Living in Moldova

The Republic of Moldova lies between Romania and Ukraine and has around 3.5 million people. The landlocked country is characterized by gentle hills, fertile plains, river valleys, and the wooded Codri. The climate is temperate continental: summers can be hot and dry, while winters are usually cool and often somewhat harsher in the north. In Chișinău, many people live in apartments; outside the capital, detached houses with gardens are common. Daily life varies by region: in cities, offices, retail, and services shape working life, while in rural areas agriculture and smaller businesses do. Buses and minibuses connect towns and villages, while families, markets, and shared meals remain important in many places.