Regional resilience: Provincial markets counter-balance capital’s real estate slump
While the real estate market in Moldova’s capital is experiencing a sharp correction following a 61% drop in sales throughout 2025, regional hubs are defying the trend. Cities like Bălți and Cimișlia report rising demand and a tightening supply of both residential and commercial spaces.
In Bălți, the country’s second-largest city, the market is being revitalized by companies relocating from Chișinău. According to Oleg Lupușor, director of a local real estate agency, businesses are seeking more affordable operational costs and untapped regional potential.
This corporate shift is mirrored in the residential sector, where local agencies report selling approximately 10 new-build apartments per month. Notably, 80% of these transactions are financed through bank loans, signaling a robust integration with the financial sector.
Infrastructure drives Cimișlia’s growth
Further south, in Cimișlia, the market has shifted from apartments to houses as families prioritize privacy and space. Stanislav Cramceaninov, a local real estate representative, notes that the town’s strategic geography is a primary driver for young families seeking modern living conditions.
Proximity to key transport corridors and quality infrastructure is now the main deciding factor for buyers. For instance, a home in Cimișlia may cost €60,000 (approx. 1,176,000 MDL), while similar properties in nearby Ecaterinovca, fully equipped with utilities, range between €30,000 and €40,000.
A tale of two markets
The regional boom stands in stark contrast to the capital’s performance. Official data from the Public Services Agency reveals that only 6,334 apartments were traded in Chișinău and its suburbs last year.
This represents a massive decline from the 16,000 transactions recorded in 2024. As Chișinău cools, the focus of Moldova’s real estate landscape is increasingly shifting toward its developing secondary cities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
