Find help in Budapest

I've been asked to write about help organisations for those new to Budapest.

There's nothing very original about this brief list. But these are organisations that I've found helpful.

Let's start with expat-blog.

Expat-blog.com is a global website that exists entirely online. It's function is to provide geographically local forums – by expats for expats – covering expat locations throughout the world.

In the case of Hungary there is both a Hungary site and a Budapest site, but the two tend to cross-pollinate.

For me, the most useful feature is the active forums, where almost any question on Hungary can be asked. Answers come from a reliable backbone of voluntary, long-term, expat and Hungarian contributors, plus anyone else who wants to express a view. Local forums are also available in a choice of user languages.

If you want cost of living info, tips on dealing with bureaucracy, how to access tradespeople, where to buy stuff, or you just want to find sociable friends, the forums at expat-blog could be a good start.

The site is especially useful when planning a stay or move to Hungary. Get in your questions before you go! Expat-blog also carries classifieds and a business directory and gives a heads-up to local expat blogs.

Next up, Expatshungary.com. Run by Stuart, an English guy who has lived and worked in Budapest for – a longish time, expatshungary covers a lot of bases offering personal technical advice online to those planning to relocate, plus lots of discounts on an ever-widening range of local company products and services to those who have already arrived. The website also carries streaming Hungarian news, articles on issues of local interest, and a classifieds section.

Expatshungary also organises occasional, well-attended social gatherings at suitable bar/restaurant settings. And Stuart is involved as well in running a Friday night pub club in Budapest, The Club, which can always be relied on for meeting regulars.

Internations.org is another global website for expats organised through local bases. In this case, the prime objective is to bring people together in person, with monthly gatherings at (usually) glittering wine bar/restaurant venues. In Budapest, these events are always well attended, drawing around 150 guests, and you should expect to meet plenty of people working for international companies, or trying to run their own businesses, who've polished up their shoes for an evening of friendly social engagement.

Xpatloop.com is mainly an online media operation. The website carries a long menu that categories almost every kind of information topic you might need for daily life in Budapest. Beyond the main news headlines, there is information on cinema, clubs, bars, restaurants, music, events, culture, concerts, shopping, business, travel, sport, weather and a long list of service companies. The website is also associated with the Budapest Sun newspaper.

As in any capital city, there are of course clubs and meeting groups – including those organised by expats – to satisfy all variety of personal interests. These are best discovered for oneself. But I will mention two organisations that offer entertainment and social engagement.

BabyBlueBanana brings stand-up comics to Budapest for regular comedy evenings, organises weekly pub quizzes at the popular Caledonia pub and also hosts speed-dating nights!

The Budapest Hash House Harriers, on the other hand, is a small self-organised group manifested out of a global organisation begun in Kuala Lumpur 74 years ago which now has similar groups in 185 countries.

Nominally a cross-country running group, following a hare and hounds trail principle, the main purpose of The Hash is to provide social activity (exercise) while exploring the local environment. My one experience so far involved an initial tram ride, casual walking, some steep Buda hills, and at least four refreshment stops: at a pub, an outdoor food festival, an alfresco restaurant and a champagne distillery on open day. Did I say the purpose was exercise? The Budapest club motto "A drinking club with a running problem" may describe it better!

The above are just a few favourite things that make sure you are never lost in Budapest. But if you plan to visit soon please note: warm summery October has just flipped into Budapest winter with temperatures plummeting to 0 C. Fortunately, we have no hurricanes!