Looking for real estate

[mraleph]

The OP had a hidden criteria - stable country in global north which is a contradictio in adiecto with tax free criteria. Hence, tax alleviation.

Slovenia has lesser coast and slighlty harsher climate.

The information regarding tax regime are transparent

https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2019/04/croatia-country-profile-2019.pdf

and

https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/hr/Documents/about-deloitte/hr_corporate-income-tax_presentation.pdf

As stated, I may assist regarding the property and maybe attorney for set-up.

 

[Marshal]

Slovenia has mountains, hills and forests.

Romania has all of the above and it's cheaper.

 

[JimBeam]

Romania has all of the above and it's cheaper.

That's correct but Slovenia gives you this kind-of 1st world country feeling (like Austria or Switzerland) while Romania gives you more like this 3rd world feeling. Also, Italy is nearby as well as beautiful Croatian coastline while you don't have that in Romania.

 

[Marshal]

That's correct but Slovenia gives you this kind-of 1st world country feeling (like Austria or Switzerland) while Romania gives you more like this 3rd world feeling. Also, Italy is nearby as well as beautiful Croatian coastline while you don't have that in Romania.

Romania gives you a 3rd world feeling? That's like comparing Romania to India lol When was the last time you have been there and which cities did you visit? I don't find Slovenia that special, but it's of course a matter of personal preferences. And you've mentioned Italy which I will try to avoid if possible, so it's certainly not an advantage.

 

[mraleph]

Romania gives you a 3rd world feeling? That's like comparing Romania to India lol When was the last time you have been there and which cities did you visit? I don't find Slovenia that special, but it's of course a matter of personal preferences. And you've mentioned Italy which I will try to avoid if possible, so it's certainly not an advantage.

Compared to Croatia and Slovenia, other Balkan countries, including EU and non EU ones are not just giving 3rd world country feelings but are failed states and economies with high crime rate and low quality of life.

 

[JimBeam]

Romania gives you a 3rd world feeling? That's like comparing Romania to India lol When was the last time you have been there and which cities did you visit? I don't find Slovenia that special, but it's of course a matter of personal preferences. And you've mentioned Italy which I will try to avoid if possible, so it's certainly not an advantage.

So I've been in Bucharest, Timisoara and Brasov on couple of occasions. I have also been many times in Slovenia travelled most of it. Even though Romania is advancing in many areas it still gives you that "poor country feeling" compared to Slovenia that looks much better (better roads, nicer buildings, better organised, people drive nicer cars, no gypsies, it's cleaner etc).

But, If I compare Slovenia to Italy than Slovenia looks like a prison: nobody smiles, everyone so cold and distant. In Italy people seem to be generally happier and more smiling and relaxed. So if you live in Slovenia, best thing you can do is you can jump to Italy every now and then and enjoy good food, do some shopping and see some smiling faces.

If you look money wise only - than Romania is the winner as it's the best bang for the buck - but that just mean that the country is poor and that's what I have already stated.

 

[Marshal]

Compared to Croatia and Slovenia, other Balkan countries, including EU and non EU ones are not just giving 3rd world country feelings but are failed states and economies with high crime rate and low quality of life.

High crimes are in Paris, Rome, Brussels, Barcelona and certainly not in Brasov, Timisoara or Cluj for that matter. But each to their own. I feel safer at night when I'm in Sofia than in Paris. And I would definitely not recommend any females to ride alone the Paris Metro late in the evening.

So I've been in Bucharest, Timisoara and Brasov on couple of occasions. I have also been many times in Slovenia travelled most of it. Even though Romania is advancing in many areas it still gives you that "poor country feeling" compared to Slovenia that looks much better (better roads, nicer buildings, better organised, people drive nicer cars, no gypsies, it's cleaner etc).

But, If I compare Slovenia to Italy than Slovenia looks like a prison: nobody smiles, everyone so cold and distant. In Italy people seem to be generally happier and more smiling and relaxed. So if you live in Slovenia, best thing you can do is you can jump to Italy every now and then and enjoy good food, do some shopping and see some smiling faces.

