Comparison Turkey/Hungary

Looking at monthly expenses in Hungary it is not bad at all (assuming own house), electricty, gas, local taxes, public transport, very, very fine. Of course normal products are increasing (quite a bit), but bottom line with the fixed fees, things seem to be very fine in Hungary.

Looking at normal (?) people in Western Europe (mortgage, energy, local taxes, garbage disposal, ...) Conclusion is that Hungary is not too bad (OK for a couple without alcohol and cigarettes it might be EUR 400/500 pm), but the rest is lets say cost-effective.

As some will know, we currently live in Turkey (pluses and minuses) and from a cost perspective it is ridiciously cheap, we live in the center and go to restaurants as much as we can (EUR 20 for 2 (starter and main and a soft drink is not too bad (and quality is good))

Still HU is part of EU and Turkey is not (worries on how things will go). In HU there is also national tendencies, but I can tell you in TR as well.

Still like in Hungary in Turkey walking on the street is safe (very safe), unlike Netherlands or UK.

Perhaps we will return, luxury life for little money, but living in a complex where people complaining about maintenance fees (EUR 25 pm) and want to save on this or that, it is sickening, peole can buy an appartment for EUR 50 K (MINIMUM) and complain on a few EUR (good maintenance is important).

In a way I miss own house with own decisions.

Chaotic I understand (and as usual)

Not directly relevant, still monthly budget here (You and Me know about Hungary)

-Electricity (EUR 13)

-Water (EUR 1) (Turkey has Caucasus)

-Water is apparently not safe for drinking so we buy bottled water (EUR 20 pm)

-Gas 2 bottles per year (I think EUR 20 per bottle including tip)

-Cigarettes (I smoke 3 packages per day), EUR 1.70 per package, EUR 160 pm

-Alcohol (expensive in Turkey), lets say half a liter whiskey (Jameson) per day EUR 500 pm

-Restaurants, we try to go 4x pw, depending where to go (Western/Local), can vary between (for 2 (without alcohol)) EUR 20 and EUR 60 (latter for Chateau Briand and starters) I would say EUR 600 pm

-Normal shopping (bread, vegs, fruit, cola (mix with the whisky), chips, ....) EUR 300 pm

-Market (my wife likes to go and haggle), garlic, onions, strawberries, bananas, sharp peppers, apples, oranges, .... EUR 60 pm (maximum), side note in Hungary products on market are more expensive than supermarket, in Turkey it is the reverse.

-Meat (largely lamb) and eggs as well as sauces with butcher (EUR 12 for a kg) EUR 70 pm

-Repairs/maintenance, EUR 20 pm (carpet cleaning, divan, isolation, ....)

-Internet 100 mb (EUR 12 pm)

-Telephones (two for me and my wife), EUR 20 pm

-Depreciation on TV, computer, furniture, ... I would say EUR 100 pm

-Local taxes (garbage, maintenance on streets, ...(WELL DONE) EUR 7 pm (too low, but ..)

-Maintenenance fees of building (inclusive of Concierge and management company) EUR 20 pm (should be at least 3 x higher, but another matter)

-Netflix/Audible (EUR 20 pm)

-We do nost have a car anymore (even if I have difficulties in walking EVERYTHING within 500m (most 200M)) (How people drive in Turkey (I am scared))

-Public transport (for my wife) EUR 10 pm maximum (side note VERY good, better as in Hungary)

-Tips for bureacracy support (changing driving license, residency permit, pushing people, ..)  EUR 30 pm maximum

-Some others I forgot... EUR 200 pm (but too high I think)

I hope the above gave a bit of insight in Turkey, in some things Hungary are not expensive at all (energy is more expensive, but still very, very cheap, shopping is expensive (sad), local taxes in Hungary are ridicious low (same situation in Turkey).

DIFFERENCES

-Smoking (cheap)

-Restaurants (although it is fine), but more restaurants here, 10 good restaurants at least within 500m

-Mindset, in Turkey people are VERY friendly, but things are in common (NOT in time). In Hungary we had a gardener who knows a lot of people, but he knows when dealing with Christof be on time (good tip, good ,.), He did and he was paid for this. In Turkey we asked for things, but delay here, delay there, ..., still very friendly and good (difficult).