Croatia is a vibrant country, especially during the holiday season. Picturesque landscapes, endless sea, sunny weather, majestic mountains and thousands of larger and smaller islands attract millions of tourists every season. Moreover, more and more people are considering living in this region permanently. Is it good idea? Get to know the pros and cons of living in Croatia!
Holidays in Croatia and permanent residence there – what is worth remembering?
Holidays in Croatia and settling there permanently are two completely different things. Most of us associate trips in the summer season with only advantages. Sightseeing, sunbathing, seaside activities, rest from work and everyday duties. You can basically be sure that the weather will be beautiful during this period, we will always find monuments that we have not seen yet, or water sports that encourage us to try them out. Planning and organizing a holiday in the most popular cities or on Croatian islands can make it one of the best remembered, of course, when everything goes according to plan. Only random situations that we have no control over can spoil our moods, regardless of where we are.
However, settling permanently in Croatia is a completely different story. When planning a move to a given region, we cannot look only through the prism of the holiday spent there, because everyday life in a given country may turn out to be far from carefree holiday moments. Everything may be due to very obvious reasons – after all, it is not without reason that the proverb “wherever we are not, is so popular” is so popular. Maybe the weather will start to be troublesome after just a month, maybe the city noise and the crowds of tourists will take its toll, or maybe you will miss your homeland? Such important decisions should always be carefully considered, alone or with family members, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of living in Croatia, which we mention in the articles below.
Advantages of living in Croatia – is it an ideal place to live permanently?
Is it possible to talk about any place on earth in only superlatives? Most Dalmatia lovers will certainly choose this region. This is hardly surprising, because Croatia is magical, mesmerizing, and its beauty can be addictive. Just read the list of advantages below, which are hard to disagree with.
Landscapes that take your breath away
Definitely anyone who has visited Croatia at least once, regardless of how much they like it, will certainly say that what remains in their memory forever are the breathtaking landscapes. There is no doubt about it. Massive mountains, the azure coast, fascinating sunrises and sunsets overlooking the endless horizon and attractive vegetation are landscapes that cannot be forgotten. Life in Croatia involves everyday life surrounded by such wonderful sceneries, which has a great impact on your well-being and can improve your mood, even on a gloomy day.
Living in close contact with nature
Each of us may sooner or later get fed up with the city noise and constant chaos. Exhaust fumes, dense concrete buildings and gray-brown views do not inspire optimism. Going to Croatia and moving permanently will allow you to live in close contact with nature. Greenery that delights – palm trees, olive trees, blooming oleanders, which are a symbol of the Mediterranean landscape and diversify the city landscape when planted along alleys and promenades. Living in Croatia, you will certainly encounter aloe, ficuses, fig trees and charming succulents on every route to the store, to work or for a walk. Additionally, the proximity to the sea, from virtually every place on the coast, not to mention the island, allows you to enjoy outdoor bathing, which is great relaxation after a hard day. In large Polish cities, we usually only have an indoor swimming pool, without being surrounded by beautiful nature.
Architecture that will never get boring
Croatian architecture has objects that will never get boring, even if we spend our whole life there. You can stare at its beauty for hours, whether during a break at work, drinking afternoon coffee in the city with friends or traveling around during rush hour. Monuments in Dalmatia are considered by many sightseeing enthusiasts to be the most beautiful in Europe.
Croatia cuisine that is hard to resist
Many people admire Croatian cuisine, which combines classic Mediterranean and Italian dishes with interesting additions. They are often the secret of chefs working in restaurants or catering companies who do not want to reveal their culinary secrets. Delicious Croatian dishes and snacks will certainly make your stay in this beautiful land more enjoyable.
Reasonable prices of living
The big advantage is that prices in Croatia are very reasonable, especially when we compare them with other European countries. This applies to food, ordering meals in restaurants, basic services, fuel costs, as well as renting or purchasing real estate.
Siesta and self-control of residents – living at a “slow life” pace
Croatians are a nation that often has a stress-free approach to many matters, including important ones, e.g. official ones. Calm and self-possession are the hallmarks of Croatian people, who are often smiling and do not look for problems. This is a big difference compared to Polish society, which can be frustrated and dissatisfied, which translates into interpersonal contacts. Life is simply better in a country where there are fewer grudges, misunderstandings and no excuses for quarrels. It is worth getting to know this kind of life at a “slow life” pace and observing the obligatory siesta, which for many people can be a great break from the everyday chaos of working in corporations or living in large Polish cities.
