Why Are You Here?

 COLUMNIST
By Marcus Winters

“Why are you here?” I get this question every day, and it is usually asked with not so subtle hints of confusion, skepticism, and mild alarm. The implication, of course, is that it is absolutely absurd for an American to have the desire to be more than a short-term tourist here.

The truth is that I really like this city. Budapest has an interesting culture with unique cuisine and no shortage of activities. It has beautiful, centuries old buildings with amazing architecture. It is a world-class city, but softer on the wallet than London, Paris, or Rome. And if you are not driving a car, it is a relatively easy place to get around.

My favorite thing about Budapest is having the ability to walk just about anywhere I want to go. That is impossible where I come from. To get anywhere in Texas, you have to drive a car. There is always a lot of traffic, which I loathe. And, it seems to take a lot longer to get around. And, don’t get me started about how expensive it can be to operate and maintain a car as your only mode of transportation. 

Budapest also has a great public transportation system. This is something that Texas cities and most cities in the U.S. lack. New York, Chicago, and Boston are notable exceptions, but even their systems are not as well designed as those in Budapest. 

Sometimes I am awe-struck by the sheer number of people Budapest’s buses, subway trains, and trams move each day. I think that the public transportation system is one of the most special and under-appreciated elements of this place.

The biggest challenge for me is getting inside the minds of Hungarians. With so many things to love about this city and country, I am always disappointed by the responses I get when I tell a Hungarian that I would like to live here. “Are you crazy?” “You’re strange!” “Have you thought about London?” “Vienna is better.”

I definitely understand their perspective. Economically, Hungary leaves a lot to be desired. The wages here are generally lower than in America. Unemployment is high. Things like electronics, clothing, and fast food cost double or even triple that of other countries.  And like many countries, the economy is sluggish to rebound.

However, every cloud has a silver lining. As an English Communication Consultant, creative writer, and international travel aficionado, I see Budapest as a city that is full of inspiration, creativity, and opportunity. That’s why I am here. And, I know that I made the right choice. My only regret is that I didn’t come here sooner.