Romania is a country with a rich history and vibrant culture. The country’s high-income and growing economy, plus its fast internet speeds, means that it is quickly becoming one of the best places to live in Eastern Europe.
From spectacular mountain scenery to the coast of the Black Sea, it can be challenging to know where’s the best place to lay down roots in this diverse country.
Let’s take a look at some of the best cities in Romania for you to live in!
Best Places to Live in Romania for…
- Expats: Bucharest
- English Speakers: Cluj-Napoca
- Digital Nomads: Timișoara
- Solo Travelers: Brasov
- Couples: Sibiu
- Groups: Alba Iulia
Top 10 Places to Live in Romania
1. Bucharest
The Best Place to Live for Expats
Cost of Living:
$
Bucharest is Romania’s capital city and one of the best places to live in the Balkans.
The city offers a little something of everything with buzzing nightlife scenes, cultural attractions, plenty of great places for drinking and eating, and some great coworking spaces.
Tip: Bucharest’s nickname is “Little Paris” and has its own inspired, albeit smaller, Arc de Triomphe, or Arcul de Triumf, in Romanian.
Who Would Like to Live There: Expats and English Speakers
Pros:
- English is widely spoken
- Fast internet
- Crime is relatively low
Cons:
- Traffic is bad in the city
- Low level of medical care
- The town is generally dirty
2. Cluj-Napoca
The Best Place to Live in Romania for English Speakers
Cost of Living:
$$$
Cluj-Napoca is Romania’s second-largest city and has become a significant business, academic and cultural center. It is home to more than ten universities and offers a buzzing nightlife and plenty of cultural events.
Tip: Attend the city’s annual Transylvania International Film Festival.
Who Would Like to Live There: English Speakers
Pros:
- A safe city with good local administration
- Plenty of entertainment with a vibrant cultural scene
- English is spoken here
Cons:
- This city also has a problem with traffic
- The highest cost of living
- Few green areas in the city
3. Timișoara
The Best Place to Live for Digital Nomads
Cost of Living:
$$$
The biggest city in Western Romania, Timișoara, is one of the best places to live in Romania. It is home to vibrant cultural life, lively nightlife, and many art galleries and museums.
Tip: In 2021, the city was named the European Capital of Culture, so make sure to explore the yearly musical and theatrical performances.
Who Would Like to Live There: Digital Nomads
Pros:
- The city has some of the fastest internet speeds in Europe
- Easy to get around on foot
- Great entertainment opportunities
Cons:
- The city has a big traffic problem
- It is not the cleanest city
- It has quite a high cost of living
4. Brasov
The Best Place to Live for Solo Travelers
Cost of Living:
$$
Brasov is located close to the country’s capital and is surrounded by breathtaking mountains. This city offers a great blend of modern city life and nature experiences.
Tip: Take a hike or a cable car up to the city’s unique, Hollywood-esque sign on top of Mount Tâmpa.
Who Would Like to Live There: Solo Travelers
Pros:
- Close enough to the country’s capital
- The city is clean
- Great winter sports
Cons:
- Traffic is a problem in the city
- Little in the aspect of nightlife
- Lack of green spaces within the city
5. Sibiu
The Best Place to Live for Couples
Cost of Living:
$
Sibiu is tucked in between the Carpathian Mountains, providing stunning surrounding landscapes. The city’s medieval charm, great food, stunning landscapes, and a blend of traditional and modern offers a comfortable and romantic life.
Tip: Sibiu offers plenty of outdoor activities with beautiful natural areas to explore.
Who Would Like to Live There: Couples
Pros:
- Pedestrian-friendly
- The locals are friendly
- Well-connected to other nearby cities
Cons:
- The city is not very safe
- Traffic is a problem in the city
- Little opportunity in terms of nightlife and entertainment
6. Alba Iulia
The Best Place to Live for Groups
Cost of Living:
$$
Alba Iulia is located in the center of Transylvania. It is a city of historical significance, having been conquered by the Roman and Habsburg empires. It offers beautiful architecture along with natural attractions.
Tip: The city underwent major renovations, improving overall infrastructure and increasing its touristic appeal, so make sure to explore them all.
Who Would Like to Live There: Groups and History Buffs
Pros:
- Good quality of life
- Relatively low cost of living compared to some of the other major cities
- Well-connected with other nearby cities
Cons:
- English is not widely spoken here
- It has poor local administration
- The locals are not always the friendliest
7. Iași
The Best Place to Live for History Buffs
Cost of Living:
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Iași is one of the oldest cities in Romania and has a great deal of historical and political significance. It has been named the Historical Capital of Romania.
Tip: Take a day to learn about this Historical Capital by taking a full-day walking tour.
Who Would Like to Live There: History Buffs
Pros:
- The city is clean
- High quality of life
- The city is safe
Cons:
- Suffers from bad traffic
- Lack of travel and transport connections to other parts of the country
- Poor local administration
8. Oradea
The Best Place to Live for Art and Culture Enthusiasts
Cost of Living:
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Oradea is close to the Hungarian border. It is an art nouveau city with a rich multicultural past and beautiful baroque architecture.
Tip: Make sure to take in the architecture, galleries and museums that made the city part of the Art Nouveau European Route.
Who Would Like to Live There: Art and Culture Enthusiasts
Pros:
- English is spoken here
- Plenty of art and cultural attractions
- The city is safe
Cons:
- Relatively high cost of life
- Traffic is an issue
- It has poor drinking water and doesn’t rank as a clean city
9. Constanța
The Best Place to Live for Sea Lovers
Cost of Living:
$$$
Constanța is located on the coast of the Black Sea and is home to one of the biggest ports in Europe. The city offers beautiful beaches and delicious seafood and has a rich history.
Tip: Make sure to attend the infamous NEVERSEA Festival hosted annually by Constanța. . The music festival features many top artists from genres like electronica, pop, and EDM.
Who Would Like to Live There: Sea Lovers
Pros:
- Access to amazing beaches
- Warm summer months
- Great public transport
Cons:
- Not the cleanest city
- It gets very busy during the summer seasons
- Not the greatest medical and healthcare
10. Târgu Mureş
The Best Place to Live for Some Peace and Quiet
Cost of Living:
$
Târgu-Mureş is an important cultural center with a mix of Hungarian and Romanian cultures. Because of its many flower gardens, the city has earned the nickname the “City of Roses” and offers stunning art nouveau buildings and charming cafes.
Tip: Enjoy the annual Peninsula / Félsziget Festival, one of Romania’s largest music festivals that takes place in the summer and features artists from genres like rock, folk, blues, and jazz.
Who Would Like to Live There: People who want some peace and quiet
Pros:
- The city is relatively safe
- The city has good air quality
- Basic English is spoken
Cons:
- Low quality of education
- Low level of healthcare
- Bad traffic and poor roads