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Disadvantages of living in Croatia – does this country have any weaknesses?
Although you could spend hours listing the advantages of living in Croatia, every stick has two ends. It is difficult to name any region in the world that would be free from disadvantages when it comes to living there permanently. The same applies to the Dalmatian coast. Below we present the weaknesses of this country, which some people may turn a blind eye to, and for others they may be a reason to change their plans. Everything is an individual matter.
Climate change will not always be good
Climate change will not always be good, both mentally and physically. Different weather or customs require adaptation to a new reality. This applies not only to Croatia, but really to any move. However, this country is completely different from ours in terms of weather conditions and people’s behavior, so not everyone will benefit from moving to such a place.
The crowd of tourists may prove troublesome
Croatia must be treated very differently due to the seasonality of this region. In the winter it is quiet, but in the summer months this oasis turns into a real tourist paradise where noise and chaos is a natural phenomenon. Going out during this period may be troublesome due to the multitude of tourists from all over the world. This applies to both Croatian cities and islands. As long as we are tourists, we turn a blind eye to this, because we ourselves spend our holidays in this climate. However, as residents, we may feel tired, especially due to the fact that Croatia has become a very attractive and fashionable destination recently.
High temperatures are not always conducive to well-being
The climate in Croatia is different than in Poland. Temperatures are often much higher and the heat lasts much longer. Not everyone feels good when the heat is pouring from the sky, which is why even such prosaic and seemingly insignificant issues are of great importance when moving permanently.
Limited entertainment on the islands
Much also depends on the place where we plan to move. If we are aiming at islands, especially smaller ones that are less urbanized, we must take into account certain limitations. This includes entertainment such as parties, cinema or theater. Most often, if you want to use your free time in this way, it is necessary to get to a larger city on the coast. It should be taken into account that in very unfavorable weather conditions, when there are strong winds and storms, it may turn out that transport will not be possible because all ferry or ship trips will be canceled on a given day.
Problems with finding a job and the language barrier – significant difficulties
Moving is not only a change of place of life, but also of work. Looking for a new vacancy can be quite difficult at first, especially if you don’t know the Croatian language. Learning it can take a lot of time, especially if we want to use it at the highest level, which will enable us to work freely and communicate in Croatian. This is a big challenge that not everyone may be ready for mentally and physically.
Different mentality and customs of the inhabitants
The “slow life” lifestyle mentioned among the advantages may also be a disadvantage for many people. Sometimes a light and stress-free approach to important matters, including official ones, can throw us, Poles, off balance. Residents are never in a hurry, just like officials, so being patient is often the only thing that can save us.
Pros and cons of living in Croatia – summary
As you can see, most of the disadvantages of living in Croatia will also apply to moving to other countries. The mentality of the inhabitants and their customs will always be completely different than what we are used to living in Poland. It’s similar with the language barrier, work or tourist crowds when we plan to live in a beautiful and picturesque land that has always attracted people from all over the world. Most people assume that “it is better to regret having done something than to regret not having tried it.” The chance that we will like living permanently in Croatia is high, so maybe it’s worth the risk? After all, this is not a road without return.
An excellent solution is also to rent an apartment or house in this region for a longer period than, for example, a 2-week holiday. A few months of living in different seasons should dispel any doubts and make the final decision about moving permanently to Croatia easier.
FAQ:
1. Is it worth moving to Croatia permanently?
There is no clear answer to this question. It all depends on many factors that should be approached individually. The best solution to find out whether moving is a good idea is to rent a house or apartment in Croatia for a few months. This will certainly verify our plans and make it easier to make the final decision.
2. What are the advantages of living in Croatia?
The advantages of living in Croatia are the opportunity to admire beautiful views and landscapes every day, closeness to nature, a quieter lifestyle, delicious Mediterranean cuisine that diversifies every day, and reasonable prices. The costs of living are compared to those in other European countries.
3. Living permanently in Croatia – are there any disadvantages?
Everyone has a different approach to many issues, but the most frequently mentioned disadvantages of living permanently in Croatia include the hustle and bustle of tourists during the holiday period and oppressive heat, sometimes limited entertainment on the islands, and for some people also the language barrier, which may make it difficult, for example, to find a job.