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Romania is a seriously beautiful, highly underrated country in the Balkans. Its natural beauty, friendly people, affordability, and high-quality internet speeds make it an excellent option for moving to Europe - particularly for Digital Nomads or remote workers. Here’s an all-encompassing list of everything you need to know before moving to Romania.

Disclaimer: This has been my experience and of course there may be exceptions to things.

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Musings on being on lockdown in Sibiu & the evolution of travel.

internet speeds

When I first decided I would go to Romania (for what I thought would only be two months), I had to inquire to my potential Airbnb hosts as to the WiFi speeds due to my online work. This was a major thing I had to know before moving to Romania.

Let me tell you - Romanians are proud of their internet speeds. It is some of the best in Europe (the fixed broadband speeds are ranked 5th in the world!). So if you need reliable and fast internet connections, Romanian cities won’t disappoint.

currency

Romanian currency is leu (lei plural) which literally translates to lion. You will also see prices listed in RON in exchanges, but it’s the same thing. Their bills are very colorful and are actually plastic - no need to fear if you accidentally leave money in your pocket and then do laundry!

RON are roughly just over four EUR & USD - as exchange rates are ever-evolving, here is a currency converter if you’d like to see the current rates.

affordability

Romania is an extremely affordable country if you are paid in Euro or USD (or something equivalent). The average 2 room apartment in the city is roughly 300euro, more or less.

Some cities (Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu) are more expensive by Romanian standards. As in every country, prices will slightly vary from city to city.

Overall, everything from rent to groceries and all in between are significantly less expensive than in the West. I get paid in USD, so when calculating the conversion rate I generally just divide by four to get a general idea.

driving

Look on most travel blogs that feature Romania and you will undoubtedly read something about how crazy their drivers are. Well - yes and no.

The fact of the matter is that Romania doesn’t have many roads! There’s usually only one way to get from point A to point B, and that includes large trucks making deliveries. So, when you’re stuck behind a truck and it seems like it’s taking days to reach the next city, yah, it can be a little frustrating!

Understanding the infrastructure issues is definitely helpful to know before moving to Romania - particularly if you want to understand the local driving habits. That being said, Romania had the highest driving fatality rate in the EU in 2019. Be careful!

Disclaimer - I have never dealt with Bucharest traffic, so I can’t attest to what may or may not happen on the roads there! Hah!

schengen status

This is a little complicated - Romania is a member of the European Union, but it is not included in the Schengen zone. Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia are EU members that are currently trying to become part of the Schengen area, so this may change in the near future.

What this means is that you’ll have to show your passport when going to other EU countries, there is no free movement (for example, when traveling from Italy to Austria).

language

Romanian is a latin-based Romance language, so you’ll see many similarities if you’re familiar with Italian, Portuguese, French, or Spanish. They do have some odd sounds and different letters/accents that make pronunciation a battle.

In cities, you’ll find most everyone under 40 speaks some English. Still, do your best to learn some basic phrases - they will be valuable to know before moving to Romania. Plus, it’s just… you know…. polite.

romani vs. romanian

When you hear people talking about gypsies from Romania, they are not talking about Romanians - they are talking about Români people. It’s a completely different ethnicity, so be careful, or you might piss someone off. You can learn a little more about the differences here.

receiving packages

This is BY FAR my biggest pet peeve with living in Romania. If you order something online, you’ll get a window of dates during which the package should arrive. Don’t make any big plans on those days - because on one of the mornings, you will get a text message saying your package will be delivered. Between 9 and 17 usually. You can’t do anything during that time, because you need to be home to accept the package. It’s super frustrating (especially in the time of COVID-19 when I cannot go shopping for clothes and have to order things!).

If you are getting a package from outside the EU, you will receive a slip in the mailbox and they will hold your package at the post office where they will do a customs check.

vegan/vegetarian food

Finding plant-based food options in the bigger Romanian cities usually isn’t a problem (especially in the weeks leading up to Orthodox Easter). De post is the term used to describe vegan (fasting) food in case you need to know!

I was impressed with the number of vegan options in both Sibiu and Cluj - even after Easter.

how to drink pălincă

Pălincă (or Țuică) is a very strong local spirit made from plums, apples, or some other kind of fruit.

One of the first times I went to a Romanian friends’ house for dinner, there were shot glasses of pălincă served. As an American, if it comes in a shot glass, we take it as a shot. Much to my embarrassment, after clinking glasses to cheers, I took a shot and my friends all sipped theirs. Fail. Sip your pălincă!

train travel

The trains here are super slow! If you have the option of taking a bus, it will likely be much quicker (and only very slightly more expensive). Romania is also a pretty big country, so if you’re traveling far, it might be wise to take a night train.

wood mafia

When thinking about corruption in Romania, you’re likely imagining sweaty politicians crowded in cafe booths in Bucharest smoking cigars. At least, that was the visual I always got. Don’t get me wrong - political corruption here is absolutely a thing (isn’t that the case everywhere?).

However, there is another big issue going on in the northern Romanian forests of Suceava County on the border of Ukraine. This issue takes the form of large-scale wood trafficking. Yeah. You heard correct. To go more in depth is beyond the scope of this blog, so I’ll just leave this link here for you if you want to learn more about the wood mafia in Romania.

troubled history

If you are planning to move to (or visit) Romania, give yourself a crash course in Romanian history. You don’t need to become an expert on the subject, but knowing some basics will help you better integrate into life here.

