Cultural Differences

One of the great things about moving to Eastern Europe is celebrating Christmas on January 7th and the New Year at different times of the year! However, while some cultural differences may catch you off guard initially, it’s important to remember that they’re based on tradition and can add a lot of value to your experience.

For instance, if you ever get into an argument with a family member, don’t be surprised if they sit silently and glare at you for a long time. While it might feel awkward, that’s just how they show displeasure – not to mention it’s kind of scary.

3)    Travel Opportunities

Eastern Europe is a hotbed for travel. There are countless cultural and historical opportunities in close proximity, and most people speak English well enough to help you navigate. For instance, not only do the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) share borders with Russia and Belarus; they also have water access through Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.

Whether you want to visit the capital cities of Tallinn, Riga, or Vilnius; go on a road trip through Latvia; taste world-famous Lithuanian beer; or take advantage of Estonia’s e-residency system, which gives non-citizens access to online banking facilities – you’re spoilt for choice, and the opportunities are only growing as these countries become more popular amongst foreign travelers.

4)    Housing Issues

Although renting is a popular choice among foreigners, the conditions of some dwellings may come as a shock to those who aren’t used to such low living standards. If you’re looking for apartment rentals in Eastern Europe, I would advise bringing a flashlight.

In many instances, the electricity will have been turned off because the landlord hasn’t paid their bills, and sometimes you won’t be able to see a foot in front of you when you enter a room.

However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise – Eastern European countries have some of the highest unemployment rates in the world. With people struggling to make ends meet, don’t be surprised if your landlords try to haggle down the rent price or flat out demand you pay them in cash.

5)    Financial Concerns

Although Eastern European countries are generally cheaper than their Western counterparts, they still require residents to have stable sources of income for basic living expenses. For those who earn money in their home countries and deposit it into local accounts, the difficulties of transferring funds will be highlighted – especially if you want to withdraw them as cash.

Even though online banks like Revolut and Transferwise offer affordable rates for currency exchanges, it’s important to note that you can’t take advantage of them if you’re not a resident in the country.

Likewise, credit and debit card companies generally charge foreign transactions fees on top of their interest rates, which means that even though it may be easier to pay bills online, you’ll still end up paying more for goods and services than those who live locally.

Eastern European countries may be cheap, but don’t expect to find your dream job in a weekend. Do your research and do everything to build up your local contacts before moving abroad. It will make a living in Eastern Europe much easier when you’re ready for that next step.