If you look money wise only - than Romania is the winner as it's the best bang for the buck - but that just mean that the country is poor and that's what I have already stated.

If you like Italy so much and smiles is what you are after than move there and pay 43% in personal taxes on your global income, or how much is it now. Slovenia is a nice country, but they have a progressive tax rate and you can end up paying 50% in taxes. If that doesn't bother you then by all means the world is your oyster.

 

[Leo Vanguard]

I’ve been searching for this for a few years now… probably it doesn’t exist, anyway here are the requirements:

- tax free country
- country/island with fresh water available
- nice vegetation
- calm sea
- beach
- min. 10 acres
- no close neighbors
- ideally (not necessarily) a peninsula

If someone finds it I will pay a commission.

Batumi, Georgia. While not exactly tropical it fits a few of your other needs.

 

[JimBeam]

High crimes are in Paris, Rome, Brussels, Barcelona and certainly not in Brasov, Timisoara or Cluj for that matter. But each to their own. I feel safer at night when I'm in Sofia than in Paris. And I would definitely not recommend any females to ride alone the Paris Metro late in the evening.

Most of the western countries are no longer safe due to influx of illegal immigrants. Eastern countries like Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and most of Balkan countries are now safer than western countries. And that's a paradox.

If you like Italy so much and smiles is what you are after than move there and pay 43% in personal taxes on your global income, or how much is it now. Slovenia is a nice country, but they have a progressive tax rate and you can end up paying 50% in taxes. If that doesn't bother you then by all means the world is your oyster.

I like going to vacations or city breaks there - not to live there. Same thing I could say for Maldives - love to go there but not to live there (for obvious reasons).
Italy also has a flat tax 100k tax so that's an option for some but unfortunately not for me.

 

[mraleph]

Most of the western countries are no longer safe due to influx of illegal immigrants. Eastern countries like Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and most of Balkan countries are now safer than western countries. And that's a paradox.

This is an English speaking forum with mainly Western people or alikes.

Safety depends upon definition. Beside safety, national culture, predominant religion and sociteal norms as well as quality of life are a decisive factors for relocation.

Obviously, both Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina aren't Balkan options for relocating. A war probability.

North Macedonia and Bulgaria are look likes and simply aren't attractive. Nobody with sound mind would like to sweam in Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

For Russians and Ukrainians relocating to Serbia, it's like a quantum leap.

Hungary could be okay, but apart from Budapest, there aren't other cities worth living there.

Albania may become interesting in time to come, considering beautiful beaches and US investments.

Montenegro is a crime ridden country and not quite welcoming to foreigners.

As for security, there are constant firearms incidents in Serbia between their police and military against immigrants.

Romania may be changing but there is still system wide corruption and westerners generaly don't have good feeling there.

I agree for Slovenia, the people there are cold and aloof. Late Queen Elizabeth once said that Ljubljana - a slovenian capital - is a most depressing city in the world. And she was British!

Croatia is quite attractive but lacks technological infrastructure apart from Zagreb and Rijeka. Coastal cities such as Pula, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik and their surroundings and islands are beautiful. As a compromise, StarLink can be used because only 4G/5G is an option for network.

 

[12345]

Batumi, Georgia. While not exactly tropical it fits a few of your other needs.

Batumi doesn't look good, I mean the coast line
I'd recommend Montenegro, cheaper than Croatia and lower taxes, very beautiful place to, I recommend visiting it

Montenegro is a crime ridden country and not quite welcoming to foreigners.

