[Amazing] 25 Reasons Why Living In Prague Is Not A Bad Idea
How would you like to live in Prague? With more than 6.5 million international tourists received every year, Prague is one of the most popular and visited cities in Europe. Czech Republic’s capital is a top-notch tourist destination known for all sorts of historical monuments, splendid architecture and a fun atmosphere. There is a good chance that you have stumbled upon an article detailing reasons why Prague should be your next travel destination or detailing tourist attractions you should not miss once there. However, today we are going to take a look at this amazing city from another perspective: With you living in Prague. These days, millions of people all over the world have been on the move, settling down and living in foreign countries and cities. If you are one of those who enjoy moving about (possibly to another country) you owe it to yourself to give Prague a look-over with these 25 Reasons Why Living In Prague Is Not A Bad Idea.
Prague might not be able to offer you sandy beaches nor all-year-round sunny climate, but if you fancy living in a vibrant, safe and highly entertaining metropolis boasting incredible cultural heritage as well as a busy nightlife, world class beer, wide choice of sport activities etc., Prague is definitely a great option. So, will this exotic city be your next home? Keep reading to find out.
Safety
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Compared to other major cities from around the world, Prague has a very low level of crime. While pick-pocketing might be an issue in the most-touristy areas, violent crimes such as armed robberies and physical assaults are very rare in the city. Moreover, there are hundreds of policemen patrolling throughout Prague 24/7.
Location
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Prague lies right in the heart of Europe, which makes it a major international hub for all types of transport. Just hop on a plane and you can be in other European metropolises such as Paris, Berlin, London or Rome in no time. If you fear flying, you can get to almost anywhere in Europe via a comfortable train ride.
Beer
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Czech Republic is known as the “Beer Nation”. We love talking about beer, making beer but mostly – drinking beer. In fact, the Czech Republic has by far the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. Premium quality beer of all types can be bought all over the country – including Prague – and the prices will make your wallet smiling. If you avoid the overpriced touristy areas, you can have a great tap beer for just 1 dollar (or 1 Euro).
Shopping
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Apart from renowned tourist attractions, Prague is also brimming with thousands of shops. From gigantic shopping malls such Palladium and Chodov to antique shops, jewelries, street markets, specialty shops and even the most luxury boutiques, the city has something for everyone.
Architecture
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If you are an architecture fan, Prague will be like a dream come true. From Romanesque chapels and majestic gothic cathedrals to baroque palaces, Art Nouveau and cubist buildings, Prague has an incredible mixture of many architectural styles.
Naplavka
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There are several places in Prague that serve as meeting points for various communities and sub-cultures. Located on the western bank of the Vltava River, Naplavka is one of them. Especially popular among hipsters both local and expats, Naplavka is a great place to chill out with your friends, enjoy a live music performance or have a nice walk along the river.
Sport
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Prague is home to several renowned professional sport teams such as Sparta Prague and Slavia Prague but the city also provides a wide range of sport activities for everybody. From well-equipped sport centers and super-modern gyms to numerous outdoor pitches, tennis courts, climbing walls, golf courses and playgrounds, Prague is definitely a good place for active sportsmen.
Friendliness
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As Prague is a multicultural metropolis, local people are used to meeting foreigners on daily basis and they are usually very friendly towards them. Also, Prague is one of the most liberal cities in Europe with regard to all types of minorities such as LGTB. In 2006, the Czech Republic even legalized registered partnership for same-sex couples.
Prague Castle
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One of Europe´s most romantic places, the Prague Castle is the city´s iconic landmark. Occupying a total area of over 18 acres, it is the largest ancient castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Built in the 9th century, the castle has been a seat of power for Czech kings, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic.
Nightlife
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When it comes to nightlife, Prague is among the most sought-after cities in Europe. The historical city centre is literally seething with pubs, clubs and bars of all kinds. While some of them might close by midnight, most bars and clubs remain open and hopping until early (sometimes even late) morning hours.
Prices
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Although Prague is not among the cheapest European cities, you can still live there without breaking the bank. A decent small apartment can be rented for about $500 per month. Food prices vary greatly with the location but again, non-tourist restaurants are pretty cheap with a good lunch starting anywhere between 7 – 8 bucks.
