Old Town or New Town?

With a historical atmosphere, all the major attractions right on your doorstep, and a vibrant nightlife — Prague’s center definitely has its advantages, but it tends to mainly attract younger expats, rather than families.

Rent in the center is higher than elsewhere in Prague. If you own a car, prepare yourself for tedious searches for a good parking spot. On weekends, your well-deserved sleep may be interrupted by rowdy tourists who have enjoyed a bit too much of the excellent Czech beer.

The historical center — Prague 1 — is made up of five different quarters. Hradčany and Malá Strana are located around Prague Castle. Staré Město (Old Town), Nové Město (New Town), and the old Jewish quarter Josefov are located on the opposite bank of the Vltava River.

The Top Three

Prague’s newer districts are grouped around the city center and are usually referred to by their old administrative law numbers.

Apart from the city center, one of the most popular districts with expats is Prague 2, especially the Vinohrady quarter. It is directly adjacent to the center, yet greener and a lot quieter. There are lots of spacious apartments in old-fashioned buildings with high, vaulted ceilings. The area also has a huge selection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment opportunities.

Prague 5 has also become increasingly popular among expats. It is huddled around the metro station Anděl, south of Petřín Hill. Many expats choose to live here because it is both very close to the center and a green and relatively quiet neighborhood. Prague 5 is also home to some international schools, including the German and French schools, so is ideal for expats with families.

Prague 3, neighboring district to the popular Vinohrady, this district includes some trendy areas popular with students and younger expats.

Expat Families in Search of a Home

Prague 4, 5, and 6 are the most popular districts for expats with families. All of them are quiet, residential areas with ample green spaces and a good selection of family housing and international schools in the vicinity.

Prague 4 is located south of the city center on the left bank of the Vltava River, just below Vyšehrad castle. It has plenty of modern apartment buildings and single-family homes. The Prague British School is located in southern part of the district. Conversely, Prague 4 also has some not-so-nice areas where you can find lots of large, Soviet-style residential blocks.

Prague 6, just northwest of Prague Castle, is popular for the large number of parks and nature reserves. Expats also value it for its large selection of high-standard single-family homes. A number of international schools, such as the International School of Prague and Park Lane International School, are located here as well. Many foreign embassies are located in Prague 6, and it is also the district closest to Prague Airport. 

The Charms of the Prague Countryside

Unlike most capital cities, Prague’s countryside starts only ten kilometers from the center. Families with younger children often prefer to live in one of the small towns and villages surrounding the city; they can enjoy the beautiful countryside and a wide range of outdoor activities, but Prague remains easily accessible by public transportation. Many expats who have moved to the countryside also love the sense of community.

One of the most popular locations is the little town of Roztoky u Prahy. It has around 6,000 inhabitants and is located merely ten kilometers north of Prague. Others move to towns and villages in the Berounka valley, just southwest of the capital.

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