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Post by billyo on Jul 31, 2010 21:56:38 GMT 1
So...here is my dilemma.....I really need a change in climate and lifestyle...Ready to retire in February 2011. My pension will be about 10,600 kunas or two thousand Canadian dollars per month. My wife's mom is letting us have her condominium in Rovinj so I am wondering about the cost of living....How much is the average monthly food bills,heat and light,internet service, and most of all how much is medical/health insurance?
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Post by crojoe on Jul 31, 2010 22:53:30 GMT 1
You'll do just fine with over 10,000 Kuna. Just got to figure out your Visa's, as if neither of your own the property, or have a job then it can be tough going to get a visa. Health is about 350 Kuna per person a month.
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Post by crojoe on Jul 31, 2010 22:55:44 GMT 1
If rent is free, then 500 euros a month would do you just fine, unless you plan to wine and dine, then add a few hundred more.
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Post by billyo on Jul 31, 2010 23:36:48 GMT 1
yup...rent will be free.... wife was born there. I have heard you can keep renewing a visitor visa as well...occasional wine and dine in the plans but mostly cooking at home...really want to travel south in the winter as Istria can be depressing in the winter according to mama.....are you living there now? a million more questions coming your way,thanks so much!
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Post by crojoe on Aug 1, 2010 12:11:41 GMT 1
I live in Zagreb, where prices are high, but know the amount you quoted (plus rent free) will be plenty for two people. You can't renew a visitors visa (or what they call a tourist visa) for more then 6 months out of a year. You would have to go for a spouse visa, which isn't easy, but is doable if you can prove income, accommodation, health insurance and so forth. I think this would be the best approach. To get a visa on owning property would mean you would have to have your name on the ownership papers. The only other way is to open a business, but I suggest you stay as far away from that route as you can, as with it comes a string of fees, red tape and so much more then one would bargain for.
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Post by keepsmiling on Aug 1, 2010 13:20:21 GMT 1
Crojoe wrote "It’s a bit like the Chinese situation in Croatia. Several years ago the government passed some laws to limit their presence here, but this year (and part of last year) they now openly talk about inviting Chinese investment, business, building contracts and so forth…., all because it suits their situation right now, and they’re desperate"
Get them to sink their money into the country & then find an excuse to throw them out!
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Post by billyo on Aug 1, 2010 17:38:28 GMT 1
Thanks for the info crojoe..My wife has her Canadian citizenship now,does she retain her Croatian as well? Why is it difficult to get a spousal visa? We will be in Rovinj which I hear is comparatively expensive. We will be able to prove income.etc as it is all above board and honest. With our rent in Canada at 1200 dollars,utilities at 300 hundred it doesn't allow much leftovers in Vancouver.
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Post by crojoe on Aug 1, 2010 18:13:52 GMT 1
If she still has her Croatian citizenship, then don't mention anything about Canadian citizenship, as it will just give them an excuse to tell you why she can't be dual nationality, although I am not 100% sure what the scoop is with duel citizenship for Croatians. It's not tough to get a spouse visa (contact the Croatian embassy where you are about this), and I am sure if you can prove you have the cash (especially an ok size monthly pension), then you shouldn't have a problem. I wouldn't bother with the "above board" and "honest" part, as it has to be proven on paper, not good looks, and honest face or ones great personality (unless you got friends in high places). Besides, the general outlook Croatian immigration officers, the police and ministry of finance have on people is: "your guilty till proven innocent".
A lot on costs depends on what type of life style you live, how you shop and what you eat? Do you max-out the electricity to the wee hours of the morning, or go to bed at sunset? Do you only buy expensive or buy bulk? Will you own a car or ride a bike? Will you run a pool or be save the planet and only take a bath weekly? There is a set minimum the Croatian government sets for foreigners, and you are well above that bracket. Rent is the killer, but with that covered or free, then you can live a comfortable life with the wife, be out of site, with no strife and enjoy retirement.
Just in case, be prepared for a much slower paced life style, no Seven Elevens, Golden Arch or gangs. You also might not have a whole lot of folks about who speak the same language or understand your mentality (other then your wife, although my own experience says that wives have their own mentality and language, and we men stand no chance in understanding them).
A spouse visa should be sought before you come to Croatia, that way on arrival you just register and have a year to prepare for the renewal, get your feet planted and see if you’re ready for retirement.
Remember, Croatia is the Mediterranean as it once was ... although I'm not sure when that was, why it was, who it was or where it’s going... but one thing is it's a great place to retire.
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Post by ray51 on Aug 1, 2010 18:27:25 GMT 1
it's a great place to retire. Or maybe : Not quite ( yet ) ? ( if one has W.EUropean/Ozzie/U.S./S.African expectations in e.g. healthcare , transport , nutrition , assortment and quality of of goods and services , infrastructure , law/justice and so on and so on )
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Post by billyo on Aug 1, 2010 18:45:23 GMT 1
We live a pretty bohemian lifestyle over here already,,,,,,,no fany stuff,no leather couches,don't drive a car(never will) will wash in the sea and a quickie shower,don't run the lights all night(prefer candle or natural light, hate Seven Elevens already,despise McDonalds, live the slow life already,playing music and doing art....www.boysoblue.com (my art) www.myspace.com/theormidales CHEAP PLUG Without question ready to retire from my day job.....want to do my thing now.....ps ray 51......Canadian healthcare is going down the tube,don't need a car,loved the food when I was in Croatia and don't understand your concern about nutrition,all our products are from China already so how can they possibly worsen? our cops are amongst the corrupt in Canada already....tell me some "so ons"....Born and raised in Vancouver and have had it!!!!!!!! Really want to be objective so please list me all the negatives...ta
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Post by keepsmiling on Aug 1, 2010 20:37:02 GMT 1
If you want quiet, it can't get any quieter in winter. Fresh fruits are only seasonal, veg ok if there is a market nearby. Not a lot on the box, English books are hard to come by.
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Post by billyo on Aug 1, 2010 20:55:41 GMT 1
I can read online... love quiet!
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Post by mambo on Aug 2, 2010 0:02:04 GMT 1
Billyo,
Why go to Rovinj when Motovun will be more to your liking ? If you like the quiet life, with making music, artistic way of life etc .......go to Motovun, you will find a lot of foreigners who think equally.
Ok, you will need to find a place to rent, but even that is not going to be difficult during the winter time.
And the car............you may not like it, but you will need it in Croatia. There is absolutely nothing you can do or go to without a car. The bus system is not exactly usable (unless you want to take 2 days to go back and forth e.g. Rijeka and actually do something there). Bicycles are only for those who have suicidal behavior.
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Post by ray51 on Aug 2, 2010 7:28:23 GMT 1
Owning a driveable car implies certain fixed and variable costs ( registration , insurance , maintenance , tires , fuel etc ) which would add significantly to the earlier budget suggestion of 500 Euros p.m. IMHO ; if then a rent and utilities for somewhere other than free apt. in Rovinj is added , then the picture is very different , indeed and deserves a proper calculation , not just of groceries' shopping and essential medical cover... ( Still , 10.000 Kuna should suffice for 2 retired adults , it is said that many manage on significantly less .)
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Post by crojoe on Aug 2, 2010 10:17:56 GMT 1
My family with kids, car, dog, maxTV, internet and every light bulb on in the house can live of the amount quoted, so 2 folks who don't need much will do just fine.
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