Suceava

Suceava is the gateway to Bucovina’s UNESCO-painted monasteries and a calm, affordable university city in Romania’s northeast. The anchor institution—Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (USV)—has a strong technology-and-innovation profile, ARACIS’s highest institutional rating (“High degree of trust”), and an increasingly international outlook with English-taught options and Erasmus+ mobility. For non-EU students, Suceava balances lower living costs with recognized degrees and a supportive campus. The compact center, electric-bus network, and nearby “Ștefan cel Mare” International Airport (SCV) simplify daily life and travel. Census baselines (RPL 2021) and county statistics confirm Suceava’s mid-size urban scale, with the municipality serving as Suceava County’s administrative seat. Suceava is the county seat of Suceava County (Moldavia region), sitting on the terraces of the Suceava River, close to the Eastern Carpathians. The city lies at approx. 47.65°N, 26.25°E and is connected by CFR Călători rail to Iași, Bacău, Cluj-Napoca, and Bucharest; SCV Airport (Salcea) lies...
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Population

84,308

Area

#52.1 km²

County

northern Romania

Region

Suceava

Everything You Need to Know

Overview

Suceava is the gateway to Bucovina’s UNESCO-painted monasteries and a calm, affordable university city in Romania’s northeast. The anchor institution—Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (USV)—has a strong technology-and-innovation profile, ARACIS’s highest institutional rating (“High degree of trust”), and an increasingly international outlook with English-taught options and Erasmus+ mobility.

For non-EU students, Suceava balances lower living costs with recognized degrees and a supportive campus. The compact center, electric-bus network, and nearby “Ștefan cel Mare” International Airport (SCV) simplify daily life and travel. Census baselines (RPL 2021) and county statistics confirm Suceava’s mid-size urban scale, with the municipality serving as Suceava County’s administrative seat.

Suceava is the county seat of Suceava County (Moldavia region), sitting on the terraces of the Suceava River, close to the Eastern Carpathians. The city lies at approx. 47.65°N, 26.25°E and is connected by CFR Călători rail to Iași, Bacău, Cluj-Napoca, and Bucharest; SCV Airport (Salcea) lies just SE of town.

Climate is temperate-continental with four seasons—Moldavia registers cooler multiyear normals than southern Romania per ANM’s climatological characterisations. Official city information and contact are provided via the municipal portal.

Basic Specifications

Specification
Details
Population
84,308
Area
52.1 km²
County
northern Romania
Region
Suceava
Timezone
EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3, DST)
Climate
Temperate-continental (cooler Moldavia normals)
Average Temperature
Seasonal range typical for NE Romania
Monuments
Rasca Monastery, Saint George’s Church, Ciocanesti, Cetatea de Scaun a Sucevei

Districts and neighborhood

Centru – Universitate

  • Characteristics: Walkable core around USV faculties, libraries, services.
  • Best for: First-years/Erasmus seeking 5–15-minute commutes.
  • Avg. rent (2025 market range): €250–€420 (studio/1-bed).

Obcini – George Enescu Boulevard

  • Characteristics: Residential blocks, supermarkets, direct bus corridors.
  • Best for: Value + connectivity.
  • Avg. rent: €220–€350.

Areni – Universității axis

  • Characteristics: Student cafés, sports facilities, short walks to campus.
  • Best for: Active campus life.
  • Avg. rent: €240–€380.

Burdujeni (Gara)

  • Characteristics: Rail access, mixed housing; longer ride to campus.
  • Best for: Budget sharers needing station access.
  • Avg. rent: €180–€300 (room in share).

Academic landscape

USV is one of Romania’s dynamic public universities, emphasising engineering, computing, economics, letters, and sports. USV holds the ARACIS “High degree of trust” and actively expands international programmes and research output (patents, EU projects).

Major universities

Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (USV)

  • Type: Public
  • Languages: RO / EN
  • International Students %: Growing
  • Notable Programs: CS/Automation, EEE, Economics, Letters, Sport & Health

Total academic community

USV publishes admissions, fees, and international pages annually; verify programme language and quotas on the official site.

Cost of Living

Subject
Cost
Accommodation
€180–€450 – Dorm vs. shared vs. studio; see §10.
Food & Groceries
€150–€230 – Cook at home; markets help.
Transportation
€6–€22 – Based on TPL fares & student products
Utilities
€55–€95 – Heating/internet vary by season
Entertainment
€40–€90 – Cafés, cinema, events.
Healthcare
€10–€25 – Insurance co-pays, meds.
Total Monthly
€441–€912 – Conservative student estimate.
Transportation
Status
Metro (Metrorex)
No
Bus/Tram/Trolley (STB)
Yes
Taxi/Ride_hailing
Yes
  • Airport: “Ștefan cel Mare” International Airport Suceava (SCV) – official schedules/contacts published by airport.
  • Train Station: CFR Călători – Suceava live departures/arrivals and route planning online.
  • Highways/Routes: E85 corridor to Botoșani/Bacău; regional roads to Gura Humorului & Vatra Dornei (municipal/county planning).

