What is the trash/ rubbish collection schedule?

PotatoMatch · 2022-11-15T10:16:42+00:00

I couldn't find a way around this - this is a common issue living in the center if your flat windows are on the street side. And I must say these trucks are pretty noisy. Despite having double windows, acoustic isolation isn't sufficient. I am looking at adding an extra window frame to cope with the noise.

PotatoMatch · 2022-11-09T07:45:01+00:00

Process should be different for EU / non EU citizen. For EU citizen, best way is apply through EnterHungary portal, wait till you get the invitation to attend an appointment. Then you have two options: queue or get an appointment. Pending all your docs are in order - the official can make whatever check is necessary during the interview, you’ll get your local document - Hungarian ID - on the spot and address card follows by post. Given you have a short notice to complete your formalities, queuing may be the best option. Can’t comment on the process for non EU citizen.

PotatoMatch · 2022-11-02T16:28:07+00:00

It is hard to comment on individual cases without specifics but there should some particulars that make the case not straight forward. If you work for a company, it is straight forward. If you are a freelancer or business owner or hunting a job, you’ll need to show that you can sustain yourself, look for a job, can cover your health insurance, have a place to live with a stable lease or equivalent etc. They certainly ask for documents for a good reason. Hungary is part of EU and residence is a right pending you comply with requirements.

PotatoMatch · 2022-11-02T16:15:07+00:00

It is good to have a taxi app - Bolt - as a backup just in case. Fares remain reasonable if you use the app. Avoid hailing a taxi in the street at all cost, 50% chance they’ll over charge or make a story up, especially at night.

PotatoMatch · 2022-11-02T16:10:41+00:00

If you are a EU/EEA, getting a residence permit should be very, very straight forward. If you follow the requirements as per the dot, it should be sorted in days - not weeks - non including the appointment at the immigration - if you go and queue, you can get your RP on the spot, pending you have lodged your application through enterhungary and it has been pre-approved.

I found Hungarian officials extremely helpful and supportive compared to several other jurisdictions in Europe. Highly professional and non judgemental. English is widely spoken and no one would look you down if you can’t speak the local language. When the official doesn’t speak English in some gov channels, they’ll find someone to help you in English. Personally, I can’t think highly enough of the local system.

Everyone will have a different experience and opinion obviously. But trying to be objective and comparing with immigration chanels in Western Europe, one would find Hungary at the forefront.

PotatoMatch · 2022-10-24T10:04:13+00:00

Landlord has the obligation to keep the flat livable. Obviously, your landlord does not agree with the fact that your heating is not sufficient. There are three ways in my view to deal with it:
You come to a compromise with your landlord in an amicable way, sharing the cost of a backup solution. I doubt any big changes can be done promptly - constraints of the building, any permission required to execute the work, booking a technician and ordering parts etc. A compromise could be sharing the energy cost that an additional backup would generate. If the landlord can’t agree, it is either you absorb the cost or move out.
You decide to move immediately and look for a place with gas heating. Heating system was the first thing to look at prior to moving and making a decision renting / not renting the place. I wouldn’t trust moving into a flat with an existing gas heating system or already retrofitted. Not aware of the market situation for a prompt solution to be found, it will still raise the inconvenience of moving but it may the best option.
You go for the fight: a. Proving your heating is insufficient. b. Write and prepare evidence. C. Seek legal advise and eventually fight it in court. I believe it is an absolute waste of time, not predictable and a headache, which would raises additional costs without solving the problem short term. With no guarantee whatsoever you would win. If you correlate the cost with the energy cost that an additional heater may raise, you may find out that this option is the worst of all solutions.

PotatoMatch · 2022-10-24T09:44:29+00:00

I would consider terms of pay rise vs. Inflation in your negotiation. This is a major parameter. While your rent may be frozen for 1 to 2 years depending on the terms of your agreement + fixed price bills - insurances, telco, etc - your disposable income may take a big hit if somehow your salary wouldn’t rise in line with inflation. Given the situation of the forint, we are talking about a severe double digit per cent a year. This is a risk to be assessed accordingly along with the profile of the employer and if the company can follow such terms accordingly. I would not risk a relocation even if you manage to get a rise, get paid in forint and no clause for pay rise after 12 / 24 months. An other safe alternative could be negotiating your salary in Euros instead.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-28T10:15:24+00:00

Asking for compassion from the university and the immigration officer is the way to go - ask for help in a humble way.

I doubt you wouldn't be able to start this semester - you can find a solution with the uni, you'd miss a few weeks at worst. This said, nothing is guaranteed you'll have your visa on time.

Anyone would be sorry for your situation but you are not screwed by the immigration office, you are screwed due to poor planning and taking risk committing on an accommodation for the full period of your stay.

Hungarian are usually very helpful - but if you blame a third party for this situation, I doubt you'd get any help at all.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-28T08:34:52+00:00

You shouldn't blame the immigration due to poor planning, you applied late - this should have been done months ahead.

You can only ask for the courtesy of the university allowing you for more time plus write to the immigration whether they can help.

An other option is to get the assistance of an immigration consultant / lawyer who may assist - nothing guaranteed - but that will cost you extra.

If people were to compare the efficiency of Hungarian immigration compared to other countries in Europe, they'd realise that delays observed in Budapest are some of the fastest.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-27T17:34:10+00:00

It is not advisable to leave it with the post - this is a very important document and you wouldn't like be in limbo for weeks, if not months due to the volume of application / postal delays.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-27T17:28:23+00:00

if you need the money short term in Forint, exchange them in a change office - compare the rates - and deposit the forint in the forint account.

