Have you ever dreamt of living in a place where old-world charm meets vibrant modernity, all while keeping your wallet happy? Well, Riga , the capital city of Latvia, might just be the place for you in 2024. Today, we are diving into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in this charming European gem.
A Glimpse of Riga
Before we crunch the numbers, let me paint you a picture of Riga. Cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and a bustling cultural scene - Riga has it all. Imagine sipping a hot cup of coffee in a quaint café in the Old Town or strolling along the banks of the Daugava River at sunset. That's Riga for you - a perfect blend of history, culture, and nature.
The Heart of the Matter: Cost of Living
Now, let's get down to business. How much does it really cost to live in this Baltic beauty? In 2024, Riga remains an affordable gem amidst the rising cost of living in Europe. Housing prices are relatively low compared to other European capitals, making it an attractive destination for expats and digital nomads alike.
Housing
When it comes to finding a place to call home in Riga, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Whether you prefer a cozy apartment in the city center or a spacious house on the outskirts, housing prices in Riga are significantly lower than in cities like London or Paris. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center would set you back around €500-€700 per month, while a similar place in the suburbs might cost €300-€500.
Utility bills
Living in Latvia, you would use hot water almost all year round. Expect to pay around €50-100 per month just for hot water in Riga. Most buildings in Riga will charge you for heating based on the number of to persons declared to be living in the property. Meaning, single user vs families, these bills will differ. Students sharing a flat in Riga will pay more based on how many use this address as their Latvian declared place of residence, a legal requirement.
Heating bills in Latvia can be around €100-200 in winter months. Slightly lower in Autumn. Heating y bills in Latvia will depend on the size of your apartment. Bigger the Square Meters, bigger the bills. Heating is usually turned off from April 1 throughout Latvia.
Electricity bills can be around anther Euro 50-100, again depending on your usage, if you use electric heaters in addition to community heating, expect to pay more. Clothes washing machines, dishwasher, clothes dryers take significant amount of electricity.
Groceries and Dining
Hungry yet? Let's talk about the cost of keeping your belly happy in Riga. Groceries in Latvia are reasonably priced, with a basic shopping list costing around €50-€70 per week for a single person. If you're a foodie who loves dining out, a meal at a mid-range restaurant would cost you around €10-€20, while a cup of coffee in a trendy café might set you back €2-€4.
One fantastic restaurant chain, with many branches, with fresh, ready to eat set menu I really must recommend is DELICIO, where you get a satisfactory meal ( two salads from choice of six, one main dish from usually 4/5 dishes, and a side dish to choose ) all for an unbelievable price of €5.00. If you work near one DELICIO, you would probably eat your lunch here daily.
Transportation in Latvia
Getting around Riga is a breeze, thanks to its efficient public transportation system. A monthly public transport pass costs approximately €30, allowing you to explore every nook and cranny of the city without breaking the bank. Download and upload a payment card to the MOBILLY app from their webpage. This is a fantastic app, helping you plan you buy all sorts of transport tickets in one app. It is a must have app if you plan to visit or move to Latvia.
Local Bus / Tram Tickets - €1.50 valid for 90 mins / €30 per month unlimited rides. MOBILLY app
Local Train Tickets - €2.00 and above depending on distance. MOBILLY app or VIVI app
Pay for Car Parking if you are driving - MOBILLY app
NOTE : Local buses within RIGA do not sell tickets in the bus. I advise you to download the MOBILLY APP and upload money into it.
Otherwise, you will need to run around in rain or snow trying to buy tickets from ETALON ticket vending machines or NARVESAN or most supermarkets ( RIMI , MAXIMA etc. )
If you prefer the freedom of having your own wheels, a liter of petrol is priced around €1.70.
While in Riga, you cannot ignore the so many shared mobility options. All you need is a bank card ( visa/master ) and an eligible Driver's License to upload in the App.
Let me list the most popular ones
BOLT ( Taxi Services, same as UBER. Short term cars to drive yourself, pay by the minute + km scooters, food and grocery delivery app )
Price for cars starts from € 0.12 / minute + 0.25 / KM. Fuel cost is included and you can end the ride in eligible green zones without any parking fee. Just take the car here, leave it there. Open/Close the car in App. You will find hundreds of cars near you in Riga city. Make sure you have a Driver's License from an eligible country. You will see list in App.
