Croatia is a great place to be <3

[Jana]

When younger I always taught how grass is always greener on other side of the fence. Now I can say with some life experience and after living in US, Germany and Hungary how I came to conclusion Croatia is wonderful place for living and you can really enjoy your life there. During covid 19 lockdown I had most beautiful time of my life in my home country. Better late than never

Some pros of living in Croatia:

- small countries are great. There is greater sense of community and you feel it closer to your heart than some large nation. It's like living in your own tribal country, or extended family
- it's extremely safe. There is almost no violent crime in Croatia and it is one of safest countries in the world.
- climate plays huge factor in quality of life. Croatia has fantastic climate offering you to spend most of year outside of house and makes you feel mentally happier when weather is nice year round
- huge variety of landscapes and climates, different architecture and culture on very small territory (you want central Euro surroundings? No problem, go to Panonnian Croatia. Want southern Europe? Just head to the coast, from our capital Zagreb you'll be on Adriatic in less than 2 hour time! Want Balkan feel? No problem, head to dinaric alps zone or cross the border to nearby Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is like an island hugged by Croatia from almost all sides.
- it's almost 100% European and homogenously Croatian, which adds to safety and social peace
- road infrastructure is fantastic, on western European level
- should I mention cultural and architectural heritage in such a naturally beautiful landscapes? You have it all.
- it's quite relaxed and laid back, Croats love to socialize and if you put great emphasis on social life, family and leisure time like sports etc it's a place to be
- I find it good balance of west and east, it's more westernized and tolerant than most of east euro nations but still far more traditional and conservative than liberal west
- extremely close promixity to great places in Europe like Venice, Vienna, Munich, Budapest, Belgrade...got bored of Croatia? No problem, central Europe and Italy are few hours away
- food. Croats, even poor ones, eat great. If you care a lot to east natural, high quality food, than Croatia is a place for you.
- treatment of strangers. Since Croatia is almost fully Croatian, strangers will be treated with curiosity and put on high pedestal (let's exclude heat of tourist season). From my own experiences, foreigners, especially exotic foreigners will be treated more nicely than locals by other locals.
- decent standard of living. It's far from western Europe, but most of Croats live decently and have their basic needs covered. Free health care and education are another plus
- great technical and medical universities. If you want to study electrotechnics, computer engineering, architecture or medicine head to Croatia. You can study in English for affordable price compared to most of Europe.

What are some downsides? Well, ofcourse there are. Consumer goods are too costly compared to modest Croatian salaries. Job market is quite weak and stagnant, and well, if you are career person there are much better options in Europe than Croatia is. Corruption is a huge problem, as well as horrible and inefficient legal and administrative system. Economy is quite stagnant and overly dependent on tourism. It's receiveing much less investments in serious branches like industry compared to almost all other eastern EU members. There are lot of issues regarding economic preformance of the country and unfulfilled potential. Railway network is criminally bad and needs huge investments.

But, since Croatia joined EU things are slowly (way to slow, but still going) coming to their place. With each new generation things will get better and better and I see bright future for Croatia in next decades.
It's a young country which experienced many growing problems but I actually think it already is and will be even more so one of Europe's countries with best quality of life.

I love my country and it took me time to learn how to finally appreciate what we have here. Wanted to share this with anyone who reads

Pozdrav!

[Mortimer]

Great post

[Hithaeglir]

Sounds cute, which place do you recommend to visit to experience the local culture?

[lilalila1988]

Last year I spent a month in Zagreb and Split for work and people were very friendly and hospitable. I especially enjoyed Split.

[Yamnaya]

My mother went to split and the beaches sorrounding the area and she said she love it. Good food, amazing beaches and great people. She also told that all the croatians she saw that were over 40 had a massive beer belly

[Arsen_]

Some pros of living in Croatia..

Well it sounds good, but in order to form a final opinion, I would also like to receive answers to the following questions because I consider the necessary conditions to recognize a country to be good enough to live in, also the following:

1. In cafes and restaurants, food should be tasty and of high quality, prices should be very low and portions of dishes should be very huge. (I passionately hate countries with small portions of food in cafes and restaurants and high prices.

2. There should be an abundance of a variety of alcohol of any kind and by very affordable prices. (I passionately hate countries where alcohol is too expensive.

3. Casinos of good quality should be open and operational. (I hate countries without high quality and safe casinos.

4. There should be provision of appropriate sexual services, and that services should be not only available and affordable by prices but also safe in every way, aspect and sense.

[Jana]

Sounds cute, which place do you recommend to visit to experience the local culture?

Slavonia. It is region with most hospitable people in Croatia, who preserved their traditions (food, folk dances and clothing, music) to a great degree. It's cool to stay with local family in traditional village/farm and see their daily life. Also visit very beautiful cities there during festival days of local culture, food and music, it is a great celebration.

Slavonia still has very few visitors (but growing each year) so as a guest you will be treated with special care and attention

There is also beautiful nature to explore (swamps filled with all kinds of animals and plants, centuries old oak forests, mighty Danube...)

You are a Greek and Dalmatia would be something familiar to you. So I would recomment to see different face of Croatia.

[gixajo]

Slavonia. It is region with most hospitable people in Croatia, who preserved their traditions (food, folk dances and clothing, music)to a great degree. It's cool to stay with local family in traditional village/farm and see their daily life. Also visit very beautiful cities there during festival days of local culture, food and music, it is a great celebration.

Slavonia still has very few visitors (but growing each year) so as a guest you will be treated with special care and attention

There is also beautiful nature to explore (swamps filled with all kinds of animals and plants, centuries old oak forests, mighty Danube...)

You are a Greek and Dalmatia would be something familiar to you. So I would recomment to see different face of Croatia.

If you want everything to always be just as nice and pleasant, don't attract too much tourism.

Stay selective in that regard.

It is the best advice I can give.

[Jana]

Well it sounds good, but in order to form a final opinion, I would also like to receive answers to the following questions because I consider the necessary conditions to recognize a country to be good enough to live in, also the following:

1. In cafes and restaurants, food should be tasty and of high quality, prices should be very low and portions of dishes should be very huge. (I passionately hate countries with small portions of food in cafes and restaurants and high prices.

2. There should be an abundance of a variety of alcohol of any kind and by very affordable prices. (I passionately hate countries where alcohol is too expensive.

3. Casinos of good quality should be open and operational. (I hate countries without high quality and safe casinos.

4. There should be provision of appropriate sexual services, and that services should be not only available and affordable by prices but also safe in every way, aspect and sense.

1. Food is tasty and highest quality in Croatia, but restaurants are overly expensive for local standard. Most people eat at home. But local food places where local working class eats is cheap and food is fantastic.
Unlike in many other countries, average person can't afford to eat in restaurants on daily basis.

2. There is, finest wines, brandy, decent beer too. Croatia has great homegrown alcohol of all sorts. Prices are decent.

3. There aren't many, few casinos that exist here are shitty and shady people go there.

4. Prostitution is illegal in Croatia(which doesn't mean it doesn't exist,both high end and other sort). It should be lagalized in my opinion though.

[Rocinante]

Dubrovnik! That´s the place to go!