28 Changes in Cluj Since 2011

It's now been three years.

My one-way trip from Toronto had me arrive on April 1st, 2011, the irony, right? I came in via Budapest. They don't even have that connection anymore.

Let's see what else has changed, in no particular order at all...

1. The mayor

2. The other mayor

3. The Janis on Eroilor is no longer there

4. There's a beautiful new stadium

5. Cluj are no longer a force in Romanian football
6. The steps to Cetatuia have been rebuilt

7. All you can eat sushi is a daily thing

8. More Canadians (and other foreigners) are calling Cluj 'home'

9. Quality of services is improving

10. There is a new park (Iulius)
11. You can now find a pretty decent burger around here

12. Saw the opening of the first (and probably still the only) Thai restaurant in Transylvania

13. Central Park got a haircut (a bit on the short side)
14. You can fly to more places in Europe (Basel is the latest direct flight)
15. The casino got a makeover
16. More festivals and events than ever
17. Awarded European Youth Capital (2015)
18. In the running for European Capital of Culture (2021)
19. Saw a small bakery turn into a successful franchise
20. There's a little ski slope on the hill in Feleac
21. Google mapped the entire city on Street View
22. Took a few years but Eugen Ionesco finally got paved
23. Obsession (the club) closed down
24. New office buildings and condos are sprouting like mushrooms
25. New runway at the airport for smooth landings
26. There's a liquor store that keeps the beer in a refrigerated room (like you're supposed to)
27. The local IT cluster aims to create Romania's largest tech campus
28. New trams look pretty cool, even in purple
29. A bunch of other new stuff I just don't know about

I'm sure there are plenty more changes to come, but here are the four that would make all the difference in the world.

- Moving all communications cables and suspended wiring underground

- Restoring the old historical buildings
- Building new parking lots to clear up the sidewalks
- Roads: both new and improved

What do you think about the changes in Cluj so far? What are your expectations for the coming years? Leave a comment below.

Comments

UnknownApril 03, 2014
Flights from Basel? Details please!!!
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SamApril 03, 2014
Obsession the club!
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AnonymousApril 29, 2014
As of December 2013 Cluj also has a record shop. :)
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UnknownMay 19, 2014
Calea Turzii is getting a makeover - a median and buried cables.
Calea Baciului is being redone.

There is a wonderful golf course at Sun Garden.

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ChristopherJune 11, 2014
I'm really glad that I found your blog. In contrast to you, I was born in Montreal, Canada, but grew up in Hungary during the 1990's and I traveled Transylvania a lot as a child. I was last in Cluj over 15 years ago and recall that it was much less dreary than Oradea, where I spent lots of time as a teenager. But still, I really did not do or see much in Cluj...other than eat a Big Mac with my father, check out the St. Matthias statue and stare at Gheorghe Funar's patriotic benches and garbage cans. I'm looking forward to my trip to Cluj later this month and was really pleased to see your restaurant reviews!
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