Lifestyle Countryside
Choosing the Romanian countryside for lifestyle is a very different & often very rewarding move from the UK. It’s about space, calm, nature, & freedom rather than convenience.
What Countryside Life in Romania Feels Like
Space & Privacy
Large houses & land are affordable.
Gardens, orchards, barns, even small forests are common.
You’re not boxed into terraces like much of the UK.
You gain physical and mental breathing room.
Nature-Centred Living
Mountains, hills, rivers, forests everywhere.
Wildlife is normal: deer, foxes, bears (in some areas), & birds.
Dark skies at night.
Great for hiking, gardening, slow mornings, quiet evenings.
Local Food & Self-Sufficiency
Villagers grow & sell produce cheaply.
You can keep chickens, bees, or plant fruit trees easily.
Markets are authentic & local.
Life becomes simpler & healthier.
Low Costs
Village homes can be a fraction of UK prices.
Utilities & taxes are low.
Daily life costs much less.
You can live well on modest income or savings.
Mental Reset
People who move to rural Romania often say:
Less noise & stress.
Less consumerism.
More connection to seasons & nature.
It feels like stepping off a treadmill.
Best Countryside Regions for Foreigners
Transylvania
Best balance of beauty, safety, & infrastructure:
Brasov County – mountains, villages, good hospitals nearby.
Sibiu County – cultural, calm, scenic.
Alba County – affordable, quiet, big land plots.
Popular with expats without feeling touristy.
Maramureș
Traditional wooden villages.
Stunning nature.
Very peaceful.
More remote, ideal if you want isolation.
Apuseni Mountains
Wild, beautiful, cheap.
Great for eco-living, cabins, retreats.
Infrastructure weaker but lifestyle strong.
Banat (Western Romania)
Near Timisoara.
Softer climate, rolling countryside.
Good if you want rural & easy city access.
Practical Reality
Transport
You almost certainly need a car.
Public transport in villages is limited, better if located within 10kms of a town.
Internet & Mobile
Surprisingly good even in rural locations (Romania has fast broadband), but always check first.
Mobile network coverage is excellent with very good broadband.
Healthcare
Use private clinics in nearby cities.
Keep emergency access in mind when choosing location.
Language
Villagers speak little English.
Basic Romanian makes life much smoother.
Even small effort earns huge respect.
Winter
Snow, mud, rural roads, isolation at times.
Heating systems matter (wood stoves are common).
Romantic, but also practical.
Countryside Trade-Offs
Fewer shops/services, most villages have a village shop.
Less nightlife/social variety.
Repairs & tradespeople can be informal.
You trade convenience for freedom.
Ideal Countryside Setup
Best formula most expats use:
A village within 20–30 minutes of a city.
Land & a house, not too remote.
Good road with internet & utilities.
Hospital nearby & supermarket.
You get peace without isolation.
Who Thrives in Rural Romania
Remote workers.
Semi-retired people.
Creatives, writers, artists.
Homesteaders/farmers etc.
Couples/families wanting space & quiet.
Example Lifestyle Vision
Morning coffee on a terrace, garden work, remote work for a few hours, walk in forest, local market, evening fire, stars at night.
It’s very different from UK commuter life.
If you would like an informal chat about moving to Romania please contact us
Dambovita County
