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Romania’s real estate market has experienced a steady climb in recent years, driven in large part by state-backed initiatives like Noua Casa, which encourage homeownership through reduced down payments and partial government guarantees. On the surface, this arrangement seems beneficial for first-time buyers who might otherwise struggle to accumulate the funds needed for an initial…
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Romania’s real estate market has witnessed many upheavals in the past few decades, reflecting the country’s turbulent shift toward a modern, capitalist economy. The high-profile Nordis scandal, however, has brought new attention to what many observers have long suspected: Romanians are especially drawn to glitzy, unbuilt developments that promise more than they can realistically deliver.…
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Previously, we chatted about the idea of Corporate Girls, so it’s only fair that we also give the men their turn in the spotlight. In Romania, there’s no shortage of ambition among young men, especially when it comes to entrepreneurship. Yet beneath this enthusiasm lies an obstacle: while the drive and vision are certainly there,…
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Romania has long had an enduring obsession with education, a topic we previously explored in depth. For generations, both rural and urban families have instilled in their children – particularly daughters – the idea that success is built upon academic achievement and professional stability. While this push for education has led to impressive career trajectories…
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Romania’s deep-seated commitment to education traces back to the communist era, when educational achievement was linked to both social mobility and national pride. Decades later, that mentality lingers, coloring how the younger generations, currently late-Gen Z and early-Gen Alpha, view academic success. Yet, in a swiftly modernizing Europe, Romania faces a pivotal question: How does…
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Unlike many Western economies, Romania lacks a standardized credit scoring system, making access to credit more complex for both businesses and consumers. While institutions like Biroul de Credit track repayment history, there is no widely accepted numerical credit score akin to FICO or VantageScore. Instead, banks rely on factors such as employment contracts, salary history,…
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Romania, like many post-communist societies, has experienced significant socioeconomic shifts over the past three decades. The transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-driven system created new class divisions and redefined existing social structures. Within this evolving framework, the concept of parastratification – the movement, interaction, and relationship-building across socioeconomic strata – has become…
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Romania’s Odd Skepticism About High Salaries, or How to Talk About Money in a Post-Communist Society
If you’ve spent any time in Romania, you might have noticed something peculiar: many locals find it hard to believe when someone claims they have a high salary. This reaction stems from more than mere curiosity. It ties into broader cultural and historical themes – including the lingering air of resignation we touched on in…
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Romania has undergone dramatic shifts since the collapse of communism in 1989, yet an undercurrent of resignation still shapes public sentiment. Despite the country’s membership in the European Union and gradual economic growth, many Romanians feel that genuine success – be it professional, financial, or personal – is more achievable abroad. This sentiment, which I…
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Global connectivity has made it easier than ever to work from virtually anywhere, identifying which countries present the best opportunities – especially in emerging economies – can be both exciting and daunting. Traditional measures like GDP or average income only scratch the surface when deciding whether to relocate or launch a venture abroad. This article…