Archives 2022

Just who are these digital nomads? The simple answer is it could be almost anyone, from almost any walk of life, any age and from any country. Trying to pigeonhole digital nomads is like trying to find the end of a rainbow. Probably the one thing that binds them all is a need to be connected, hence the digital prefix. 
Earning a living whilst seeing the world, becoming acquainted with new cultures, cuisines, sights and making new friends sounds like utopia. But there are millions of people already doing this. They are living the dream. 
Of course this wandering way of living doesn’t lend itself to every profession. A firefighter would have to have a pretty long hose to be a digital nomad!! 
Centuries ago living a nomadic lifestyle often meant changing your location to find new food and shelter. But with the birth of technology the nomads of today are searching for a good Wi-Fi connection! Or as the Oxford Dictionary states “someone who performs their occupation entirely over the Internet while traveling.” Another way of saying remote worker, for they are working, being a digital nomad doesn’t mean they’re all just on a non-stop vacation!  
Instead of being stuck behind a desk designing the latest ad campaign for a soft drink company in New York, or completing the financial records for an insurance company in London, they are sipping a cocktail watching the sunset. And guess what they are doing exactly the same job with exactly the same results. The only difference is that when they finish their day they can dive into the Adriatic or go on a wine-tour or roam an ancient city. 
Each month brings a new adventure, a new backdrop for their laptops.  

Have you thrown a Rubik cube  to the floor in sheer frustration?  Well welcome to a country where the bureaucracy is very much like a Rubik’s cube. Firstly, it all looks extremely complicated and impossible to finish, then with every move that you think you’ve successfully made another problem jumps out. And just as you’re about to leap in the air pleased at how clever you’ve been in solving the cube another “amendment” is released and your cube is scrambled again. 
Now the good news is that in recent years the Croatian government was one of the first ever to introduce a special annual Digital Nomad Visa. And while undoubtedly this was a step in the right direction it has its issues. It’s rather like fitting a turbo charger into a battered old car, yes the turbo might make you go faster but at some point the rest of the car is going to fall to pieces. The various, or maybe we should say numerous, authorities that you’ll have to deal with are (and we are being kind here) aren’t really up to speed. 
And as nobody with a state salary really wants to stick their heads above the parapet and take some kind of responsibility you’ll be left holding a turbo charger in your hands.
You’ve probably heard this a thousand times before but don’t, (and that should be with a capital D) try and navigate your way through the labyrinth of Croatian bureaucracy on your own. Seek help! Otherwise you soon find yourself lost in the maze with only a Rubik’s cube and a turbo charger for company.  And we can help, we’ve a rich experience of digging through paperwork, so let us be your guide. We’ll solve the cube for you! 

When is a tourist not a tourist, when they are digital nomads! 
Probably the only real connection between these two groups is that they both love to travel and see new sights, and that’s about it. It’s almost like trying to compare apples with pears, yes, they are both fruits but what else do they have in common, nothing. 
What is a tourist? These are people who travel to a destination with the primary goal to relax, and of course there is nothing wrong with that, but it should come as no surprise that they prefer to roll out a towel on the beach rather than dive into the local culture. They aren’t working, in fact a big reason for their trip is to get away from work. Digital nomads, on the other hand, are remote workers. Not remote holidaymakers.  So how can you spot a digital nomad? Well, there is a good chance that a remote worker starts off their travelling life as a tourist. Seeing new places, new languages, sights and sounds that all make up the rich tapestry of travelling. They then however, go on step further, and decide that yes, they can move away from their offices and take their desks on a journey with them. 
Now whilst tourist have certain, and rather obvious demands, such as accommodation, restaurants, attractions, etc. Nomads have themselves conditions that they are seeking.  These have some similarities with tourists but just one a different level. Toothache, you’ll need a dentist. Having a bad hair day, need a hairdresser. Out of shape, time to hit the gym. As you can see the services a remote worker requires are pretty much the same as a local, in other words they are locals from another country. 
If you plan of staying, and indeed working, away from home for up to a year, then you’re going to need a plan, both a financial plan as well as a life plan. Breaking the 9 to 5 commuter lifestyle isn’t easy. But the rewards are so great that it’s a “no risk, no profit” life decision. Or as many nomads like to say “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Whereas on the flip side tourists are looking for that comfort zone in abundance and preferably with a sea view. 

Just as in every popular tourist destination Croatia has it’s far share of tourist traps. So just how do you steer clear of these pitfalls and find the real local experience in Croatia? Why would you pay over the odds, go on a generic tour or eat at “international” restaurants when you could be jumping feet first into the very best that this diverse country has to offer.
Spotting a tourist trap is sometimes as clear as day, whilst some disguise themselves as real experiences. Firstly, do some research before you actually arrive. Planning is everything. There are a whole host of websites offering relevant info, guest reviews and feedback. This way you’ll weed some of those obvious traps out of your plans. And when you’re actually here you can still find some great info on digital nomad websites and online groups. Certainly bear these in mind although if possible get advice from locals. And don’t worry they don’t bite!  The vast majority of locals will go out of their way to help you. Would you rather trust someone who lives here or a tourist that’s been for a few hours on a cruise ship? Local knowledge is key. 
Of course if you want to eat or sip a cappuccino in the centre of town or with a view over the most popular tourist attraction then you’re going to pay a price for that. There’s a huge difference if you order a coffee  on the Champs-Élysées or in a backstreet with a view of the local Metro station. And the exact same applies for any major Croatian destination.
If you want to sleep in the middle of the historic Old City of Dubrovnik, then be prepared to pay. Why not find accommodation away from the main tourist centres? You are, after all, a nomad and not a tourist. 
And not only listen to the locals but follow them. No, we don’t mean like a creepy stalker, but rather spot where they eat and drink, where they go swimming and where they shop. There is a good chance that if a café bar is half full of locals that the prices are reasonable. If you want the local experience, then try and live exactly how they do. The journey will be well worth it. 

