In most areas that tourists venture, most people speak more than enough English for you to get by comfortably. I speak no Hungarian and have been spending 2-7 months each year there (and have renovated 6 apartments with a myriad on contractors and bureaucrats) and have never had a problem.
I've helped a number of foreign people to find their destinations, I'm sure other hungarian citizens are as friendly and helpful as I am. I've never experienced hostility towards foreigners.
I'd highly recommend Budapest. There is a facebook group for professional poker players living in/planning to move to/planning to visit Budapest: Budapest Meetup for Distinguished Gentlemen of Extraordinary Aptitude
You'll find a bunch of helpful people there.
Budapest is cheap, beautiful and many people speak english (mainly younger people). Thread from TripAdvisor (2010):
I've helped a number of foreign people to find their destinations, I'm sure other hungarian citizens are as friendly and helpful as I am. I've never experienced hostility towards foreigners.
May 5, 2014 | 1:45 p.m.