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Relocating To Europe: Living On The Budget

Dreaming about relocating to Europe? Behold the list of Europe’s cheapest cities for 2022. All you need is a reliable international moving company and you are good to go!

Jokes aside, I am serious. Now is the best time to consider this decision since a lot of Europe cities became more affordable to live in than ever, well, for foreign citizens mainly. Europe has an overwhelming number of amazing cities where you can find your place.

Here is a comprehensive guide to the most affordable European cities that are true hidden gems, but these are only the ones I liked the most, there are a lot more cities that can suit your needs the best.

Relocating To Europe On A Budget?

You might think this isn’t possible, but you are wrong. Yes, Europe is a very attractive destination for tourists as well as multinational companies. However, some cities remain budget-friendly and can offer you a great quality of living for a reasonable price. Let’s see what are your options.

Relocating to Europe because of education – Budapest, Hungary

Budapest's parliament
Budapest’s parliament

Budapest is one of the most beautiful and one of the most affordable European cities. Budapest is rich with cultural institutions, numerous parks, stunning architecture, museums, theaters, and the beautiful Danube River. This is one of Europe’s largest rivers and a true gem.

The capital of Hungary has magnificent architecture. The Gothic architecture of the Parliament Building and Buda Palace is one of the most memorable things I have seen in my life. I recommend you to check the Labyrinth Cave under the Buda Palace.

If you are moving with kids Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens will be their favorite places. The Hungarian Rail Museum and Centre of Scientific Wonders are must-visit places. You should also take a boat tour on the River Danube. Budapest is also well known for its thermal baths – Széchenyi Baths is one of the best-rated bathing venues.

If you are considering this city you need to know that Buda is located on the west side of the Danube River, and Pest is on the east side of the Danube River. Buda is quieter while Pest is more suitable for the younger crowd. Anyhow, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest is around $600 and above. The utilities for this apartment go up to $150.

Krakow, Poland

If you are a big fan of the medieval vibe and surroundings, you should consider relocating to Europe and one of its cheapest cities – Krakow. Poland isn’t a wealthy country but this city is a true hidden gem. The Old Town, also known as Stare Miasto, is accessible on foot. Here you can enjoy a ride on a horse-drawn carriage or rickshaw to explore this area. Very middle age indeed.

Krakow is surrounded by beautiful nature and many green areas, one of the most visited parks is Planty Park in the old town. You’ll find a lot of play areas for kids as well as impressive sculptures. Make sure you visit the royal castle  Wawel Hill, a Gothic cathedral, many art museums, and the infamous Dragon’s Den cavern located next to the Vistula River.

Krakow is accessible by air, rail, and road so you can easily travel around Europe if you decide to move here. The train is the best option for traveling around Poland since most train lines are direct.  The cost of living in Krakow depends on where you live in the city. However, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $700.

The utilities and groceries are very affordable as well. For instance, you’ll pay around $25 for internet every month.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia has Alpes. For me, Slovenia is something like the Slav version of Switzerland. Do you know those cute adverts for Milka chocolate where cows chill on a grass field surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature? Well, that’s what you will see when you move to Slovenia.

Ljubljana isn’t a large city, and it is pretty walkable. This is great considering it is full of vibrant and colorful buildings, ornate bridges over the River Ljubljanica, and very friendly people who will gladly share some useful information with you.

Ljubljana Castle is overlooking the city, and this is one of the first things you need to visit when moving to Ljubljana. If you want to catch some air walk to Tivoli Park and take a long stroll. If you have kids the good news is that Ljubljana Zoo is near the park. Lake Bled and Piran city are not to be missed when in Slovenia.

If we talk about the cost of living you should know that the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is around $680, while in the suburban you can find a great-looking apartment for under $500. The utilities for a 480-square-foot apartment are around $200. So, all in all, a single person can live comfortably here while spending around $1,800 per month.

Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb, capital city of Croatia
Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia

I think most of you heard about Croatia, mostly because of its beautiful coastline and the city of Dubrovnik, also known as Kings Landing in the popular TV show, Game of Thrones. The capital of Croatia has a rich history and there is a lot to see and enjoy no matter which time of the year it is.

During summer, you can number of festivals in Zagreb, visit Jarun Lake and Park, and cool off in Maksimir park.  During winter the city becomes a winter wonderland with its Christmas market which is located in downtown Zagreb.

