| It wasn't too long ago that British expat Anne Marie moved to Budapest, Hungary. Living abroad isn't a new experience for her, and here she shares some of her early impressions of living in this Hungarian capital city. |
 Anne Marie |
-Where were you born?
I was born in Yorkshire, England.
-In which country and city are you living now?
At the moment I am living in Budapest, Hungary. Before that, I lived in Warsaw, Poland for two years with a year in Paris sandwiched in-between.
-Are you living alone or with your family?
Alone
-How long have you been living in Hungary?
A month! Seems crazy to be doing the interview so soon, but this move has made me realise that after I learn to love the cities I have lived in I forget all about how hard it can be in those first few weeks.
-What is your age?
31
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Hungary?
I worked for a company in Poland that had a branch here. I loved Warsaw so much that I thought I would try another Eastern European city.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, EU citizenship is a wonderful thing.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Ask me in a few weeks!
-How do you make your living in Hungary? Do you have any type of income generated?
I work in a school and I got the job before I moved out here. There are loads of international school jobs on the web.
-Do you speak Hungarian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I am learning slowly, just like I did in Poland and France.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I am lucky that I am not far away. I do miss the Yorkshire Dales and all the amazing people in that part of the world.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
I would love to travel to India and China, where my brother lives.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
£300 for a large two-bed apartment near the centre.
-What is the cost of living in Hungary?
Quite low so far!
-What do you think about the Hungarians?
Everyone that I have met has been really friendly. They love it when you speak even a tiny bit of Hungarian!
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Hungary?
Budapest is beautiful, but like all the countries that used to be behind the Iron Curtain I imagine that red tape can be a problem.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Hungary?
Not yet, I am still learning! However, like anywhere, come with an open mind.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Hungary?
My own blog is www.warsawtoparis.blogspot , which covers all three of the countries I have lived in. I also love www.budapestdailyphoto.com and www.pestcentric.com
