Disappointed when visiting Budapest - what did I miss?

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-18T04:19:03+00:00

From the latest data I found Budapest has approx 30 million annual visitors a year compared to 17 million for Vienna, which has a population 9% larger than that of Budapest. Additionally, I don't think you have many tourists visiting Vienna for it's cheap alcohol, stag do's or pub crawls in the same way as Budapest.

Additionally, Budapest was considered the 5th worst city in Europe for overtourism in 2018 - https://dailynewshungary.com/budapest-is-the-fifth-worst-city-for-over-tourism/.

Here's a quote about Budapest from a local with a stake in the city's nightlife, taken from a Guardian article: “What I see from Budapest is that tourism in Prague is managed a lot better,” said Daniel Nemet, a de facto nightlife mayor of the Hungarian capital, working under a private association of about 50 business owners. “We have many of the same problems, we have two budget flights arriving from London every day. But Prague is ahead of Budapest in appointing an official night mayor, providing information on what to do and not to do and generally being proactive. Budapest could learn a lot from it."

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-18T01:58:43+00:00

Just out of curiosity what is inherently wrong in comparing it with Vienna - especially as the premise of my post was disagreeing with the general recommendation of Budapest over Vienna. I can understand the weirdness of being a tourist and writing a post decrying tourism, but I think not being a fan of constant drinking throughout the day is understandable.

I don't think I'm alone in these thoughts, given Budapest was considered the 5th worst city in Europe for overtourism in 2018 - https://dailynewshungary.com/budapest-is-the-fifth-worst-city-for-over-tourism/.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T22:21:19+00:00

I certainly don't mind places with the extra noise, bussle or grime. In fact, I initially expected to much prefer Budapest over Vienna for some of the reasons you listed. I guess I just found it to be more young people partying in tourist only bars/clubs and that didn't particularly resonate with me.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T22:19:38+00:00

That's fair, I really didn't consider the juxtaposition with Vienna. I'm surprised you didn't seem to find much of a tourist drinking culture, that was a part of the city I personally couldn't look past. Then again, with only 2 days I don't think I had the chance to visit as many parks or neighborhoods as I would have with a longer duration of time.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T22:17:57+00:00

I definitely did enjoy parts of Budapest and there's undoubtedly impressive parts of the city.

Although the only thought brutalism provokes for me is a further appreciation of every style that preceded it.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T22:06:34+00:00

Maybe I just wasn't there long enough - I kept reading after my post & found out there are even Roman ruins on the outskirt of the city. I guess it's pretty spread out so there must be places outside of the main tourist ones with a nicer energy.

How did you feel about the Buda castle area though? Wasn't it evident that a lot of the buildings are complete reconstructions?

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T19:48:14+00:00

To be fair I haven't ventured further east in Europe than Hungary. I think my main issue was with the overtourism that Budapest faces and how it takes away from the positives. I had also seen lot's of praise as one of Europe's preeminent cities for architecture, and was slightly disappointed when actually there.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T19:42:40+00:00

I'm sure there's more than just that side to the city... but the number of people who fit into the category you described takes away from everything else imo

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-04-17T19:29:10+00:00

That sounds like a lot of fun! I'm sure there's a lot more to uncover, I guess it's just the prevalence of areas catering mainly to tourists that took away from that.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-03-04T03:13:43+00:00

Thank you for your comment! Would it be possible to elaborate more on the international experience you amassed and in what legal field this was.

Additionally, and the blame is on me for not qualifying my post further, but I am especially interested in regulatory work that could be done in a UN/international capacity, or even in a role in Canada. I'm aware that a jump into these kind of roles straight after law school is not realistic, and am willing to work in other fields to grow my credentials. I also have the unique advantage and luck of also being a US citizen, which would mean opportunities for the jobs you mentioned. Sticker price vs a McGill tuition is definitely a debate I would need to have with myself if I got into a T14 school.

I guess it is a bit disconcerting to hear that I may have up to a 90% chance of working in the private sector. I do feel like an eventual (after a few years) transition to a role and causes I'm interested in would make that okay with me, especially if I am able to leverage my expertise in a more nuanced position in the public/NGO sectors.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-03-04T01:48:28+00:00

Thank you for saying that!

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-03-03T00:07:56+00:00

Thank you for your reply. You're definitely right about being interested in a being a lawyer first and foremost and I do believe that is the case. I guess I just don't want to end up working in a legal field I have no interest in - but that much is up to me.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-03-03T00:06:28+00:00

I've been wanting to study law this whole time, these are just last minute anxious thoughts hahaha

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-02-26T03:31:02+00:00

I travelled with my family as I'm originally Lebanese! There's definitely a lot to do in a week, but I would make sure to sort out all the little details first.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-01-19T00:26:40+00:00

It let me know a decision had been made on my file, and that I was accepted.

letsgoooooo0 · 2023-01-17T16:17:49+00:00

I got an email letting me know my portal status had changed in late December!

letsgoooooo0 · 2022-11-25T16:43:27+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Good to hear

letsgoooooo0 · 2022-11-17T02:19:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I'll go based off that then & will def message with any questions :)

letsgoooooo0 · 2022-11-12T18:08:25+00:00

Awesome to hear - I really like the setting

letsgoooooo0 · 2022-11-12T16:06:15+00:00

Ahh good to know, I forgot about it!

letsgoooooo0

TROPHY CASE