You can be a digital nomad and live in Croatia paying just $600 a month in rent
Even as we slowly work our way out of the pandemic and resume normal activities, there are certain behaviors that took hold in the last 18 months that won't go away. Remote employment is one particular aspect of life during the pandemic that seems to have been become something that many workers enjoy and don't want to see end.
For more TPG news delivered to your inbox each morning, sign up for our daily newsletter!
Croatia is making a push to attract those types of remote workers, entrepreneurs and work-from-anywhere professionals by building a village for digital nomads. The Digital Nomad Valley Zadar is located about 30 minutes from the ancient port city of Zadar, and it opens on Oct. 10 with a host of facilities designed to appeal to workers with a certain sense of wanderlust.
The Valley, as some call it, is curated for digital nomads interested in short- or long-term stays. It contains a variety of living spaces, from studio apartments to two- and three-bedroom apartments that can be rented for as little as two weeks, or as long as you want to stay. If you prefer a bit more isolation, there is also a campsite where you can rent space to park a camper.
Related: 7 reasons you should take advantage of Malta’s new remote work program
A big part of the appeal of The Valley is its affordable rental prices. Prices start at $150 a week for a minimum two-week stay for a private bedroom inside a shared unit. That comes to $600 for four weeks, which is substantially less than the average monthly rent for apartments across most of Europe.
If you prefer more privacy or if you're married, getting your own place could run as low as $287 per week, depending on the size of the apartment and length of stay. Prices include access to an exclusive co-working space, free Wi-Fi and access to events organized by the village.
Croatia embraced flexible work situations and remote workers early on in the pandemic as work-from-home became the norm. As workers across several industries realize the benefits of working remotely, Croatia is one of many countries looking to attract them, using flexibility as a hook. That's why the Village offers a wide range of stay options. Whether you're looking for a short-term change of scenery or looking for a place to spend extended time in, Zadar is an appealing option.
Related: Why the Workcation is a hot travel trend
“Zadar is one of the most progressive cities in Croatia with many students and young people, so it's a very good mixture of history and innovation,” Mario Mrksa, CEO of grabAhome, the company behind the Village, told Yahoo! Life. It's also home to a bustling nightlife and restaurant scene.
The nickname "The Valley" was selected, Mrksa says, because it suggests entrepreneurship.
You can find more details about Croatia's digital nomad village here.
In case you have not visited Croatia before, you can fly from Newark (EWR) and Philadelphia (PHL) to Dubrovnik (SPU) via Croatia Airlines with a connection to Zadar Airport (ZAD). You can also fly on other carriers, including Delta, United, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, KLM and Lufthansa.