Short answer: it’s not!
This is by far the most affordable urban setting I have ever been in.
The best part about this?
Everything we are buying is high quality!
Whether it is food, coffee, or services, we have never felt that anything has been a letdown.
I am honestly shocked at how fast this country’s economy has grown just 33 years after rising above an oppressive government. We have learned that Bucharest is actually becoming known as a tech hub, and people from all over Eastern Europe are moving here for opportunities in the tech space.
That, on top of hosting a few major world events in the past 15 years, have jumpstarted the economy of this growing city and country!
So how much do things cost?
Well first, let’s briefly touch on the currency and current USD conversion rate.
Despite being an official member of the European Union, Romania actually does not use the euro.
The official currency here is the Romanian leu (pronounced lew). In plural terms, it is referred to as lei (pronounced lay).
One Romanian leu is about 23 cents in USD.
On average, these are the prices we’ve grown accustomed to:
A cup of coffee: 4 lei ($0.92)
A covrig (Romanian bagel): 2 lei ($0.46)
A beer: 8 lei ($1.83)
10 rides on the Metro: 20 lei ($4.58 or $0.45 per ride)
A cocktail: 15 lei ($3.43)
Two meals and drinks at a nice restaurant including tip: 105 lei ($24)
The craziest part about this is the fact that Bucharest is the capital city and cultural center of Romania. In smaller Romanian cities, it is likely that we would be able to find even better deals!
One of the reasons we came here was to get off the beaten path and see a different side of Europe from the typical travel brochure. I feel like a large percentage of European itineraries include London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome.
While those are all incredible places, there are so many other cities and countries just waiting to be explored, where you can soak in just as much culture without having to pay top dollar or fight through hordes of other tourists!
Bucharest feels like a major European city in so many ways. Does it have the size, reputation, and mystique of Paris or Rome? Maybe not.
However, I can’t suggest it enough as a destination apart from the popular trail.
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Thanks for your response. Be safe.
I am very much enjoying your writing. I know your writings are in the travelogue vain and appreciate that. I would however love to hear what the people of Romania are saying about the Ukraine /Russia situation.