Hi everyone, Thanks for that very informative article Brett. Well, Cluj-Napoca really does sound like the business, doesn´t it? In fact, it has ALL the key underlying economic factors imaginable for a good property market. Young population, FDI money pouring in, infrastructure developments, highly skilled and multilingual university graduates and loads of students in city for rental market. Plus, it is not as well known as Brasov yet which could also be a good thing and it is the economic hub of transylvania. It has strong hungarian links and is located in a good strategic position from budapest, vienna and Bucharest. It has a higly influential mayor and the city is going places. Plus it has appeal, it is a cultural and trendy place and could become very enticing for people to live in. Cheers, Liam

I've been coming to Romania for eight years and finally decided to relocate here - to Cluj of course - earlier this year. In 1999 I was speaking at a Press Conference and said some polite words about the city concluding that Cluj was my second home. Three Romanians chirped up in the background saying 'No Charlie - Cluj is your first home'. What vision they had!Sure all the economic factors add up but let's talk about what it is like to live here. Unlike Bucharest where sharks eat you for dinner good business is about everyone being a winner. The city is developing for sure but not so far away are beautiful mountains and lakes which the British would just kill for. I have a sailing boat and windsurfer and use them every weekend in the summer. I have even started a cricket club! Communication is no problem...you dont get a job in Cluj unless you speak English. That applies to the big stores as much as any other business. Carrefour and Auchan are setting up here and will bring lower prices - as they have done in Hungary. Two huge shopping Malls will open in the next few months and others are in the pipeline. Romanians just love conspicuous consumption. There are 50 -60,000 students who study in the city and wise parents buy them studios as a good investment that avoids very high rents. Low cost airlines fly to Budapest and Tirgu Mures (one hour's drive away) and will fly direct to Cluj soon. The Nokia/General MOtors decisions to set up here is very important. These companies do their homework well. I know properties close to Nokia that were sold at 56000 Euro last year and sold this year for 200000 Euro...but you have to be here to know that.

I am not a city person but in Cluj I have seen so much change and now love this city for it's energy and tranquility. It's not often that you can find a harmonious combination of the two. Cluj is the centre of the Universe for me...come and see for yourself!

Hi Charles! I live in Bucharest myself, and I want to escape to a quitere city. Brasov is on my list, Cluj I don't know. Just out of curiosity: where (how) do you use your sailboat and windsurf while living in Cluj. I do go to Constanta every weekend during the summer, but I imagine it's too far away to do this from Cluj. Thanks in advance Mihai

There are a number of lakes not so far from here and the river Somescul Rece. Lake Tarnita is big but Fantanele is even bigger. Of coursae they are cold in winter but in the summer most of the population if Cluj escape to these places at weekends. Of course water sports have not really been developed so if you wanted to invest in something like fishing on Rutland Water or a sailing school Cluj is the place to be! Charles

What do you guys think of Colibita and Bistritia as investment locations? Currently hold site land there at €18/m2 and €47/m2. aidan

It depends on your agenda. Bisrita has done well but is a town rather than a city. The best and cheapest builders come to Cluj from Bisrita which indicates that work for them is here. Colibita is beautiful but personally I think that it will take time for tourism to take off big time in Ro. I really like that countryside but the jobs are here in Cluj. Developingtourism in Romania will take time and there is so much competition in that market. I'm in love with this country and sometimes I find it hard to remember that if I want to make money I should keep my investments in the city. It's the city that is exploding...not the towns and the beautiful countryside. If you want to make money put it into Cluj...and the villages that will over the next few years be included within it's boundaries. Charles

Charles, What is your take on Alba Iulia in the next 10 years from an investment viewpoint? Development land prices there are under €50/sqm Paschal

Hi I dont have an intimate relationship with Alba as I do with Cluj so dont take my word as gospel. I dont know where the roads will go or the plans for development...and they will only be plans. In my opinion 50 Euro is high for Alba...I bought some land here in Cluj last year for 33 Euro and having changed the boundaries and got building certificates it's now worth 150 Euro minimum. That sort of demand for land does not exist in Alba as far as I know...keep to the cities that are certain to explode..that's my message..and Bucharest has been done so stay away from that jungle...Cluj is the centre of the Universe! All the best, Charles from Cluj

Hi Charles, Which area do you think is best for investing in Cluj at the moment? The new ´Floresti´ neighbourhood near new Polus Mall in the east has cheap prices now, do you think this area has good potential? On the other hand, ´Europa´ area looks good too but a bit more expensive. The general feeling I got when i spent a week there is august was that prices in the centre are quite high i.e 100,000€ mark, even areas like manastur and marasti and others are all selling old panelak flats for about 80,000€. Some property like houses can be 200,000€ or more. Do you think its better to buy on east side of city, i.e. near airport and future Nokia plant etc? Which area is best buy-to-let area taking into account low entry price cos i know that areas like Zorilor are already high. Any info would be well appreciated, Liam

Hi Liam think like this. The closer to the centre you go the prices are higher and the potential profit is already in someone's belly but the risks are less because the investor is hungry and likes the taste of the food. Go to the villages around Cluj such as Floresti was 18 months ago and you will see the potential if you know where the roads are going to go and commercial/industrial/residential development will follow in the virgin fields. B.n..da is a village after Nokia with a beautiful castle which is being restored with the support of Prince Charles and land is available at under 2 Euro psm. Co....d.a not so far from Nokia is another good one. P....is a key area because of the probable road networks....and I could give away more property secrets! Going back to your original question about Floresti Idont see it as the same investment as it was a year ago. As Cluj grows the profit is being taken and over the last 12 months that has happened in Floresti. Your question is very direct and because it is on Property Secrets website I would be happy to advise you further but through them. Cluj is the centre of the Universe for me! Pau, Charles