 Museum Mimara is an excellent venue full of some fantastic art to admire. Don’t miss out to travel across the country and visit cities like Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, or Pula and its magnificent colosseum. You can also take a quick flight and visit Belgrade, Serbia’s capital city, which is well known as one of Europe’s best destinations if you are into partying all night.

Renting prices in Zagreb are very affordable. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for about $500, and utilities will be around $150. If you are a digital nomad who craves adventure then this might be your next address. Zagreb is located almost in the middle of Europe so you can easily travel to other big capital cities.

Bologna, Italy

Who doesn’t want to live in Italy for at least a short period? A country that is the home of the best pasta and pizza in the world can’t disappoint you in any way. Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. It is also known as ” La Rossa” or the Red City due to the specifically looking architecture, almost everything is made from red bricks, and even the roof tiles are red.

Anyhow, Bologna has stunning medieval and Renaissance-inspired architecture. However, a great thing is that in terms of tourists and crowds the city is relatively quiet if you compared it to Venice and Rome. A cool fact is that the University of Bologna is the oldest one in Europe!

There are a lot of things to do and see in Bologna. For example, you should visit the Asinell towers (from the 12yh century!) and enjoy the city view. Also, places like Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio Roman ruins, and archeology museum where you can see artifacts from ancient Rome and Greece.

Cities main square is crowded with great cheap restaurants that offer authentic food. The cost of living in Bologna is relatively affordable for foreigners and ex-pats, but it will vary according to your lifestyle and budget. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $600, and you should add around $180 for utilities. You’ll certainly be able to live comfortably here with $1,500.

Girona, Spain

Girona, Catalonia
Girona, Catalonia

If you are a passionate cyclist and you have a special kind of love for steep and narrow streets then this cute place in Catalonia can become your new home. People in Catalonia, in general, nurture a relaxed lifestyle. They savor and enjoy every moment. When you combine slow-paced living and all-year-round sunny weather you get the best possible place to live in.

Beautiful Girona falls among one of Europe’s cheapest cities that are located on the sea.  Costa Brava is full of many immaculate beaches and hidden coves you need to visit. You can take boat trips, participate in water sports, or just enjoy the beach and sun tanning.

When the heat is too much for you, stroll down the Parc De La Devesa, the largest park in Catalonia. You can have a picnic here and let your kids play at some of the many playgrounds. The great thing is that Barcelona is only 35 minutes away via direct train. Also, you are less than two hours away from Pyrenees mountain where you can run away from the heat, or enjoy winter shenanigans.

Girona is a very affordable place for living compared to other large cities in Spain. The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is around $550, while in the suburbs you can find a very nice apartment for $400.

Sofia, Bulgari

Are you up for relocating to Europe to have a fun and adventurous workstation? Then you should consider one of Western Europe’s cheapest cities, Sofia. Compared to other European capitals Sofia is very affordable yet full of wonders. This is a thriving city with over 1.3 million residents.

It is also a great place for startup businesses. Since the city has more than 2000 years old history this is a great place for exploring the cobbled streets and Roman ruins. You’ll find many ornate churches and parks all over the city. The oldest park in Sofia is Borisova Gradina with a lake, multiple playgrounds, and lots of space for the kids to run.

When you live here you will be able to admire the majestic St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Muzeiko Science Center. Also, tourists love watching changing of the Guard at the Presidency Building. Sofia is the 14th largest European capital city, however, taxi is very cheap here so traveling around the city shouldn’t be a problem.

Life in Sofia for foreigners is cheap. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for $400 in the suburban, or you can pay up to $600 for the same apartment in the city center.

Relocating to Europe to live in one of the oldest cities in the world – Athens, Greece

Acropolis in Athens
Acropolis in Athens

Greece as a whole is a great place to live considering the average prices of housing as well as groceries, and all other necessities. But let’s first talk about how beautiful this country is. Greece is one of the oldest countries in the world. We all know that the Greeks are an ancient civilization so imagine how many cool things you can see and learn here every day.

Athens is full of history, and culture, I can freely say that this city is a living, breathing museum. The capital city of Greece is home to many ancient monuments and works of art. You can’t visit or live in Greece without checking in on the iconic Parthenon located on the Acropolis of Athens, Acropolis is an ancient citadel with fabulous views over the city.

