:) Hi

I am an architect designer from north america. As I am recently thinking to live and work for a while in Ljubljana, I am wandering could you guys give me some information that I could not find from wikipedia? I need some of your personal feelings from inside the country.

1) how is the popularity of English speaking/writing in Ljubljana, does people speak English there? can I read the text of most commodities in the stores of supermarket? I have zero understanding of Slovenia language or Hungary.

2) what is the atmosphere of living environment there? divergent or a bit monochromatic? busy or leisure? strict or casual? hospitality or conservative?

3) does the city offer diversity program for living like bars, parties, markets, celebrations, public facilities (i know lots of musuems), public programs, esp for a foreigner to kill his time.

4) how is the living expense there? what is the grand living expense for each month? how much shall I pay for a one-bedroom? and how is the salary income standard there, for a techniquer like an architect designer (experienced years)? and how about its taxation rate?

5) how is the transportation system in the city? does the city use street car/bus/train/taxi/subway? And how is the connection to the outside? Is this conveinent to travel to other European countries? By train or flight? and how long does it normally takes?

6) Is Ljubljana still undergoing lots of construction/renovation work? how about the new projects, or contemporary architecture happening over there? Is the city still expanding or just like other European countries that is almost still?

I would be very enjoying to see your answers.

Thanks.

Hello, Johiness!

I am a bit in a hurry and I am really sorry cause I won't answer all of your questions. It's not a problem to give you a short answer about few.

1) English speaking/writing seems well. I don't think it should be a big problem as Slovenian schools use English and 80% of people aged 18-50 speak English understandable (at least in my opinion). Services not using English in their signs and similar things are extremelly rare. Some of the supermarkets don't use it (most of them do though), but many words are easily remembered. (milk=mleko, yoghurt=jogurt, meat=meso, salami=salama, cheese=sir, ...)

2) I am not sure about the atmosphere as I only spend around 4-5 hours per day in Ljubljana. Whenever I have a chance to walk around, it seems pretty active, not too crowded but cool to watch. I would say it is more divergent than monochromatic, but it all depends on someone's interests.

3) There is a variety of bars, but people often don't agree about them being for all tastes. Discos serve you with different styles, especially techno, r'n'b, house, Balcan pop hits, there are few jazz clubs and a number of restaurants with live music spread around the area.

4) Costs in Slovenia are pretty average. I am not sure about the costs in the States as I haven't experienced living there yet, but I am sure you won't find it hard to survive. I think it would be the easiest way to tell an example:

- 1 litre Alpine milk ~ 0,75€
- 1 kg plain white bread ~ 2,20€ to 2,50€
- 1,5 litre bottled fresh water ~ 0,40€
- a normal 300g yoghurt ~ 0,60€ to 0,80€
- a tooth-washing tube ~ 1,60€ to 2,10€
- a packet of chips, beacon/chilli flavoured ~ 1,85€
- 1 kg of oranges ~ 1,20€

Otherwise, things are pretty affordable to most of the people.

5) Transportation in Ljubljana is mostly served by LPP d.d. (Ljubljana Public Transport Inc.) company. It is focused on bus transport with 27 lines across the whole city. Few lines even include surrounding suburbs in metropolitan area. Otherwise, cities around Ljubljana are connected with it using "Primestni potniški promet" (Suburb Public Transport) with more than 50 lines. The city is served by a Jože Pučnik International Airport which is situated around 30 km north of the city center. Main Train Station is in a bit worser conditions as it is still connected with small number of international cities. It is located in Central District. The mentality is still primarly focused on private car transport meaning that loads of people still use their own car. Bicyclists can enjoy their ride with city's bicycling lanes (next to pedestrian pavement) which are spread around most of the city.

6) All the main projects are described in Projects and Construction (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1136) subforum. Select the threads starting with [LJUBLJANA] to view current status of Ljubljana's construction sites.

Have lots of fun!
I hope I helped at least a bit.

Greetings,
Dejan

:) Hi

I am an architect designer from north america. As I am recently thinking to live and work for a while in Ljubljana, I am wandering could you guys give me some information that I could not find from wikipedia? I need some of your personal feelings from inside the country.

