Henk's journey thru life

Where are you and where are you going?
Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

@radamfi I would be surprised if there are many Brexit voters on this forum. I expect that the ERE profile has a more open attitude to the world's problems and opportunities, but who knows, if you look at the trends, more and more people are willing to follow populists ("own country first" attitude), and may be this virus is also getting into ERE :-)

radamfi
Posts: 143
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2014 5:46 pm

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by radamfi »

Hankaroundtheworld wrote:@radamfi I would be surprised if there are many Brexit voters on this forum. I expect that the ERE profile has a more open attitude to the world's problems and opportunities, but who knows, if you look at the trends, more and more people are willing to follow populists ("own country first" attitude), and may be this virus is also getting into ERE :-)
There are a few. See:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7866

fog_tree
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2016 12:35 pm

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by fog_tree »

After a long while of thinking I see you did right. Moving to a new place is a good indicator for new stage of life.

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Thanks @fog_tree for reading my blog. I just read yours (and your introduction), impressive how you manage to live on a small budget, just by focusing on the essentials. You see that often in Hungary as well, people still know how to live on 300 euro's per Month (which means often, they have animal stock, make their own vegetables, create their own wine/drinks, etc..). I learn a lot from this mentality, people in the western part of Europe do not know this anymore, they sit for 4 hours in traffic jam (back and forth total) everyday going to a job that they do not like, spent more than 3000, sometimes more than 4000 euro per Month for a family, have a house with a kitchen of 25k euro, need 3 vacations (of course flying), SUV, 4K-TV, etc.. Okay, it keeps the Economy going, but it delivers a world of people that use pills for depression, create too much pollution and kill nature for the purpose of "growth". Hence that great feeling to go back to the "simple" life in Hungary, no stress, no needless consumerism, etc.. Of course, there are also problems in East Europe, but in general, it is more peaceful than the western part of Europe.

DutchGirl
Posts: 1646
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:49 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by DutchGirl »

Henk, how has life been? Have you noticed anything about the political issues in Hungary?

I guess you have been okay, since generally if you're not living very close to the uproar, you can notice very little about it in your day to day life...

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

DutchGirl wrote:
Sat Apr 15, 2017 2:40 am
Henk, how has life been? Have you noticed anything about the political issues in Hungary?

I guess you have been okay, since generally if you're not living very close to the uproar, you can notice very little about it in your day to day life...
Hi Dutchgirl, actually nothing, as I am still on this temp Project abroad, but I will be back soon, and figure out what is going on in Hungary (you probably mean the University topic). One thing I learned, Media always exaggerate, locally it probably does not mean a lot for daily life :-)

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Back in Hungary, now finally free from "salary jobs". The temp project was an interesting experiment to retest my appetite for ER, and my conclusion, I am happy to settle for ER and explore other things in life than salary jobs. Even the last day, the Customer asked me to stay on and help to execute what I have sold, and I felt a bit sorry for my direct contact person when I said "no". He is a good guy and he made my life onsite bearable, but .... I felt that I did not move on by staying on in paid work. So....free again! Trying to build up this new life in Hungary.

For the moment, I am taking it easy, just working in the garden and also small renovation work at the home. I am also playing around with Blockchain investments (the new hype).

By the way, as promised, from what I gathered so far around costs of living in Hungary, you can easily live here on a budget of 1500 Euro per Month for 2 persons (assuming you have a house bought, which is anyway cheap). This includes having a car. If you assume a budget of 2500 euro per Month for a couple, you have a luxurious life over here in a green nice environment, which lots of space and friendly people.

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Hi everyone, still happy in Hungary. House is now almost fully renovated. Learned a lot by doing my part. I do not miss work at all. My previous employer emailed me that they want me back for a job of 2 Months, but I declined. All this hassle for a few more USD will not change my life.
Anyway, I was wondering if I should close this journal, not sure if anyone needs more of my scriblings, but please let me know, I am happy to help or answer questions.
cheers, Hank

McTrex
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:35 am
Location: NL

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by McTrex »

Hi Henk, please keep up the journal, even if infrequently. It's always interesting and inspiring to read about the other side.

rube
Posts: 883
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:54 pm
Location: Europe (NL)

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by rube »

For sure, +1 to keep going

RealPerson
Posts: 875
Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:33 pm

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by RealPerson »

Yes. Please keep going. This is the point where it gets interesting for me. Details about the ERE life in Hungary please!

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Well, ERE life is very easy-going. As long as you do not earn money in Hungary, you do not have to pay (yearly) income taxes. There is also no taxes on wealth (like bonds or shares) as long as they are not in country. So, you basically live almost anonymously. Besides that, you can live on a low budget in Hungary. Houses are cheap, and land is cheap (less than 1 USD per sqm). Also, labor is cheap if you need help. Car driving is cheap (compared to other European countries). Life is great, fresh air, good water supply, enough sunshine, etc.. so becoming self-sufficient (if you like), is also easy achievable. All in all, I would recommend this as a ERE homebase!

J_
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Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:12 pm
Location: Netherlands/Austria

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by J_ »

Hank, thanks for information of the money side of life, how is the social side? Do you speak Hungarian? What are your plans to settle in the community where you live?

Hankaroundtheworld
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:50 am

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by Hankaroundtheworld »

Social side: basically it feels sometimes (in the rural areas) that you go back 40-50 years in time. Which is a good thing: people are friendly, not rushed, are really interested in you, etc... Big challenge is the language, as Hungarian language is not related to the main languages, so you have to start from scratch. In the cities, especially the younger generation, speak English and/or German language. If you live nearby a city, like we do, you can combine the nice green and friendly countryside living with the modern living in the City. Everything is here, Hungary has a rich history in culture, and you have beautiful cities and interesting cultural festivals. So, besides the language challenge, this country will surprise you in a positive way.

DutchGirl
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:49 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by DutchGirl »

Hi Henk, nice to read your update. I know one Hungarian word from a summer love way back one; this was a gorgious Hungarian guy called Szilard ... The word's "szeterlek". I guess that word will remain in my vocabulary forever. :-)

And back then, I've visited Budapest, the Balaton lake, and the old monastery of Pannonhalma. Perhaps at some point I should go and revisit the area. It was lovely then, and I'm pretty sure it's lovely still.

I'm glad you're enjoying it fully!

rube
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Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:54 pm
Location: Europe (NL)

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by rube »

Hi Hank, hope life is good for you. Any update for us for inspiration and learning?

rube
Posts: 883
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:54 pm
Location: Europe (NL)

Re: Henk's journey thru life

Post by rube »

Hi Henk, I hope all is okay!

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