Revealed: Living Expenses for Expats in Romania

In today's video we visit with American Expat Jim and his Romanian wife Irina who call Brasov Romania home. The city of Brasov is Romania's 7th largest city with a metro area of 382,000 people. Brasov and surrounding communities have many foreigners calling the region home due to the low cost of living and quality of life. The average US Retiree on Social Security receives $1,550 a month, and a couple on Social Security receives over $2,500 a month. A US Expat living on Social Security can expect a lower cost of living in Romania when compared to the living costs in the US.
Currently the Romanian exchange rate is 4.7 Lei to $1.00 USD
Here is the link for the Brasov Romania Airbnb we are staying in: www.airbnb.com/rooms/52965733...
International Medical Insurance Plans for Expats, Nomads, Students, Missionaries, Groups and Employers. Warren will make a commission if you use this link for International Medical Plans with IMGlobal: producer.imglobal.com/interna...
Romania is now a member of the Schengen Agreement.
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Do you want to live abroad as an Expat? Are you looking for affordable and viable options? We are exploring the world to see what it's like to live in a country, and also discover if Residency is an option.
We began our retirement in March of 2020 with the intent to travel the world, spending 1-3 months in a country or location. We want to see what it's like to live there and not simply visit, and we want to share these experiences and the costs with whoever wishes to follow along.
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Music: Brasov Background Noise
#Brasov2022 #Romania2022 #Travel2022

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Please visit our website www.WarrenJulieTravel.com For information on International Medical Insurance, our Amazon store, services we recommend, contact information and more.

[@lsd8497]

I'm an expat in Romania and I have to say after watching 2 or 3 of your videos I'm a bit surprised. My wife is a history teacher in a high school in Bucharest and we got a pretty decent life here with much less than these people from your videos. It's true, we cook and we're very creative. Plus, the romanian cuisine is very diverse, very rich. But all in all, rent or houses seem cheaper in Bucharest. Yes, Brasov is a tourist city but Bucharest is the capital city of the country and one cannot compare opportunities. I guess it also has to do with each person's pocket at the end of the day. But just to give you an example, tv, internet and 2 cells costs us around 20 bucks a month. Electricity bill is about 15 dollars a month, a bit more in the summer when we use AC. Heating, gas, garbage disposal, aso, about 60 dollars in winter time. Food, per month, some 200 - 250 dollars for 2 persons. Public transportation is really affordable and we do 150 miles to the seaside and 100 miles to Brasov with basicslly symbolic train fees, roughly 10 to 15 dollars. I can only hope Brussels will not destroy this country the way it seem to be committed on doing with all other european countries.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

We would love to interview you if you have interest.

[@lsd8497]

@@WarrenJulieTravel I'm honored! I'd absolutely love to but I'll won't make any promises for now because I'm away about 8 months per year with my job. But the idea is great and we will do it! My wife would love it!

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

@@lsd8497 shoot us an email when ready to discuss. [e-mail]

[@gabia.6213]

Brasov is a very beautiful old town in center of Romania , the people are friendly, the food is very good .

[@JB-tv3xm]

Old town main square looked beautiful and it was a beautiful patio to interview the couple. I love that people are comfortable enough with you both that they are willing to share their expenses! Says a lot about the two of you.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

It’s a very beautiful and picturesque place. We appreciate the comments, they were a beautiful couple to interview. 😊

[@graceg8834]

Beautiful town! Good to watch your channel again! Just getting back from a quick Florida vacation in deerfield beach 😊

[@mikereut6088]

Ohhh nice .. I live in Hollywood Fl ….I used to live in N Y prior to moving here … what state do u live ? If u find mind me asking

[@micahthompson3762]

Enjoyed your video. I lived in Covasna before the Covid Narrative.. at this point, planning to return this summer.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

I’m sure you’ll be glad to return. 😁

[@kenhilliard5845]

You should tell your viewers that it is very difficult for non-EU citizens to immigrate to Romania. There are no "retirement" visas. In the past you had to start some type of company in order to stay in country.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

See our Romanian Residency video.

