[klosck]

(09-19-2014 04:19 AM)DaveR Wrote:  

A bit of a long way around, but if you are transferring a decent amount cash and want to get the best exchange rate. If you're transferring $5000 or more, it's definitely worth looking into, but it can save money even if you're transferring as little as $2000:

If done correctly, you might be able to get away with transferring these amounts with an ATM. I've got a credit union back in the states.

After realizing that transferring larger amounts of dollars was going to be expensive, I wrote the credit union manager a letter. In the letter, I stated that I wanted to keep my bank account, however I needed to be allowed to withdraw more from my ATM.

They responded and basically said "sure, but you have to call first". So once a month I call the credit union, and they increase my withdraw limit to whatever I ask.. (I've only gone up to $3000), and it works pretty well.

[Buddha]

Banking in Hungary, Paying Rent in Euros Cash, and Pains of Apartment Searching

So got my bank card from OTP Bank today (HUF account). It takes about 5-10 days to pick up the card from the branch (or have it mailed) after the account opening.

[img][/img]

If you spend any amount of time in Budapest you might need cheap & easy access to 2 currencies (EUROS Cash & HUF).

For HUF I'd say OTP Bank would be a good choice. You can find branches all over the city. They are the largest in Hungary with presence all over Eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Ukraine, Montenegro and Russia) Just walk in with your Passport and you'll have an account with Internet banking (Full English web interface) in under 30 minutes.

I suggest going to a branch near the center because you have to press a button in a machine asking for English service and wait in a queue. Not all tellers speak English so if you go to a branch in District 9 like I did, you'll wait a while.

I funded my account with a $4,000 CAD wire. It got automatically converted to HUF and the FX rate was very good. I only lost about $30 on the exchange (0.75%) which is not that bad.

With this single wire, I can live, eat, and party for about 5-6 months in Budapest. (Rent has to be paid in EUROS...cash most likely)

The banking fees (internet banking, monthly fees, etc) are 50% less than what I would pay in Canada (so very cheap). With a basic account, I get unlimited transactions via debit & mastercard POS / internet purchases. So far, card usage in stores has been very common. Apart from small restaurants and little shops, every store I've been to has card payment systems.

There are very small fees to take out money from the ATM. So I'd be sparing with ATM withdrawls even with a Hungarian bank card.

Now you'll most likely be paying rent in EUROS CASH if:

1) You are a foreigner
2) You are looking for a half-decent apartment near the center

So before you move here, I'd make sure that you can get easy access to EUROS CASH or as an alternative, be able to wire Euros to Hungary electronically from your computer either directly to the landlord or to your Euro account at OTP Bank (many selection of Foreign Currency accounts at OTP for foreigners).

The reason is that Hungarians don't seem to have much faith in their currency. If you go to local real estate sites, they will list rent in both HUF & Euros. You will be asked to pay in Euros and most likely in cash. This is because apparently NAV, the Hungarian tax authority, will take away a significant portion of rental income from the landlord. By collecting rent in cash, I believe that they can game the tax authorities.

Luckily, after 2 weeks of the most stressful apartment searches I've ever done (ranks close to Stockholm where the rental market is totally fucked up) I managed to get a sizable 1-bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor of an elegant building for 540 Euros located right by the center in between Gozsdu Udvar & Szimpla, furnished with brand new modern furniture, 2 flat screen TVs (one in bedroom & one in living room) with full cable, internet, utilities / common costs included, large jacuzzi tub, full set of cooking ware, dining sets, wine glasses, 4 person dining table, Samsung washing machine, queen size bed in bedroom with sheets & blankets, L shaped couch for 4-5 people in the living room that folds out into a 2nd double bed for guests, balcony with table and 2 chairs, and a view into a large court yard.

Also, I am free to move out in April if I want to so this is a flexible lease. I worked it out with the landlord so that I can just wire her the rent Euros in lump sum of 5 months together with Zero security deposit. (This is not the norm, they will ask for at least 2 months deposit as standard procedure & 12 month commitment unless you go through AirBnB)

But before I landed this place, I had some crazy landlords with crazy demands.

1) One asked me to pay the entire 12 months rent in advance because the previous foreign tenant screwed them over by exiting the contract in the first 2 weeks.

