Best Cities to Live in Romania in 2025, Based on Safety, Infrastructure, Air Quality and More

If you’re planning to make Romania your home, my list of the best cities to live in should help you decide which one to choose.

I’ll explain why they rank at the top below, but if you don’t want to read all the details, you can take a quick look at my top 10 places to live in Romania this year:

  1. Oradea
  2. Timisoara
  3. Cluj Napoca
  4. Constanta
  5. Brasov
  6. Alba Iulia
  7. Sibiu
  8. Iasi
  9. Bucuresti
  10. Targu Mures

Apart from the cost of living – which I still see as mostly the same across Romania – there are some differences worth noting across cities here. We’re talking mostly about infrastructure, air quality, but also safety, restaurants, events, and general lifestyle options.

Starting 2017, various studies and surveys have been conducted regarding quality of life in different major cities. These often ranked Oradea, Cluj Napoca, and Brasov quite high. I’ve used data from these sources, plus my personal experience, to offer what I consider the best cities to live in this year.

The latest – available on IOV here – can be checked out as an alternative (their top 10 is similar to mine but in a different order).

Help me keep Romania Experience alive. Become a Patreon supporter today! You can also read my article detailing the situation here. Thank you for your continued support!

1. Oradea

Oradea center view

Oradea is the best city in Romania to live in. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and has been my favorite for several years now.

You won’t find as many expats here, and property prices haven’t gone crazy (yet). Even so, there are plenty of job opportunities in services, small-scale tech, and manufacturing.

It’s also fairly easy to get around. You can usually walk to most places in the central area, and the public transportation system (buses and trams) is quite good. If you’re a remote worker, you’ll be glad to know that internet speeds in Oradea are top-notch, following trend with the internet speed in Romania.

All in all, I can say from experience that it’s friendly, calm, and great for families who want safe neighborhoods and green spaces.

Learn more about Oradea:

2. Timisoara

catholic church timisoara

Selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2023, Timisoara is also one of those Romanian cities that grew nicely in the past several years.

I must say that 10-15 years ago, Timisoara was one of my least favorite cities, as it was dirty, poorly maintained, and seemingly dead. How much things have changed!

Timisoara is now a lively city with lots of opportunities for students, entrepreneurs, retirees, or anyone looking to enjoy a solid cultural scene. There’s a busy nightlife, lots of events, and a growing tech community, too.

The job market is diverse, with big automotive and manufacturing companies, plus a small but promising IT sector. For families, Timisoara offers a decent number of schools (including international ones) and a great healthcare system, making it easier for foreigners to settle in.

Learn more about the city:

3. Cluj Napoca

Cluj Napoca Romania

I usually say Cluj Napoca today is what Oradea might become in a few years. Cluj is now one of the trendiest, coolest (but also most expensive) cities in Romania. That’s mainly because it became the country’s IT hub, drawing in people with higher-paying jobs, who in return demanded a higher quality of life.

Its population has grown, and traffic can be frustrating during peak hours. It’s pricier in terms of rent, restaurants, and nightlife compared to most Romanian cities. But salaries, especially in IT or creative fields, are generally higher as well.

Learn more about the city:

4. Constanta

Constanta at night

I lived in Constanta for two years with my family, and I can say it’s one of the best cities in Romania, despite having its share of problems. No place is perfect, but overall, I loved it here.

One huge plus is the climate. Winters are milder and summers are cooled down by the Black Sea’s breeze. Because it’s so popular in the summertime, Constanta has lots of great restaurants, events, and a huge number of foreign visitors or expats.

Even better, since 2024, the newly renovated central area is open to the public and looks amazing. We fell in love with the city after moving here and I am sure so will you.

Learn more about the city:

5. Brasov

piata sfatului

Brasov is located in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, surrounded by lush green forests and majestic peaks.

Living here, you’ll never run out of hiking trails, skiing slopes, or stunning landscapes to explore – making it a perfect choice for those of you who are passionate about the outdoors.

Beyond the scenery, Brasov has a strong cultural scene and a pretty large expat community. The historical city center is stunning and usually filled with travelers – both local and foreign.

Keep in mind the climate is cooler and winters are longer. Air quality, on the other hand, tends to be better due to the mountain location. Families will be happy to find English-speaking kindergartens and schools here as well.