Could you elaborate? Many foreigners move to Montenegro and they are very happy
In fact population rose by 10% because of immigrants, mainly from Ukraine / Russia avoiding getting drafted. Mostly young entrepreneurs and IT guys, social benefits seekeers chose eussr countries

 

[mraleph]

Batumi doesn't look good, I mean the coast line
I'd recommend Montenegro, cheaper than Croatia and lower taxes, very beautiful place to, I recommend visiting it

Could you elaborate? Many foreigners move to Montenegro and they are very happy
In fact population rose by 10% because of immigrants, mainly from Ukraine / Russia avoiding getting drafted. Mostly young entrepreneurs and IT guys, social benefits seekeers chose eussr countries

The final factor for relocation is personal preference.

As stated, Ukrainians and Russians relocating to Montenegro and Serbia have quantum leap. But, they are not interacting with local population.

Montenegro has devastated infrastructure, endemic corruption, internal sociteal, religious and political conflicts and notoriously known organized crime sindicates.

The OP didn't defined social benefits as a factor.

 

[John Spectre]

Compared to Croatia and Slovenia, other Balkan countries, including EU and non EU ones are not just giving 3rd world country feelings but are failed states and economies with high crime rate and low quality of life.

Absolutely not agree with you.
Overall 'global' difference between Slovenia/Croatia and another Balcans countries only in way they are Schengen area and better roads.
And that's all. Quality of everyday life, feeling, mentality of people, etc are very similar between them.
Non of them 1st world country. Slovenia and Croatia not even near.
Non of remained balcan countries 3rd world country. Isolated places could be very poor, for sure. But Sofia, Bucharest, etc could easily compete with number of things to city like Zagreb.

All of them are quite middle and number pros and cons are very similar.
Slovenia and Croatia closer to the west EU, for sure, but it don't make these counties significantly better to another part if Balcans. They just received some peanuts from west EU.

 

[mraleph]

Absolutely not agree with you.
Overall 'global' difference between Slovenia/Croatia and another Balcans countries only in way they are Schengen area and better roads.
And that's all. Quality of everyday life, feeling, mentality of people, etc are very similar between them.
Non of them 1st world country. Slovenia and Croatia not even near.
Non of remained balcan countries 3rd world country. Isolated places could be very poor, for sure. But Sofia, Bucharest, etc could easily compete with number of things to city like Zagreb.

All of them are quite middle and number pros and cons are very similar.
Slovenia and Croatia closer to the west EU, for sure, but it don't make these counties significantly better to another part if Balcans. They just received some peanuts from west EU.

Just better roads and Schengen area? That's a comparative advantage per se and definition of developed country. Not to mention other aspects.

Agree to dis-agree and do not want to argue.

The fact is that no Romanian or Bulgarian city look like a Western one.

Regarding your observations, I have a question or two. Would you even consider, if in concious state, a health care in Romania and Bulgaria? Also, would you call police in those countries?

Mentality is more than different, especially regarding Slovenia and Croatia.

 

[wellington]

B

So I've been in Bucharest, Timisoara and Brasov on couple of occasions. I have also been many times in Slovenia travelled most of it. Even though Romania is advancing in many areas it still gives you that "poor country feeling" compared to Slovenia that looks much better (better roads, nicer buildings, better organised, people drive nicer cars, no gypsies, it's cleaner etc).

But, If I compare Slovenia to Italy than Slovenia looks like a prison: nobody smiles, everyone so cold and distant. In Italy people seem to be generally happier and more smiling and relaxed. So if you live in Slovenia, best thing you can do is you can jump to Italy every now and then and enjoy good food, do some shopping and see some smiling faces.

If you look money wise only - than Romania is the winner as it's the best bang for the buck - but that just mean that the country is poor and that's what I have already stated.

Bucharest only has issues if you go looking for it IMO.

What I will say is the West is in steep decline so crime will become even more rife than it currently is in the so called “civilized 1st world” and that will have ripple effects to affiliated nations specifically Eastern Europe, as wealth dissipates in cross bloc transaction activity and escalating issues and effects from the Ukraine/Russia conflict.

That’s ofcourse petty and serious organized crime - you’ll also have increasing desperation from Goverments who’s main stick is license to “crime”.