[@purplepassion8467]

Infact is verry easy

[@bodea2010]

If you’re over 65 you get a resident permit because you can’t be extradited

[@befreetv354]

Romanian here! I swear...the old lady looks like the mother of Marty Scorsesse! For real! The way she talks , everything..except the hair cut !She is so fun! Cheers

[@julioocampo4000]

Just subscribed. What a great channel. Hoping to move to Cuenca and then see where time takes us.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Thanks, glad to have you with us. 😊

[@allinonewithdielle3971]

Wow i love the view from inside ,nice place ❤

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Glad you liked it 😊

[@florencehendrick4781]

WOW, just found your Travel Channel, and very impressive I must say. Will email you. Thanks so much

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Please do! We appreciate you watching us 😉

[@donminecuador6044]

Thank you for introducing us to an absolutely wondeful couple. I was immediately sucked in when I saw them interacting with their dogs. I've travelled all over Western Europe and I think the common demoninator between the East and the West is that there's an understanding of the essence of life - community, plus embracing and living relationships free of nationality, race, creed or color. Those who seek to divide based on pure fabricated crap will hopefully be defeated if humanity is to survive. Sad to see that is in doubt right now. I'm confident that in the end the right wing populists will not prevail against the vast majority who believe that everyone should just enjoy life free of prejudice. Salut! Jim and Irina!! Thank you Warren and Julie who brought us the essence of humanity. Bravo!!

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Thanks so much for commenting and watching. They are a sweet couple with big hearts. 😁

[@jimherne4307]

We share your concerns with humanity at this point in time. My mother always used to ask me why I did not want to move back to America and I would tell her it is not the America I knew when I was a child. Unfortunately it has only gotten worse since then.

[@comrade916]

I also noticed the attention this couple gave to their dogs.. To me, it says a lot about a person to see this interaction.

[@vladmatei5994]

Lovely couple. I am glad they've decided to retire in Romania, speaking as a national.

[@florinflorin2168]

Bravo! Felicitări! ( un vampir din Brașov) Transilvania, România!,♥️😲

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

gracias 😊 ningún vampiro nos ha encontrado todavía. 😂

[@jaynebuck5163]

Hi you two! Hope all is well, we’ve been preparing for our move. Almost time!! We’ll be getting Global soon. Beautiful home! Minnesota? They’re good people! Owatonna MN .

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Great, exciting times ahead. 😊

[@jimherne4307]

Are you moving to Brasov? We lived in Roseville MN for a number of years before we moved to Serbia in 2009.

[@milekrizman]

​@@jimherne4307 Serbia is fascist state. Regular LGBT Pride parade cannot be held.

[@sapphireruby9054]

Hello thank you for posting. Can you tell us what your plans are for healthcare and accessing the GPs ?

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

We use IM global. Here is the link. You can get coverage for any length of time needed. Here is the link you can run quotes on. Julie and I use the Global Medical Insurance program, Bronze excluding US, Singapore, and a few other high priced countries. We have 1,000,000 cap and $2,500 deductible and it runs us $204 a month combined, I’m 54 she’s 47 years old. Look over that program and look at the Patriot program as well to see what’s best for you. The plan in most cases will be indemnity reimbursing you for covered services, in major incidents they try to set up direct billing with the facility. If you’re over 65 look at the globe hopper program as well. You do not need to be a US citizen to enroll. Here is the link: producer.imglobal.com/international-insurance-plans.aspx?imgac=540642

[@mkelly1347]

Thanks for the video. I'm also married to a Romanian lady, we also plan to retire in Romania in a few years.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Best of luck and thank you for watching us ☺️

[@alexandrusemenciuc2785]

Don t do it! You will regret.Chose the Hell,instead!

[@mishamisha1333]

@@alexandrusemenciuc2785What’s your problem?

[@HUMPTYNUGGET]

That guy should write a book about his life , seems very interesting. It's not as cheap to buy a house as I'd imagined tho

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

He should, he's a wonderful person.

