Livia Kretsch
American expat in Hungary
Forum posts
60
Contacts
1
About me
American
Registration: 05 May 2021
Why is Hungary interesting and good by cdw057
Me and my wife loved Eastern Europe from the start (we took 2 holidays per year from the start, one to Eastern Europe (Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, but also Hungary) We had good times and we decided to settle in Hungary (close to Heviz). Also ...
@cdw057I am glad that you guys are enjoying Hungary. we live on the other end of lake Balaton, Balatonalmadi. but just had enough of living here. we were checking out Keszthely for a while, but decided that what we hate around here is the same ... Read More
Still confused about property taxes in Hungary... 4%? This cannot be!? by juliet1980
1.聽I am confused even after doing a search for 鈥減roperty taxes鈥� on this forum and reading bla bla on google. I understand that if buy property in Hungary there is a 4% annual property tax I have to pay every year? But then there is ...
I think for the sake of your senity ( especially if you speak hungarian) find an accountant! They work for pennies. My accountant did my taxes, my husband鈥檚 taxes for a year when we sold a home and bought another one and only charged me 20.000 ... Read More
Formalities to bring your pet in Hungary by Julien
Hi all, What are the formalities and paperwork required to bring your pet in Hungary? How long do formalities & paperwork usually take in Hungary? What are the relevant authorities to contact? Which vaccines are compulsory? Do your pets ...
I did it 6 years ago but I was required to send the vet certificate to the airport where we land, which was Germany. We took a car from there to Hungary. I think this was the single hardest thing I had to do in my life! We missed 2 flights because ... Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
30s again!? I am sure that the weather change ruined many vacationers beach plans, but what a relief!聽I watched the air show on video a few years ago and it was so unbelievable when the planes flew under the bridges! After 9/11 it was amazing ... Read More
Absolutely Anything Else by fluffy2560
Supposedly a thread for blabbing about anything you want and hopefully nothing will be off topic.
@Bian_ca6661聽You are right! Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
Even though, I always thought that the air show was so dangerous. A busy city full of spectators! I don鈥檛 know鈥� Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
Yes! Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
What a shame! We鈥檝e been waiting for rain for such a long time! Now we have plans to see the outdoor live music in Balatonalmadi and would be my husband鈥檚 first firework to see in Budapest, but the storm watch makes us rethink going to ... Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
Yesterday on the north shore of lake Balaton was really hot until 9 in the evening. Wonder if it ever rain again?! My beautiful cherry tree is dying 馃槥 Read More
Absolutely Anything Else by fluffy2560
Supposedly a thread for blabbing about anything you want and hopefully nothing will be off topic.
@Bian_ca6661聽Why don鈥檛 you come down to Balatonalmadi?聽Kaptalanfured beach is really nice. There is always parking.聽My husband was never a lake beach goer, since he always lived by the ocean. After 6 years of being here, last ... Read More
Love to live somewhere semi rural by biscuitdixon
@Julien聽Hello, I'm starting on a journey to discover a better way of living in another country.My husband and I are financially self sufficient and would love to live somewhere semi rural where we could grow organic and meet friendly folk.Thank ...
@Balaton Wine聽I was somewhat confused by this too in the beginning Read More
Love to live somewhere semi rural by biscuitdixon
@Julien聽Hello, I'm starting on a journey to discover a better way of living in another country.My husband and I are financially self sufficient and would love to live somewhere semi rural where we could grow organic and meet friendly folk.Thank ...
@Balaton Wine聽Everything is super dry! This was my first vegetable garden and it looked really good earlier, but now it鈥檚 awful. My husband hates the large rain water barrels (attracts mosquitoes) so we never had one. It would be pretty ... Read More
Love to live somewhere semi rural by biscuitdixon
@Julien聽Hello, I'm starting on a journey to discover a better way of living in another country.My husband and I are financially self sufficient and would love to live somewhere semi rural where we could grow organic and meet friendly folk.Thank ...
We are in the US for 5 weeks and going back to Hungary today. I鈥檒l let you know how the lake is. Read More
Love to live somewhere semi rural by biscuitdixon
@Julien聽Hello, I'm starting on a journey to discover a better way of living in another country.My husband and I are financially self sufficient and would love to live somewhere semi rural where we could grow organic and meet friendly folk.Thank ...
