This 35-year-old left the U.S. for Croatia: ‘I reside on $47 a day — right here’s a take a look at how I spend my time’

Earlier than Covid hit in March final 12 months, I used to be making an honest revenue of about $4,000 per thirty days as a contract video producer. However because the pandemic intensified, these gig earnings shortly dwindled to $700.

Because of all of the uncertainty in regards to the future, I discovered myself sleeping on a futon at my sister’s home in New Jersey. I felt stressed and missed all of the touring I used to do for work.

However a number of months later, my prayers have been answered: Croatia introduced that it might begin providing a one-year residence allow to digital nomads (anybody exterior of the European Union working remotely) in January 2021.

I had visited Croatia earlier than and was completely captivated by the nation, so I made a decision to use.

I did numerous prep work between April and December earlier than getting accredited for the allow.

The applying processing charge was $100, and to qualify, I wanted to have a month-to-month revenue of at the very least $2,750. So all through the next months, I aggressively constructed a recurring revenue stream from freelance gigs (video producing and copywriting) by Upwork.

By December, I used to be again to creating round $4,000 per thirty days. I used to be additionally an obsessive saver and barely spent my earnings. So with the $76,000 I had in my financial savings account, I felt financially safe sufficient to reside overseas.

Along with the revenue requirement, I wanted to point out proof of worldwide medical insurance (which I obtained by a U.S.-based journey insurance coverage firm referred to as Seven Corners), acquire an FBI background verify and supply an handle I might be staying at.

I presently reside in Cut up, Croatia’s second-largest metropolis, situated on the jap shore of the Adriatic Sea.

The views are attractive, and the price of residing is less expensive in comparison with most main U.S. cities. The typical hire for a one-bedroom in Jersey Metropolis, for instance, is $2,779 (not together with utilities), in response to rental itemizing web site RentCafe.

I reside on my own in a 650-square-foot residence, which I discovered by a Fb group for expats in Croatia. I am renting instantly from the proprietor for $540 (together with utilities) per thirty days.

I spend a mean of $47 a day. Here is a breakdown (as of June 2021):

• Hire and utilities: $540
• Medical insurance: $65
• Meals (groceries, consuming out and drinks): $608
• Subscriptions: $14
• Telephone: $12
• Leisure journey: $185

Complete: $1,424

As quickly as my alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m., I will make some Turkish espresso and have a easy breakfast — normally some eggs, greens, cheese and toasted bread.

Then I dive straight into my freelance tasks. I attempt to put in about eight hours of labor on weekdays. Since most of my shoppers are primarily based within the U.S., I will schedule work calls on Jap or Pacific Customary Time.

If I really feel like consuming out for lunch ($10 to $14, together with tip), there are a number of locations inside strolling distance. I like journeys to the bakery for a tasty burek, a savory pastry sometimes crammed with meat or cheese ($2 to $3).

A pleasant dinner on the coast will embody a number of seafood dishes like tuna, octopus and squid ink risotto ($18 to $30, together with drinks and tip).

I am a fairly social individual, and I’ve met numerous nice folks in Cut up — each locals and different expats. On weekends, I may spend hours having significant conversations with buddies over $2 espressos.

From my residence, I am a three-minute stroll to the famed ruins of Diocletian’s Palace. Constructed on the flip of the fourth century and regarded the guts of the town, the streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Website have been worn clean by pedestrians.

I am additionally six minutes from the Riva, a waterfront promenade crammed with cafés, bars eating places and outlets.

At 35, touring has all the time been a necessary a part of my life. Since arriving in Croatia, I’ve taken quite a lot of journeys to see extra of this endlessly stunning nation.

A number of locations I have been to: Zagreb (the place I lived for a number of months), Rijeka, Zadar, and the islands of Hvar and Brač. Most just lately, I took a two-hour bus trip ($28 for a spherical journey) to Zaton.

The tempo of life in Croatia is dramatically completely different — and way more my pace — than in New Jersey. While you mix that with the affordability, pleasant folks, enjoyable actions and low crime charges, there is not a lot to complain about.

One of many downsides of working and residing overseas is lacking and being removed from my household and buddies, so I am hoping to make a journey again residence sooner or later.

Whereas Croatia will without end maintain a spot in my coronary heart, a number of different nations, together with Georgia and Portugal, additionally provide digital nomad visas. As soon as my allow right here expires in March 2022, I plan to take benefits of these alternatives and proceed the nomadic life for so long as I can.

The liberty to work from anyplace and chart your personal course is a bit addictive, and the spontaneity of it’s a large a part of what brings me pleasure.

Steve Tsentserensky is a video producer, photographer and author. He presently lives in Croatia by a digital nomad residence allow. Comply with him on Instagram.

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