[@mariusmuresan8248]

This is Brasov, one of the most expensive cities on Romania. Only Cluj and maybe Bucharest are more expensive. Everywhere else real estate ist cheaper, sometimes way cheaper.

[@cornelhansen-juhas1971]

❤ Romania

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@fatamorrighan]

health insurance is insanely high, no where is going to change 98 dollars! It is more like 3800 dollars.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

These were their experiences with their Romanian insurance.

[@MaximDL1410]

👏❤️👍

[@kevintaylor1928]

Those are great deals on those apts guys but is there financing available?

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

I assume the answer is no, but hopefully a Romanian citizen will answer this question.

[@razvanbarbaud8792]

Of course, things work as in the other EU countries, most banks in Romania are actually French, German, Italian and Dutch.

[@RaduRadonys]

If by financing you mean paying monthly installments over various years instead of the entire sum at once, then yes, that is how most people buy their houses.

[@jasbindersingh2441]

Over priced. 150 thousand dollars ????? Out if curiosity what is the average income level in that area ??? I'm gonna suggest many times that sum. Better to have invested in the 90s. When I was there in 97 , that place would have been less than 10 thousand dollars , goes to show what fake interest rates and criminally low credit costs have led to

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

The 90s was quite a long time ago.

[@RaduRadonys]

You realize that 97 is almost 30 years ago, right? What were the prices of houses in the US 30 years ago, compared to now?

[@lonchanning228]

Romania is OK. However, I believe there are much better places to retire. I am now living in the charming city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

We are visiting Slovenia again for a few days very soon and are excited to see more of the country. Have greatly enjoyed seeing and experiencing that country a couple of years ago. Lake Bled is stunning.

[@varnadorel]

I agree. My choice would be Hungary

[@lonchanning228]

@@varnadorel, right on! I banged a lot of Romanian and Hungarian gals, however Budapest is one of the best cities in Europe.

[@margamassmann9696]

In which town are you? Is the cost of living cheaper in Romania than in Turkey?

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

This video was in Brasov Romania. Regarding Turkiye, it is the least expensive country we’ve been to since coming to Europe, that said Romania is much less expensive than the US.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

@patrons of freedom Romania is not land locked, it has a coast on the Black Sea which can access the Mediterranean via the Bosporus.

[@johnthelwell3244]

Seems expensive. I live in France and it appears to be cheaper or comparable to Romania.

[@gabix7488]

Brasov its a tourist destination. You are close to all ancient castles, citadels, monastires, churches, Carpathians mountains are all around the city, lakes, old town, safe and very clean, all the houses are traditional style , i live in Bucharest but Brasov its my fav city

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

I concur with Gabi. Brasov is a tourist town. There are less expensive areas to live in Romania.

[@gigikontra7023]

Romania has become very expensive because people got used to spend all the money they have. Prices for food are higher than in Germany 😢

[@mishamisha1333]

@@gigikontra7023Are you for real? I’ve been to Germany this summer and the prices are double at least

[@shanedevoria2050]

I like Romanian people very much. Unfortunately, Brasov is just not my scene. As for Bucharest, it is quite disappointing. For a capital city it is filthy.

[@lonchanning228]

I totally agree with you about Bucharest. Frankly, the city seems to be going down, not up. ((((

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Brasov is very beautiful. It's so green and the Tampa park is really gorgeous. We'll need to see a lot more of romania. Many people told us we haven't seen anything beyond Transylvania and the capital at this point.

[@falxus9962]

Shane Devoria, is filthy like your character!

[@maxavail]

Bucharest is not just filthy, it's a cow being milked by the City Hall clientele mafia companies who pay good money to be granted public contracts for lousy infrastructure jobs (eg shitty cobbled streets) that need to be remade once every five years for another heavy money contract.

[@shanedevoria2050]

I agree. Bucharest is going nowhere but down.

[@cristianmoroianu6716]

♥️💛💙 Brașov the most beautifull city of Romania!!! ♥️💛💙

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

:)

[@ISPRI2011]

The old lady most probably is with Romanian origin and citizenship she speaks with Romanian accent.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

She is Romanian.

