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Post by jill on Apr 25, 2008 19:48:35 GMT 1
I'm in your club Ribaric.
I've had, by and large, a great experience buying, restoring and staying in our place on Brac.
I've got great neighbours who've invited us to their homes and are always helpful and pleasant. Our builder did a great job and has even taken us to a property he is developing for himself to ask advice! He's a throughly nice bloke and I'd have no qualms using him again, in fact I'd consider myself very lucky to get him!
I've had 100% trustworthy and helpful liaison with Broker's representative Sanja, who originally sold us the property, and without whom the restoration would've been extremely difficult if not impossible and she still continues to help today...
I only had one hiccough when my carpenter disappeared with my wonderful old floorboards..designated to make tables and shelving, but hey, you win some.....
In the grand scheme of things we think have a fantastic property at a very reasonable price, a great investment and a lovely bolthole.
I've also had good experience at the hospital with a teenage son with a broken leg - the medics were fantastic, kind, efficient and spoke good English and also waived payment!
Yep, I'm definitely with you Rib...
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Post by Valleycat on Apr 25, 2008 23:41:40 GMT 1
I am not saying that it's all bad. . . had a wonderful experience at the hospital myself. . . and have wonderful relationships with most people.
I know for a fact that we are entertainment for the village. . . there is no getting around that. . . and one of us is Croatian from this village.
Sometimes I think that they think that money grows on trees. . . I wonder if they would work 12-14 hours a day. . . 7 days a week to get where we are today? We are just regular folks. . . we sacrificed . . . gave up plenty to be here. . . had our own priorities and went for what we wanted. . . gave all our life to/for everyone. .. now it is our time. . . I don't want to feel bad or have to make excuses for being selfish for the first time in our lives. . . we just want to enjoy what we have. . . and live a peaceful for the time we have left.
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Post by mirabelle on Apr 26, 2008 8:19:26 GMT 1
Agree with you Valleycat. People are generally nice but of course you will get a few miserable so & so (which you get everywhere in the world).
We worked hard and put in incredibly long hours, gave up holidays at times, gave up weekends, to make sure that the companies we worked for get their business.
The problem sometimes lies with people who came to this country, not doubt with plenty of money to throw around & gave the impression that all foreigners are rich pickings.
As for workers, well... sutra ......malo sutra!
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Post by Ribaric on Apr 26, 2008 10:06:43 GMT 1
As we're in club swapping mode my position is the same as Valleycat's and Mirabelle's. It wasn't easy to come by, hard work and significant risks so I sure ain't gonna chuck it around now.
BTW, the facade guys were 1/2 hour late and no phone call - So 'er indoors' called them to tell them not to bother. Atta girl. Next!
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Post by anton on Apr 26, 2008 10:36:42 GMT 1
Nice to see some positive comments for a change. I obviously haven't had as much experience as some people and have had some set-backs in getting a Rental licence, MUJ permission etc. etc. for our holiday home. On the whole however most people have tried to be helpful and I have picked up quite a lot of useful information standing on stairways waiting to see officials. A smile and a hand-shake at the end seems to help. Keep trying. I even got a smile from an English immigration office last time I came through Stansted.
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Post by rijekafan on Apr 26, 2008 12:18:21 GMT 1
So I have had some good news at last. After considerable bullying the contractors promise to finish by mid next week. All the neighbours are cool now. The neighbours hate each other so I am the go between for the etazirinje (separation)
None of my neighbours have asked for my furniture and I have to say in Kvarner they have generaly been wonderful.
All my problems here have come from Slavonians not local people.
Awful things my builders did to my neighbours include:
Trying to build the toilet vent under their kitchen window
Venting petrochemicals into their kitchen
Using heavy machinary at 6am
Leaving trash and hazards around
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Post by 3lions on Apr 26, 2008 15:16:34 GMT 1
cool now, yeah you think you've heard the last of it?
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Post by rijekafan on Apr 27, 2008 10:32:12 GMT 1
I saw my neighbours again yesterday. They all say they love what I have done. My problems are with the builders who have to be hassled daily. Without the penalty clause and my connections I would have been up sranje potok.
Everyone tells me how cool Varazdin is and that the people are European and "Normal" As you would know being normal is high praise in this crazy country. If I do another build I think I might try to bring a crew from Varazdin
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Post by Valleycat on Apr 27, 2008 21:51:59 GMT 1
You know. . . we are in their country. . . I don't mind following the rules. . . . but I wish they would stay the same. . . and be the same for everyone.
We have been pretty lucky considering what I have heard on this forum. . . it's a good thing we can all chat about things and learn from each other. . . I for one am grateful.
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matov
Full Member
Posts: 47
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Post by matov on May 6, 2008 14:32:29 GMT 1
You know. . . we are in their country. . . I don't mind following the rules. . . . but I wish they would stay the same. . . and be the same for everyone. . LOL. I love Croatia but I have learned to just play lip service to the rules, just like they do. When I get around to doing my own house up I am flying in my own builders from the UK because at least I can swear and threaten violence to them in my own language. Anybody who thinks they can manage a construction project from a different time zone really is living in cloud cuckoo land. |
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Post by valiant on May 6, 2008 22:04:49 GMT 1
i had a problem with jelousy. i moved here at the age of 26, i was single, pretty good looking, when i look back on it now. and the jelousy i experienced from my male peers here in croatia was unbearable. absolute nightmare. horrifying. i was totaly naieve, totaly unaware of the mentality here. that was my hardest lesson. i have almost nohing to do with croats now. i avoid meeting new people, especially guys. but girls, if you can get them one on one are pretty ok, generally speaking but croat guys are horrors. i can proudly say that i dont have one real croat friend, not a single one i could call on the phone and have a conversation with. croat girls are pretty good, but i can rule that out cos im married now. . I love croatias geographical beauty, but to say that i love the people, would be nothing more than some sad psychological experiment. so thats one of my hardest croatian lessons. hope it helps.
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Post by Valleycat on May 7, 2008 12:17:42 GMT 1
[Anybody who thinks they can manage a construction project from a different time zone really is living in cloud cuckoo land. |
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Post by Valleycat on May 7, 2008 12:18:33 GMT 1
[Anybody who thinks they can manage a construction project from a different time zone really is living in cloud cuckoo land. Whoops!!! Even being here on site when it was all going on was trying. . . One of us had to be home at all times to watch what they were doing. . . and one of us is Croatia! The workers sure had a hard time listen to a woman. . . then there was the problem of being told where you wanted things .. . like a light switch or and electrical outlet. . .. this was all before we got the crew from HEAVEN. . . thank God for miracles. |
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Post by rijekafan on May 7, 2008 18:04:35 GMT 1
The flats are almost finished. The builders have to be hassled daily. Its been great to hear all your comments. One thing. I had one of those magical Croatian nights a few days ago. Laughing, singing, dancing and the amazing intimacy of shared sufferering. One of these rare nights makes the days of stupidity almost worth it.
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Post by mrhappy on May 9, 2008 19:27:52 GMT 1
As we're in wife swapping mode my position is the same as Valleycat's and Mirabelle's. Atta girl. Next! Know what you mean, Squire. Know what you mean  |
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