Why living here just hits different.
Before moving to Czechia, I had imagined living in Europe would just be castles, trams, and maybe some better food. And yeah – it includes all that. But what surprised me the most were the things I could do here that felt impossible back home in the United States. From crossing borders on the weekends to actually being able to take days off. Life here gave me back time, freedom, and perspective.
My case may be a little different to yours since I am studying abroad and not a resident of Czechia… yet. Here are some things I can do in Czechia that I never imagined possible before moving.
1. Explore 3 Countries in One Weekend
Brno on Friday, Vienna on Saturday, Budapest on Sunday? Absolutely possible.
Central Europe’s train and bus system makes it affordable and easy to hop across borders – no need to plan in advance. Want to head to Slovakia, Germany, or even Italy? You can do that too, typically for the price of a dinner back home.
Bonus tip: FlixBus, RegioJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air are your new best friends.
2. Actually Access Healthcare Without the Stress
Back home, booking a doctor’s appointment was kind of a big deal – especially without insurance. You’d better hope you’ve budgeted for an emergency.
In Czechia, healthcare is much more accessible. Many doctors speak English, wait times are reasonable, and once you’re set up with the right insurance, the system is very straightforward.
Bonus tip: Foreigners not only helps sign you up for health insurance, but they’ll walk you through it and even help you find English-speaking doctors – so you’re not left frantically trying to use Google translate when you are sick.
3. Take Time Off – and Actually Rest
Czech work culture understands work-life balance in a way that was foreign to me at first.
Weekends are quiet. Most stores close early and people actually disconnect. There’s no “I’ll just check this one email.” If they’re not working, they’re not working. It’s the first place I’ve ever lived where taking time off work is not considered lazy – it’s considered healthy. It made me realize how much I was rushing through life before.
3. Get Around Without a Car
Between trams, buses, and trains, you actually won’t need a car here – even in smaller cities like Brno.
Public transport is clean, efficient, and on time (seriously, if it says 14:07, it means 14:07). You can buy a monthly transport pass and travel anywhere in the city and surrounding areas.
Bonus: No worrying about traffic. No parking apps. No car insurance.
4. Live Slower – and Still Get More Out of Life
Life in Czechia taught me to slow down. Not in a “do less” way – but in a “be present” way.
It is calm here. People enjoy cafes without rushing. Parks are full on weekdays. Sundays are actually for resting. It’s a lifestyle that chooses peace over chaos – and somehow, I still get things done.
Thinking of Relocating to the Czech Republic? Let Foreigners help you make it happen – visas, housing, healthcare, and more.
Photo Source: Canva