2) Another asked for a 3 month deposit instead of 2 months because I am a foreigner.

3) Another asked for my parents' passport, address, and their signatures as Financial gurantors even though I am 32 years old and financially independent.

4) Another asked for my company records in Canada.

5) I even had to do a Skype interview with a landlord couple in Israel where they peppered me with questions. Landlords are damn suspicious and will ask for a run down of your bio and what the fuck you are doing in Hungary out of all places in the world. I felt like I was being interrogated most of the time. The first question this guy asked was "So tell me about yourself" The last time I had to answer a bull shit question like this was when I interviewed for jobs out of university. I was tempted to tell him "I heard about Budapest through the Roosh V Forum and decide to move here to fuck Hungarian women."

6) Most places looked completely different from the pictures when I visited the apartments.

So these are the stuff that you have to brace yourself for before coming here and doing your apartment searching. If you want just an average place or are willing to pay much more than what is reasonable for the local market then you'll be OK. But be prepared to put in some hard work to find a good place that is central and of good quality for the money.

HOWEVER, the city is awesome and the women are BEAUTIFUL. So all this trouble is worth it like many good things in life!

[UnW]

Loving this thread, it's turning out to be a great step-by-step guide for Budapest.

Keep the great content coming!

[Phoenix]

(10-08-2014 07:34 AM)Buddha Wrote:  

The first question this guy asked was "So tell me about yourself" The last time I had to answer a bull shit question like this was when I interviewed for jobs out of university. I was tempted to tell him "I heard about Budapest through the Roosh V Forum and decide to move here to fuck Hungarian women."

Should've done it, I'd respect that if I were a landlord.

"Hmmm well Hungarian pussy is pretty good, I guess I can trust you not to do a runner".

[Volk]

So you ended up paying 160K HUF a month for a 1-bedroom flat? Oh well, look on the bright side, at least it's well equipped and almost in Kazinczy u. without being right in top of that street.

[Buddha]

(10-09-2014 03:56 PM)Volk Wrote:  

So you ended up paying 160K HUF a month for a 1-bedroom flat? Oh well, look on the bright side, at least it's well equipped and almost in Kazinczy u. without being right in top of that street.

You mad bro? Sound a bit bitter man...On the bright side, at least it's not $685 USD/month coming out of your own pocket.

The apartment is actually by the Jewish Synagogue:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Doh%C3...63d0508608

So with this, my monthly budget in Budapest has dropped below $1,500 USD which is only 33% of my monthly budget in N.America & W.Europe.

This is absolutely feasible for anyone who wants to move here. You might end up spending even less.

[samsamsam]

(10-09-2014 08:54 AM)Phoenix Wrote:  

(10-08-2014 07:34 AM)Buddha Wrote:  

The first question this guy asked was "So tell me about yourself" The last time I had to answer a bull shit question like this was when I interviewed for jobs out of university. I was tempted to tell him "I heard about Budapest through the Roosh V Forum and decide to move here to fuck Hungarian women."

Should've done it, I'd respect that if I were a landlord.

"Hmmm well Hungarian pussy is pretty good, I guess I can trust you not to do a runner".

Haha, I wouldn't have said this, but it came to mind. ""I heard about Budapest through the Roosh V Forum and decide to move here to fuck Hungarian women. How about throwing in your daughter to sweeten the deal." or "Do you have daughter?" Just kidding of course.

And on a slight random tangent it made me think of. But I do not condone anything illegal, this is just for humor. No banhammer please.

[Volk]

(10-09-2014 04:43 PM)Buddha Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 03:56 PM)Volk Wrote:  

So you ended up paying 160K HUF a month for a 1-bedroom flat? Oh well, look on the bright side, at least it's well equipped and almost in Kazinczy u. without being right in top of that street.

You mad bro? Sound a bit bitter man...On the bright side, at least it's not $685 USD/month coming out of your own pocket.

The apartment is actually by the Jewish Synagogue:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Doh%C3...63d0508608

You don't need to get all worked up about a simple comment. As I pointed out, the price is quite above the norm unless the place is huge, but you do have one of the top locations for pulling without living right in top of the club's noise.

Chill out bro, congratulations on the great logistics!

