AerospaceFan From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2800 times:
I was just wondering if there were any opinions on the most reasonably priced places to live in Europe, considering that you would want a balance of amenities with price.
For example, it might be very inexpensive to live in certain former Eastern Bloc countries, but the amenities there may be less than one would expect from Western Europe.
Where in Europe would you get the best value for the money? Here in the 'States, I would guess that the Midwest (somewhere near Chicago) would get you some decent values (in terms of home prices, cost of living, etc.). By contrast, Los Angeles (and especially the nicer parts of it) cannot be deemed to be particularly good for those looking for value per dollar; our housing prices here are some of the highest in the nation.
Paris is said to be very expensive, but what about Bonn? What about Prague? I would imagine that there are a lot of plans for redevelopment in places in the former Eastern Bloc and that there would be value added accordingly.
TheSonntag From Germany, joined Jun 2005, 3347 posts, RR: 30 Reply 5, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2771 times:
Absolutely best place: Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Nothing beats Slovakia, in terms of pricing, and Bratislava is only one hour away from Vienna. Infrastructure is good, amenities are good, public transportation is good, so altogether it is a great place to live.
Germany is pretty cheap compared to other European coutries, as well, because of only 16% VAT.
The nordic countries generally are very expensive, because of very high taxes and wages.
Bonn... Well, I study here... Very nice, but finding a flat in the Südstadt (old houses from around 1900) is VERY difficult... Rent for one room in a Südstadt house is around 300EUR (expensive for Germany), but if you have a car and live somewhat outside it is getting cheaper. Good for Bonn: Great infrastructure (Fra 1hour by train, CGN 10minutes, many Autobahnen, only 2-3 hours to Amsterdam, only 2 hours to Brussels, a lot of LCCs fly to CGN).
Gordonsmall From UK - Scotland, joined Jun 2001, 1995 posts, RR: 24 Reply 7, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2756 times:
Quoting Cosec59 (Reply 1): Scotland.... it has absolutely nothing to offer apart from cold weather and weak beer
You don't half talk a fair amount of shite!
How about you shut your mouth and give your arse a chance for once .......
Scotland may be a bit colder than England, but for any englishman to accuse the Scots of producing weak beer - you're obviously short-sighted and have tried using rose tinted glasses to correct it!
Statistically, people who have had the most birthdays tend to live the longest.
Cosec59 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2756 times:
Quoting Gordonsmall (Reply 7): Scotland may be a bit colder than England, but for any englishman to accuse the Scots of producing weak beer - you're obviously short-sighted and have tried using rose tinted glasses to correct it!
NoUFO From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 7796 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2737 times:
Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 5): Absolutely best place: Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Nothing beats Slovakia, in terms of pricing, and Bratislava is only one hour away from Vienna.
Or outside of Berlin, maybe Potsdam. Although prices didn't exactly go down there, it's still reasonably priced and Potsdam offers a beautifully restored center, the famous Sanssouci and some nice lakes. You'll find every product for your daily life including durables in Potsdam and if you want to see a bigger concert a football (sorry: soccer) game or whatever: Downtown Berlin is some 30 minutes away (and beats Vienna when it comes to cultural life). And if you still think 9 - 15 Euro for having you hair cut was too much, hop in your car and drive to Poland. Don't forget to fill your car up while you are there.
Lindy Field From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 3072 posts, RR: 15 Reply 11, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2720 times:
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I think as far as Western European capitals go, Berlin can't be beat, particularly when it comes to rent but also in terms of groceries and other basic necessities (beer and coffee). London and Paris are far more expensive, and even Amsterdam has gotten a lot pricier in the last few years. As an American, I find the cost of living compares favorably to coastal California and Connecticut where I last lived while in the USA. It's only the consumer goods - clothing, electronics, etc. which can be a good bit more expensive than back at home.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 12, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2678 times:
Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Berlin. It is actually cheaper to live there than in New Orleans, which is one of the cheapest large cities in the US. Actually, all of Germany (except maybe Munich) is rather reasonable. Patrick (Sabena332) will remember me laughing at his complaints about how much he pays for his great apartment in one of the best parts of Hamburg
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Quoting N1120A (Reply 12): Patrick (Sabena332) will remember me laughing at his complaints about how much he pays for his great apartment in one of the best parts of Hamburg
TheSonntag From Germany, joined Jun 2005, 3347 posts, RR: 30 Reply 15, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2658 times:
I didn't mention Berlin so far, but you are absolutely correct. Berlin is a cool, cheap place to live.