I live and reside in what I would describe ss
Low crime or crime that doesn’t impact or is generally observable / and can’t recommend enough that taking yourself OUT of the West is a prudent approach for the proceeding 15-30yrs…

 

[JimBeam]

I agree for Slovenia, the people there are cold and aloof. Late Queen Elizabeth once said that Ljubljana - a slovenian capital - is a most depressing city in the world. And she was British!

LOL
Any reference to this o ne or this is just a story/legend?

I live and reside in what I would describe ss

What's "ss" ?

 

[John Spectre]

The fact is that no Romanian or Bulgarian city look like a Western one.

What exact cities you put as a standard? Vaduz ? Okay, compare it to Sinaya - looks even better

I could easy found in west Europe cities very similiar in architectural, infrastructure plans to cities like Iasi, Varna or even Durres. Speaking that west Europe it's a some gold standard it's just snobizm.

Regarding your observations, I have a question or two. Would you even consider, if in concious state, a health care in Romania and Bulgaria? Also, would you call police in those countries?

Lol, you really think with some stereotypes.
But yes, when we go away from comparsion of Schengen area with roads and come to health care, education system, domestic services etc we will just come to the situation when all above are at relatively same level between Balcan countries.

*BUT* As already was noted above - because countries like Romania and Bulgaria much cheaper to Slovenia and Croatia, for the regular price at Slovenia you could get much better service in another Balcan countries.
Another problem with Slovenia, because it's a very small country, it's just have a big shortage of high quality specialists. In question of healthcare you could be forced to go to another country if need something specific or at specific level.

Police not ideal nor in one nor in a other countries. Not a problem with calling them, but big question if they will help you.
However, west EU police is not better at all, specially in countries with high docimestic crime level like spain, Italy, UK, France.

PS my general point not with words that balcans it's a 1st world countries. It's just west Europe going to be such thrash in number of things, so even Balcans looks not so bad in comparsion.

 

[mraleph]

LOL
Any reference to this o ne or this is just a story/legend?

Apparently, the late Queen Elizabeth stated that Ljubljana is a most depressing city in the world. I do not have a reference to that statement as it's existence would brake every diplomatic protocol. So, you may consider it as an urban legend.

Nevertheless, I also have the impression that Ljubljana is a depressing place - fog and rain.

What exact cities you put as a standard? Vaduz ? Okay, compare it to Sinaya - looks even better

I could easy found in west Europe cities very similiar in architectural, infrastructure plans to cities like Iasi, Varna or even Durres. Speaking that west Europe it's a some gold standard it's just snobizm.



Lol, you really think with some stereotypes.
But yes, when we go away from comparsion of Schengen area with roads and come to health care, education system, domestic services etc we will just come to the situation when all above are at relatively same level between Balcan countries.

*BUT* As already was noted above - because countries like Romania and Bulgaria much cheaper to Slovenia and Croatia, for the regular price at Slovenia you could get much better service in another Balcan countries.
Another problem with Slovenia, because it's a very small country, it's just have a big shortage of high quality specialists. In question of healthcare you could be forced to go to another country if need something specific or at specific level.

Police not ideal nor in one nor in a other countries. Not a problem with calling them, but big question if they will help you.
However, west EU police is not better at all, specially in countries with high docimestic crime level like spain, Italy, UK, France.

PS my general point not with words that balcans it's a 1st world countries. It's just west Europe going to be such thrash in number of things, so even Balcans looks not so bad in comparsion.

I expressed my opinion about the Balkans. Whether you accept it as accurate or not is not my prerogative.

Thank you offering insights into Romania and Bulgaria. If I ever go there again, I'll reply in this thread and truthfully offer my impressions.

The Adriatic sea is far cleaner than Black Sea. Nature is above or on pair with French riviera. And, it's Europe.

Yes, Vaduz is something that is acceptable. It's not about snobism, but a mere fact.