Learn more about the city:

6. Alba Iulia

Alba Iulia Romania

It might shock a few people to see Alba Iulia on this list, but lately, this city has grown a lot – similar to Oradea, although it’s not quite there yet.

It’s smaller than most of the other cities I’ve talked about, yet it comes with advantages – lower property prices, less traffic, and good basic infrastructure. I believe Alba Iulia to be one of the biggest opportunities in Romania for those looking to secure their spot while the city is still in hidden gem mode.

It is also the place where the modern state of Romania was born, with impressive celebrations being held here every December 1st. If you appreciate history and a slow-paced lifestyle, you will like it here.

You probably know little about it, but it’s one of the best cities to visit in Romania, so definitely check it out!

7. Sibiu

Sibiu Romania

Sibiu had a big boost after becoming Europe’s Capital of Culture several years ago, similar to Timisoara. Though its growth has slowed a bit recently, it still ranks high in many quality-of-life surveys.

Its main problem, in my opinion, is the fact that it’s not very well connected to other cities in Romania – but this shouldn’t be a big con for those who don’t want to travel a lot.

Sibiu is known for beautiful architecture, art festivals, and a well-preserved old town. Rents are moderate, but you’ll find a handful of pricier spots near the city center. It’s a good place for those who like smaller cities without giving up cultural variety.

Learn more about the city:

8. Iasi

The Palace of Culture in Iasi Romania

We’ve covered a lot of Western and Central cities, but Iasi is the major hub in Eastern Romania – a popular university center, buzzing with life and, most importantly, offering affordable prices for such a large and beautiful city.

Plus, work has started on highways in the region, meaning that in a few to several years, it will be much better connected to other important cities in the country.

Fun fact: Iasi was, for a very short while, Romania’s capital city… so you know that you’re up for a treat if you choose it as your next home. Read more fun facts about Romania here.

Public transportation is decent, but traffic in some areas can be heavy at rush hour. If you’re looking for job opportunities, check out universities, IT startups, and local service industries. There’s also a growing expat presence in Iasi, though smaller than in Cluj or Bucharest.

Learn more about the city:

9. Bucharest

Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest

Romania’s capital is a love-it-or-hate-it type of place. It has some of the highest levels of traffic-related pollution in the country, though there are ongoing projects aimed at reducing that.

Some people love the energy and possibilities you find in Bucharest. It’s huge, it’s constantly growing, and there’s always something new to do. High-paying jobs, cultural events, top restaurants – you name it.

However, the air quality is usually a big problem, and infrastructure is absolutely crazy. Its sheer size, fast-paced life, and huge crowds could also be considered a nightmare by some.

It comes up to personal preferences, in the end: check it out and see if it is for you. I don’t like it, but my wife loves it. So… visit Bucharest and see how you feel.

Learn more about the city:

10. Targu Mures

what to do in targu mures featured

A new entry, Targu Mures is an impressive place where multiple cultures blend nicely. The Romanian and Hungarian communities have shared this city for centuries, offering a unique living experience.

The city offers a quieter pace compared to Cluj or Bucharest. Housing costs are moderate, while jobs are not aplenty (with a few exceptions). However, remote workers are settling here for the lower cost of living and straightforward day-to-day life.

You can check out the top things to do in Targu Mures here.

PIN it for later. Thank you!

Best cities to live in ROmania Pinterest Pin

How to decide upon the best city for YOU

Keep in mind that when it comes to listing “best cities,” the rankings are highly subjective.

Sure, safety, air quality and infrastructure are easier to measure, but it depends who does the measuring.

Results will vary if the person ranking cities has lived in a single city their entire life vs. one who has traveled and seen multiple ones, both large and small, both local and foreign.

Second, it’s all about the things that you want from a city. Better jobs, better quality of living, more opportunities in general – these are enough to make some ignore some of the potential cons.

Romania in general is a safe country, with low crime rates compared to many parts of Europe. Each city on this list has areas that feel more secure and areas that might require extra awareness, especially at night. Common sense goes a long way.

Healthcare in major cities is adequate and often improving. Private clinics have English-speaking staff, and the quality of services and equipment is growing, resulting in a growth of medical tourism in Romania.

It’s easier to paint a picture of the best places to live in by looking at the geographical areas: by tradition, the Western and North-Western areas are considered better choices than others.

But all in all, I hope that this list helps paint a better, clearer picture of the country and what it has to offer.

