If you just need that downtown buzz to be happy we suggest you look at one of the centrally located neighborhoods. We only focus on the Central area as defined by the areas south of the Northern neighborhoods (Dorobanti, Floreasca, Primaverii), down to about Piata University. Piata Uniri is technically the centre of...

If you just need that downtown buzz to be happy we suggest you look at one of the centrally located neighborhoods. We only focus on the Central area as defined by the areas south of the Northern neighborhoods (Dorobanti, Floreasca, Primaverii), down to about Piata University. Piata Uniri is technically the centre of the city and has some expats living there, but we don`t like it and thus don`t endorse it - too many communist blocks and not enough nice stuff to suit our fussy standards! Still a lot of international companies have their headquarters downtown and there is the second British School (highly regarded as well) and the Cambridge International School as options if you have children.

Our favorite neighborhood is the Icon Church neighborhood because it has retained that village feel while being only 100 meters from the cultural heart of the city (roughly the area between Piata Romana and Piata Uniri between the boulevards of Megheru and Victoria), it also has two fine parks, great restaurants, good housing options and a lot of interesting people, both locals and expats. This is also where the Anglican church is located if the mood or guilt hits you ?. A really interesting neighborhood is the neighborhood around Cismigiu Garden. Besides the park (one of the oldest and grandest public gardens in the city) you have lots of pubs, restaurants, theatres, book-shops and the symphonic theatre within easy walking distance. Not an easy neighborhood to find new apartments at expat standards, but plenty of very nice apartments in renovated villas. We also have some lovely, good-value villas in the neighborhood. The neighborhood doesn`t have the shine of Primaverii, or the renovated cleanliness of Dorobanti. What you will find is charm with a bit of dust and patina, lots of university students, artists, buzz and old couples sitting on park benches still speaking French. You can always find a taxi and all the options on public transportation. This is a popular neighborhood for long-term expats who have bought these wonderful old mansions and renovated them with a lot of love and attention.