What exactly are the top four cities in Croatia to be a digital nomad? Well, you could well argue that there are many more and that the whole country, as diverse as it is, is a playground for living and working. But, for arguments sake we are going to narrow down the choices a little. 
So our top four begins (of course) with Dubrovnik. Now, being a Dubrovnik based company we are of course a little biased. Our top five could begin and end with the pearl of the Adriatic (only joking). A magnet for tourists in the warmer months and peaceful and relaxing throughout the winter. With its historic Old City, glinting turquoise Adriatic and high-end infrastructure there are lots of tick in the plus boxes. We’re going to pick out three advantages and three disadvantages. Just to be balanced. Safety, connections at the airport in summer months and Adriatic and cultural scene (whoops that’s four, but as we said Dubrovnik is close to our hearts). And price, the crowds and lack of accommodation in the negative boxes. With so many flights to the international airport it isn’t hard to reach, well in the summer anyway. And is the only Croatian airport with direct flights from the USA.
We couldn’t create a top four and not include the capital, Zagreb. With almost a million people this is the one true large metropolis in the country. It has a well-developed digital nomad community and all of the associated services and offers that you’d expect. Of course, size matters when you looking for accommodation and prices are relatively inexpensive. Although, Zagreb has been on the radar for investors recently pushing real estate prices and renting slightly higher. Here comes those pluses and minuses again. Options, prices and community. Those are the pluses. It’s a large city that doesn’t hibernate in the winter, far from it the Winter Festival is one of the best in Europe. Crowds, environment and location, are on the down side. Size, well sometimes bigger isn’t better. And the location, whilst near to Europe it isn’t that close to the beautiful Dalmatian coastline. Second on our list, but this isn’t a list in any order of preference (although we’d still put Dubrovnik on the top..haha).
Split. Back to the coastline and to the largest city on the Dalmatian coastline. With around 160,000 citizens again this isn’t one of those quaint fishermen’s villages. Split is a vibrant city with a vibrant population. A hub for sport’s culture and food. Probably the best connected city in Croatia, with both roads, ferries and the airport. In fact, the airport was the busiest in the whole of the country last year. With its Diocletian Palace and countless nearby islands, you aren’t going to be short of things to do. It’s also very close to some major coastal cities, such as Šibenik and Zadar (which has a digital nomad village). Plus, and minus. Great digital nomad community, co-working spaces and affordable accommodation. Tourist hub, prices (tourist prices in summer) and crowds (especially in the summer). 
The last on our top four list is a little leftfield. Osijek. Now, please don’t shout “where” as it’s the fourth largest Croatian city. Ok, we get it, it’s hardly a city that you’re going to find leading any tourist brochures. But that is a major plus. Situated in the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia (yes, far from the sea) Osijek is on the banks of the Drava river, that’s a tribute of the Danube by the way. This is very much an up-and-coming destination for digital nomads and as such seems to have the support of the whole community. Now if you’re looking for a destination that won’t break the bank then Osijek is for you. A relaxed lifestyle in the heart of Europe. And finally those three pluses and minuses. Price, strong digital nomad community, location. You can find an apartment here for almost half the price of the other choices on our list. And on the negative side, location (yes, a plus and a minus), options and travel. Osijek, as we said, is just getting on the radar so has a lot of the teething problems you’d expect. But well worth considering.
There you go four options, the choice is yours, why not visit them all and get the true Croatian experience, from the coast to the flatlands, to the metropolis.

“I’m full in the summer months anyway. Why would I even bother renting my apartment to digital nomads?” Is a sentence we hear on an all to regular basis. And indeed why should you open up to nomads? Why provide all the services that nomads require?
Because it isn’t only accommodation but a whole range of services. Just think and just count the number of different services you use over monthly basis. From dentists to cafés, from wellness centres to hairdressers, and everything in between. It’s quite a list, and not a list that a tourist who is here for a seven-day break in the sunshine would ever need. Wait! I think we’re answering out own question. And there are a couple of huge elephants in the room that we have to mention. 
Firstly, and these aren’t in any order, remote workers are just as the name suggests – workers. They are here to work, hence they won’t be staying for a long-weekend but are looking for services on at least a monthly basis, and in many cases much longer. These means instead of all of the hassles of turning over your accommodation on almost a daily basis you’re free for a month (at least) to put up your feet and finally enjoy  summer. And when was the last time you did that? 
And secondly, they are going to be regular clients in any service provider you have and are sure (if they receive value for money) to spread the news with other like-minded nomads coming this way. So not only do you have regular business but you’ll also get a chance to go you viral, and we all know how important it is to have a digital footprint. If you haven’t seen the light yet, here’s a huge torch to brighten the view. Digital nomads  travel all year round! So the question, that begins with “I’m full in the summer months anyway” has a word that sticks out like a sore thumb. Summer! You don’t just do your jobs in the summer, and neither do digital nomads. Think outside the box and you’ll soon see the advantages.