Quality of life is always an important factor when a business chooses a new location.
Foreigners living and working in Hungary have found Budapest to be an exciting and interesting city to live in, while the country's smaller university towns continue to blossom and develop at a rapid pace. Every corner of the country is steeped in art, culture and natural beauty, while wellness, sporting and leisure facilities are never far away. Budapest, in particular, has adapted to cosmopolitan life without sacrificing its traditions and charms – making it a fascinating and vibrant place to live.
SCHOOLS
Expatriates looking to stick with the curricula of their home countries may choose private international schools for their children. There are also many English, German and French public and private pre-schools for children ages 3 to 6. The school year starts in September and ends in June and school buses are usually available at private schools.
SPORTS
For a landlocked country, Hungary boasts more than its fair share of swimmers and Olympic gold medal winners. Hungary literally floats on a vast pool of thermal water. Expatriates can find a variety of well maintained pools and thermal spas throughout the country. Meanwhile, sailing enthusiasts will find fine yachting clubs around Lake Balaton or Lake Velence.
Fishing is off-limits between April 20 and May 20, but the rest of the year is almost entirely open and ice fishing is also possible.
Golfers will not be disappointed either, the Hungarian Golf Association currently incorporates 13 private golf clubs.
ENTERTAINMENT
Most foreigners are impressed with the classical music scene in Hungary. The Budapest Opera House and the Franz Liszt Music Academy are among the most evocative symbols of this rich heritage. The recently built MÜPA Palace of Arts houses one of Europe's most acoustically sophisticated concert halls.
In cities and towns outside the capital, local chamber halls and theatres also cater to classical fans.
Hungary is also the venue for several, internationally noted art festivals of classical and world music, jazz and rock. Most renowned of these are the Budapest Spring Festival (which has extended its events to other big cities outside the capital) and the "BudaFest" Opera and Ballet Festival. The Sziget Festival is the largest multicultural event in Central Europe, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.
FOOD AND WINE
One of Hungary's traditions enjoying a Renaissance is food and wine, with almost every part of the country boasting its own distinctive flavours. There are nine distinctive wine regions in Hungary, the most famous of which lies at the foothills of the Zemplén Mountains producing the world renowned Tokaj wines. Other internationally acknowledged varieties include the reds from the Villány and Szekszárd regions and white specialities not found anywhere else in the world, such as Furmint, Hárslevelű, Kéknyelű, Juhfark, Irsai Olivér, Cserszegi Fűszeres, Királyleányka and Leányka.