CARGURU ( shared mobility, cars for short term rental )
CITYBEE ( shared mobility, cars for short term rental in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania )
Internet
Well I pay around €20 per month for unlimited internet and I have four such connections. If you take a phone from them, it will add around € 30-50 per month depending on type of device. Internet speed in Latvia is truly impressive at around 200 MBPS by mobile internet or 400 MBPBS by optical cable. However, basic mobile internet plan starts from € 12-15 per month.
Popular service providers are and you can check out their latest plans and device prices on their respective website below.
Actually all service providers offer high quality product. Offers to buy a phone/TV/other electronics keep changing based on your contract, usually 1 year or 2 years or open ended. They have shops in almost every mall and many road side shops too. Just walk in and buy your plan. Staff usually speaks fluent English.
Good to know : Internet works throughout EU at same tariff, so that's a big advantage for roaming client.
Sadly, none of the companies provide international calling plans ( talk time ) for calling outside of European Union. Within EU, it is almost like local calls. So calling outside of EU is very expensive. Specially if you must call someone in the middle east, where Whatsapp voice calls are prohibited. Thankfully, I can send those clients a quick zoom or google meet link over email or Whatsapp and either have a video or a voice call.
Healthcare and Medication
Every tax payer is eligible for state sponsored health care. Even if you are an expatriate. I am an example of how Latvian health care system saved my life after serious cardiac complications, multiple blockages after covid vaccine in 2021. Riga Stradini Hospital has provided me with excellent care and three stenting procedures and some expensive medication sponsored by the Government, since we are tax payers. It did take some effort to push my family doctor, but I cannot complain.
My surgeons and support doctors were fluent in English. Although, hospital stay cannot be rated as five star hotel, but I must admit, it was very good experience. Some nurses speak good English some not, but I managed with my Latvian language basic skills.
This hospital is part of the Riga Stradins Medical University, the RSU which is home to hundreds if not thousands of international students from all across the globe, India, Sri Lanka, African nations to name a few. They offer top class education at highly reasonable cost of around €8,000 per year, which is way lower than perhaps even in India.
Private clinics
These can be expensive if you are not covered by private health insurance. Average visiting fee to your GP ( Family Doctor ) can be € 20 ( € 2 only if you are covered by state health insurance ) and starts from € 50-60 and above for a Specialist Doctor. It is best to buy private insurance too. I pay around € 800 per year for my insurance and it allows me to visit specialist doctors within the associated network of the insurance company. Choose any one from these popular ones.
Medication
I find medicine to be very expensive in Latvia. Sometimes shockingly expensive, especially if you live in India. A common cough an cold medication can cost €10-15 and a cough syrup at € 8-10 ) So you can imagine.
I highly recommend to bring along enough stock of commonly used medication or your prescription medication supply with your if you are moving to Latvia from India or if mediation is quite inexpensive in your country.
I always ask some of my clients to bring some of my prescription medicine from India, it nearly cots 1/10th of the prices I pay here.
Private schooling
Expensive. Period. It can set you back some € 20,000 or more ) per year per child. If you are coing from UK or USA etc. you will find it cheap. But if from India, then obviously unaffordable.
You can send your children to Government schools for free. I recommend it.
Quality of Life
Beyond the numbers, living in Riga offers a high quality of life that money can't always buy. Picture yourself attending a vibrant music festival in the summer or ice-skating in a magical winter wonderland. In Riga, you'll find a rich tapestry of experiences that will make every day feel like an adventure. Air qualify is excellent and oxygen rich, pollution-free. A hard to find basic need of humans in many countries today.
There are just too many good restaurants and bars to list. I think Trip Advisor Riga is a better website / app to explore. So I will not go into listing / reviewing restaurants here in this article.
In Conclusion
Living in Riga in 2024 is like having the best of both worlds - affordable living costs without compromising on quality. So, whether you're a student looking for a charming study abroad destination or a professional seeking new career opportunities, Riga beckons with open arms and endless possibilities. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the magic of Riga - where living lavishly is within reach for everyone!
So, what do you think? Would you consider making Riga your next home? Let us know in the comments below .
Do explore our home page www.proserve.lv to see all your options move to Latvia by some form of investment, golden visa, self employment, employment or buy a business or a student, or even as a retiree, if you are from one of the eligible countries with eligible minimum income level.
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