Where can I find an apartment in Bucharest, Romania?

"Safest" areas of Bucharest or greater Romania for single female?

• My parents defected from communist Romania in 1985, and lately due to a renewed interest in my background, I've been thinking about possibly relocating back to Romania, for at least a few years if not permanently. I'm already fluent in Romanian so the language is not a problem. However, I have not been back in the last five years and I'm sure plenty has changed. I'm trying to find out where would be the best bet for a single female to settle, safety-wise. I would prefer to be in Bucharest but I am open to suggestions. I have heard that areas like Dorobanti in Sector 1 are not bad, as well as Lipscani and Dudesti in Sector 3. Outside the city, I've heard various smaller towns in Dambovita or Vaslui counties are fairly nice as well. Any suggestions? I can't ask my parents for input as they are both now deceased.

• Answer:

  Hi Elena, I am a Bucharest native and this is generally a safe city. Statistically speaking, is much safer than London, for example. Yes, Dorobanti (and generally the northern part of the city) sounds better, but these are also the most expensive areas. Anywhere in the center is fine (but again consider the prices), while in the districts I recommend Titan, Balta Alba, Drumul Taberei. Definitely not Lipscani and Dudesti - these are areas with old houses and I doubt you will find appropriate accomodation. Also avoid Rahova and Ferentari. But it's not very useful to generalise - it depends upon the immediate neighbourhood - one street can be OK, the next not quite. I recommend you to settle for a price, contact a real estate agency, then visit Bucharest and see for yourself. Not aware about other cities or outskirts of Bucharest.