The city often compared to Vienna, questioned by the locals. “It becomes Cluj-Napoca at the prices of buildings and rents”
Oradea has developed in recent years due to private investments and European funds and is often compared to tourists with Vienna, thanks to its historical center. However, the locals are more reserved in appreciating the municipality of the northwest of Romania.
Oradea. Photo: Oradea City Hall
In recent years, Oradea has been in continuous development and has often been compared to Vienna, especially due to the architecture of its historical buildings.
Architecture as in Vienna
“The city of Oradea, employed in the last decades on the path of a sustainable urban regeneration, has managed to bring to life a part of the valuable art architectural treasure inherited from the previous generations. It shows the research “Art Nouveau buildings, examples of innovative and sustainable approach – case study: Oradea, Romania”published by Mariana Rațiu.
Other Romanians have identified similarities between the two cities, at a distance of about 500 kilometers, comparing public transport networks, Oradea using Tramie Siemens Ulf, similar to those circulating in Austria.
But in recent years, European funds and private investments have transformed the city with about 200,000 inhabitants in northwestern Romania into one of the best performing in the country, thus feeding the pride of those who saw it as a small Vienna or a quieter version of Cluj-Napoca.
Oradea. Photo: Oradea City Hall.
At the beginning of 2025, the local administration announced that, through the Directorate Management with international financing, it managed 113 projects with non -reimbursable financing, with a total value of 1.2 billion euros. Of these, eight projects were completed in 2024, 58 are in implementation, and 47 are in the evaluation phase.
“We can say that we have exceeded 1 billion euros private investments in Oradea. Equally important, the public projects financed by European funds reached the threshold of 1.6 billion euros between 2008 and 2025”, declared Mayor Florin Birta then.
Connections with Arad and Cluj-Napoca
In the coming years, the situation of Oradia could improve, with the infrastructure projects that will connect it to two other important cities in Romania.
Until 2031 Cluj-Napoca and Oradea, about 160 kilometers, could be connected directly on the highway. The sections of the Transylvania Highway (A3) are located in the site, and some sectors will be inaugurated a few years earlier.
Also, the express road DEX16 Arad – Oradea – A3, partially entered the site, will connect the two cities at about 120 kilometers.
Located in the vicinity of Oradea, Băile Felix also contributed to the attractiveness of the Bihor county residence, a county with several other cities deeply affected by the decline of the mining industry.
Western city, disturbed by the Pride march
The myth of the “Western” city in the northwest of Romania, often praised by tourists, is viewed by some locals, both because of the lower wages in Oradea and the much more conservative community.
“Oradea is no more aged than other cities of similar dimensions, but it is much more conservative and influenced by the large presence of religious cults. In Oradea, you can find intersections, bus stations, universities and businesses organized by the neo-Protestant churches. In no other city in Romania there is such a fingerbelieves a local.
Passage in Oradea. Photo: Oradea City Hall
The most recent event – the non -authorization of a PRIDE parade – divided the community into difficult to reconcile camps. On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in the center of Oradia to start in a Pride march meant to support the LGBT+ community in the city, but the authorities refused the authorization of the demonstration. The leaders of the religious cults in the municipality sent, in turn, an open letter, showing that such an event disapproved.
“We do not request prohibitions, but we ask for discretion, compassion and respect for the sensitivities of a silent majority”, showed the letter signed by all local bishops and pastors.
Rents like in Cluj, lower salaries
Some locals go over the tensions in the community and praise the city for modern infrastructure and the development of the metropolitan area, but say that, compared to Cluj-Napoca or Timișoara, Oradea has remained less developed.
“Here are few events, well paid jobs you can find very few, the airport is small, medical services-mediocre. Only as an example: in a summer, in a weekend, in the center, at 23:00, in Cluj-Napoca or Timișoara is full everywhere on the terraces, while in Oradea there are only a few terraces. Arad and Zalău.believes someone else.
Other Oradea adds that Oradea is attractive due to its green areas, low traffic, schools and parks, and the prices of the surrounding land are accessible.
“Cluj-Napoca is close, if you get your nostalgia and you want agitation and agglomeration. Or you can quickly get out of the country and you don't have to work with anyone. The fact that you can ride a bike to the bike to Hungary seems cool. I was with the children and it was fine,” says a local.
Others complain that it is difficult for them to live with the locals after they moved here.
“It's a miracle if you stay in the whole car. See here how everyone gets in front of you and drive aggressively, you get into danger to every road you do outside the city. tells one of them.
Oradea is a good city to raise your child, due to the safety he inspires, parks, nurseries, schools and high schools, adds another local.
“In terms of jobs, for now, it is a little difficult to find a good job, because it is very big competition. But there are many pluses in Oradea when it comes to the quiet family life.”he says.
