We’ve been shining a spotlight on this underexplored haven… but of course, no place is perfect and here at Live And Invest Overseas we’re known and trusted for our “warts-and-all” coverage of the destinations on our beat.
So, today, let’s take a look at both the pros and cons of expat life in Montenegro…
Con: Getting Here
The downside to Montenegro as a place to live is that it’s far away from North America within the context of Europe… So far away, in fact, that many North Americans have never heard of this country.
The flight path between Montenegro and the United States and Canada is not direct. Plus, the costs can add up if you’re looking to make regular trips home.
One-stop flights take about a day (including layover) and start from about US$1,000 (one-way).
Pro: Being Here
While we all know looks aren’t everything, it’s hard to ignore this country’s stunning natural beauty. Jaw-dropping vistas are available from almost every vantage point. Towering mountains plunge down into crystalline Adriatic waters and white-stone historical villages abound…
Kotor Old Town is the best-preserved medieval town on the Med. It’s a compact, triangular area that you access through three gateways. It’s dense with ancient architecture, plazas, and churches. Behind it, crumbling city walls zigzag up the steep mountain; in front of it is the sea.
Con: Getting Around
Infrastructure in Kotor Bay isn’t brilliant… Buses go all over the place but they are too inconsistent to be relied on. You need your own means of transportation to make the most of life here.
Access for people with mobility issues varies across the bay…
Tivat is the most accessible option for people who are wheelchair bound because it’s the most modern. Buildings that have multiple floors are likely to have elevators, and restaurants and shops are level with the town’s long, flat boardwalk.
Kotor Old Town is not very accessible. Most shops make you go up at least one step to enter, and there aren’t many ramps.
For instance, old buildings in this area do not have elevators, and the UNESCO status likely means that can’t be retrofitted for them.
In short, it’s best to stick to the areas with more modern development, like Tivat and parts of Kotor, if you have a mobility issue.
Pro: Safety
You can feel completely comfortable walking around at any time of day or night, without any fear of crime. Locals tell me this is thanks to the small population.
Most importantly, everyone knows everyone, so it’s hard to get away with bad behavior.
Con: Health Care
Health care is a mixed bag… Some expats don’t feel comfortable using it for complicated procedures, while others do.
Most importantly, it’s free if you’re living in Montenegro on a temporary residence permit, which is a boon. That said, many expats prefer to keep a private insurance plan in place for access to private clinics and quicker treatment.
Regardless, it could use improvement to meet European health care standards.
Pro: Investment Opportunity
We identify Montenegro and Kotor Bay specifically as the next Mediterranean jetset market.
Kotor Bay offers the potential for high rental yields… and you can take a position here for under 105,000 euros.
You can buy property of any value in Montenegro and be automatically eligible for legal residency in the country. A property investment here has the potential for rental yields and price appreciation, and also brings currency diversification.
Plus, it’s a residency opportunity that could amount to the cheapest and easiest backdoor to the EU that exists.
Con: Bureaucracy
Some say the admin for anything you want to get done is painfully slow… To quote one expat, “To give you a picture of administration in Montenegro, take the bureaucracy of France… but add inefficiency to it.”
Pro: Cost Of Living
Property, rent, utilities, meals, and more are affordable in Montenegro.
You can lower your current cost of living by moving here. A budget of 1,500 to 2,000 euros per month would see a couple living comfortably here.
Also, you can rent a small, one- or two-bed apartment in Kotor Old Town for about 800 euros per month or buy a modest, two-bedroom home, albeit one likely in need of some TLC, for as little as 50,000 euros.
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