Live in Prague
Prague has something to offer everyone
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, situated in the northwest of the country. It is a political, cultural and economic center and therefore it is also becoming one of the most attractive cities in Europe for expats.
It enjoys high standards of living, while the prices remain below the average for Western Europe. The low cost of living, exceptional public transport, rich culture, vivid nightlife, safe environment, high density of green spaces and the fairy-tale atmosphere make Prague the perfect destination for teaching English in Europe.
"I not only fell in love with the city from the first sight but I also didn’t want to leave it. The liberal spirit of Prague just bought me completely."
Top Benefits of Living in Prague
Low cost of living
The cost of living in Prague remains below the Western European average
Safe environment
The Czech Republic is one of the top 10 safest countries in the world
Lots of green spaces
Around 20 % of Prague is covered by parks, gardens or orchards
Nightlife & culture
Prague is a cultural hotpot of Europe and a city that rarely sleeps
Cost of Living
Prague has been known for many years as an inexpensive Central European city.
Even though the prices in the city are rising, the cost of living is still relatively low. The monthly expenses depend highly on one’s lifestyle but English teachers in Prague are usually able to cover their expenses and save for some travelling. The rent will be your biggest expense as the housing prices in Prague are starting to be comparable to many Western European cities. On the other hand, the cost of food, clothing and public transport still remain low.
| CZK | EUR | USD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal/Inexpensive restaurant | 150 | 6 | 6.5 |
| Beer | 40 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Water | 24 | 0.8 | 1 |
| Cappuccino | 52 | 2 | 2.2 |
| Eggs (12) | 46 | 1.7 | 2 |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | 150 | 6 | 6.5 |
| Monthly public transport | 670 | 26 | 29 |
| Rent/month center, 2 bedroom | 15,000 | 581 | 645 |
| Rent/month outskirts, 2 bedroom | 13,000 | 503 | 560 |
| Pair of Jeans | 900 | 35 | 39 |
| Summer Dress | 600 | 23 | 26 |
| Cinema ticket | 180 | 7 | 8 |
How to get around Prague
Prague has one of the best public transport systems in Europe, it runs 24 hours a day and is clean, safe and affordable.
There are 22 districts in Prague and the city is expanding. The public transport connects the distant parts with the center extremely well, so don’t hesitate to rent a flat on the outskirts of Prague as you can still get to the center in 30 mins. There is a metro system with 3 lines (A-green, B-yellow, C-red) which is the quickest way to get around the city center. It goes to remote areas as well. In addition to the metro, you can use trams in the city center and buses to get to more remote districts of Prague. The public transport is very affordable, if you buy a ticket for a year, it works out at 10 CZK (0.3 EUR) per day.
Food and Drink
The variety of food on offer in Prague has expanded significantly, especially in the last few years.
Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten intolerant, whether you would like to try Czech cuisine or prefer Italian, Mexican, Indian… Prague will have you covered. Prague has also recently experienced an expansion of cosy, local cafes and stylish brunch places, that are just ideal for some lesson planning or even one-on-one English lessons. As Prague is not an exception from the rest of the country in terms of loving beer, you can get local beer basically everywhere. Some places even offer beer cheaper than water.
Language
Czech is the official language of the Czech Republic but many people speak at least basic English, especially in Prague, so you don’t have to worry about a language barrier.
Czech is a Slavic language and it has several sounds that can be tricky for non-Czechs (even to some Czechs) learning the language, especially the infamous Ř. But even though your pronunciation might not be perfect, Czech people always appreciate when you learn at least a few phrases and they are patient and supportive when you use them.
Nightlife
There is no shortage of things to do in Prague at night and the diversity of Prague’s night life can accommodate all tastes.
Whether you would like to sit in a traditional pub and meet some locals, eat in a dungeon restaurant, enjoy a cocktail with a view over the city, dance the night away in a lively nightclub, listen to some music while chilling at the riverbank, watch a movie under the open sky, enjoy a live band performance, test your general knowledge at pub quizzes – all is possible in Prague. According to the Global Peace Index, Prague is the 7th safest country in the world and although there is crime in Prague as in any other city, Prague is generally very safe.
Places not to miss
Whether you are a fan of culture, nature, architecture or whether you want to have a beer and socialize with locals after work, here are a few places other than the typical tourist-packed destinations (Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Lesser Town) you should not miss in Prague.
Náplavka
Náplavka is a long area along the Vltava river and is currently one of the most attractive and lively spots in the center of Prague, especially in the summer. There are boat restaurants and clubs, live music, farmer’s markets, paddle boat stations, cafés and much more.
Letná
Letná is a Prague district situated on one of the oldest Prague hills next to Prague Castle. It is a place where the old meets the new and you can find lots of new cosy cafes, shops and parks with breathtaking views but also beautiful historical buildings.
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is an old settlement/fortress surrounded by legends, dating back to 10th century and will satisfy any history fan. Moreover there is a beautiful park with spectacular views of the Prague Castle and not many tourists around.
Střelecký ostrov
The romantic atmosphere of this island in the center of Prague is definitely worth mentioning here. You can take a blanket and relax in the park with the locals or enjoy one of the many festivals and cultural events under the open sky that take place here.
Riegrovy sady
Riegrovy Sady is a park that is more than a hundred years old and you can find meadows as well as densely tree-covered areas. It is also famous for its beer gardens where locals meet after work and watch sport events.
Troja
You can find both, spectacular villas as well as a small-town/village atmosphere in Troja. If you decide to check this district, don’t forget to visit the famous Prague Zoo, Botanical Garden or the beautiful Troja chateau and its spectacular gardens.
Vinohrady
This former vineyard and central Prague district has it all; parks, beautiful architecture, restaurants, cosy cafes, culture, vivid nightlife and Live TEFL Prague classrooms. It has become very popular with expats and it is definitely a place not to miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
That highly depends on your spending habits. Be aware that you may be without an income for up to three months as you cannot legally work and get paid before your long-term visa is approved.
Be sure to check with your phone provider that your phone is internationally unlocked, so it will accept a different sim card. There are three main mobile service providers in the Czech Republic – T-Mobile, Vodafone and O2. All three offer similar services. There are many ways to get a sim card. The easiest that we recommend is to stop by one of the phone shops and buy a prepaid sim card.
If you would like to stay in the Czech Republic long term, we definitely recommend opening a Czech bank account. All you need is to put down an opening deposit which is between 500-2000 CZK (depending on the bank) and provide 2-3 types of identification.
