Iași, Romania 🇷🇴
#653
47.161559, 27.583781
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Iași is the second-largest city in Romania, known for its vibrant cultural scene and rich history. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 290,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 80 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is RON (Romanian Leu). As of November 2024, 1 RON ≈ 0.21 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is drinkable, sourced from mountain springs. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 230V, 50Hz, using Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Orange, Vodafone, and Digi Mobil. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like BCR, Raiffeisen Bank, and online options such as Revolut are available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Various options from hotels to Airbnbs, with average rental prices around €300-€500/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, most establishments accept cards, and contactless payment is common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Popular platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com have numerous listings in Iași. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Timpuri Noi offers beds starting at €10 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Iași is a popular coworking space with great amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Coffee House offers a cozy environment and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events organized by Startup Grind Iași focus on entrepreneurship and networking. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in Iași' host regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber operate in Iași, offering convenient transport options. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rental available through local services like 'Bike Sharing Iași'. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is around 3 hours away at the Black Sea, specifically in Mamaia. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Tarom Airlines serves regional destinations from Iași International Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Wizz Air operate international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A8 highway connects Iași with major cities on the west side. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Iași Railway Station is the main transit hub, connecting to Bucharest and other cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for buses cost around 70 RON. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Iași to nearby cities like Bacău and Suceava. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Grigore T. Popa University Hospital offers excellent healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Flow and Sun Yoga studios offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and World Class are popular choices for fitness. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services like Lavanderia Self-Service are available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Glovo and Takeaway.com provide food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Mămăligă cu brânză' (cornmeal porridge with cheese) or 'Sarmale' (cabbage rolls). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurant Casa Satului and Vegetariano offer plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cozy Bakery is known for its delicious pastries and cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Ion Creanga and Nicolina markets provide fresh produce at good prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local platforms like Altex and eMAG for electronic goods and more. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Retailers like Carrefour and Cora offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Târgu Cucu and Lolo Bar are popular nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery Clone Brewery is local and known for craft beer. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bistro La Belle Époque offers a selection of Romanian wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors at Piața Unirii offer affordable and tasty bites. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Places like Dristor Kebab serve popular international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Palace of Culture and Metropolis Cathedral are must-visit sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Union Museum and the Natural History Museum are popular. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Golia Monastery and the Old University are notable sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Three Hierarchs Monastery is an architectural gem. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Iași City Festival features concerts and cultural activities every May. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Copou district is known for its parks and historical significance. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The National Theater 'Vasile Alecsandri' hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Piața Alexandru cel Bun is known for local produce and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like the club Fratelli regularly host live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The area around the University has vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes available at La Plăcinte showcase traditional Romanian dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The 'Galeria Senso' focuses on contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The University of Iași and the Golia Tower are remarkable historic sites. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Iași has a rich cultural heritage influenced by various historical periods. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Zimnicea Lakes offer peaceful nature escapes just outside the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Ceahlău National Park, known for hiking and stunning views, is about 2 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Bicazului Trail is popular for recreation and walks. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from Copou Hill offers a picturesque view of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands near Iași are ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Areas around the lakes, with designated sections for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Services like DHL and Fan Curier provide reliable delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Techfix Lab offers device repair services across categories. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers have tables available for play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Languages International and ELS offer language learning courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Central University Library is a quiet place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Iași Community Center provides various cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Pro Gaming Center is popular for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Palace offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €45,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €36,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €70,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €50,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,300 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = €91,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €900 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = €63,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 16% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% tax rate applied to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Romania operates on a worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 10% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Romania has CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax applicable based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate on property purchases. |