Welcome back to Living Abroad, a series that shows you what expat life is like in cities around the world. Today we’re speaking to Cynthia, an English teacher expat living in the Czech Republic — specifically, České Budějovice, a small city in Bohemia.
Ahead, she talks about quirky Czech fashion, the live-and-let-live Bohemian lifestyle, and her reasons for moving to the Czech Republic.
Quick facts about living in the Czech Republic (České Budějovice)
- Language: Czech
- Currency: Kč Czech koruna (CZK)
- Level of crime in the Czech Republic: Very Low
- Cost of living in the Czech Republic: Very Low
- Quality of life in the Czech Republic: Very High
On moving to the Czech Republic: In 2012, my husband (then-boyfriend) and I moved from Seattle to work in the Czech Republic as English teachers. We originally landed in Prague, but we now live in České Budějovice, a small city in Bohemia two hours south of the capital [background info on the city here]. We’re still here six years later with our sweet little Czech dachshund in tow.
On first impressions: When I arrived, I didn’t know a lick of Czech or much about the culture or history. Regardless, the locals were so welcoming to us. Many offered to show us around, gave us maps with the best things to see, and lent us their bikes.
On the Czech weather: The weather in the southwestern Czech Republic is sunny and it rarely rains. The winters are harsher (comparable to the American Midwest) with temperatures dipping as low as about 10°F.
On making friends: It was pretty easy to make friends here, both expat and local. As I live in a small city (pop. 100,000), everyone seems to know everyone else, and people are eager to introduce you to their friends. It’s a really open and welcoming community. Funnily enough, it was a little harder to meet other Czech Republic expats than locals. That’s life outside the big city for you.
On beer: České Budějovice is one of the beer capitals of Europe. Budweiser (Czech: budvar) originated here, but it bears few similarities to the watered-down version you find in the USA. Other popular brews are Pilsner Urquell, Kozel, and Staropramen.
On Czech food: Czech food is very hearty. I love the traditional Czech dish of pečená kachna (roast duck with sauerkraut and dumplings), but it’s so rich I only have it once a year or so. You’re more likely to find me with a big bowl of česnečka, which is a cheesy, garlicky soup served with croutons.
On learning Czech: Czech is an incredibly difficult language. I grew up studying Spanish and German, and Czech is totally different. My advice: if you want to learn Czech, take classes before you arrive in the country. Don’t be like me and wait a year or two to begin!
On healthcare: As far as I know, we have the same health insurance as the locals, which costs about $100 per month per person. It covers basically everything, but American in me still avoids going to the doctor whenever possible. But it’s nice to know that when I do go, I can rest easy knowing there are no secret charges that will hit me later.
On the obsession with hockey: This is a hockey country, no doubt about it! Czechs still sing the praises about their gold medal in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. There is even a restaurant in Prague called “Nagano 98″.
On Czech culture: Czechs always remove their shoes when they enter the house. They also say “dobrou chut’” (bon apétit) to everyone at the table (even strangers!) before eating.
Birthdays are also a big deal here — you should always come prepared with a gift.
On holidays: Easter is definitely an important holiday, with lots of local quirks. On Easter Monday, the men and children in the villages carry a braided “Easter stick” made from willow branches door to door and “smack” the women who answer! This is only to bestow good health and fertility upon them, crazy as it may sound.
There are also green beer and lamb-shaped cakes. Decoration-wise, there are lovely painted eggs you can buy at craft markets.
On the cost of living: The cost of living in the Czech Republic is very reasonable;. In Prague, you can rent a room in a shared flat for $350-400/month. Outside the capital, you can rent an entire flat for about $550/month, including utilities. Similarly, outside of Prague, the living expenses in the Czech Republic are very reasonable.
The only thing that drives me nuts is how much food costs here. For example, food costs about the same here as it would in Germany, even though Czech wages are comparatively lower.
On Czech fashion: Czech fashion doesn’t follow the current trends that you’ll see in France, Germany, and other Western European nations. People dress to the beat of their own drums. You’ll see lots of colorful hair, the shortest shorts ever, and super short haircuts, especially on women over forty.
What I like is that there are no limits. People are free to dress how they want – no skirt is too short, no heel is too high!
On the Czech work-life balance: People here work to live, they don’t live to work. Nobody really talks about their jobs in social situations, to the point where I sometimes forgot people’s professions.
On travel: Living in the Czech Republic, I love the proximity to other European countries. I once said that I’ll leave Europe once I’ve gotten my fill, but you can imagine how that’s going….
On the best places to visit in the Czech Republic: My favorite destinations are Prague, Karlovy Vary (a spa town with thermal baths), and the wine country of Southern Moravia.
On missing home: I miss driving — having your own four wheels imparts some kind of special freedom. Sometimes I ache because I miss the ocean so much: the smell, the waves, island and boat culture. I keep a special stash of Alaskan smoked salmon that I bust open on holidays like Christmas or Easter. And I definitely hoard boxes of Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese for days when I need my American convenience food.
On living in the Czech Republic long-term: I actually could see myself living here for a bit longer, as life is good for us on so many levels. There is such a tolerant “live and let live” vibe that I’ve come to love and accept.
Are you interested in living and working in the Czech Republic? Why or why not?
More resources for moving to the Czech Republic:
- Tips for getting a job in the Czech Republic
- More info on specific living expenses in the Czech Republic
- Duolingo’s guide to learning Czech
Read more Living Abroad interviews and articles:
- What Living as an Expat in London is Really Like
- What Living as an Expat in Madrid is Really Like
- What Living as an Expat in Scotland is Really Like
- What Living as an Expat in Norway is Really Like
- What Living as an Expat in Hamburg is Really Like
- What Living as an Expat in Stockholm is Really Like
- What Living as an Expat in France is Really Like
- The Real Truth About Dating as an Expat
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Can confirm I was living in Prague with my dad for few years.
I love these posts! So interesting to learn about life in the Czech Republic. And it looks so pretty!
Glad you’re enjoying this series! I love putting them together. And doesn’t the Czech Republic look gorgeous?! I need to go.
Love this series! As a couple that’s looking to move abroad, it’s great to hear about life in the Czech Republic from an expat’s point of view, especially as it’s a country we’ve considered moving to. Thanks for doing this series, Ashley!
Yay! So glad to hear you like it and find it useful. I love putting them together :) So interesting to hear everyone’s perspectives!