Finding accommodation will be one of your priorities, whether you are moving to Budapest alone or with your family. Once you've had a look at the different neighbourhoods, choosing the best place to live in Budapest might not be an easy task, as it will depend on the lifestyle you are looking to have. Have a look at some of the popular districts of Budapest and learn about their vibes and the benefits of settling there.
Atmosphere and culture in Budapest
Choosing the best place to live in Budapest might not be an easy task as it will depend on the lifestyle you are looking to have. The most significant difference between the 23 districts of Budapest is their location, if they are in Buda or in Pest. Buda is on the right side of the river Danube; it is hillier and also greener, with generally more expensive house and apartment prices.
It is lovely though, with I. district being its centre. All the main tourist attractions such as the Budai Castle, Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion, Gellert Hill and Citadel are located here, to mention just a few. You will find narrow, Mediterranean-style streets with heritage buildings and huge villas on the hillside with magnificent views.
You will find the others in Pest, where you can also find two main groups鈥攃entral districts and suburban areas. Pest is the beating heart of the city's nightlife, business, and cultural scene. District V, VI, VII, VIII and part of Districts IX and XIII are located around the city centre, so if you live here, you can technically get anywhere easily just walking or by 4-6 tram, which runs through the main boulevard (狈补驳测办枚谤煤迟). If you prefer to live in the middle of everything, these districts are perfect for you as you can find most of the restaurants, bars, pubs, theatres and cinemas here. You can also stroll down to the riverbank or to Margaret Island, which is the largest green area in the city and one of the best places.
Popular districts in Budapest
Have a look at some of the popular districts of Budapest and learn about their vibes and the benefits of settling there. Buda districts are I, II, III, XI, XII and XXII. If you prefer a bit quieter and calmer place to live in, move to district XIV, 窜耻驳濒贸, which has lots of green spaces, relatively close to the centre (25 minutes by bus or tram) or XVI, which feels like you have left the city and entered a small village. You can choose district III (脱产耻诲补) for peace and green areas in Buda as well, which also has a long history tracing back to the Romans who have their settlement here called Aquincum. District XIII (脷箩濒颈辫贸迟惫谩谤辞蝉) has become exceedingly popular for young professionals due to its proximity to the Danube and abundance of cafes, while the Palace District if the formerly ill-reputed District VIII is rapidly gentrifying.
If you are a student, you will probably live in the city centre as many universities are located there or district XI (脷箩产耻诲补), which is close to Lagymanyos Campus and Budapest Technical University. The most expensive area is district V, even though it is in Pest, but as you can find the Parliament and many other government building, banks and 5-star hotels, it's not a surprise. If you are on a stricter budget, look toward the rehabilitation zones. The cheapest districts are former industrial areas, as district X (碍艖产谩苍测补), where the famous 碍艖产谩苍测补i brewery was located (now Dreher Brewery), and district XXI (Csepel), which is located on an island (Csepel-sziget), and was a typical working-class area with many factories during socialism. Today, the area has changed a lot due to new types of businesses, services, and transport developments. Still, prices are quite low here compared to other districts.
Safety in Budapest
While Budapest is widely considered one of the safest capitals in Europe with low violent crime rates, petty theft can be an issue in crowded tourist zones. In general, central Pest can be very noisy, the streets are quite dirty, and there is always lots of traffic here with cars, buses, cyclists, electric rollers and segways always in your way.
Types of housing in Budapest
Housing stock in Budapest generally falls into two categories: classic, high-ceilinged apartments in turn-of-the-century buildings (often with inner courtyards) and modern, energy-efficient new builds found in residential parks. The good thing is that you have a wide range of accommodation to choose from, depending on your budget and requirements. If you are planning to rent a whole house, you will have fewer choices, as mostly students and younger people are renting, not whole families. You can find most of the available houses in the outer districts. Expats with families often gravitate toward the detached homes with gardens in the Buda hills (Districts II and XII) or the suburban feel of District XVI.
If you find a place you like, always check if it's furnished or unfurnished. It's also good to check what kind of heating the flat has, is it electric, gas or central heating as it can cost a lot in winter depending on its type. If you are renting in the city centre, in an older building, you probably have gas convector.
Rent prices and rental conditions in Budapest
The bad news is that in the last few years the cost of renting accommodation in Budapest has gone up drastically. Rent prices vary from 160 000 HUF (420 euros) up to 800 000 HUF/month (2100 euros), but the average cost for a studio is around 210 000 HUF/month. A one-bedroom flat is around 280 000 HUF/month, while a two-bedroom apartment can cost more than 380 000 HUF/month. Luxury renovations in District V or homes with panoramas in Buda can easily exceed 1 million HUF.
These prices mean just the cost of the rent; you have to pay the bills on top, which are at least another 45 000 HUF monthly due to global energy price shifts. Rent prices are similar to buying prices, most expensive is district V, but the most popular and sought-after districts are district XIII, XI and XIV, which are still close to the city centre with more green areas. For whole houses in the outer districts, expect prices starting around 350 000 HUF/month.
The best practices for rental conditions and contracts in Budapest is similar as elsewhere in Hungary 鈥� check out our article on that here. Be sure to get a signed written contract and take good care of checking the common costs. Many landlords now require a notarized contract to ensure immediate enforceability 鈥� this is standard practice.
Finding accommodation in Budapest
The most straightforward way to find accommodation in the capital is to explore the largest online platforms (, , and Property.hu). You can also consider real estate agencies like Duna House and Otthon Centrum, or something more expat-focused like Tower International. Be careful with Facebook groups as they can be a hotbed for dodgy solutions and outright scams - but for vetted communities and personal connections, it can also be a good way to go.
Ensure you have a written contract for the lease. It is standard practice for landlords to require a notarized 鈥渞emoval declaration,鈥� a statement renters sign acknowledging you'll move out if the contract is terminated or expires. This is normal - Hungarian law heavily favors the renter otherwise and it can take a long court procedure to ensure eviction, so don't see this as a red flag.
The security deposit is two months' rent, with the first month's rent typically also paid in advance. The contract also details the monthly 鈥渃ommon cost鈥� for maintenance and the utility costs. The standard lease duration is a year, with a typical notice period of 30-60 days. To ensure you can get yourself an address card (鈥�濒补办肠铆尘办谩谤迟测补鈥�), which is a vital document, make sure your landlord agrees to sign the related registration form.
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