Hello everybody!
So I got offered a position in good research institute there in Budapest. It is planned to be for the next 2 years. During the interview they told me that the salary may seem low from a Western Europe point of view.. but that it is very good and reasonable there in Budapest. However after having read a lot in forums and stuff I have my doubts regarding all these "legends" about how cheap is Budapest. So I just want to ask you expats living there for a while for some real facts. My questions:
1) just to be honest.. do you think 1000 eur nett per month (500000 ft gros) is enough to live there? Also my girlfriend would come with me.. is that enough for both of us to live while she doesn't have a job??
2) you think she will easily find a job? She speaks german (native) and perfect English.. but doesn't have more experience than caring old people (and she doesn't want to work there in that field anymore, so she is open for maybe a new proffesion)
3) is it really the average salary in Budapest below 500 eur as many people says? Somehow I don't believe that.. from the people you know there and also yourselves. is it not that common to get more money than that? Most of you? Or is it Budapest in fact a place where people earn very little money (400 eur/month average)?
4) Also, I have a Bachelor's degree, Master's and very soon a PhD Doctorate. Do you think I should be better paid there or I am again in the average?
5) is it really true that I can rent a 2 rooms flat for less than 300-400 eur in Budapest?
I don't know, I am scared. Everybody talks that Budapest is so cheap etc.. but then some expats living there complain that this is not true at all.. that once you settle down there you realize it is not much cheaper than west Europe after all.. and that in fact many people are earning over 1000 nett.
It would be so helpful if you could help me with these questions!