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Whereas pensions in Hungary are low (very low), I have seen that in our village, still quite lot of things are done for elderly people (gift packages, concerts, free transport, no taxes, or social contributions (health)...), in a way I am impressed.Poverty is around, but I think rarely locals die from too little food. (DRC, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, ...)Healthcare (you know my opinion) is not bad at all.Virtually no crime (in any case not in villages)I am in a different situation and people might say decadent (I can return to Hungary whenever I like)I hope people living in Hungary realize things are not too bad, especially for expats, they have what they want (almost everything).Sorry to be filosophicalWhast do you think? - @cdw057

What's annoying me more right now are shop prices. 

It used to be people come to Hungary for cheaper foodstuffs.  But now the reverse is true for just about everything.  People are going on shopping trips to Slovakia and Austria for cheaper stuff.  For expensive or specialist stuff it can be worth the drive.   

What's the difference between Hungary and those border countries? 

VAT is lower in SK and AT at 20% and of course in HU it's the infamous 27%

And of course SK and AT have the Euro. 

In 2023, inflation was 17% in Hungary but is reducing now to about 3-4% in 2024 where as it's around 2.5% in the Eurozone.

So one can see it's 7% VAT advantageous to physically buy in AT and SK and bring any high value goods home in the car (if mail order, it'd be VAT at the HU rate). 

And obviously keeping funds in Euro is better than the HUF although looking a bit marginal going forward.  I wouldn't want to invest here in Hungary because of unpredictability and nonsense spouted by the government.   The USD is up because of Trump so this may be a factor in investment decisions.

People were spending money on new buildings/houses because there's no point in keeping money in the bank to be eroded away.  So in this area, which is relatively affluent, we've had a bit of a building boom this past year.  I think this boom will disappear.

Whereas pensions in Hungary are low (very low), I have seen that in our village, still quite lot of things are done for elderly people (gift packages, concerts, free transport, no taxes, or social contributions (health)...), in a way I am impressed.
Poverty is around, but I think rarely locals die from too little food. (DRC, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, ...)
Healthcare (you know my opinion) is not bad at all.
Virtually no crime (in any case not in villages)
I am in a different situation and people might say decadent (I can return to Hungary whenever I like)

I hope people living in Hungary realize things are not too bad, especially for expats, they have what they want (almost everything).
Sorry to be filosophical

Whast do you think? - @cdw057

20 years ago my MIL was having her SS delivered monthly to her door by the postman in Hungary.

About $500. per month which was allot back then, or least much better then average. Now many people collect about $500; a month and can hardly get by.

Free health care, no it was not free, they had to work their youth away. Working long 10 to 12 hour days with a half day on Sat. They deserve fee care since they broke their backs for the system.

Even my MILs income was hard earned, her 2nd husband had been held in Russia for 5 or 6 years post WW2 in a forced labor camp.That generation rebuilt Hungary without any aid from the west like almost every western European country received, thanks to countries people seem to hate, like the US, Canada and others.

Crime? I suppose you do not need to be stuck up on the st., you just need to enter any shop and make a purchase.

Free concerts, come on ,  who needs to hear some old has been singer who,s voice is shot or watch folk dancers for the thousandth time. Gift packages are not really given out now; Depends on what party is in office.

They usually give 20,000 forints worth of a gift voucher in Dec; What about $50.?

I wonder what sort of perks are given where you come from for the seniors? I would bet is is much more then here.

Free transport, yes if you enjoy riding like a pack mule between a bunch of airheads on their cells phones who never give up their seats.

It is OK, one gets used to things.

Really does not effect us one way or the other very much but it is not great to see older people in distress and having to just make due when they paid their dues.

@cdw057

You asked what I think - well, what you wrote and how you wrote it suggests you don't live in Hungary.

There could be no other reason for the wrongness of what you wrote.

Unless you're a paid Fidesz supporter, still trying to perpetuate the lies and spin that has been effluent since they 'won' the last election.

If you DO live here, I pray for you that you don't get sick, or need routine annual checkover to detect potential dancer - I just had to pay 50000ft for my annual prostate checkup, privately, as our typically abysmal local hospital doesn't even take Urology appointments, the National Health service is so abysmal.....

Enjoy your priveledged bubble, wherever it is......

@Angolhapsi

He doesn't live in Hungary, he lives in Turkey.

@cdw057
You asked what I think - well, what you wrote and how you wrote it suggests you don't live in Hungary.
There could be no other reason for the wrongness of what you wrote.
Unless you're a paid Fidesz supporter, still trying to perpetuate the lies and spin that has been effluent since they 'won' the last election.

If you DO live here, I pray for you that you don't get sick, or need routine annual checkover to detect potential dancer - I just had to pay 50000ft for my annual prostate checkup, privately, as our typically abysmal local hospital doesn't even take Urology appointments, the National Health service is so abysmal.....

Enjoy your privileged bubble, wherever it is...... - @Angolhapsi

It's been underfunded for years.  It's not an excuse but it's the same everywhere.  I'm of the opinion the political classes have been skimming off their cut for years.  All at the expense of the population.

@Angolhapsi

A bubble is nice, no matter the country, we saved a little bit, so we can choose our bubble until we die, we lived in Hungary for 7 years (before Luxembourg, UK and Netherlands).

Indeed now in Turkey (changing village life for a small city life)

Very convenient I have to say, but with all people I get older and health detiorates.

On health services (also for Fluffy)

-In the Netherlands my brother has prostate cancer, it took 6 months to get a good appointment and diagnosis (sad very sad), lets see how things are going. on the other side for the mental issues my sister (not really in my view) get an appointment every 2 weeks just to discuss life situation (please note she has a part time job). Who takes the money?

In the Netherlands you pay MASSIVELY (directly or indirectly) for health.

-UK (I had no experience but as it seems also some problems)

-Luxembourg EUR 1000 pm (for the two of us), we rarely used it

-Hungary as by my experience no complaints (actually quite happy) and very cheap

-In Turkey you pay market prices (almost as high as in the Netherlands), but service is excellent (if needed same day).

Of course there is always something to complain, but also to appreciate

Sorry to hear about your brother.

My uncle lived with prostate cancer for years. Uncle through marriage.

My friends husband had prostate surgery about 5 years ago. He seems fine; My friend however got run down and stressed out over his illness and died . Just happened within a week of her feeling flu like.

Cancer is not always a death sentence although it changes a persons way of viewing life.

I think the best thing to do for anyone with gov; health care it to listen to their bodies and seek out an exam from a private doctor even if it costs a bit.

That way one is fast tracked for services.

Once they diagnose an issue they will move faster; It seems getting diagnosed properly is setting yourself up for a long wait time.

Even so, have to research who is a good doctor for the issue you think is going on.

Not going to see a surgeon if you need an eye doctor.

My step father was treated for hemorrhoids for 6 months when he really had colon cancer. 6 months is huge to wait for proper care.