Budapest's "Worst" District Reveals Unexpected Civility, Challenges Perceptions of Urban Decay

Budapest, Hungary – A recent video and accompanying commentary by public intellectuals Peter Boghossian and Ralph Schoellhammer have challenged prevailing perceptions of urban decay, specifically focusing on Budapest's 8th district, Józsefváros. The duo embarked on a walk through the area, widely reputed as the city's "worst" and a "hotbed of criminality," only to discover a surprisingly civilized environment that starkly contrasted with their expectations of urban blight found in many Western cities.

The video, titled "Budapest's WORST District Revealed w/ Ralph Schoellhammer," was published by Peter Boghossian on August 28, 2025. Boghossian, known for his work in street epistemology and the grievance studies affair, and Schoellhammer, an Austrian political scientist specializing in international relations and political economy, intended to explore the district's purported dangers. "Don’t go there. They will kill you," Boghossian quoted as warnings he received, yet found the reality to be far removed from such dire predictions.

Józsefváros, or Joseph Town, has historically been associated with poverty and a significant Roma population, with parts of it earning a notorious reputation. However, the district has undergone considerable urban regeneration efforts in recent decades, particularly in its inner areas known as the "Palace Quarter," transforming some parts into vibrant cultural and residential zones. This ongoing revitalization appears to have contributed to the unexpected order observed by Boghossian and Schoellhammer.

During their exploration, the pair highlighted the stark contrast between the perceived dangers of Józsefváros and the visible civility, noting the absence of widespread homelessness, open drug use, or violent crime often associated with neglected urban areas in other parts of the world. They engaged with locals, finding them friendly and cooperative, further reinforcing their observations.

The discussion extended beyond the immediate observations of Józsefváros, delving into broader societal themes such as the nature of high-trust versus low-trust societies, the impact of immigration and demographics on urban environments, and the future trajectory of Europe. Schoellhammer, a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen, provided academic context to their observations, suggesting that the district’s condition reflected a different societal fabric compared to what they described as the "urban decay" prevalent in some American cities.

The video and accompanying commentary serve as a poignant reflection on how reputation and reality can diverge in urban settings, especially in the context of ongoing social and economic transformations. Boghossian and Schoellhammer’s findings suggest that even areas with a troubled past can exhibit remarkable levels of social cohesion and safety, prompting a re-evaluation of common narratives surrounding urban decline.