Hello Guys and Girls,
As mentioned in previous posts, I'm looking to retire to Hu in 2011 and to that end have gone cross-eyed looking at property web sites where there are bargains to be had for sure.

However, it occurred to me that a long let my be a viable alternative, given that my limited capital might be preserved, plus a saving on purchase tax.It would also get around the law limiting where foreign nationals can buy.

It seems much harder to find "kiado" (to rent) than houses for sale'
I guess that local taxes would be payable in addition.
Wonder what those of you who are resident think of this route rather than purchase, as the rents I have seen seem very reasonable.

P.S. I'm invading again in September and would love to meet up with some of you for a chat (well, to be honest, a grilling) over a meal. Please PM me if you're up for it.

Regards Chris
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The grass IS greener! 

hi chris

long term rentals of houses only seems to happen in budapest from what i can see. perhaps other big cities do it but as a general rule most hungarians tend to live with family even when they get married. and so houses pass down through generations. a flat will rent out a lot better than a house esp in towns, people who work there want to live but dont want the upkeep of a garden.
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You get more love from animals than most humans 

Thanks for the info Hotpot.
I don't really want to live in a city. A village or small town would be ideal. Nor do I want to be out in the boondocks, having to rely totally on a car even for basic groceries. No problem now, but in my dotage?
If I can find an English speaking agent around Balaton, I'll see what that throws up.
I see from satellite that you are all having great weather over there. Just hope it lasts till sept!
Szia!
Chris
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The grass IS greener! 

we just got up to 40c yesterday and we were still outside at 10pm last night with friends.
most smaller villages all have grocery shops as the old established villages are full of older people who have never owned cars. we are 2 k out of a town with 1700 population in 2004. and our little village has about 50 houses. we have 2 pubs a general store and a grave yard.
our big main town/city is 14 k away but villagers soon work out when you go into the main town and either ask for a lift or give you a small shopping list. so you would never be left on your own.
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You get more love from animals than most humans 

Now that IS hot!
Hope you've got a pince to cool down in.
Had to laugh at your description of the village including the graveyard.
Like the idea of being useful for the old folks on trips to town. That must score some brownie points with the villagers.
How is your Hungarian coming along? There were lots of embarrassing silences when I was alone with locals earlier in the year.
I guess the only way is to sit round a table with dictionary and do it the hard way. At least its some sort of communication and can only get better with time and practice.
I think my visit next month will be the defining one, the decision to retire there or not must be made soon and good people like you who take the trouble to paint a picture of ex-pat life there are such a help.
Koszonom.
Chris  

tesco's do two big dictionarys english/magyar-magyar/english they are about £3 each and yes we have taken them everywhere. i think we have had to get 5 pairs of books for the people living closest to us just so we could try and communicate. but there are quite a few places setting up private lessons groups. yes it is a hard language but good old sign language always get you out of a hole.

last month i had a week in hospital and that was very hard for me but we got through it with only a few problems and can now laugh at a couple of really stupid things i did because i could not read a few signs.
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You get more love from animals than most humans 

hallo Janus,

I got lucky and found myself an iddy-biddy little house near lake balaton. just wondering how you got on? have you found a place? now being october i reckon your viewing is over for this year.

toshka
the spirit never dies
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