American expat John doesn't find Bratislava, Slovakia, one of the cheapest places to which a foreigner can move but he's liking it there so much that he doesn't have any plans to leave yet. Here he describes why this Eastern European nation can be a good destination for entrepreneurs, his observations about the effects of its economic growth, and what he enjoys doing in Bratislava.	John

-Where were you born?

Long Beach, California, USA

Bratislava, Slovakia

Alone

One year, after living in Prague, Czech Republic for 3.5 years

29

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Slovakia?

I was asked by my employer if I would like to take an open position here...   I had been to Bratislava before and found it pleasant so it was an easy decision. 

Yes and no.  Unofficially it depends on your country of origin.  There are a lot of hoops to jump through but it's generally not a problem in the end.

It wasn't difficult.  It's up to employers to arrange the paperwork with the state.  It's cheap to pay out-of-pocket for medical treatment for those who might not be covered for whatever reason. 

I work for a large international company that has only a small staff in Slovakia.  I transferred here from the Prague office.  There seems to be a lot of need for skilled employees.  Beware that salaries can vary greatly.  Word of mouth is the best bet, but I also know there are lots of recruiters in town. 

I speak Slovak at a decent, but not proficient level.  Of course it makes life easier as taxi drivers, cashiers, police officers, etc., typically don't speak English (sometimes they speak German), but younger people, restaurant staff, and business professionals speak English well.  Locals are not insulted if foreigners don't speak their language...  they understand it's a tough one and tend to be accommodating.  Rules of courtesy and politeness are similar to those in the US, though Slovaks tend to avoid verbal or interpersonal confrontation. 

I don't miss home so much, but on very rare occasions I feel a bit landlocked.  Going out to bars and restaurants is a popular past time, and when the weather is nice, Slovaks spend a lot of time outdoors hiking in the mountains, skiing, cycling, etc.  Daytrips across the border into Austria are also common for a change of scene. 

I think I'll be here for a while.  I don't have any plans to leave.

I rent a 90-sqm furnished, renovated apartment near the old town of Bratislava for 1,000 EURO/month.  Real estate purchase prices have become quite expensive due to a variety of economic factors, but there are still good deals to be found for renters. 

Bratislava is not cheap.  I've seen surveys placing the cost of living for expats here above the cost in Prague, Berlin and Brussels.  Outside of Bratislava things are more reasonable. 

The locals are great.  They're more optimistic and open than their Czech neighbors in my opinion.  Making friends is not hard, and it's worth noting that Slovak women tend to look like models. 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Slovakia?

I can't speak much for the rest of Slovakia, but in Bratislava I love the fact that it's a very walk-able city with a nice old-town center, and it's well-located as a base for visiting other parts of Europe.  The people are friendly, and there are many economic opportunities that keep the city buzzing.  On the negative side, I sometimes wish the city was bigger, as the variety of goods and services sometimes feels limited.  I also think the cost of living in Bratislava has outpaced the quality of life, for the time being. 

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Slovakia?

Bratislava is a comfortable place to live and a good base for other travels, as I mentioned before.  Entrepreneurs will find the tax system favorable, the local people are great, and it's an exciting time to witness the transformation of Slovakia into a (little) economic tiger. 

http://bratislavababy.blogspot.com   A well-written and comical blog about an American housewife in Bratislava.