Have you lived in or visited other Romanian cities that you believe deserve a spot on this list? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below to help others make better decisions!

Calin
Follow me

9 thoughts on “Best Cities to Live in Romania in 2025, Based on Safety, Infrastructure, Air Quality and More”

  1. I’ve only been to Bucharest and Brasov, both places that l really, really liked. I think to live, I would prefer Bucharest to be honest. Brasov is so pretty, but l think after a while, I would be bored, at least l think so..but who knows. There are so many other places I would like to visit in Romania. Hopefully someday soon.

    Reply
    • I also believe that there’s no other city better than Bucharest when it comes to entertainment and options to spend your free time. There’s always some sort of an event happening somewhere in Bucharest and the entire place is so huge!

      Next time you visit, you should choose the Moldova area (if you want to add some more monasteries to the list of places you’ve seen) or the Ardeal area, with beautiful cities and important attractions nearby.

      Reply
  2. Hi Calin,
    Very interesting article, and I agree with your assessment that the top four are spot on, especially for most people’s priorities. Also, as you say, foreigners coming in are more blown away by the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside of the Transylvania area, and no surprise, three of those cities are close to it. From the time I first started considering retiring overseas, it was Romania that quickly rose to the top of my searches, and to this day, both Sibiu & Brasov are still my favorites there, though based strictly on research, as I still haven’t physically made the trip yet. Cluj has appeal too, but may be too busy & modern, and is definitely more expensive, as far as cost of living by Romanian standards. For me, Bucharest, the capital, is too far from the mountains for one thing, and has too much pollution for another, as that’s a major problem for me and my chronic bronchitis.

    Sorry I haven’t posted in a while, but I do read most of the articles here Calin, and still enjoy the site. My plans have been delayed several times, and now looks like spring of 2019, that I’ll be coming over to that area. Still haven’t decided exactly what I’ll do, but it’s pretty likely I’ll travel between Romania & Ukraine every 90 days for a while, to put off filing for long term residency until I’m more certain what I’d like to do long term. Hope you are well Calin, and you’re doing a fine job here on the site! Take care, John C.

    Reply
    • Thank you, John! There’s no rush here – Romania won’t change much in the next few years, most likely. Probably taking your time and visiting multiple places before making your decision is the best thing you can do. There’s no such thing as “too much research” when deciding where to live.

      Reply
  3. I have visited Calarasi as I have a friend who moved back there from the U.S.. I would say it is placed in the correct spot at 38.

    Reply
    • Haha, thanks for confirming that, Timothy! That’s one of the cities that I haven’t visited, although it’s relatively close to where I live. It seems that I shouldn’t be in a rush to check it out.

      Reply
  4. Being born in Brasov makes me very happy seeing it at the top, wich I think is well deserved,i don’t think there’s a cleaner/better looking city in the whole Eastern Europe.Ive been living in Montreal-Canada for the last 23 years but I miss a lot Brasov and Sighisoara, where i spent my childhood years,hopefully I’ll get to spend the last years of my life there when I retire …

    Reply
  5. I really disagree when you mention that Oradea is one of the best cities of Romania. I visited it thanks to you, but I can’t recommend it.

    Yeah, there are beautiful buildings, but there are also A LOT of communist buildings which are SO ugly and they TOTALLY ruin the beauty of the city.

    Just an example is the famous Oradea fortress : it is almost hided behind ugly communist buildings (if I had not looked on Gmaps, I would not have find it). There are also various communist buildings around some churches. I totally NOT recommend Oradea for this reason.

    However, a BEAUTIFUL city which is very overlooked is the medieval city of Sighișoara, even on your website you don’t mention it which I find it very curious, since the city is very beautiful (I don’t even saw communist buildings, actually). You should give it a try !

    Reply
    • I’m sorry you didn’t like Oradea as much as I do, Daivy. Sighisoara is indeed a beautiful town (the only Medieval town in this side of Europe that’s still inhabited), but for long-term living, it might get boring very soon. That’s just my opinion though – it’s great to have as many as possible, so people will find it easier to choose.

      Also, defending Oradea – the same communist buildings unfortunately ruin most of the other cities too, including central areas. They are everywhere in Romania, and actually more in numbers in other cities than in Oradea.

      But in my rankings, I always looked at longer-term living there – for shorter visits, there might be indeed other more charming places.

      Reply

Leave a Comment