With a small but vibrant expat community, Bucharest manages to conquer foreigners who, by the nature of their profession, come to live in the Romanian capital. The main feature of the most important city in the country is diversity. And this diversity makes it much easier to adapt to the local society for the one who comes for the first time to Bucharest.
Through the eyes of strangers, the city looks different, Bucharest being rendered in special colors that the inhabitants have no time or interest to discover. Speaking of expats who have some experience of living in the Romanian capital, you become aware of realities that you usually overlook.
And so you realize that the city you often criticize is actually a place steeped in history, a place where the old and the new blend perfectly. Wearing the “glasses” of foreigners living here, you discover an open European capital, a capital in which anyone can adapt.
“Certainly, Bucharest is a friendly city with foreigners”
Johan Meyer first came to Romania ten years ago, and since 2016 he has moved in our country. Therefore it has in mind a clear picture of how much Bucharest has changed in all this time. As CEO of an investment fund, he had the opportunity to discover very well the economic realities from our country. Everything he has seen so far makes him strongly affirm that Bucharest is a friendly city with foreigners.
Even though expats form a small community, their group is very active in local society, being involved in many projects. “The city has a relatively small but vibrant expat community, with people from diverse backgrounds and involved here in a wide range of economic activities, from oil and gas, to the pharmaceutical and IT industry. This diversity makes moving to Romania easier for anyone, because you feel you can find your place. Bucharest is attractive in terms of the facilities it offers not only to expats, but to the population in general. For example, key considerations when you move here are access to health care and education for your children, both of which have developed greatly in recent years,” points out Johan Meyer.
A city with a robust economy and a distinct personality
The capital of Romania has many economic strengths, the most important of which is that it has a robust economy, and its GDP per capita is comparable to that of other European cities. “This is reflected in the growth of the construction sector, both on the commercial and residential segments, which has increased investments in other infrastructures, such as healthcare and education. Through this process, significant employment opportunities were created. Telecommunications and IT infrastructure is among the best in the world, with Romania often ranking among the top countries in the world in terms of Internet access speed. Therefore, it is clear why some of the major IT companies globally have important operations based in Bucharest and other areas of Romania,” explains Johan Meyer.
At the same time, Bucharest is a beautiful and friendly city, which has many things to appreciate, from parks to unique architectural monuments. “Like other large European cities, it has a distinct personality. As an expat, I also particularly appreciate the fact that it is well connected with the rest of the country, so it is easy to travel from Bucharest to other cities in Romania. However, it is clear that there is a major investment deficit in the national road infrastructure, which, if urgently rectified, could unlock accelerated economic growth through more efficient transport. Bucharest as well is facing major challenges in terms of traffic congestion, which leads to ecological and noise pollution and is a major stress factor for residents. Unfortunately, Bucharest is constantly included in the top of cities where traffic congestion is a serious problem. The accessible underground system reduces some of the road traffic from the surface, but the development of the city’s road and rail infrastructure remains an essential requirement for Bucharest to be at the same level as other capitals,” notes Johan Meyer.
The proximity of Henri Coandă Bucharest International Airport to the capital is a major advantage for the city. In fact, the increasing number of foreign tourists is a proof that the city has a lot to offer, but also a clear sign that the airport needs more capacity and that any delay in the expansion project means more crowding, which affects both the efficiency of operations and the experience of travelers. “The inclusion of Romania in the group of Schengen countries will be a major benefit for travelers and should be a priority for the government,” stresses Johan Meyer.
Changing the urban landscape
The capital of Romania has changed a lot lately. In this regard, Johan Meyer points out that today it is much easier to move around, given that residents have access to reliable public transport, but also to one of a large number of private operators acting in this sector. In addition, the roads are full of marking signs after which you can orient yourself.
“At the same time, there is a drastic change in the urban landscape. Authorities have made considerable efforts to modernize and restore old buildings. In the last ten years, many new office buildings have appeared in Pipera and the entire northern area of the city. You can see that the population of the capital has grown by looking at how much the residential neighborhoods have developed, both in the city and in its surrounding areas. The same is true for Cluj or Timisoara,” states the expat.
A city suitable for precious time with family
Johan Meyer also brought his family to Bucharest, and he prefers to spend his free time with his loved ones. For this reason, some of the places in the Romanian capital that he likes most are the parks. “Herastrau is one of my favorites throughout the year, as it is very suitable for families, having many playgrounds, but also facilities for cycling, running or simply for a long walk. In winter, it turns into a snow-covered fairy land, excellent for building snowmen or sled playing,” says the foreign CEO.
Also, when he has the opportunity, he likes to go with his family in a new restaurant, the city having an excellent selection of local and international cuisines. “After all, there is a place for everyone in Bucharest. Whether you are an avid reader, a coffee lover or just enjoy the entertainment, there are special events throughout the city and throughout the year that might interest you. The moment when I go to all kinds of trade shows is the one in which I remember the vibrant cultural life of the city, which encourages small entrepreneurs. I enjoy spending time with my family, so the large shopping centers with their various entertainment facilities provide a wonderful fun. But, of course, the beautiful parks, the zoo and a number of museums, such as the National Museum of Natural History “Grigore Antipa” or the National Village Museum “Dimitrie Gusti”, are constantly in the top of the preferences for the whole family. In the summer months, I play cricket for a club, on the ground in Moara Vlăsiei, at less than 30 km from Bucharest. The club has a very diverse composition and is a good reason to go out, practice a little sport and socialize with both locals and other expats,” says Johan Meyer.
The way he talks about the city that adopted him makes it very clear that he likes the place where he lives now. The job he has represented the pretext that made him move to the Romanian capital, but in the meanwhile he has integrated perfectly into the daily landscape and shoulders the development of the local community.
Author: Ștefania Enache
Photo: Corina Gheorghe
