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Hello everyone,
I still live in the U.S., but I want to move back to Northern Hungary (I lived there when I was a kid) where I will have a fully paid-off house in the countryside and a car. I’m a Hungarian citizen, fluent in Hungarian, and I really dislike restaurants and traveling (I'm a homebody) — my goal is a very simple, peaceful life growing my own food and living quietly.

My concern is that I will only have about $1,500 USD income per month to live on. Is it truly realistic to live comfortably in Hungary countryside on that budget, given current costs?

I cannot afford live in the US anymore. I want to move back to Europe.

I’d appreciate honest, real-world feedback from those who have actually lived in Hungary more in the countryside area. I'm not referring to cities or Budapest of course.

Thanks in advance. - @juliet1980

You were here 10 months ago asking similar questions about Portugal and if I remember correctly, Hungary as well.   The situation is the same as back then except it's a lot more expensive than it was.  Things are not going well.  Food from the supermarket is rumoured to be much cheaper in Austria.   Growing your own is unlikely to give you everything you need. 

Net $1500 is a very reasonable salary for a clerical worker in a government office (for example).   Pensions are much less than that and people struggle.  Other costs like fuel, electricity, gas are quite high still (thank Putin).  But at least you can use the state health care without high cost.  It's become run down but in an emergency, it works.

Hello everyone,I still live in the U.S., but I want to move back to Northern Hungary (I lived there when I was a kid) where I will have a fully paid-off house in the countryside and a car. I’m a Hungarian citizen, fluent in Hungarian, and I really dislike restaurants and traveling (I'm a homebody) — my goal is a very simple, peaceful life growing my own food and living quietly. My concern is that I will only have about $1,500 USD income per month to live on. Is it truly realistic to live comfortably in Hungary countryside on that budget, given current costs?I cannot afford live in the US anymore. I want to move back to Europe.I’d appreciate honest, real-world feedback from those who have actually lived in Hungary more in the countryside area. I'm not referring to cities or Budapest of course.Thanks in advance. - @juliet1980You were here 10 months ago asking similar questions about Portugal and if I remember correctly, Hungary as well. The situation is the same as back then except it's a lot more expensive than it was. Things are not going well. Food from the supermarket is rumoured to be much cheaper in Austria. Growing your own is unlikely to give you everything you need. Net $1500 is a very reasonable salary for a clerical worker in a government office (for example). Pensions are much less than that and people struggle. Other costs like fuel, electricity, gas are quite high still (thank Putin). But at least you can use the state health care without high cost. It's become run down but in an emergency, it works. - @fluffy2560

Yes, back then I was also looking into Portugal but have since crossed it off the list because Portugal's climate is too hot for me. I can't handle that climate. I understand Northern Hungary is hot too... but mostly during summer and Portugal everywhere seems far hotter.

My $1,500/month income would not be coming from a job so I am not concerned about the job market in Hungary, it would be from my investments. I am merely trying to determine whether it is really realistic for me to live in Northern Hungary if I have $1,500/income.

You wrote "But at least you can use the state health care without high cost.  It's become run down but in an emergency, it works.".

It's still much better than in the US where I literally cannot even afford healthcare even with health insurance!

What lowest income would you say is the cut off to me being able to live there comfortably with house and car fully paid off, $1,200/month?

Yes, back then I was also looking into Portugal but have since crossed it off the list because Portugal's climate is too hot for me. I can't handle that climate. I understand Northern Hungary is hot too... but mostly during summer and Portugal everywhere seems far hotter.
My $1,500/month income would not be coming from a job so I am not concerned about the job market in Hungary, it would be from my investments. I am merely trying to determine whether it is really realistic for me to live in Northern Hungary if I have $1,500/income.

You wrote "But at least you can use the state health care without high cost. It's become run down but in an emergency, it works.".

It's still much better than in the US where I literally cannot even afford healthcare even with health insurance!

What lowest income would you say is the cut off to me being able to live there comfortably with house and car fully paid off, $1,200/month? - @juliet1980

Probably yes, you can survive on $1200 a month.  You probably would do ok.   Plenty of people here survive on less.

Of course, it depends what you want to spend money on. 

Northern Hungary is the back of beyond.  If you ever wanted a  job, you need to be near a city or a large town. It's also where all the services like hospitals are.   

My dream is to have at least 3 acres (minimum 2) in northern Hungary, which I know is very rare in that location. I’m visiting in two months to see what’s possible — worst case, I’ll buy land and build my long term small house. I just want a peaceful, simple life, and it’s great to know I could make it work on $1,500 a month.

My other worry is that it seems it doesn't really snow in Northern Hungary anymore? I LOVE snow. I'm crossing fingers I will get at least some snow if I live in Northern Hungary.

It should be enough money to live on since you have a paid off home and car. You do mention though wanting to buy more land and built another home.

IDK? $1,500 is not enough for big dreams.

No idea about how much snow fall there is in N.Hungary.

Budapest does not get much at all.

My HU husband said there is not much work around that area so people around you may or may not be on the hunt for doing anything for income.

Could be allot more break ins and such, desperate people do desperate things.

My dream is to have at least 3 acres (minimum 2) in northern Hungary, which I know is very rare in that location. I’m visiting in two months to see what’s possible — worst case, I’ll buy land and build my long term small house. I just want a peaceful, simple life, and it’s great to know I could make it work on $1,500 a month. My other worry is that it seems it doesn't really snow in Northern Hungary anymore? I LOVE snow. I'm crossing fingers I will get at least some snow if I live in Northern Hungary. - @juliet1980

You need to know if you can build on the land.  Real Estate agents are likely to lie to you in order to get a sale. 

In any case, usually it's 3% of the land could be built on if it's agricultural zoned.  It'll allow you to have a shed or shack to store tools etc.  Probably good for a weekend in good weather but a problem in the winter.   Your biggest problem will be utilities.  Water is especially problematic - extremely expensive to lay on unless there's a tested well.

Best thing would be an existing house with attached land, even if the house would be knocked down so that utilities are on site.   Maybe you could use solar for electricity and wood for heating.

In Hungary, large amounts of snow has not been seen for some years.  Probably climate change.  It's cold but there's less rainfall.  Might be a problem in the future.   I'm considering installing an underground water tank to water the garden in the summer.

My dream is to have at least 3 acres (minimum 2) in northern Hungary, which I know is very rare in that location. I’m visiting in two months to see what’s possible — worst case, I’ll buy land and build my long term small house. I just want a peaceful, simple life, and it’s great to know I could make it work on $1,500 a month. My other worry is that it seems it doesn't really snow in Northern Hungary anymore? I LOVE snow. I'm crossing fingers I will get at least some snow if I live in Northern Hungary.  - @juliet1980
You need to know if you can build on the land. Real Estate agents are likely to lie to you in order to get a sale.
In any case, usually it's 3% of the land could be built on if it's agricultural zoned. It'll allow you to have a shed or shack to store tools etc. Probably good for a weekend in good weather but a problem in the winter. Your biggest problem will be utilities. Water is especially problematic - extremely expensive to lay on unless there's a tested well.

Best thing would be an existing house with attached land, even if the house would be knocked down so that utilities are on site. Maybe you could use solar for electricity and wood for heating.

In Hungary, large amounts of snow has not been seen for some years. Probably climate change. It's cold but there's less rainfall. Might be a problem in the future. I'm considering installing an underground water tank to water the garden in the summer. - @fluffy2560

How much do you estimate cost to dig a well? I cannot imagine it would be more expensive than in the US!