1) how is the popularity of English speaking/writing in Ljubljana, does people speak English there? can I read the text of most commodities in the stores of supermarket? I have zero understanding of Slovenia language or Hungary.

Most people speak English good enough, especially young and more educated, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting along with it. At least half of products in supermarkets are imported and labels for other half are printed for export so I would say at least 90% of goods have English labels on them.

2) what is the atmosphere of living environment there? divergent or a bit monochromatic? busy or leisure? strict or casual? hospitality or conservative?

Well that depends on what you re used to. If you live in metropolis Lj. may seem a bit small and slow to you. If you come from the country side you ll be impressed by the speed of life:) I guess it is quite normal regarding its size.

3) does the city offer diversity program for living like bars, parties, markets, celebrations, public facilities (i know lots of musuems), public programs, esp for a foreigner to kill his time.

Same answer again. Not really gigantic city life, but should keep you occupied for some time. Surely you ll get to know some people fast and then boredom should not be a problem.

4) how is the living expense there? what is the grand living expense for each month? how much shall I pay for a one-bedroom? and how is the salary income standard there, for a techniquer like an architect designer (experienced years)? and how about its taxation rate?

One bedroom costs about 100 -150€ per month (I guess, not sure), small apartment 500 €. Food expenses depend on your habits of course. I guess 10 € per day is more than enough. Minimum gross wage stands at about 600 € (400 net), but don’t think architect designers fit in that category :) Taxation rates: personal income tax: rates of 16, 27 and 41 % of gross wage. Contributions for social security: approx. 22% of gross wage. For gross wage of 2500 € you can expect approx. 1300 € net wage. For every additional € higher net wage, gross rises for approx. 2 €. So taxation rates are quite high here… Worker is entitled to at least 3,56 € of reimbursement of expenses for meal and to about 1 € for expenses for travel to/from work for every working day.

5) how is the transportation system in the city? does the city use street car/bus/train/taxi/subway? And how is the connection to the outside? Is this conveinent to travel to other European countries? By train or flight? and how long does it normally takes?

There is public transportation – 22 bus lanes. It goes to practically every part of the city. Taxis also exist but are much more expensive and one must be careful when choosing a cab – many works without license for extremely high prices. Connection to other countries is ok. Prob. best to go by train (especially if you re not in a hurry). There are some air-destinations, but not many cheap ones.

6) Is Ljubljana still undergoing lots of construction/renovation work? how about the new projects, or contemporary architecture happening over there? Is the city still expanding or just like other European countries that is almost still?

Still is not the right word I think. Lj. was still till one year ago. Now there are many project in construction – check out topic Lj construction update for more info.

I would be very enjoying to see your answers.

Thanks.

You re welcome. ^^^^ just my opinion :)

Hi.

1) Majority of people speak English in Ljubljana. All commodities (food, home appliances etc.) have english instructions on it. All programs on TV are subtitled (except news and some local production), so original English language is preserved. All movies in cinema use subtitles also.

4) We have the highest taxation in the world but you get a lot from it: from good social security to free school system on all levels. I think you can earn at least 2200 euros gross.

Main Train Station is in a bit worser conditions as it is still connected with small number of international cities.

What do you mean? Our trains may not be fast, but you can go in all directions quite far. Ljubljana is directly connected to Venice, Zurich, Frankfurt, Prague, Vienna, Budapest (I think even Bucharest), Belgrade, Rijeka and some other less important railways. You can't expect to have a direct train to Brussels, f.e.

3) There is a variety of bars, but people often don't agree about them being for all tastes. Discos serve you with different styles, especially techno, r'n'b, house, Balcan pop hits, there are few jazz clubs and a number of restaurants with live music spread around the area.


Don't forget: alternative culture on metelkova street :):cheers:
you can't say that it's not important for ljubljana cultural&nightlife scene

+here are some usefull links, I belive not only for turists

+about Slovenia
http://www.slovenia.si/
http://www.slovenia.info/?lng=2
http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng/

+about Ljubljana
http://www.ljubljana.si/en/municipality/
http://www.visitljubljana.si/

+train station Lj
http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/

+airport Lj
http://www.lju-airport.si/eng/default.asp

+public transport Lj
http://www.jh-lj.si/index.php?p=4&l=2

+ whats wrong with web page ap-ljubljana.si ?

