My trip to Budapest: Comparing life with France by Jimmy

Article published on 10 of February by Jimmy

Cost of living: a nice surprise

One of the most striking differences between France and Budapest is the cost of living. When Iarrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything is much cheaper than in France.Accommodation is much more affordable, whether for short-term or long-term rental.

Dining out is also much cheaper. In Paris, you can easily spend a small fortune on dinner in an average restaurant, whereas in Budapest, I could eat in nice places, with good quality food, for afraction of the price. What's more, coffee or beer in a pub is much more affordable. In France,prices can quickly go up. In Budapest, a beer in a trendy bar or a cup of coffee in a historic cafécost me less than in any major French city.

Transport: Practical and affordable in Budapest

I was also impressed by Budapest's public transport system. The metro, streetcars and busesare not only very efficient, but also incredibly affordable, it’s like 9€ each month. What's more,the city is relatively compact, which makes getting around on foot or by bike a pleasure. This isfar from the case in Paris, where transport can be a real pain, especially with frequent strikesand crowded subways. In Paris, the Navigo card can quickly become a major expense, while inBudapest, even if you use public transport frequently, tickets are still very cheap.

The teachers are not only competent, but also approachable. They are always ready to answerour questions and support us as we learn. In addition to theoretical courses, there are manypractical labs, where we can experiment with what we've learned in real time. It's a great way toacquire technical skills while being immersed in real-life projects.

Architecture: a unique blend of history and modernity

Budapest's architecture is both breathtaking and full of contrasts. There's a beautiful fusionbetween historic Baroque and neoclassical buildings, and more modern constructions. Strollingthrough the city streets, you pass impressive buildings such as the Hungarian Parliament orBuda Castle, and small bohemian lanes with cosy cafés and independent boutiques. In Paris,the architecture is obviously majestic, but Budapest gave me the impression of having a heritagejust as rich but a little more accessible, without the oppression of mass tourism found in someparts of the French capital.