Living in Pantelimon, Bucharest

Pantelimon is a working-class district in eastern Bucharest, grown up along Șoseaua Pantelimon and towards the lake of the same name. It is made of blocks from the 1960s and 1970s and of areas of low houses, with an industrial history tied to the factories of the eastern side. It is among the cheapest districts in the city.

Who lives here

Long-standing families, workers, pensioners, and young people looking for the lowest possible price while staying inside the urban perimeter. It is a working-class district without filters, with marked differences between one street and another.

What it is like by day

By day life is concentrated along the artery: shops, small markets, traffic. Towards the north, approaching the lake, the fabric thins out and becomes greener. It is an area to get to know street by street, because the quality varies a great deal.

What it is like in the evening

The evening is residential and quiet. Local bars, no organised nightlife. Anyone going out moves towards the centre by public transport.

Getting around

Costin Georgian station on the M1 sits on the southern edge of the district, so anyone living in that strip has the metro within walking distance. From the heart of the area, though, it is more than a kilometre, and there you travel by tram and bus along the artery, frequent, which lead to Obor and to the network. For anyone working in the centre the journey is longer than from other districts at the same distance.

Eating and shopping

Supermarkets, discount stores and local markets cover the shopping at low prices. The Obor market is reachable by public transport. The restaurant offer is working-class and basic.

When NOT to choose it

The artery is busy and the fabric uneven: some areas are neglected. There are no upmarket services. It is the right choice for anyone on a very tight budget; the wrong one for anyone who wants fast connections and a uniform area.