 

[Marshal]

Absolutely not agree with you.
Overall 'global' difference between Slovenia/Croatia and another Balcans countries only in way they are Schengen area and better roads.
And that's all. Quality of everyday life, feeling, mentality of people, etc are very similar between them.
Non of them 1st world country. Slovenia and Croatia not even near.
Non of remained balcan countries 3rd world country. Isolated places could be very poor, for sure. But Sofia, Bucharest, etc could easily compete with number of things to city like Zagreb.

All of them are quite middle and number pros and cons are very similar.
Slovenia and Croatia closer to the west EU, for sure, but it don't make these counties significantly better to another part if Balcans. They just received some peanuts from west EU.

Agree with all what you wrote wholeheartedly. Yes, Croatia has Adriatic, but that's where all better things about this country end. I have been to Zagreb and I really don't get in what way it's better than Bucharest, or many other Romanian cities like Iasi, Cluj, or Brasov. Transylvania is beautiful and cities within it too. Maybe it's just me, but I'm more of a mountain guy. Sea is for holidays and vacation. And yes, Romania and Bulgaria are lacking behind some western European countries, but that's the beauty in it. Your money gets you much more there. Private schools, healthcare etc. You can have it all for half price or less.

This is an English speaking forum with mainly Western people or alikes.

You really think so? You will be surprised

Albania may become interesting in time to come, considering beautiful beaches and US investments.

Montenegro is a crime ridden country and not quite welcoming to foreigners.

Montenegro is crime ridden and Albania is okay? In what universe do you live lol

For Russians and Ukrainians relocating to Serbia, it's like a quantum leap.

Can't speak for Russians, they were stealing toilets from Ukrainian homes. But for any Ukrainian coming from Kyiv or any other major city Belgrade is a quantum leap?

 

[mraleph]

Agree with all what you wrote wholeheartedly. Yes, Croatia has Adriatic, but that's where all better things about this country end. I have been to Zagreb and I really don't get in what way it's better than Bucharest, or many other Romanian cities like Iasi, Cluj, or Brasov. Transylvania is beautiful and cities within it too. Maybe it's just me, but I'm more of a mountain guy. Sea is for holidays and vacation. And yes, Romania and Bulgaria are lacking behind some western European countries, but that's the beauty in it. Your money gets you much more there. Private schools, healthcare etc. You can have it all for half price or less.


You really think so? You will be surprised


Montenegro is crime ridden and Albania is okay? In what universe do you live lol


Can't speak for Russians, they were stealing toilets from Ukrainian homes. But for any Ukrainian coming from Kyiv or any other major city Belgrade is a quantum leap?

Well, no comment for toilets. Would not believe in everything comming from Kyev and Moscow. They are like mirror reflections.

The beauty is in lacking - behind?

Comparing Ukraine and Serbia is like Indonesia and Singapore. There isn't any particular difference between Russians and Ukrainians; same or similar language and culture.

Healthcare and private schools in Bulgaria and Romania? This is a joke, right? Those countries are not good for hidding from INTERPOL/EUROPOL not to mention to relocate as nomad - business and family scenario would be a nightmare. It's a simple fact about those countries - they should have not been accepted to EU/NATO and nowadays to Schengen via airports.

Montenegro is permanently devastated by organized crime conflicts as well as failed state and economy. Ukrainian and Russian mobsters came there as well. Montenegrins just arrested all former judicial and prosecutorial persons. They lack any infrastructure. Albania is simply different; wouldn't recommend living there but also wouldn't exclude it as an option in couple of years, especially the coastal region.

Serbia apart from Belgrade and Novi Sad lacks infrastructure; even in those cities, the atmosphere is like bolier before explosion. Public and private health care is really bad.

Why am I writing about those countries - cause due to business and work I lived in all of them sufficiently long to comment.

Hence, per OP question - Croatia is the proposition. Healthcare is better in Slovenia where Ljubljana is really close.

We all write in English here, so, why would I be surprised?