What Expats Should Know About Prague, Czech Republic

by Sezin
(Prague)

In which city are you living?

Prague, Czech Republic.

What is the spoken language, and how much local language do you need to know for daily living?

The main spoken language is Czech, although you do find people who speak English. Knowing the basics of Czech is definitely worth the trouble.

How is the weather?

Very, very cold. I have spent my whole life living in tropical and sunny climates, so for me personally this aspect of life here is very difficult to deal with. However, if you aren't bothered by extremely cold, long and dark winters then this aspect of life here will not upset your balance.

Is this a good city for families/singles/couples?

Yes. There's something here for everyone and fantastic public transportation.

Are their international schools/American Schools?

There are quite a few international and British schools here, and I actually work for one, Park Lane.

Any after school activities?

At our school I manage an after school program for children who need to get picked up late (3pm to 5pm), and our school also offers an extensive after school clubs program.

Are there English speaking universities? Or any special programs in the English language at a local university?

Yes indeed! Charles University has a number of different programs in undergraduate and post-graduate studies.

Prague also has the Gender and Sociology Institute, which offers some courses in English.

There is also the Anglo-American University, New York University and a few others where you can further your education.

For English speakers there are a great deal of educational resources available. A Google search will yield you great results.

How is the accommodation?

It is very difficult to find housing without using an agency, so you can expect to pay one month's rent as a commission to one of these places.

We found our flat through Re/Max, and it was totally worth it. If you know you'll have to spend the money then you won't be surprised when it happens.

How is the health care?

Fantastic. If you have EU insurance there are a number of clinics and hospitals that will accept it. Also, there are a number of private clinics with excellent care as well. Purchasing national insurance is cheap ($50 a month) and easy enough to accomplish.

Is it a pet friendly city?

Yes. Czechs love dogs and I would say that it's a more dog friendly than cat friendly place. Some of the apartment buildings are very tall and can't offer the kind of freedom that cats enjoy. But everywhere you go you'll see people with dogs. Wonderful!

How is the traffic and the public transportation (buses, trains, taxis)?


The public transportation system here is phenomenal. We have trams, buses, and metros, which have extensive schedules and will take you anywhere you need to go.

Prague has newly instituted a "fair taxi" policy, and so long as you use AAA Taxi you will not get ripped off.

There are also two train stations in Prague that can get you to any European destination easily.

How is the communication - Cell/land phone, T.V/Cable/Satelite, Internet connection, international calls?

Everything is available here through O2 or Vodafone.

What is the dress code to work and in public?

This really depends on where you are working and what kind of job you'll have. Some offices are very casual, some require full business attire.

In public the Czechs are very fashionable people. However, the streets are almost fully cobblestones, so if you're not used to walking on them then you want to have very comfortable shoes with you.

How is shopping for groceries, household items and clothing?

There are many grocery stores and markets conveniently placed throughout the city. Sometimes you might have to go to a few shops to get everything you need, but it's all doable.

Clothing, on the other hand, is very expensive here and even on sale the prices are high. It's a good idea to plan ahead and bring what you will need with you or find a way to supplement your wardrobe from outside Prague.

Tell us about sport, entertainment, night life, restaurants.

I don't really know anything about sport, except that there is one fabulous sports bar that plays all sports all the time.

Prague offers theatre, opera, ballet, and most musicians and bands come through Prague on their tours. Recent visits have been Pink, The Cure, Tom Waits, etc.

There are clubs here in Prague, though I've not been to many of them (my clubbing days are long since passed).

Prague is more about bar culture, with the fantastic Czech beer fresh and on tap. With regards to restaurants, there's now quite a range of different food beside Czech food (which is meat and potatoes, quite bland for someone with spicy tastes like me). We have Afghan, Thai, Indian, Pakistani, Mexican, Italian, and a whole host of other foods available.

How is the expats community?

Very large. The website www.expats.cz is a great resource if you are considering moving to Prague. There are many expat events, such as theatre, casting, open mic nights, live music, organised by and featuring expats. We have a vibrant and creative expat community

Read more about Sezin and her expat experiences in Prague, Czech Republic at www.sezin.org