[Buddha]

(10-09-2014 05:15 PM)Volk Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 04:43 PM)Buddha Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 03:56 PM)Volk Wrote:  

So you ended up paying 160K HUF a month for a 1-bedroom flat? Oh well, look on the bright side, at least it's well equipped and almost in Kazinczy u. without being right in top of that street.

You mad bro? Sound a bit bitter man...On the bright side, at least it's not $685 USD/month coming out of your own pocket.

The apartment is actually by the Jewish Synagogue:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Doh%C3...63d0508608

You don't need to get all worked up about a simple comment. As I pointed out, the price is quite above the norm unless the place is huge, but you do have one of the top locations for pulling without living right in top of the club's noise.

Chill out bro, congratulations on the great logistics!

[Vacancier Permanent]

Buddha,
Living all the terrific updates from the ground! Keep'em coming man!
Did you find this place yourself or through a real estate agent?

Looks like you've bit a terrific deal in a fantastic city! Well done man!

Are you going to take lessons to learn the local language?

[ElJefe1]

We all have different style, tastes, and budgets...

[Sourcecode]

Buddha...I'm on your side..congrats on getting to Budapest.

But you aren't the first person to set up shop in the city..And you're still relatively low in post count.

Don't get ahead of yourself and be an ass to members that have been around a while

[Buddha]

(10-09-2014 11:32 PM)Sourcecode Wrote:  

Buddha...I'm on your side..congrats on getting to Budapest.

But you aren't the first person to set up shop in the city..And you're still relatively low in post count.

Don't get ahead of yourself and be an ass to members that have been around a while

Hey Sourcecode thanks for the encouragement and yes sorry about being an ass to Volk...I'll definitely keep that in mind.

But there are some guys like Volk that just rub me in the wrong way, whether via forum or in real life and I do have a tendency to assert myself a little too much.

[Buddha]

(10-09-2014 08:52 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Buddha,
Living all the terrific updates from the ground! Keep'em coming man!
Did you find this place yourself or through a real estate agent?

Looks like you've bit a terrific deal in a fantastic city! Well done man!

Are you going to take lessons to learn the local language?

Hey VC, I found this place through negotiating on AirBnb. I have to 1st make an important point that everyone has different style, tastes, and budgets.

I personally was aiming to spend as close to $1,500 USD as possible but there are plenty of selection in Budapest for varying budget ranges (both low & high).

The good thing is that you'll get more value for your dollar than anywhere in N.America. So if you can budget around say $1,000-$1,400 USD for just the rent portion of your expenses then you can get a pimped out bachelor pad that makes panties drop on arrival whereas the equivalent back at home would get a below average place in most cities.

So EVEN if you pay higher rent of $1,500 USD for a really luxurious bachelor pad, your monthly expenses will STILL be ONLY $2,200 USD which is ridiculously cheap for western standards (the beauty of lifestyle arbitrage in EE)

For 3-6 month stays the best bet I feel is AirBnB. I was initially planning to get a 12 month lease but decided to get a flexible 6 month agreement since I plan to spend 3 months in the Summer (May-Aug) in Odessa, Ukraine before coming back to Budapest in the Fall.

I spammed AirBnB saying to hosts that I just moved to Budapest for long-term and would like to get a place for 6 months. I asked if we could work out a lower monthly rate but I did not specify the amount since every host has a different idea about what is a comfortable discount. I got pretty good response rates.

The pro of using AirBnB is that everything is furnished and you only have to bring a suitcase. Also during low season (End of September till End of March) you can get amazing deals by negotiating with hosts.

For those looking for long-term 12 month leases the 3 main resources are

http://www.alberlet.hu/
http://ingatlan.com/
http://www.towerbudapest.com/en/rentals (Best for foreigners & best deals for quality apartments)

Here the owner pays for the agent fees (good) & 2 mth deposits are the standard. Anyone looking for my experience on 12 month lease searches please feel free to send me a PM.

As for learning the local language I am teaching myself. Due to work (I work irregular hours on the computer), I probably won't be able to block out regular times for language classes. I am using 2 resources which work the best for me and are cheap:

1) http://www.hungarianpod101.com/
2) http://www.amazon.com/Hungarian-Verbs-Es...an+grammar

[Vacancier Permanent]

Awesome post Buddha! Much appreciated for posting all these great links!
How's the weekend going so far?

Cheers man!