However, I would not choose Potsdam. While it is a nice city, I think it is too far away from Berlin, because Berlin is huge... I lived one mounth in Moabit, not really the best place maybe, but very close to the center...
NoUFO From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 7796 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2636 times:
Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 15): I lived one mounth in Moabit, not really the best place maybe, but very close to the center
There may be some nice spots, but generally speaking, Moabit isn't the best place to stay. Friedrichshain is almost as close to the center and rental fees are still very affordable, but life is generally nicer there.
Halls120 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 2617 times:
Quoting AerospaceFan (Reply 3): Quoting Cosec59 (Reply 1):
Scotland.... it has absolutely nothing to offer apart from cold weather and weak beer
And Sean Connery, besides!
Are you you sure he even lives there? I thought he was pretty much a full time resident of the Bahamas.
Quoting AerospaceFan (Reply 8): Vienna! What a great city. One of my best friend is of Austrian extraction, and his parents are immigrants from that country. Wonderful people
Aleksandar From Serbia, joined Jul 2000, 3229 posts, RR: 34 Reply 18, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 2610 times:
Well, Budapest seems reasonably priced and it is a beautiful city. The last time I've been there (2003) renting an appartment there was still cheaper than Belgrade but it might have changed in the meantime.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 19, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2591 times:
Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 15): However, I would not choose Potsdam. While it is a nice city, I think it is too far away from Berlin, because Berlin is huge... I lived one mounth in Moabit, not really the best place maybe, but very close to the center...
Potsdam is a straight shot on the S-bahn or a RegionalExpress train, so not so bad
Quoting NoUFO (Reply 14): .. and Frankfurt and Duesseldorf and Freiburg.
I am not sure about Freiburg, but I have several friends in Frankfurt and rents there are definately not expensive at all. As far as Duesseldorf goes, having heard Patrick's comparison of it to "expensive" Hamburg, it isn't bad at all either.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Duke From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1135 posts, RR: 2 Reply 20, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 2558 times:
Don't forget to factor in the question of how much people earn. Here in Prague, it's amazingly cheap when you bring your home-earned dollars, euros or pounds. A half-litre beer here in a pub is about 75 cents to 1 US dollar, including micro-brewed beer. If you buy it in the supermarket, it will be more like 40 cents (and bad beer maybe 15 or 20 cents!). But it gets more expensive when you're earning local money and your purchasing power goes down. Still, I would say Prague is reasonable in many ways. The transit system is excellent and passes are very cheap. In a pub you can get a good meal for about 5 or 6 dollars (but note: there is relatively little real fast food here. With some exceptions you have the choice of 1) cafeterias where you stand eating greasy food 2) McDonalds and other Western and similar local chains that charge you similar prices as in the West). Housing is relatively expensive in Prague, as in any European metropolis, when the prices are adjusted for local purchasing power.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 21, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 2554 times:
Quoting Duke (Reply 20): Here in Prague, it's amazingly cheap when you bring your home-earned dollars, euros or pounds.
Not so much anymore
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Dresden is only 1,5 hours away from Berlin and, although much smaller, has a terrific cultural life with yet lower prices. The infra-structure has been completely rebuilt (I hear wessies complaining already) and it is a lively, modern city. Besides Berlin, Prague is only 146 Km away, the mountains of the Erzgebirge allow great skiing and you can easily spend a weekend in Krakow or in München if you desire.
Quoting Duke (Reply 20): Here in Prague, it's amazingly cheap when you bring your home-earned dollars, euros or pounds.
I have been visiting Prague since before the fall of communism (first time in 1989) and thereafter at least 6-7 times a year. I am amazed how much the prices have been inflated there. You could have a nice meal in a restaurant like say the "reykjavik" for 6-7 €, now you must get ready for 18-20 € in the same place. Although the public transportation is still cheap, hotels have hiked up their prices around 150-200% in the last 5 years (I have heard that from a friend who works in a travel agency. I have no reference to substantiate it other than my own observation).
This is soo true. Prices of real estates are getting totally out of control (especially if you are on standard local income) and as if it wasn't bad enough already, prices will skyrocket by at least 14% in 2007 because some moron in Brussels for some reason feels there should be uniform VAT rates and therefore construction works will move from 5% bracket up to 19%.
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2513 times:
Quoting Gordonsmall (Reply 7): Scotland may be a bit colder than England, but for any englishman to accuse the Scots of producing weak beer - you're obviously short-sighted and have tried using rose tinted glasses to correct it!
Quoting Cosec59 (Reply 9): Guess I should have gone to Specsavers
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
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