^ Nothing - http://www.ap-ljubljana.si/eng/

THANKS FOR ALL, AMAZING RESPONSES.

Dejko,

but many words are easily remembered. (milk=mleko, yoghurt=jogurt, meat=meso, salami=salama, cheese=sir, ...)

Good tips. what language it is? Hungary or Slovenia?

The mentality is still primarly focused on private car transport meaning that loads of people still use their own car. Bicyclists can enjoy their ride with city's bicycling lanes (next to pedestrian pavement) which are spread around most of the city.

Is this expensive to get a private car and a driver license? parking fee and oil is affordable? could people carry his own bike on the bus travel?


Borimir,
Well that depends on what you re used to. If you live in metropolis Lj. may seem a bit small and slow to you. If you come from the country side you ll be impressed by the speed of life I guess it is quite normal regarding its size.

You mean compare to the countryside, the life in downtown Lj is a bit slow and quiet? maybe due to its single function (most offices)? and the country side is more convienent and maybe more affordable?



One bedroom costs about 100 -150€ per month (I guess, not sure), small apartment 500 €.

one bedroom,in Lj, is like an individule suite with one living room and one bedroom or it is a room shared in a three or two rooms apt? what is the a small apartment? like an individual condor, private with living and bedroom?



thanks a lot.

It's Slovenian:)

u won't see any Hungarian in Slovenia other than the very NE tip of the country where the zone is supposed to be bilingual... U'll see Slovenian everywhere u'll turn. Those products guys mentioned above excluded :D

Very helpful insights from the Slovenian forumers to us silly Americans.

I did not realize that English was so widely spoken and utilized in business.

Thanks all. :)

As for milk, cheese and other food and drinks, these products are usually translated into English (in smaller text, but at least you can check, if it's really milk, if you think it is).

THANKS FOR ALL, AMAZING RESPONSES.

Is this expensive to get a private car and a driver license? parking fee and oil is affordable? could people carry his own bike on the bus travel?

You mean compare to the countryside, the life in downtown Lj is a bit slow and quiet? maybe due to its single function (most offices)? and the country side is more convienent and maybe more affordable?

one bedroom,in Lj, is like an individule suite with one living room and one bedroom or it is a room shared in a three or two rooms apt? what is the a small apartment? like an individual condor, private with living and bedroom?

thanks a lot.

I noticed these questions remained unanswered so here it goes:

a) Car costs:
€10,000 for an average new car (second hand in poor condition from €200)
€300-800 annual insurance fee
€105 annual tolls, registration, highway sticker
€.60 - €2.00 car parking in per 1 hour in the city center. elsewhere mostly free.
€1 per Litre of gasoline (to calculate your mileage, you shoud convert US MPG to European L/100km, but note that less is better)
If you live AND work in Ljubljana, your commute reimbursement will be exactly as high as the monthly bus ticket costs. If you live outside the town where you work, you get 18 cents per kilometer.

b) There is a huge difference between weekends and workdays in Ljubljana; on workdays, the streets are brisk, loud, and traffic jams everywhere. But if you go outside on Sunday afternoon, you see very few people, most smaller stores and services are closed, no rush and no queues. You can tell that all 100,000+ daily commuters are gone and the locals are outside the town for a weekend break.
The countryside is notably more affordable (except your own car is almost a requirement), but from my personal point of view far less convenient (stores opening times, public services availability, travel time etc.).

c) The bedrooms that guys described are - i think - shared dorms (or at least shared bathroom). Usually students seize them as soon as they are available because these rooms are very cheap. If you want your own suite you should get a small apartment as you were already suggested. Rents from €400.

well 10.000€ don't realy get you an average car.. its more like 15k for average. (us drivers license is valid here so u dont need to bother with that)
about a bike on the bus.. no you can't take it but if you live in ljubljana you won't need to as it is faster just to "paddel" your way around.

And make sure you can drive a stick. Automatic gearbox is more of an exception than practice in Europe.