Living in Brașov, Romania: The Brutally Honest Pros & Cons

Brasov is one of the most popular destinations in Romania, both for tourists and those looking to relocate to Romania.

But is it the right choice for you and your family? This is what I will help you decide today, by sharing all the PROs and CONs you should be aware of if you’re considering moving to Brasov.

I posted a while ago about the experience of a family moving from the US to Brasov, but things have changed a lot since then, so an update is required.

With connections to the most beautiful mountain resorts in Romania, this city offers a great blend of modern life facilities and traditional-medieval architecture, with amazing districts and neighborhoods everywhere.

So let’s get started with the good, the bad, and the things nobody tells you about making this mountain city your home.

Pros of living in Brasov

We’ll start with the good things about living hre, as I think they are more important.

1. Brasov is close to some of the best mountain resorts in Romania

Sitting right at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is the perfect home base for the country’s best winter destinations.

You’ve got plenty of ski runs available just a few kilometers away in Sinaia, Busteni, Predeal, or Poiana Tapului for winter. And, of course, Poiana Brasov which is just a stone’s throw away.

During summer, the same resorts turn into mesmerizing climbing and hiking trails, including the 7 Stairs Canyon and the Piatra Mare mountains. You can reach all of these (and more) in just 60 to 90 minutes by car, bus or train.

2. Relief for allergy sufferers

This one comes thanks to the proximity to mountains, woods and lots of nature. As somebody who is allergic to ragweed, I can tell you that the altitude provides sweet relief – at least when compared to most of the country.

The high number of planted trees and green areas in the city makes the air considerably fresher during the warmer months.

But I will cover the winter air quality later in the cons section, because the air is not always as clean and fresh as you would expect it to be up here in the mountains – although still not as bad as some other cities, like Bucharest.

And since we’re here, I have an article ranking the best cities to live in Romania, based on air quality, safety and more. Make sure to check it out too after you’re done reading about Brasov.

3. You can always enjoy amazing views

This also comes from the same reason: proximity to mountains results in areas with amazing views.

Whether it’s an apartment in the city center, with a view of Tampa Hill, or one in more peripheral neighborhoods, with beautiful views of the woods, you’re almost guaranteed top views from any part of the city.

4. It’s still close to the beach

Wait, what? Wasn’t it up there in the mountains?

Well, it is – but it’s still close to Romania’s beaches. You can quickly get there by train or car in around 4 hours. Yes, not right next to it – but still close!

If you want to be right by the beach, then you might want to consider living in Constanta instead.

5. Close to Bucharest, the capital

Proximity to Bucharest means that you’ll be able to participate anytime there’s a major national event or an important festival in the capital, and then quickly retreat to the mountains.

Just be aware that while it looks close on a map, the drive on the DN1 highway through the Prahova Valley can easily take three and a half to five hours on a busy weekend.

6. Solid educational center

Even though Brasov is not one of the biggest university centers in the country, it offers more than decent educational options, from kindergarten to university.

There are a few private schooling options too and plenty of extra-curricular activities to choose from, making Brasov one amazing destination for families that want to make sure that their children get a proper education.

As a side note, if you’re planning to make a move to Romania for studies, make sure to read my article that talks about how much money foreign students need in Romania.

7. Castles and medieval history at your doorstep

Dracula’s Castle in Bran is half an hour away by car. If you have no ideas or money for weekend activities, simply walking the grounds of these historical sites is a great solution.

There are plenty of other options if you can travel a bit further, including Sinaia’s Peles Castle, one of the most appreciated in the country. You can read more about the most impressive castles in Romania here.

8. Some of the most delicious traditional cuisine restaurants

Because it’s such a popular tourist destination, Brasov has developed a truly impressive culinary scene, from traditional restaurants you will fall in love with to anything else you could wish for in your meal.

The palette of offers is enriched even more during summer, through the fairs organized in the main city squares. For gourmands, living in Brasov under these circumstances can be a real culinary delight.

I already wrote about the best pubs in Brasov – make sure to read that article as well for some ideas where to start your foodie adventure.

9. Solid public transport options

Brasov has modern buses, with a public transport system greatly maintained and organized.

