Living in Bucureștii Noi, Bucharest

Bucureștii Noi is a district in north-western Bucharest, with a mixed fabric of low houses with gardens, small buildings and more recent blocks. Its green landmark is the Bazilescu park, and the M4 metro crosses it, which has changed its desirability in recent years.

Who lives here

Long-standing families in the houses, young couples in the smaller buildings, workers looking for a compromise between price and connections. It is a district in slow transformation, where the Bucharest of houses with courtyards and the Bucharest of blocks live side by side.

What it is like by day

By day it is quiet and residential. The Bazilescu park is the meeting point, with its summer theatre and tree-lined avenues. The main roads are busy, the inner streets quiet. There are local shops and small markets.

What it is like in the evening

The evening is quiet. A few local bars, the park busy in summer. To go out you take the metro towards the centre.

Getting around

The M4 crosses the district from side to side: there are four stations inside the area, among them Parc Bazilescu and Jiului, and from the centre of the district the nearest is a few hundred metres away. The line runs north to Străulești and south to Gara de Nord. It should be said, though, that the M4 does not reach the old town: from Gara de Nord you need to change, onto the M1 or onto the surface. Trams and buses complete the picture.

Eating and shopping

Supermarkets, discount stores, local markets and shops cover everyday shopping. The restaurant offer is local and simple. For a wider choice you head north or into the centre.

When NOT to choose it

The M4 is convenient but serves a limited axis: anyone working in the east or the south will have to change. The fabric is uneven and some parts are neglected. There is no nightlife. It is the right choice for anyone who wants greenery and moderate prices with the metro nearby; the wrong one for anyone crossing to the other side of the city every day.