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Home to 1.9 million people, Budapest is the vibrant center of Hungary.
The capital city combines the elegance of nineteenth century Habsburg-era
buildings with its own blend of Art Nouveau architecture and the
understated appeal of the Bauhaus style. Alongside this stately
Central European feel is a thriving youth and underground culture.
This juxtaposition enables Budapest to satisfy all types of residents-from
the quiet conservative to the dedicated explorer.
 There
are no limits to what one can uncover while in Budapest. A night
out could lead from a dark and mysterious basement pub to an elegant
exhibition opening, an outdoor dance bar along the Danube, or to
one of the myriad of private events and house parties that are sure
to be thrown on any given evening. For those preferring a slower
pace, Budapest offers numerous leafy squares and parks, relaxing
thermal baths, grand museums, shopping centers with international
food courts, and many cinemas. Also unique to Budapest is the "kert"
[garden] scene, made prominent by the revamping of unused building
courtyards in order to house drink and dance bars, popular with
locals and visitors alike.
 Music
lovers will be awed by the city's offerings: the State Opera House
and the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy produce world-class operas and
concerts, while top rock, pop, jazz and DJ acts make Budapest a
frequent stop on their tours. Theater can be enjoyed at a variety
of venues around the city, offering both contemporary and classical
repertoires in several languages. Movie buffs have access to everything
from local art-house productions to the latest Hollywood blockbusters.
Those appreciating the arts will take pleasure in visiting the Museum
of Fine Arts and the Exhibition Hall, the National Museum, the Museum
of Applied Arts, and Millenaris Park. There is also a quickly growing
small gallery art scene, popular with both locals and visitors.
Sporting enthusiasts too will find numerous opportunities to watch
or engage in European football, basketball and other competitive
athletics. Budapest and its environs also offer many pleasant areas
for cycling, running, roller-blading or hiking.
To help one keep track of everything on tap, several English-language
publications advertise a variety of cultural and entertainment events,
not just in Budapest but also around the country.
Budapest has a genuinely Central European location: Hungary has
borders with seven countries: to the west with Austria and Slovenia,
to the north with Slovakia, to the northeast with Ukraine, to the
east with Romania and to the south with Serbia and Croatia. Thus,
all Central European capital cities are within easy reach by train
or bus for a day's trip or weekend explorations, while Italy, Greece,
France and other popular destinations are within easy reach due
to the increasing number of low-cost airlines operating out of Budapest.
CEU estimated costs of living in Budapest
The following links are a good starting point:
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