Living in Zagreb

I moved to Zagreb with my wife in 2010, Agica is a dual national Croat/Brit BIGEST MISTAKE we made, our life is abismal I would not advise anyone to come here, a holiday is super but resident NO WAY.My wife was born here and wants to leave as soon as possible

I actually love Croatia.

I just moved to Zagreb after visiting several times over the past few years.

Life in Zagreb is slow and enjoyable. People love to get together a socialize over coffee or a drink. I've have found that though Croats might not seem particularly friendly at first, for example in simple interactions around the city, once you get to know someone, you become friends for life. I don't like to generalize to much, but I have found that people here are incredibly warm, generous, and kind-hearted. My friends here are like family.

There are of course things I miss about America, for example variety and convenience. Zagreb is not yet a very diverse city, so you won't find international cuisine. However, what Zagreb lacks in some areas, it makes up for in others, like cafe culture and the arts. For a city its size, Zagreb is chock full of museums and other cultural institutions, many of which put on regular concerts, exhibitions, and other events.

Applying for a visa and finding a job here is not particularly easy, but I don't think that it's any more difficult than it would be anywhere else. You just have to have to be persistent, ambitious, and patient. I currently am not working, but I am in the process of getting a visa by volunteering at a museum. If you want a work visa, you must either apply for a family reunification visa (if your spouse is a Croatian national, you are allowed to work) or a Croatian employer can apply on your behalf. I hear it is very difficult to get a job with a Croatian company, however, because the employer must make a compelling case for hiring you instead of a Croatian national.

Starting your own business is also an option, and there are a few other ways to get a visa here. You can read more on the website of the Ministry of Interior Affairs: http://www.mup.hr/1266.aspx

Overall, I love living here. Zagreb is a beautiful city with lovely architecture, greenspace, and open-air markets. There is always something going on in the city, a new site to see, or a new museum or exhibition to visit. In general, people are kind and generous, and they really value cultivating friendships.

Finally, Croatia is a small country, so the beautiful Croatian coast is just a couple of hours away. Zagreb is also well-connected with other cities in Europe, making weekend getaways easy and affordable.


If you have more specific questions, feel free to ask!

Which cookoo Land did you come from? Ah America, well that explains it all, 1; I am retired, not looking for a job,
2; been living here for 2yr,
3;Have been married to a Croat for 20yr,
4;Have been lied to, swindled and humiliated since I came here,
5; Even my wife states 'This is no longer Croatia'
6;Antmore advice?

Hello Mr. Clarke,

Actually, I wrote my post for anyone who happens to stop by the forum; I did not address it to you directly. I was trying to answer some of the questions asked in the prompt, again, for anyone who might be interested in relocating to Croatia. (Hence the information about jobs, visas, etc.)

Since you haven't offered any specifics, I can't offer any insights. But, it's a shame your experience here has been so negative.

Elaine

Elaine,
I am sorry I misunderstood your post and if my comments ref your nationality upset you, again sorry, But I think the longer you reside here you may get a little disallusioned over the red tape and when you start getting told as a non national you cannot own anything of importance, even with a Croat wife and having paid for our house it could not be in my name, same with our car, it is all very frustrating for a westener.
Regards
ALAN

To anyone who resides in Croatia or is thinking of relocating here consider this, Today I was with the people who have purchaced my property and I listened to the lies given to them by an "internation company", What a pity the couple are of the younger generation of Croatians, one a company CEO the other a company director,the information given to them has been proven from previous bills as a total fabrication of lies, Boris was not a happy bunny and has taken five hours to sort everything out. I now feel fully exonorated as a critic of the antiquated socialist procedures in Croatia, What this country neers is an extensive Audit of all governmental and corporate employees by an external western agency, anyone not coming up to scratch is dismissed and a wide reaching education plan put in to place. This of course will take years but it is the only way to get rid of the attitudes here, how the EU investigators ever missed this situation I will never know, and consider this fact government officials are being investigated in regard to 'Embezelment of EU funds'(ref croat national press) what more need one say?

Dear Alan,
I thought to buy a property in Croatia for my retirement, but I am shocked by your experience. As you come to Croatia already retired, I honestly can't think what might have gone wrong in your case. Please, explain in more details what happened to you. I understand that you even have difficulties to collect your pension? Is this possible?

Oh dear... Alan. As a long term ex pat myself(7 years in rural portugal) You seem to typify the old fashioned arrogant englishman that causes us the most difficulties abroad.
Did you not research your proposed future home? Did you not look into the cultural differences... The way of life that is so very different from the uk in every way. Sadly it doesnt seem to be so.
I dont think the red tape and lengthy bureaucracy is a feature limited to Croatia, you try living in any continental country and you will find the same thing. I make an appointment with the bank, and take a book to read ... while I wait. Things are just done a little differently abroad.
Sadly you do not seem to have appreciated the advantages of foreign living, time to spend enjoying the sunshine, tasting and enjoying the different lovely foods on offer, the cafe culture so good in the area, meeting and getting to know a different culture to your own. (moderated: maybe offensive)

Hello,

Just to remind that this topic on "Living in Zagreb"  so please do not hesitate to share your experiences.

Thank you,
Christine

(moderated: )

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So true... We came here full of excitement, energy, positive thinking and hope for a splendid future... We are not pensioners yet and we have dedicated two years of our life for development project of the coastal area of Kastela bay. Not only two years in time but also lots of our own money. We still fight to move this project. The project which the entire Kastela bay would benefit from. What you wrote is 100% true, lies, lack of competence, waiting for the bribery on every step you take so cold "blue envelope", bureaucracy and I can write more and more and more...

PattyPan, as you can see I am from Poland and was living in few other countries for some time. Having experience from here and there I thought that there is no country with more bureaucracy than Poland. Now after some time in Croatia I see how wrong I was!!!!