Advice sought
I’ve lived in Braşov for 18 months and loved it.
But I’m reaching the point of change. I’ve cast about for alternative places to live, so I can experience a different side of Romanian life which is not the same as Braşov.
I very strongly considered Sibiu which is an EU Cultural Capital. And in my explorations, I’ve stumbled across two offers I “cannot refuse” as it were.
One choice is a modest apartment in Bucureşti where I can experience life in the capital city and perhaps overcome my previous distaste for it. There’s some very interesting people who live there and I would hope to meet them, if I did move to Bucureşti. There’s also the commerce angle, which interests me. Much (if not most) of the money in Romania can be found in the big metropolis.
Another choice is a modest apartment in Ramnicu Valcea where I can experience life in a castaway city and perhaps learn that living there is quite bearable even if it’s not glamorous. It is close enough to Sibiu that I could visit often. It’s near enough to Shrinkmamma that visiting once in a while wouldn’t be so hard. There is no commerce angle, except if you relish a challege (as I sometimes do). It gives me the opportunity to learn a more common facet of Romanian life.
So, tell me, my Romanian readers, given the stark contrast, what should I take into consideration as I weigh this decision in the final moments? I will decide soon and realize that your input may impact me.
Whuddya think.. and why?
(Thanks in advance for your thoughts.)
March 13th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
CO – If you are still in Brasov, I’d like to meet over a beer or something before I go.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Keep in mind that Bucharest is not really Romania… it’s more like a mixture of Romanian culture and gipsy culture and no culture at all, as the city’s identity was destroyed during the communist period, its citizens deported or imprisoned and its culture transformed into something that can’t really be called a culture. Yes, the money and the business are here, but that’s pretty much all of it.
If I were you and could afford to live someplace else than Bucharest I’d chose Sibiu at any given time. Constanta is also a nice place to live, but it’s my hometown and I’m biased towards it.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Bucureşti is fabulous. It is the heart of the country, wherefrom all its money and its blood comes. It may be a haven of mixed cultures, but isn’t diversity better than something you get stuck and ultimately bored with? At least here, taking the subway and getting off at Titan station will transport you to a different city altogether, while still in Bucureşti. It is also the big place where you can meet with and hide from all sorts of people. It may be alienating, but if you’re wise, it’s where you will find yourself. And it is constantly changing, like a living person. Bucureşti is alive.
(Plus: we can meet, have fun and, guess what, work together?)
(Constanţa would be my second choice. Beautiful, beautiful city.)
March 13th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Well if those two are your choices, and your only choices, I would vote for Bucureşti – if only just for the opportunity to see for yourself whether the hype and/or the dis are true.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:03 am
Go North! Baia Mare or Satu Mare are interesting, intriguing little towns, the people are kinda wacky and the surroundings are spectacular. Would be cool to see your spin on these places. Bitter cold winters though. And of course I am biased, my family is from that neck of the woods.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:31 am
I’ll keep this short. I’ve loved and hated Bucharest with equal passion for a while now. I would advise anyone I care about to go there, which is why I think it has come time for you to cut the ombilical cord tying you to nice and gentle cities. Go East. Go Dirty. Go to where the lights are. It’s the worst and the best city of Romania–one that packs magic and horridness in a single day. Do you really want to pass up the mother of all contrasts for the blandness of yet another Transylvanian town?
Plus, I should be there soon enough.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:31 am
When I saw this post, I was wondering how long it would be before a frustrated bigot from the country would start a raving post in which to express his hate of Bucharest.
And of course Bucharest has no culture. The dozens of museums, theatres, concert halls and libraries are all used for mud wrestling contests during which the spectators eat sunflower seeds, right?
The real culture is found in small Transylvanian towns in which the only movie theatre closed down in the 1990s, as did the only bookstore, the library is in a state of disrepair and the only entertainment appears to be listening to manele.
Patric, try to think again about what you said in your comment and maybe you’d realize how silly is to start generalizations about two million people.
to Romerican: Bucharest is big, dirty, ugly, noisy, rude, but it’s also very dynamic, enjoying a great economic development lately, it’s generally a rather interesting place to live.
Just like every large city, it’s inhabited by both great and lousy people. It just depends what kind of people you like. :-)
March 14th, 2007 at 11:39 am
You’ve got mail.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Umm……well you see, since I’m an ignorant American I have no Idea. But let me know how it works out for you.
March 14th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I’d love to meet you, but I will only be available on Friday. Hope that’s okay. Send me an email message for the grim details.
March 14th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
[...] E un american in Romania, normal — Romerican. Sta la Brasov si vrea sa se mute.. [...]
March 14th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
what about Paris ?
r++
March 14th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
or how about buying a trailer and switching the location every 2 months ?
every 2 weeks ? wireless Internet connection … think about it :>
r++
March 15th, 2007 at 12:39 am
A while ago, I would’ve adviced you to choose anything but Bucureşti, but if it’s only for a short while, I’d say go for it. Then, if you don’t get the big city virus, you can move to Cluj or Timişoara. I wouldn’t recommend anything else. :) Good luck!
March 15th, 2007 at 1:13 am
try one, if you don’t like it, try the other….will be waiting to hear about your choice
March 15th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Thanks to all. It would appear the mob has spoken.
March 15th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Or you could go to Oradea, I’m trying to go there for a mini-vacay for Memorial Day weekend… ;)
March 15th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
well…you have two distinct options…I honestly would suggest Valcea. Having experienced what family life is like in Romania, it’s a nice relaxing way to spend your days. With Sibiu so close, it’s a no brainer. You will have the best of both worlds…maybe even start your own “herb” garden by day, and visit the absolute nicest city in the country any time you get the itch…and no not “that” itch! Plus most of all, L will be close to her family & friends..if that makes her happy…so will it you!!!
[Anonymized -R!]
March 16th, 2007 at 3:01 am
Bucharest. Not that Rm Valcea is all that bad. But since you’re gonna quit leaving in a nicer town than both your new options, you should at least choose the most interesting of the two. Bucharest – not clean, not nice, not beautiful, not peaceful, not boring.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:05 am
I know how you love good food! (me too) http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Romania/Municipiul_Bucuresti/Bucharest-520545/Restaurants-Bucharest-Traditional_food-BR-1.html
March 16th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Why not Arad? or Timisoara? Arad is smaller, but really a nice and clean place to live in.
I strongly advise you at least to visit it (try the theater and afterwards beer at Joy’s across the street and coffee at Divino) and while we’re at that, go to Moneasa and Dezna. Moneasa is a small, nice resort to visit :)
When you decide to visit Arad, let me know.
March 17th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Manuela, thanks for the invite. I will take you up on that.
March 17th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Great!
March 21st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
It comes down to whether you like living in big cities or small towns really doesn’t it? I’m happy with my small town life, but then I have a family and don’t need nightlife and stuff like that.
And Cristian, shameo n you. In what world is Ramnicu Valcea a Transylvanian town?