[@irenmolnar221]

If you have a house and good retirement than you OK!

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

👍

[@varnadorel]

I agree.

[@milekrizman]

Why are you against Schengen? It makes traveling easier.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Schengen allows an American to be in the entire zone for 90 days every 180. We will have to share those same 90 days with all 27 countries. Currently we can spend 90 days in Romania when we leave Schengen. It will limit the attention non EU travelers will give Romania if they join. It’s not a benefit for us, maybe a benefit if you’re an EU citizen or a trucker. if you’re from America, Canada, Australia, the UK South America, Asia etc it’s a limitation and barrier. If you’re just traveling for a month it’s nice not having the border checkpoints.

[@RaduRadonys]

@@WarrenJulieTravel That is true, but it's a kinda selfish way of thinking. If you traveled to Bulgaria or Hungary by car and you saw the thousands of trucks stopped along the road for many kilometers before the border, you'd probably think that having a bit fewer non-EU tourists is not such a big problem.

[@janroach1852]

If Europe would allow people to stay in Europe for six months straight out of 180 days the problem would be solved for most people. The hassle is stay 3 months go to non Schengen than back 3 months. There are tons of retirees who travel six months out of the year. Working on Irish passport because jumping around and doing Schengen shuffle is very unappealing. Staying in Europe for six months you could explore maybe three countries in depth

[@martint251]

But expensive price isn’t it .

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

It’s all relative to where a person is from.

[@Milestonemonger]

Lived in Romania for a year. Although it's inexpensive, most people are grumpy and the overall mood here is bleak. The food is bland and everyone drives like they're drunk. Couldn't wait to leave.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

We had a nicer experience than that in the country. We met very kind people in each city we visited.

[@maxavail]

We're glad you left.

[@gigikontra7023]

This is very accurate description of the country

[@purplepassion8467]

Goodbye

[@RaduRadonys]

Good riddance!

[@MrWaterbugdesign]

For what you get, what rent you can get, it makes homes in the US look super cheap.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

The cost of living for everything else is substantially lower than the US.

[@norrsken1828]

500 - 600 EUR rent in Romania sounds outrageous.

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

Brasov is not an extremely inexpensive city any longer.

[@janroach1852]

These are air b and b prices and that is a fair price for tourist rent. And they will probably help you with getting around their city giving tips on how to go check out other areas

[@befreetv354]

2022 june USA : 1 gallon gas oil= 5 USD / 1 litre gas oil = 1,32 USD Romania ( E Europe- poor economy) = 1 litre gas oil = 2 USD 1 gallon = 3.78 litres SO !

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

1 US gallon = 3.785 liters 1 UK gallon = 4.5 liters

[@befreetv354]

@@WarrenJulieTravel whatever my friend/.....your gas is way CHEAPER than Romania....but of course...your bosses stole lots from arabs! Cheers

[@befreetv354]

@@WarrenJulieTravel still...1.32 USD per litre USA vs 2.1 USD Romania.s price

[@WarrenJulieTravel]

@@befreetv354 Gasoline in the US has always been considerably less than Europe. Lower taxes and more domestic production capacity.

[@gollumtm]

@@befreetv354 gasoline is the only thing cheaper is US than in Romania:).

[@richardm893]

Ahh Brasov, where people cut in front of you on line wherever you are, where dogs bark continuously with absolutely nobody around to stop it even if they were, where nobody looks where they're going just walking (backward included), where you have to walk a block to the right to go a block straight. If you can deal with that every day and night it's a nice place.

[@jimherne4307]

Just part of life in Romania. And you have not even gotten started on the driving issues!!!

[@richardm893]

@@jimherne4307 I wouldnt dare.

[@richardm893]

@@jimherne4307 Only place and only time in my life on vacation have I decided not to drink. A hangover (even a slight one) in Romania is just not possible.

[@purplepassion8467]

Huh???

[@rickmccann4016]

@@purplepassion8467 huh?