What’s your story? Where do you come from? Why Budapest?

Alina: I was born in Ukrain, my dad comes from Kárpátalja. I moved to Hungary in 2005 right after finishing high school. I went to universtiy here, I met great people, and finally I receieved Hungarian citizenship. It was hard first because I didn’t speak the language as well as I do know, but the city has become more and more international, since I’ve lived here. I feel good here: working and enjoying life.

Irina: I can say my story is quite average. In 1999 my father decided to move to Hungary due to his work. I’m originally from Jekatyerinburg, Russia, which is in the middle of Ural Mountains. I’ve been here for about 15 years. I went to high school and university here, and now I am working.

Maria: I was born in Moscow 32 years ago. We decided to move here beacuse my dad, who is an artist, had better work opportunities here. My mother and I joined him when I was 10. It was hard at first beacuse I had to go to school, and I didn’t speak the language at all. I had 3 months to learn it to keep pace with the other Hungarian students. In addition, at that time many people had negative opinions about Russians due to the political situation, and some teachers shared these opinions with me. Of course the kids weren’t like that, unless their parents had influenced them. But this whole experience helped to improve me and made me proud to be a Russian, with a strong Hungarian influence. By the way, even now I feel like a total stranger, who doesn’t really belong anywhere, but it isn’t a bad thing. In any case, if I ever want to go, it’ll be easy to leave everything behind and build something new somewhere else.



How well do you speak the language?

Alina: Very well now. I had 5 years to learn it in a passive way, and 3 years to practice. Hungarian has a very different logic when compared to other languages I speak. It took some time, but eventually I figured it out. When I finally began to see the logic, the whole thing became much easier. Iriana and I have a project right now: we’re trying to get our driver’s licenses in Hungarian. This is a big test of our knowledge. My favourite Hungarian word is „kamásli,” which was very surprising to me the first time I heard it.

Irina: I never went to a Hungarian school, even my job is in English. But I think if you live in a country, it is your duty to learn the language spoken there. I speak Hungarian well but I want to improve. Plus, my inseparable Russian accent adds a special sound when I speak Hungarian. My favourtie word is „pofátlan” and „ciki,” becuase these words cannot be expressed so clearly in other languages. I also like complicated words like „törülköző” and „kényelmetlen”.

Maria: I speak a perfect Hungarian, some people say like a native. My favourite word is „rettenetes”. Not just because of the pronounciation but also its meaning. You can’t convey the same meaning so easily in English or in Russian.

What do you like the most in Budapest?

Alina: it’s a beautiful city with something special: it sparkles. I like the street food, and there are many opportunities to have fun here.

Irina: I like the diversity. There are many, many possibilities here. You can literally find everything here. This city is full of cool places, events, concerts... and, of course, wine festivals! Besides as an expat, I really enjoy of the cosmopolitan feeling of the city. We are right here in the middle of Europe, but people come from everywhere and that makes the city a very interesting place to live. And I have to mention the architecture! The shore of Danube amaze me everytime.



Maria: The best thing about Budapest is that the cultural life has improved so much since I’ve been here. Plus, this is a beautiful city as well, with unbelievable architecture, and I think it beats all the European capitals. People are becoming more and more open. There are huge amount of possibilities if you want to travel or have fun.

And what you don’t like?

Alina: The first thing that came into my mind was the service. Sometimes I feel like I’m the one who has to be thankful when my order comes.

Irina: This newly formed „party-city” image. This city has so many possibilities, and we shouldn’t narrow it only to the night life. It’s not obviously a problem, but it changes the attitude of the travelers here. On the other hand, even though Budapest is a modern and cool city, it still has a very „eastern” outlook compared to the western neighbours. An example of this is the importance placed on appearance, recognition, and power instead of on credibility.

Maria: I’d highlight the service in certain clubs, restaurants, taxis and stores. My experience is that people are pokey, lazy and don’t really care about anything. Maybe if I were Hungarian, I wouldn’t recognize this behavior. Agression and the lack of empathy bothers me. I’m made to feel that I am a bad person if I use my bank card. I can see the people behind me in line roll their eyes, and it often happens that somebody bumps into me in the street and don’t even say that they are sorry. Also sometimes if I speak Russian, people say something rude because they don’t think that I can understand what they are saying.

What is your opinion about the locals? Do you get along with them?

Alina: I have different experiences. I’ve met some really nice people, but naturally I’ve met the opposite too.



Irina: it’s complicated. Actually, I find Hungarians friendly, amusing and intelligent, but there is a big difference in mentality between us. Despite the growing international presence, lots of people here are fed by their own nation’s behavioral pattern and keep distance from foreigners. There are other problems in the mentality too: lots of Hungarians are passive, negative, and complaining about problems that don’t really exist instead of just moving on and enjoying life.

Maria: Since so many people live in Budapest, you can run into every type of person. Some of them are nice, friendly, helpful and funny. Other ones, well, let’s just say that you want to stay away from them.

If you were a superhero, what would you change on?

Alina: The service. I think it should be more positive, helpful and happier.

Irina: I would put sunshine into people. I’d like to see more smiles, more energy, more freedom and self-confidence.

Maria: Nothing. I’d like to do kung-fu to protect myself. Being a superhero can be very exhausting. You help people, save them, but you can’t change them. I’d be happier if people learned by themselves how to see the sunny side of the life - not losing the hope - put away the prejudices and just helping each other.

Favourite places?

Alina: When I first came here, I was surprised by how many beautiful places there are. My favourites are Duna-part, Erzsébet-híd, Lánchíd and the baths. I also like the smaller places in Hungary, like Szentendre and Győr. I like hiking at the Rám-szakadék or Holdivlág-árok.

Irina: Duna-part, Lánchíd, Római-part...actually, all the places with nice views. Gellérthegy, Normafa, Vár... These are the best.

Maria: There are many. I love the downtown, walking on Andrássy street, watching people from cafés. I also like the Budai Vár. It’s good to look down to the city from Halászbástya at night. Budapest is a gift. If I were a tourist, I would come back again and again.

What do you think about the night life of Budapest?

Alina: It was great to see how Budapest became a ruin pub high power. You can go anywhere, from retro discos to modern clubs. The best thing is you never know where will you end up during the night.

Irina: Budapesters are really come alive at night. There are many choices here: lots of venues, music to suit all tastes, and it seems that there is always a new kid in the block. I like that it’s easy to find a place on any budget. Even good places are not so expensive, like they would be elsewhere. Bravo, Budapest!

Maria: Rich. Everyone can find the style and place they like. You can be under 20, over 40, it doesn’t matter. If I go out, I like the same places as my friends. We like to hang out near Bazilika, Váci utca, Deák tér, Oktogon and Óbuda.

Will you stay forever?

Alina: I don’t have an „eternal” perspective. Budapest is wonderful though, and I’m not going to attempt to go away.

Irina: „forever” is a strong word. Maybe I’d try living in another country for a few years, but I’m not saying I wouldn’t come back to Budapest. I like my life here. I think what really matters is whether or not you feel at home and doing what you really like. If those things are happening here, then this is my home.

Maria: I never have plans. We’ll see. I’m open for everything.

Source: We Love Budapest


Translated for XpatLoop by Zsófia Lay