I’m sure you all know that the Panathenaic Stadium is a place where the first Olympic Games were hosted in 1896. Also, in Greece under a program “Golden Visa,” any foreigner who buys a property for $270,000 and more can obtain Greek residency. Think about that.

If you aren’t willing to buy a property you can always rent one. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $700 plus utilities which will cost you around $160.

Dresden, Germany

Relocating to Europe while on a budget for sure doesn’t include Germany as the final destination. Or maybe it does?  Germany is rarely enlisted on lists that include anything cheap, especially when it comes to the cost of living. Having Dresden on the list of Europe’s cheapest cities was a big surprise. However, Dresden for sure is one of the most inexpensive destinations in Europe and especially in Germany.

The city is located in Saxony, on the banks of the River Elbe. Dresden is a beautiful city rich in cultural and artistic history. Over 60% of the city’s premises are covered with fabulous forests and green spaces, as well as out-of-this-world Christmas markets.

Life here is of high quality. A place like Zwinger Palace which has beautiful Baroque architecture, gardens, fountains, and many museums is a must-see. If you moved here with kids Dresden Zoo will become their favorite spot in the city. Take a boat tour on the River Elbe, and make sure you take a good look at Bastei Bridge from the water.

Dresden is easily accessible by car, bus, and foot. If you travel around Germany or to the Czech Republic the best option is by train, since it is cheap and fast. One-bedroom apartment in the city center is available for around $700, and utilities will cost you $260 more. But for German standards that is more than okay.

Valletta, Malta

Malta became a very popular destination in the past few decades, among tourists as well as among digital nomads. Imagine how good it would be to work from a home that has a perfect view of the sea. In most parts of the world, this is considered a luxury, but in Malta, this is very common.

Valletta is not only one of the smallest European cities, but it is also one of Europe’s cheapest cities that you need to visit at least. The city is slow-paced, beautiful, and rich with ancient buildings that date from the 1500s. You’ll find a lot of museums, monuments, and old buildings while strolling through the city. National Museum of Archeology and MUZA are cultural institutions that are worth visiting.

If you love gardens, you will be glad to know that Valletta has them in abundance and most of them provide splendid panoramic views of the city and Malta.  The Valletta Waterfront is an excellent pedestrianized area with lots of amazing seafood restaurants, a promenade, and street artists that will keep your kids busy. You’ll love seeing the cannons fired at midday usually.

Valletta might be a small city on a tiny island but you can never say life here is dull. The cost of living here is more than reasonable. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is around $800 plus utilities are a little over $250. On the other hand, groceries here are very cheap, you’ll spend less than $500 on food here.

Bucharest, Romania

Old City Bucharest
Old City Bucharest

When someone says Romania most people think about count Dracula. There is a joke that Romanian people invest more in religion and building churches than in health care and the army since there is always a risk of Dracula rising again. All jokes aside, Romania does not seem like the first choice for relocation, but I advise you to visit this country a few times before you decide to move here.

Bucharest is a massively underrated city. Did you know that residents of Bucharest have one of the fastest internet services in the world? See they aren’t so behind the rest of Europe. This city is also known as the Paris of the East It is located on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, and offers nix of modern architecture with the medieval historical charm.

Palatial Parlamentului is an extraordinary building and the world’s second-largest building! The city is full of parks and green fields. Herăstrau Park is an oasis with a huge boating lake, playgrounds, tennis courts, and great restaurants. When you are bored you can visit some of the museums, which include Dimitrie Gusti National Village open-air museum, Stavropoleos Monastery, and Piata Unirii,

Housing in Romania is pretty cheap. To rent a nice one-bedroom apartment in the city center you’ll need to fish out for less than $500! Basic utilities for an apartment of this size are around $120. As you can see with an average USA salary you can live as royalty here!

Relocating To Europe – Is It Worth It?

To me relocating to Europe sounds like a great decision if you are adventurous and you need a big change in your lifestyle. This continent is rich with history, amazing places to visit, and things to learn. You can freely say that Europe is a living museum.  Most places on this continent are affordable to live in while offering a high quality of life at the same time.

That is one more reason why you should consider relocating to Europe. If you need help in planning your overseas relocation process make sure you send us a message now. It is never too early to start planning on time.