Theoretically, Romania is among the countries with the most affordable housing prices, in relation to salaries. In reality, the prices in the big Romanian cities, especially Cluj and Bucharest, are close to those in Western metropolises. Romanians who cannot afford a house in Romania are reorienting themselves to other countries.
Houses in Hungary are cheaper than those in Romania. PHOTO: Pixabay
Romania would have the most affordable housing prices in the eastern half of Europe in relation to the average net monthly salary, according to an extensive analysis of the real estate market, a study carried out by Storia showed. Obviously, the result of the study gave rise to polemics, and some experts argued, arguing with numbers, that things would not be like this at all and that housing is much overvalued in Romania.
Romania, more expensive than Hungary and Bulgaria
Moreover, the prices in the neighboring countries, be it Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine, Bulgaria or the Republic of Moldova, are significantly lower. The first of them became a real El Dorado for Romanians, after initially attracting many Germans and Austrians. The reason is related to the much lower prices of real estate compared to Romania. For example, a house in a town on the border with Romania, very close to Oradea, sells for only 10,500 euros. For comparison, a house located near cities like Bucharest, Cluj and even Oradea or Brașov would sell for prices that end up being several times or even 10 times higher.
One such ad that was posted on a Facebook page dedicated to house sales without the mediation of real estate agencies caught the interest of Internet users.
“House for sale in Hungary, Biharugra. Holiday home for sale located in Biharugra, a village in Sarkad District, Bekes County in Hungary. It is at a distance of 36 km from Borș Customs and 18 km from Cheresig Customs. The surface of the land is 1346 sq m. We have fruit trees, yard and garden. The house is sold furnished and consists of: 2 rooms (of which 1 is furnished), kitchen, bathroom. As users, we have mains electricity and water. Price: 10500 euros,” the post states, along with the seller’s contact details.
Group members reacted and took interest in the offer. “Do you need Hungarian citizenship?”, someone asked. “No need”, came the answer. The questioner felt justified, after his question was not well received by the other netizens. “The problem I had put on the page was that the investment should not be made in vain, that when a political regime changes, minorities without passports or citizenship should be thrown out of the country, without the right to redeem the property. Here was the problem. That’s it. To buy and give the money is not the problem, that’s easy. But don’t give them for nothing, if they are hardworking”he wrote. And he also thanked for the advice received.
“With love, They are simple suggestions. There are areas in Hungary close to the border with Romania where many Romanians live and where houses are reasonably priced, unlike in Romania. If this house were in Romania, it would be 3-4 times more expensive. You can see that there are many ads with houses for sale in Hungary and on OLX. Good search!“, replied the one whom he thanked.
“It would cost several tens of times more here”
“The seller (who wants to sell as quickly as possible or perhaps is not well informed) does not ask such a thing. You can ask at the town hall. And to find out if there are also Romanians in the area. It’s hard to live alone among strangers”someone told him.
“As long as both countries are in the EU there is absolutely no problem. The EU Constitution guarantees you free movement and equality regardless of nationality”, another commented.
“In our country it would cost several tens of times more. A serious house about 50 km from Cluj, Bucharest or Brasov would probably cost even 200-300,000 euros, especially if it had the same land. The question is how solid is the house and how much should be invested in ita”, someone else pointed out.
It is no secret that, although in certain areas of Romania, in the countryside, houses are relatively cheap, those located near the big cities or only relatively close are very expensive. “Adevărul” reported two such cases. For example, a house located 50 kilometers from Cluj, in a small town, Huedin, was sold for over 600,000 euros at the beginning of this year. Otherwise, an old house in Gherla, another town about 50 kilometers from Cluj, sold for 160,000 euros last year. Since then, prices have risen further.
Garages are sold in Romania at similar or even higher prices. For example, in Cluj, garages are sold for prices between 10,000 euros and 35,000 euros, as two ads show. In an ad on OLX, a garage in the Bună Ziua neighborhood of Cluj is sold for 35,000 euros. But there are also garages at lower prices. Someone else is selling an underground garage for 13,000 euros, according to an ad posted on the Publi24.ro portal. Also on OLX, but in Bucharest, someone is selling a garage for 111,904 lei. And in Brașov, a garage can cost 30,000 euros, according to Storia.ro.
