In 2012 I had almost moved to Tivat in Montenegro after spending a few months there during my travels. The beauty of living around the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic Sea coast was at the time a pretty compelling reason.
Even today I still have a photo on my screen saver of a small village called Rose overlooking the water. One amazing location, sitting at a local restaurant after an 18 km uphill walk on a hot 30 deg day.
New home, new life?
Finding a nice location is one reason for being pulled towards a potentially new home and a new life, but in Montenegro’s case it was offering much, much more.
There was also the friendliness of the people, the low cost of living in an Eastern European country yet so close to Western Europe, as well as at the time, cheap property. The natural beauty packed into such a small country is truly amazing, its spectacular mountains, its stunning coastline, bays and lakes are good enough reason to visit as a tourist let alone move there. Its recent history as an independent nation only began in 2006 but to look into its past it also has so much to discover.
A must see destination.
In Tivat the new marina, Porto Montenegro, was the flagship development, a massive investment by a Canadian billionaire providing safe anchorage and a modern port of call for the world’s super yachts.
Along with its luxury condominiums, restaurants, bars and upmarket shopping the marina was changing the face of not only the local area but Montenegro as a country. It was now appearing on the map as a must-see destination.
With such modern developments a look into the past you discover it was part of the Venetian Empire.
I found a place overlooking the bay, just 40,000 €. A run down one bedroom freestanding cottage on a very overgrown plot on a steep slope but it had spectacular views.
I had already found a large 2-bed rental apartment in Kalimanj district in Tivat, opened my local bank account and had started looking at my options for working in the local real estate market. I was ready for the move and more than ready for a renovation project.
I had my chance to buy that old cottage but for family deciding against a move to Montenegro I moved back to Australia.
Roll on to 2018, was again looking to move to Eastern Europe and was considering Montenegro, Serbia, Georgia and Bulgaria.
I sold a block of land I had in Tasmania and had my hopes of Montenegro, my preferred location as a future home. It was straightforward enough to gain residency in Montenegro by opening a company or buying a property but property prices there had soared!
I had missed my chance.
Decisions to be made.
Georgia was affordable, in the end too far from Europe for easy travels. Bulgaria was the next most preferred, perfect location, very cheap property, and an easy drive to so many countries close by. And so, in early 2019 I had purchased Brana Cottage.
Now in 2023 Montenegro has grown into a popular tourist destination, I read recently that this year alone Kotor will have over 400 cruise ships visit, a massive number for such a small location. Russian tourists have for many years enjoyed Montenegro as a holiday destination, now it has become popular for another reason.
Russian residents escaping the war in Ukraine either as conscientious objectors or avoiding conscription. Ukrainians have also found their way to Montenegro to escape the war.
As a result rental accommodation prices long and short term have soared, property prices have doubled in many areas since February 2022. The costs associated with gaining residency has also increased significantly. It’s not yet as expensive as neighbouring Croatia although this may change over the next few years.
So, once again I’m back in Montenegro on a regular basis, and it’s as beautiful place as ever. Recently I spent a month the capital city, Podgorica and found it to offer a lot more that I ever expected. Less expensive to live than the coast yet it’s just an hour from the Adriatic Sea by bus, train or car.
So, would still I consider Montenegro a good country to move to in 2023?
Absolutely!