[xmlenigma]

(09-30-2014 04:06 PM)Buddha Wrote:  

I also have a social circle date coming up later this week:

[img][/img]

The Hungarian-Jewish girl (on the Right) that I used to date for bit in Montréal set me up with her Hungarian-Jewish friend (on the Left) in Budapest. (I will leave picture up till Sunday) I've seen plenty of girls that rate similarly on the rating scale. I'll see how I can explore this connection because she seems to have other pretty friends.

They say social circle is important here so instead of RSD style spamming (which I don't do anyways) I will see if I can push interactions to make friends with both girls & guys here.

Do elaborate.. what you mean by USED TO DATE A BIT.. and SHE SET YOU UP.

Girls who were dating you will usually not SET YOU UP with a friend of theirs. Details please. I m curious.

PS: BTW - So far, brilliant reports & data sheet. Girls are both fine.

[Brosemite]

^^^ @Buddha

I hate you so much right now, haha

[Pilgrim37]

Pierre lives in Budapest....maybe he'll make some introductions to the local talent!

   

[Rang off the Pipe]

Duolingo is supposed to release the beta version of their Hungarian course (for English speakers) very very soon. It should be out by the end of the month.

[ElJefe1]

After spending some time at the immigration office I was instructed to apply for a "other reasons" visa. The lady told me as I'm American it should be almost automatically approved (how true this is I cannot say as I know no one who's done it). This will allow me to stay in the country and come and go in the EU without having to worry about the 90 day rule. Only thing needed is a lease, health insurance, money in the bank (savings or verifiable income ie bank statememnt) , and a "fee stamp" from the post office. I cannot verify the ease of the process or if it's really that easy to be granted this particular visa but I'm submitting on Monday. I know this info would be of great value to others on the forum who travel Europe, especially with all the intrest in BP as of late so I will post what the outcome is.

[Buddha]

^^^ the "Disney Land Visa" I wish you the best of luck in the process! The more I stay here, the more I am convinced that Budapest is an awesome place to set up home base. It is definitely worth the effort!

[saeta119]

(10-18-2014 06:18 AM)ElJefe1 Wrote:  

After spending some time at the immigration office I was instructed to apply for a "other reasons" visa. The lady told me as I'm American it should be almost automatically approved (how true this is I cannot say as I know no one who's done it). This will allow me to stay in the country and come and go in the EU without having to worry about the 90 day rule. Only thing needed is a lease, health insurance, money in the bank (savings or verifiable income ie bank statememnt) , and a "fee stamp" from the post office. I cannot verify the ease of the process or if it's really that easy to be granted this particular visa but I'm submitting on Monday. I know this info would be of great value to others on the forum who travel Europe, especially with all the intrest in BP as of late so I will post what the outcome is.

You're staying in Budapest longer man? nice, I'll have to plan a trip over there soon.

[ElJefe1]

Got everything I needed it was all relatively easy and straight forward, 1 year lease, health insurance for 1 year, and printed bank statements just went to the post office and now have the "fee stamps". I will submit paperwork on Monday and hope for the best.....

(10-18-2014 08:18 AM)saeta119 Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 06:18 AM)ElJefe1 Wrote:  

After spending some time at the immigration office I was instructed to apply for a "other reasons" visa. The lady told me as I'm American it should be almost automatically approved (how true this is I cannot say as I know no one who's done it). This will allow me to stay in the country and come and go in the EU without having to worry about the 90 day rule. Only thing needed is a lease, health insurance, money in the bank (savings or verifiable income ie bank statememnt) , and a "fee stamp" from the post office. I cannot verify the ease of the process or if it's really that easy to be granted this particular visa but I'm submitting on Monday. I know this info would be of great value to others on the forum who travel Europe, especially with all the intrest in BP as of late so I will post what the outcome is.

You're staying in Budapest longer man? nice, I'll have to plan a trip over there soon.

I hope so I've singed a lease so.... Though I plan on being somewhere else warmer in the really cold months and back home quite a bit for other reasons I plan on being in BP mainly.

[samsamsam]

ElJefe1, did you buy local health insurance? Thanks.

[ElJefe1]

(10-19-2014 08:41 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

ElJefe1, did you buy local health insurance? Thanks.

Yes it was pretty inexpensive about $325 for the year.