There are electronic panels in bus stations, indicating the waiting time for each bus arrival in real time.

Plus, the automatization of buying tickets from machines placed in most of the stations is a great step forward, increasing accessibility to bus tickets for everyone, at any hour.

10. In Brasov, most winters have snow

Lots of snow. Not like in the rest of the country, where snow melts in a matter of minutes. They have enough snow and ice for snowmen and snowballs and winter sports.

Another advantage of living in a city close to the mountains – winters are winters, with snow every year. At least for now!

11. Less traffic

Although it’s quite a big city, traffic is far from being as congested as in other big Romanian cities such as Bucharest or even Cluj-Napoca. This is a huge advantage, even if you’re just a pedestrian!

12. Very expat-friendly

Many expats choose Brasov as their home base, resulting in a very active and diverse expat scene.

With meetings taking place regularly, it’s easier to get integrated faster and meet some amazing people along the way.

This will also help you connect better with locals. Next thing, you’ll be looking for Romanian names for your children. It’s perfect!

13. A thriving tech and remote work scene

Brasov is, without exaggeration, a haven for digital nomads. It offers blazing-fast internet, coworking spaces and plenty of remote workers.

I don’t like to keep comparing it to other cities, but I have to. It’s not as “up there” as Cluj Napoca is at the moment, but it still has plenty of opportunities in the tech world too, so even if you don’t rely on outside income (which would give you an advantage), you can still find a good job offer here.

14. A rapidly expanding international airport

It took the city many years to build its own international airport, but it’s finally a reality, so you no longer need to fly to Bucharest, then take the train to Brasov to get to the city.

Now, the Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport is fully operational and growing fast, offering various low-cost options to and from European cities.

Cons of living in Brasov

As you can imagine, it’s not all perfect when it comes to living here. Let’s check out some of the disadvantages next.

1. Pretty bad winter air pollution

Remember how I praised the fresh mountain air? That only applies to the warmer months.

Because Brașov is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, cold air traps wood smoke and car exhaust close to the ground, leading to major spikes in air pollution during the winter.

Days when you can see smog settling over the city are, unfortunately, more and more common here, although the authorities are taking measures against it.

2. It’s busy with tourists during peak seasons

Given the popularity of the area, there’s a big tourist flow, especially during summer and winter seasons.

This means that some areas (mostly the central ones) tend to get crowded and prices are usually higher.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that this is a two-edged matter: a Con for introverted residents who prefer a quiet and peaceful life, yet a Pro for sociable people who see an opportunity in building a business that can benefit from the increased tourist flow.

3. When it rains, it rains with cats and dogs

The rain feels different – completely different – in Brasov, next to the mountains. Even in the summer.

Clothes soaked, wind, cold air, and not short summer rains, but long ones, with huge drops of water.

Since I’m not a big fan of rain (who is?) I will put this as a con – although it’s obviously not a deal breaker. Still, you do have plenty of things to do in Brasov when it rains, so at least it’s not all miserable.

4. Really cold winters

Freezing, actually. Boost your immunity system if you’re sensitive to cold temperatures, and get prepared with warm clothes!

The temperature is generally lower all year long – including during the summer. So definitely not a big bonus for those who prefer warmer weather or shorter winters.

5. A higher cost of living

Due to various factors I won’t get into today, the city has experienced a massive real estate boom over the past several years, especially in rapidly-growing neighborhoods.

As a result, rental and property prices have skyrocketed too. Combine this with the higher prices because it’s a touristy city, regular inflation the entire country is affected by, and you get one of the highest cost of living cities in Romania.

Conclusion

Looking at the list of pros and cons above, I can easily say that Brasov does look like a great place to start a new life in Romania.

There are many amazing things about it and the Cons are general annoyances in most cases and not really deal breakers.

If you’ll eventually decide for a permanent move to this city, I’ve got further recommendations for you in choosing the best neighborhoods to live in Brasov.

So, for those considering moving to Brasov or already living here – are there any other Pros and Cons that I didn’t mention? Share your thoughts in the comments section below to have a clearer view of life in Brasov!