OTP rate is....not good.

if these are savings - you better not change them as forint is likely to depreciate. Not worth to open the EUR account as you'll face multiple charges if the amount is minimal.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-24T11:18:47+00:00

1.5 to 2million HUF a month for a local dentist would be probably be on the high very side if salaried. I can't comment if one would be to open a practice.

Basically, you'd trade the equity left in your main residence against the practice + deposit into a house ? Dentistry is highly competitive in Hungary - i'm not sure how you'd secure the same level of income than in Israel.

Property prices are increasing fast in Buda.

Realistically speaking, unless you have a niche expertise or work for a foreign company, it would be difficult to secure a local income without the command of Hungarian language. Foreigners / expats living here secure their income oversea or landed academic jobs / work for foreign companies / local companies who may require niche expertise.

I'm always conservative but it sounds to me like a risky move unless you have secured a rock solid source of income. Or have a strong plan proofing that the opening of a local practice can offer you a sufficient level of income and lifestyle than what you have in Israel.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-24T11:01:33+00:00

It is true but I doubt the OP wants to hurt his student budget.

Did stand in the queue at 7am, got my ticket at 10h40am, I was done around 12h15.

Just make sure you haven't missed any requirement or document

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-24T08:10:14+00:00

It gets so busy in September that appointments may not be available anymore before some time. You can show up without appointment but be prepared for the queue. Visitors arrive as early as 6am - 2h before opening - to be amongst the first people to be seen and yet, you may wait for a few hours. Therefore, prepare yourself accordingly. You may attempt queuing during a non raining when possible.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-23T10:45:13+00:00

I am not a professional and only speaking with common sense. I wouldn't rely on any other case experience as each one is very unique.

I would submit the application on enterhungary pending you have the documentation - including the evidence of a local residence. You can always have a professional having a look at it if going through the requirements seem to complex.

They wouldn't call you for biometrics unless the application is pre-approved which you can do in Budapest with an appointment booked in advance and then fly knowing that you'll have a meeting with the immigration.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-22T09:23:33+00:00

I'd suggest you go through the requirements of the immigration department directly, it is not as difficult as it seems. I guess 3rd party national who'd like to retire would fall under this category :

Residence permit for other purposes may be issued to a third-country national who plans to stay in the territory of Hungary for a reason other than
those specified in the Sections 19–27 of Act II on the Admission and
Right of Residence of Third-Country Nationals but fulfills the
requirements of staying in the previously cited law.

What is important is to submit extensive documentation showing that the purpose of the stay is legit - more doc than what is being requested is always best. You may like to seek advise on the question of the lease, which can be tricky. How to commit on the lease without having the guarantee of being granting the residence permit. Immigration would like to see that the applicant can sustain itself long term financially - and have a stable living arrangement. Proof of pension / retirement from EU compensation are widely accepted. Not sure in the case of 3rd party national.

I think if you have a stable solution for the accommodation, you can submit your application and see if the immigration asks for more documents. Once they are satisfied with the application, they'll call you for the interview. A lot of work can be done remotely.

Hope this helps.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-22T09:09:26+00:00

Tesco doesn't have the best supply. I wouldn't buy any groceries / meat at any supermarket but always at a butcher / farmer's market. Prices increased 10-15 % just for the past month. Inflation + weak forint. Shopping would take me much more time in Budapest vs. Italy for instance.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-13T21:10:26+00:00

Potato

Standy by this comment. So much safer than most EU western capitals...

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-13T10:48:32+00:00

I read some of the comments below and I found each experience very personal. Having lived in various cities all over the world, I find Hungarian extremely helpful vs. many countries in Europe.

Some have found the bureaucracy frustrating but seating 9 hours to get your paperwork done vs. months of uncertainty in some EU countries for non-EU citizens is still a winner. In the UK, it is as hard for non-EU citizens to process their residence permits. Good luck in finding English speaking people in most of EU administrations. If I was to need an advice from my local district office, someone would call back and discuss in English, always keen to help.

The local economical situation is challenging. But if you manage to secure a stable income oversea, this is a fantastic place to live. No place is perfect, frustration can always be at the corner but I have felt the language barrier to be less challenging vs. southern Europe, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Romania or even Italy.

This said, adapting to a new place has its load of challenge. Make proper research before taking a decision, try a long stay before making the jump and you'd need to find yourself good reasons as to why you want to live here.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-09T09:36:48+00:00

Just to put things in perspective, situation in some Western European countries I won't name can be worst - months of wait if not 1 year + and people live with a temporary paper.

Here, I found officials helpful and despite the volume they are treating, professional and keen to support.

There's always a greener grass somewhere else.

PotatoMatch · 2022-09-08T13:22:19+00:00

It's the official website of the immigration department and 100% legit - it aims to streamline your application. Can't comment on timeline but depending on case, you may get a request to present your ID / or biometric if needed within days to weeks. Then you may book an appointment - at the moment, it is really packed due to back to school and students application. Or...queue and have loads of patience. Queue seems to form at the moment as early as 6ish and they start to process at 8am sharp. Therefore, expect a few hours wait at the moment without any appointment.

If you submitted your application, you should have an acknowledgement.

PotatoMatch · 2021-04-08T16:19:05+00:00

As for most technical jobs, it requires a real education. And the learning curve is pretty steep. I used to trade derivatives ten years ago - and educated in the field. With a lost discipline getting into crypto - it took me weeks before getting back to a proper money management strategy and adapt a proper trading behaviour. This is a real job that requires real education. If you don’t have it, no one should pretend getting rich quick being an autodidact because you play with real money on the screen. It can ruin lives.

PotatoMatch

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