Hello!Balaton region is very nice in Hungary. Good climate for growing, I just started a garden and surprisingly lots of vegetables growing and better than I expected.Good luck!Livia聽 Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
@Guest 83聽Hi Niki,聽Sorry, I am always so late finding my messages 馃槀.It would be nice to talk *Livia Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
Hi Rose, How do you like Hungary again? Everything you remembered? Livia馃檪 Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
I am also Hungarian originaly and my husband is American. We moved to lake Balaton 5 years ago. As much as I love it here (Balatonalmadi), we (mostly my hubby) regretted the move. I know that Hungary grew a lot in recent years, but a person from a ... Read More
Buying property in Hungary by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Hungary? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Hungary? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
I am almost positive that it would be ok to have a tent. As others wrote, it isn't a permanent structure. We still live in Veszprem megye and it is acceptable if it doesn't have a concrete slab and not connetced to a permanent structure. Read More
Gypsies, crime situation in general? by markolaukas
Hi all! I am interested of 1 house in Mez艖cs谩t area. Is It a good area to relocate as expat, english speaking Finn? What about gypsies? Is there a real problem with them? Thank you in advance!
Come to the Balaton area! It is really safe there. Read More
Moving FROM Hungary by cdw057
Dear Forum Members, Me and my wife have lived in Hungary for 6 years and I have to say quite happily. Having said that prices for services and normal purchases have increased massively, longer term it is just going to be expensive. We have had an ...
I agree! You can't gain much with moving a little further. Have you looked around outside of Budapest? Read More
Retirement - collecting social security from US by Livia Kretsch
Enyone of you collect social security from US? Where do you even start the process?
I was really wondering how obama care looked like. It went into effect just a year before we left the US and thanks to that, we lost our private health insurance. But we refused to get Obama care. I read about it. The regular monthly cost for ... Read More
FENCING COMPANY PEST COUNTY by Keith R
My house is on a steep hill and I have now had the misfortune of an ice cream rolling back down the road and crashing through my wrought iron fencing - partially demolishing the accompanying stone wall. I am trying to find a contractor who would ...
There are ice cream trucks at Balatonalmadi. They sell frozen food also. I guess the Budapest traffic couldn't allow such things. Read More
Retirement - collecting social security from US by Livia Kretsch
Enyone of you collect social security from US? Where do you even start the process?
Would any of you know, by any chance if health insurance costs are different in different states (USA)? Read More
Retirement - collecting social security from US by Livia Kretsch
Enyone of you collect social security from US? Where do you even start the process?
Sounds familiar. I could add to this story a few more pages, but I'm sure we all get the picture. We are moving back probably this year, but the health care is the only issue which makes me nervous. O! And Biden of course 馃槖 Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
Yesterday was another very hot day. My dog doesn't like to be outside too long in hot. Her biggest (and our) problem is that she wants to protect us for any cost. In my dogs eyes, only my husband, me and she exist. We go to dogtraining when ... Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
Thank you for all the info! You are right it isn't around the corner from us. But sounds so much fun that I have to look for a dog beach around us. I can't wait to see what my dog would do. She is from a shelter and with us for 8 years but ... Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
I can't imagine a car without a/c here, not mention in Arizona. If you leave the windows open, is probably worse for the ears. I have no idea how elderly people can survive in Florida! 5 years ago in New Jersey, our electric bill was close to ... Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
We are getting new roof and so far only the water barrier sheet is up, the roof tiles are going up next week. So much delay because of the heat. The roofers can't stay up more than a couple of hours a day. Now I just hope that we don't get ... Read More
Today's Weather by GuestPoster279
What is the weather today, where you are? Just thought this would make for an interesting long term project.
Where is a dog strand in Lake Balaton? My dog is 8 years old and never been in the water. I would love to see what she does. So far we had 10 drops of rain and heavy wind (Balatonalmadi), but nothing else. All the plants are dying, grass is burned. ... Read More
Retirement - collecting social security from US by Livia Kretsch
Enyone of you collect social security from US? Where do you even start the process?
Yes, I heard that traffic in Budapest is getting worse. But you are right about walking is faster than driving and I have to say public transportation is pretty good in the city. We are thinking of moving to Budapest sometimes, because my husband is ... Read More
Retirement - collecting social security from US by Livia Kretsch
Enyone of you collect social security from US? Where do you even start the process?
Thank you Marilyn! My husband can start collecting in January, but we probably have to start working on it way in advance. We live by lake Balaton, so traveling free is not so important, plus as much as I would like to travel with train sometimes, ... Read More
Retirement
Enyone of you collect social security from US? Where do you even start the process? Read More
Traveling to Budapest in 2 weeks by rb421
I would like to ask my fellow group members to learn if any of you are, will have, or was in a similar situation to mine. I am fully vaccinated (2x Pfizer) administered by UCLA in Santa Monica,California. Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary but ...
