Botanica

Local residential area with a botanical garden and cheap food. Not safe at night. Go during the day or stay here only if you're on a tight budget and will taxi to the center for evenings.

Southeastern residential area with Dendrarium Park (botanical garden with international plant species) and Chisinau Zoo. Mix of Soviet apartment blocks and newer buildings. During the day it's regular local life - families at markets, people going to work, kids in parks. Restaurants are cheap with huge portions, way less than city center prices. Problems: higher theft and some violence at night, almost nobody speaks English outside a few restaurants, poor street lighting, and it empties out after dark. Fine for seeing the botanical garden during the day or budget accommodation if you're willing to taxi back from the center at night. Not somewhere to walk around after sunset.