Safety and Security

Safe Areas for Students

  • Campus environs (Areni/Universității), Centru, and main promenades (well-lit/patrolled).

Emergency Contacts

  • 112; IPJ Suceava publishes annual safety indicators.

Accomedation options

Options
Cost
University Dorms
€70–€130 – Shared rooms near campus (check yearly tariffs).
Private Student Dorms
€150–€250 – Limited stock, newer amenities.
Shared Apartments
€180–€280 (per room) – 2–3 rooms along bus corridors.
Studios
€250–€420 – Independent living, Centru/Areni.
Host Families
€350–€500 – Board options; limited.

Accommodation Application

Dorm allocations are published each summer by USV faculties; confirm deadlines on usv.ro (admissions/student pages).

Must Visit landmarks

  • Suceava Fortress (Cetatea de Scaun) – late 14th-century stronghold; student discounts at museum network.
  • Bucovina Village Museum & Museum of History – within Muzeul Național al Bucovinei network.
  • Painted Monasteries (day trips) – documented via county museum & tourism boards (start at museum portals).

Entertainment options

Multiplex cinema, seasonal fairs, festivals; municipal cultural agenda via Primărie/Museum portals.

Student life

Campus & Student Facilities, Nightlife & Social Life ,Culture & Events, Free Time & Outdoor Life, Cost of Living

Climate overview

Spring (Mar–May):

  • Temperature: Cool-mild
  • Precipitation: Moderate
  • Student Activities: Campus orientations; fortress walks

Summer (Jun–Aug):

  • Temperature: Warm (often 20–28)
  • Precipitation: Storm episodes
  • Student Activities: Festivals, internships

Autumn (Sep–Nov):

  • Temperature: Cool (6–18)
  • Precipitation: Moderate
  • Student Activities: Semester start, foliage in Bucovina

Winter (Dec–Feb):

  • Temperature: Cold (−6–3)
  • Precipitation: Snow events
  • Student Activities: Exams; ski trips (Câmpulung–Vatra Dornei)

 

 

Best time to visit

  • Apartment hunting: Aug–Sep; Jan.
  • Applications: As per USV admissions windows (published annually).
  • Budget travel: Shoulder months (Mar, Nov).

Digital Facilities

Fixed Internet

  • Quality: Urban FTTH widely available
  • Student Options: Bundles via digi.ro, orange.ro, vodafone.ro

Mobile Coverage

  • Quality: National 4G/5G network
  • Student Options: Prepaid SIM cards with low monthly costs

Wi-Fi Availability

  • Quality: High availability in campuses, libraries, and cafés
  • Student Options: Eduroam/USV networks

Co-working Spaces

  • Quality: A few
  • Student Options: Day passes; near Centru

Food & Dining

Bucovinian cuisine is hearty—sarmale, ciorbe, grilled meats, trout, and famed pastries. Daily “meniul zilei” deals keep costs low.

University Cafeterias

  • Avg. Cost: €4–€6 per meal
  • Best Areas: USV vicinity

Local Restaurants

  • Avg. Cost: €7–€12
  • Best Areas: Centru, Areni

International Food

  • Avg. Cost: €8–€15
  • Best Areas: Centru

Fast Food

  • Avg. Cost: €4–€8
  • Best Areas: City-wide

Street Food

  • Avg. Cost: €3–€6
  • Best Areas: Markets/fairs

Job Market

IT / Tech

  • Dominance: High
  • Entry-Level Salary: €700–1,100
  • Student Opportunities: Junior roles, labs

Retail/Services

  • Dominance: Meduim
  • Entry-Level Salary: €550–€750
  • Student Opportunities: Part-time shifts

Tourism / Events

  • Dominance: Medium
  • Entry-Level Salary: €600–800
  • Student Opportunities: Museums/events

Student Work Rights: Holders of study-purpose residence may work part-time without a separate work permit, per national legislation (OG 25/2014 as amended by Legea 200/2020). Check exact hour limits with IGI at issuance/renewal.

Sports & Recreation

Gyms

  • Number: Several
  • Student Access: Available through campus or private facilities
  • Cost: €20–€40 per month

Swimming Pools

  • Number: A few
  • Student Access: Varies by facility
  • Cost: €5–€8 per entry

Sports Centers

  • Number: University/municipal
  • Student Access: Student rates
  • Cost: €20–€40 per month

Outdoor Facilities

  • Number: Parks, riverfront walking & jogging paths
  • Student Access: Free
  • Cost: —

USV’s sports faculty and municipal venues host student leagues and tournaments.

 

Day-in-the-Life Student Experience

Morning
Morning

Coffee near campus (€3–€4). Walk/bus to USV (5–15 min). Lectures; project labs.

Morning
Afternoon
Afternoon

Lunch menu (€5–€7). Study in library; museum visit (student pricing) at the Fortress/Museum network.

Afternoon
Evening
Evening

Cook at home or dine out (€7–€12). Language meetup; gym.

Evening
Weekend
Weekend

Day trips by CFR (Gura Humorului, Vatra Dornei) or flights via SCV.

Weekend

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