Hi there,
It's looking likely that we'll be moving from the UK to Hungary next year, probably Budapest. We've lived abroad before, and thoroughly enjoy immersing ourselves in a new culture and language, but Hungary is a different prospect to Spain, France and Germany (or maybe I'm making too big a deal of this?)

Anyway, having increased my knowledge of things Hungarian about 500% by reading the Wikipedia entry for Hungary, I've confirmed that yes, it will be a good place to live, and yes, the language is impossibly difficult, that only 9% of Hungarians speak English, and by the way they have more shopping malls than anywhere else in Europe, plus the largest Tesco in the world???

Anyway, I wanted to get some advice from anyone who has spent more than a short vacation in Hungary. For the practical things, how did you get on in the first months? (e.g. Shopping for fresh produce at the market, renting then buying a house, learning the language).

Do you know of any books which are good to read - fiction or non-fiction - for an understanding of life in Hungary?

Thanks,
Anna

I haven't been there, but I thought the oddly-named book Prague, by Arthur Philips, was very good. It isactually a fictional book about US expatriates in Budapest. Someone told me it matched up to her experience.

AnnaG
I think you are perhaps making too big a deal of it. The greatly majority of continental Europe always seems so ultra-civilised compared with hustle and bustle of rushed life in England (especially if, like so many Brits, your life is played it in the concrete Tesco-land that seems to sprawl over southern England). If you are used to London life, then Budapest will seem quiet. I don't think that Hungary, one of the most amiable and civilised of European countries, especially once you get beyond the capital, is so very much a different prospect than Spain, France or Germany.

Be prepared for more bureaucracy, perhaps, than might be the norm in Britain. Well codified, to be sure, but nonetheless exasperating, esp. if you don't know the language. Time spent now getting to grips with the language will reap handsome rewards once there.

By way of pre-reading for Hungary, try Imre Móra's "Budapest: Then and Now", on food read George Lang's "The Cuisine of Hungary" (much more than just a cookbook, but some good recipés there too), and prose by Péter Esterházy and Péter Nádas.
Hope these few thoughts help.
Nicky
http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk

I've found that the Culture Shock series and the Travellers' Tales series make excellent reading for holidays and longer stays in various countries. The Culture Shock series provides guidance on customs and etiquette. There is one for Hungary and you could order it from an online retailer. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a "Travellers Tales" for Hungary.

Thanks all for your replies.

WillTravel, I added 'Prague' to my Amazon shopping basket.

Hidden Europe, thanks for yours too. We live in very rural UK although I'm in London today for work. The civilised pace and style of life in Hungary will probably suit us nicely. We were so amused by the mention of Tesco - we bewail the lack of a decent supermarket within 10 miles of our house, and where do we finally end up living close to one... in Budapest (The Csarnok is more my style though!) Thanks for the reading tips, and the advice about bureaucracy - any examples?

Katy W - I'm off to Google 'Culture Shock' - thanks.

Anna

Well - I've never been there for any but a short vacation - but I agree that englishh is not that widely spoken off the tourist trail even in Budapest. So, if you plan on actually living there - I would start on the Hungarian lessons heavy duty immediately - so you have a reasonable fluency when you arrive.

The younger generation those under 30 are really trying to all learn English even in the countryside but learning some basic Hungarian will definetly benefit you and your family. It's a strange language but the letters sound like they are written and there are faminine/masculine words. Reading Blogs about people who live in Hungary is not only interesting but helpful and there's a huge expat community that is very active. I read the Budapest Sun ( www.budapestsun.com) and www.caboodle.hu. Hope that these are helpful. I would enjoy living in Hungary for a while so I hope you enjoy the opportunity.

I lived in Hungary for a while and it is amazing. Message me if you want any info.