Education
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Home to 12 universities and a number of colleges and schools, Prague is one of the major educational centers in Europe. The famous Charles University (founded in 1348) is the oldest university in Central Europe. It consists of 17 faculties and ranks in the upper 1.5 percent of the world’s best universities.
Yellow Spa
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Remember how we said in the introduction that Prague cannot offer you sandy beaches? Actually, it can. In a neighborhood called Podoli, there is a spa park called Zlute Lazne (Yellow Spa) located on the bank of the Vltava River that also serves as a large outdoor water park featuring many summer attractions and relaxation zones including a sandy beach.
Public Transport
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Getting from one place to another one is never a big deal in Prague. Local public transport infrastructure consists of a heavily-used and highly reliable integrated transport system of metro, trams, buses, funiculars, and ferries. Prague has one of the highest rates of public transport usage in the world with 1.2 billion passenger journeys per year.
Climate
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Prague has a very diverse climate marked by different weather patterns typical for each part of the year. Summers usually bring plentiful sunshine and hot temperatures but winters are cold and often snowy. Nevertheless, Prague is beautiful to be around regardless on the time of year as all four seasons have their specific charm there.
Petrin Tower
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Prague has its own version of the famous Eiffel Tower. With a height of 63.5 m (208 ft) the steel-framework tower is much shorter than the French original but it stands atop a sizable hill, Petrin, so the top is at a higher elevation than that of the Eiffel Tower. The area is very popular among both tourists and local people who like to relax in nearby parks.
Islands
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Yes, there are islands in Prague. They formed in the Vltava River that runs through the city. The Kampa Island is very popular among tourists as it hosts a famous museum while the Stvanice Island is where many sport events, especially tennis tournaments, are held. Then there is also the Rohansky Island, the Libensky Island etc.
Girls
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Czech girls and women are often considered the most beautiful in the world. Czech top models such as Tereza Maxova, Petra Nemcova, Alena Seredova or Eva Herzigova are living proof of the claim. Czech Miss of 2006 Tatana Kucharova even won the title Miss World in the same year. As Prague is by far the largest city of the country, occurrence of pretty girls is very high here.
Parks
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Prague is known for a number of amazing parks. In fact, there are over 50 of them in the city, ranging from small secluded parks such the Podvinni Park to large and famous parks such as the Letna Park or the Stromovka Park where hundreds or even thousands of people gather to relax, work out and have barbecue.
Zoo
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Opened in 1931, the Prague Zoo is one of the largest and most popular zoos in Europe. Occupying a total area of 58 hectares (140 acres), it houses about 4,200 animals that represent almost 650 species, including 132 species listed as threatened. In 2007, Forbes Traveler Magazine listed Prague Zoo as the 7th best zoo in the world. In 2015, TripAdvisor listed it as the 4th best zoo in the world.
Healthcare
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Should you have any health problems while living in Prague, you need not worry. Prague as well as the whole country boasts a very good and accessible healthcare system with several renowned hospital facilities such as the Motol Hospital and the Bulovka Hospital located in the capital.
Cuisine
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Honestly, Czech cuisine is not the healthiest one but it definitely is among the most delicious. In Czech cuisine, thick soups and many kinds of sauces, both based on stewed or cooked vegetables and meats, often with cream, as well as baked meats with natural sauces, are popular dishes. Almost every Prague restaurant offers at least one of the two national dishes – Svickova Na Smetane and Knedlo Vepro Zelo.
Nature
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Although Prague is home to almost 1.3 million people and it might seem to be crowded sometimes, stunningly beautiful and crowds-free nature can be found in certain parts of the city. Areas such as Divoka Sarka, the Prokop Valley and the Kunratice Forrest offer everything from deep woods to picturesque lakes, streams and rocky cliffs.
Statues
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Prague is literally littered with hundreds of interesting statues and sculptures. Ranging from monumental historical memorials to slightly bizarre and downright creepy modern sculptures by sculptor David Cerny, many of Prague´s statues and sculptures have become popular tourist attractions and meeting points for local people.
Culture
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Prague is traditionally one of the cultural centers of Europe, hosting many cultural events. It hosts a number of festivals including the Prague Spring International Music Festival, the Prague International Jazz Festival, the Febiofest Film festival, the One World Film Festival etc. The city also hosts the Prague Writers’ Festival, the Prague Folklore Days, the Summer Shakespeare Festival as well as the hundreds of art exhibitions, concerts, fashion shows any much more.