How did the trip go? I am all worried that I accepted the sputnic shot. I didn't think that I go to US than. But It turned out that I go in about September. However, if the Pcr test is a must, than doesn't it matter which vaccinations ... Read More
Absolutely Anything Else by fluffy2560
Supposedly a thread for blabbing about anything you want and hopefully nothing will be off topic.
You are right about the name! If it wasn't called socialised medical care, nor obama care, but something else, it might be much easier to sell. Americans know that this system is awful, but for some reason it isn't getting fixed. Probably ... Read More
Retire to Lake Balaton? by Balazs1
Hi everyone, My wife and I run a small, high-quality property rental business in Budapest (long-term rent only), and we're thinking about expanding to Lake Balaton, by buying a lakeside, top-quality penthouse apt (also for long-term rent). My ...
Hi Bal谩zs, We moved to Balatoalmadi from abroad and had long term and also short term rental apartmans. They weren't super high end, but new and nice. My experience: short term was good, long term in this area not so much. But again, a ... Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
Maybe in Budapest, you could find a job if you speak only in English, but it depends on what you do. I always see companies looking for engineers or programmers or similar. My husband has a really hard time with this, especially because we live in ... Read More
How good is the online shopping in Hungary? by onlyablur
Hi all We do more than half of our shopping online (food, clothes, books, electronic products etc). We are moving to Hungary soon, and I wonder if the online shopping businesses are quite established in Hungary? How does it compared to the UK? ...
I would say online shopping is pretty good in Hungary. I do almost all my shopping online, except food. And even if I miss ebay and amazon, there are good places to shop from. For example: "ecipo.hu" if you want to buy shoes. I don't ... Read More
COVID-19 and expatriation in Hungary by Lo茂c
Hello everybody, The COVID-19 crisis inevitably impacts Hungary, between closed airports or periods of containment in some cities or even the entire country . We would like to hear from you during this unusual period, to find out what the ...
At least you got the shot. I would think there are enough foreigners live in Budapest that they could get the system ready for them too. Getting there. Read More
COVID-19 and expatriation in Hungary by Lo茂c
Hello everybody, The COVID-19 crisis inevitably impacts Hungary, between closed airports or periods of containment in some cities or even the entire country . We would like to hear from you during this unusual period, to find out what the ...
What a bunch of nonsense in Hungary with all these pitty paperwork madeup problems!? I could write 100s of pages about the burocratic nightmare we are dealing with in the last 5 years. Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
Hi, we are in Balatonalmadi. My husband is American, I am Hungarian. This is a very nice area. There is an american school in almadi. Read More
Absolutely Anything Else by fluffy2560
Supposedly a thread for blabbing about anything you want and hopefully nothing will be off topic.
What area are you in? We are north of lake Balaton and we didn't experience any PowerPoint problems. Read More
New members of the Hungary forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Hungary forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Sorry! I hit the reply button where this was the subject. Wonder, if he sees it... Thanks anyway馃檪 Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
Thank you! Yes, good luck we need to find somebody to talk to before my husband goes crazy. He is awfully homesick as it is, and wants to move back. I don't see too many members here unfortunately. Thank you for your reply! 馃檪 Read More
New members of the Hungary forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Hungary forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
My husband started with Generally 4 years ago and it was pretty awful to say the least. It might've changed since then but when he needed a doctor we had to call a number who arranged the visit with a private doctor in a few days. The worst ... Read More
New members of the Hungary forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Hungary forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Good to hear that we are not the only foreigners here. How do you like Hungary so far? Do you make vine? We moved to a vine making region too, where everything is so beautiful, but not much happening 8 months of the year. Unfortunately, there are ... Read More
New members of the Hungary forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Hungary forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Hi Everyone, My husband is American, I am hungarian and we moved to Hungary, Balaton area a couple of years ago. Balatonalmadi is probably not the best place for socializing ( especially in the winter). We have a very hard time finding friends for ... Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
Hi Niki, Did you guys move to Hungary after all? We live in Balatonalmadi. My husband is American and I am looking for a group where he can speak English with other foreigners. I hope you still see this message. Thanks, Livia Read More
Lake Balaton by Tweetypie78
Hi, Is there anyone who moved to Lake Balaton from the Uk? I am originally from Hungary and my partner is British. We got two young children and are thinking to move back to Hungary in the north of Lake Balaton area. I was wondering if there are ...
Hi, I just found this post (3 years later!). I was just wondering if you still live in Hungary? Or maybe you can recommend english speaker groups. My husband is American and he has a very hard time to fit in. We live in Balatonalmadi. Thank ... Read More