There’s more out there than you think.  Many bookstores, both Hungarian-grown and international, usually have a selection of English and German books on hand, but you’re going to have to expand the hunt to find Hugo in his native tongue.  There’s one place, though, that not only covers the French bases, but now has works …

It’s that time again.  A mere three days and the kids will back on their way to school.  Beginning Saturday morning there’s the first parent-teacher meeting for the lycée (meetings for preschool and elementary will be set after the first week of school, on a class-by-class basis).  It’s the season to reconnect with past families …

It may come as a surprise to many expats just how dog friendly much of Europe can be.   If you’ve traveled solo throughout the continent, chances are you haven’t noticed the additional item at the very bottom of many hotel price lists.  For a nominal fee, most dogs are welcome to accompany you on your …

Occasionally, an expat might complain about “bad” Hungarian driving, when in reality the problem lies with the expat not fully knowing the local rules of the road.

There’s no shortage of paprika in Budapest, but every once in a while it’s nice to be able to cook up a little something different…or as the case may be for a lot of expats, something familiar. Culinaris is wonderful if you’re looking for a wide range of Western-style ingredients, but you’ll be more …

Whether you thought you could get away with it, were running a little late, or have just forgotten, there’s a good chance that at some point in your stay in Budapest you’ll find a little red or blue plastic bag clipped under your car’s wiper.  In it will be a receipt and a yellow bill …

Bike lanes are popping up and being redesigned all over Budapest.  If you’d like to leave your car behind for the next trip around town, a website, Mozgásvilág (Moving World), has made an up-to-date, interactive bike route map available, hazards and bike parking included.  It’s only in English at the moment, so here’s a translated …

Recently moved to Budapest and looking for the perfect décor for your new home abroad? Been here a while but a bit bored with your bare walls?  Then no need to worry; the works of some of the city’s newest and most talented artists are readily available … but not permanently.

Expats on the …

Surprisingly, dialing in Hungary is not as straightforward as one might assume. Expat Echo provides the details on digits.

Moving to a new country can be challenging. According to Families in Global Transition, relocation stress syndrome is the name of the bundle of physiologic and psychosocial disturbances that result from transfer from one environment to another. Rewarding, exciting, and enriching as international relocation may be – and it is all of those things – …

Get ready to be stopped. Anecdotal evidence from the expat community and beyond (a certain mother-in-law) tells of an unusually vigorous campaign underway by the Budapest police to check car paperwork. So what should you do when it’s your turn?
First of all, stay calm and don’t get all righteous. While it might seem fair to …

One would think that paying for utilities, such as water, gas and electricity consumption, is a relatively straight forward thing to do.  However, when relocating to a new country with different payment systems and cost itemization options, such a simple procedure suddenly becomes a nerve-racking hassle.
Download the definitive guide to paying your utility bills (PDF  …

There is a wide variety of private healthcare options in Budapest. Expat Echo weighs the options…

Winter is only a few months away, so enjoy the nice weather while it lasts; it’s time for some outdoor fun!  Budapest is the ideal expat family posting, as it has so many fun and unique activities to offer.  There are literally dozens of fantastic playgrounds to choose from all over the city.