The effects of communism are still fresh and some people, particularly the older generations, are still adapting to their new way of life. The Romanian Revolution that overthrew Communist leader Ceaușescu only happened in December of 1989 - just 30 years ago.

Learning a little about Romanian history has 100% prevented me from making some very ignorant and presumptuous comments.

outlets

In Romania the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Adapters are helpful, but things such as phone chargers are better just purchased once you’re in the country (they’re a lot cheaper than in the West, as well).

taxi & uber

Taxis here piss me off a bit. If you’re arriving at a train station and your destination isn’t too far, no one will give you a ride because it is ‘too short’ - regardless of how much luggage you have.

Use an app to order a taxi. Uber is available in Cluj-Napoca, București, Brașov, Timișoara, and Iași. Otherwise, 942 Taxi app is a good option as well.

food

Romanian food is pretty damn good. It’s fresh, bio, and (usually) prepared with a lot of love. It can be very rich, however, with a heavy emphasis on pork. There are also SO MANY delicious traditional soups to try. And be sure to try the unofficial national dish, sarmale.

You will undoubtedly be invited to a Romanian house for dinner at some point. Bring wine or flowers. And don’t be shy about eating once you’re there.

abundance of natural beauty

Romania has some pretty incredible mountain ranges and forests to explore. Not to mention, part of its border is on the Black Sea coast, so a beach vacation is not out of the picture. If you’re a nature buff, you’ll have a field day exploring all of the natural wonders of Romania. Make sure you get to the Danube Delta!

UNESCO sites

Speaking of the Danube Delta, Romania has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include:

• Churches of Moldavia
• Dacian Fortresses of Orăștie Mountains
• Historic Center of Sighișoara
• Danube Delta
• Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians
• Monestary of Horezu
• Villages with Fortified Churches in Transilvania
• Wooden Churches of Maramureș

village life

Some villages in Romania seem to be frozen in time. You will see traditional homes, people dressed in traditional Romanian clothes, and yes, even horse-drawn carriages casually making their way down the streets.

safety

Romania is a super-safe country. Exercise normal precautions when going out at night and alone and you’ll be just fine. Petty theft isn’t so prevalent, nor is gun violence (this is particularly refreshing for me, an American).

Do a little research on the particular city you plan to live in - a grasp on local safety and crime will be good to know before moving to Romania. As in any country, larger cities tend to have higher crime rates.

helpful people

Not only is Romania an extremely safe country, its people are unbelievably helpful and friendly. When I first stepped off the train in Sibiu (after a 12 hour ride!) a woman noticed me struggling to get my heavy-ass suitcase up the stairs at the station. She came over and grabbed one side of the handle and helped me lug it to the top (I also had a dog in my backpack, so I was - and am - eternally grateful. This was just the first example.

One friend in Sibiu was always offering to help me make calls, translate, and navigate my way around the city.

Another friend is currently (as I type this) looking at apartments for me in another city since I cannot get there myself to see them before I move. Everyone I’ve met has gone out of their way to help in some way.

don’t go to bucharest first

OK, so this may not be the best advice since, if you are flying, you’re probably arriving at OTP, the international airport in Bucharest. I took a train from Budapest to Sibiu, so I missed out on this one.

Everyone I’ve spoken to, travelers and locals alike, have told me: If you want to like Romania, don’t go to Bucharest first.

If you’re looking for a city to live in Romania, try some of the other more developed cities: Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Brașov, Timișoara, and Iași.

you can still enjoy the seaside!

If you’re familiar with the geographic location of Romania, you already know it’s one of the countries on the Black Sea. However, if Geography isn’t your forte, you’ll be pleased to learn that Romania boasts many seaside resort towns.

If you’re up for a party, head to Vama Veche, one of the most underrated beach destinations in Europe!

tampons aren’t a thing

OK, ladies. So, of course they are a thing. But if you are used to the type with applicators, they can be difficult to find. My female friends I’ve spoken to here don’t really use tampons because they’re uncomfortable - but of course some women do. So. If you are accustomed to using a certain type, be prepared to go on a hunt (depending on where you are living) if it matters to you.

be prepared to discuss your income

Virtually every Romanian I’ve met here has asked how much money I earn. I’m not entirely sure if this is because I’m American or if it’s just the norm regardless of nationality. Just, know that you will likely be asked this question when first meeting someone.

last name first

When making friends with people on social media or dating apps (what can I say, Tinder was a good distraction during the 2020 lockdown), many people will write their last name first. I’ve mistakenly called people the wrong name a countless number of times. Finally I figured it out.

renting an apartment

Renting an apartment here is relatively straightforward. My current apartment actually started as an AirBnb, but due to the global lockdown, my hosts were gracious enough to offer it to me at a reduced price off of the AirBnb platform.

I am currently apartment-hunting in Cluj. All you need to rent as a foreigner is your passport - you don’t need any visa or residence permit paperwork.

From what I’ve heard, most apartments will already have utilities turned on, and moving in as simple as just paying the bills while they are still in the owner’s name. I will update this section as my apartment in Cluj is finalized!

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There you have it. Everything I’ve learned (thus far) about what to expect as a foreigner living in Romania. Of course, my experiences are limited to the places I’ve lived in, so there will always be exceptions. Have you lived in Romania as a foreigner? Drop a note in the comments what you would’ve liked to know before moving to Romania! xx