Montenegro is a tiny Balkan country in Eastern Europe, sandwiched between Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia. It’s about the size of Connecticut, with a population of just 620,000 people.
Kotor Bay is in southwestern Montenegro. It has a unique geography, full of nooks and crannies that together make up one of the most indented areas of the Adriatic Sea. Gorgeous views of the sea and mountains are a given regardless of where you are in the bay.
Kotor Bay is made up of three main towns: Kotor, Tivat, and Herceg Novi.
Kotor is in the southeastern corner of the bay. The jewel in its crown is Kotor Old Town, a three-sided walled city of great historical significance that’s widely regarded as the best-preserved medieval town in the Mediterranean.
A lot of people haven’t even heard of Montenegro, much less know why it makes a great place to vacation, live in, or retire to. But it does.
Here’s 9 reasons why it should be on your radar…
1. Stunning Scenery
Picture towering mountains that plunge down into crystalline Adriatic waters and white-stone historical villages. Jaw-dropping vistas are available from almost every vantage point.
2. Sea Access
The Adriatic is the same body of water that laps the shores of southeastern Italy. It’s a part of the Mediterranean. The waters are clear and warm, perfect for swimming, boating, any water-based recreation… or just for providing a beautiful backdrop for daily life.
If you’re arriving here on your own yacht or sailboat you can moor in one of the many prestigious marinas… In Kotor, there is Marina Prcanj and Marina Kotor; in Tivat, Porto Montenegro and Marina Bonici; and in Herceg Novi, Portonovi Marina.
3. A Mix Of Old And New
There are charming historical villages dotted around the bay (Kotor Old Town and Perast), normal neighborhoods (Kotor and Tivat’s main areas), as well as modern luxury developments where everything is new, high-end, and flashy (Porto Montenegro).
4. Historical Ambiance
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.
5. Diverse Recreation Opportunities
Montenegro is small but geographically diverse. You can ski the slopes in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean in the afternoon. Everyone points out how underrated it is for natural attractions.
In the Bay of Kotor, it’s all about the sea. You can do any type of water-based sport you like. The boating lifestyle specifically is a major draw.
Land-based attractions include hiking in the hills that surround Kotor Bay. An easy afternoon hike starts in Kotor Old Town and takes you up the mountain slope behind it, passing the old crumbling city walls and other ruins as you ascend.
Austro-Hungarian fortresses lie scattered in the hills and forests surrounding Kotor. Visiting them combines a hike and a little historical education…
Within a couple hours’ drive of Kotor Bay, there are several national parks. Lovcen National Park has peaks of 1,749 meters (5,738 feet), which you can hike up. Durmitor National Park is UNESCO-recognized and contains Europe’s deepest gorges.
There are two main ski resorts: Ski Resort Kolasin 1450 and Ski Resort Savin Kuk, with smaller ski centers nearby. Facilities, like equipment rentals, ski-lifts, ski schools, and more, are all set up here. Montenegro has big potential as Europe’s next ski destination.
6. 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. Everyone knows everyone, so it’s hard to get away with bad behavior.
7. Easy Residency And Citizenship
For now, setting up a life in Montenegro is simple, with easy residency policies and even a direct path to citizenship. Current policies are not set in stone, however…
8. EU Accession
Montenegro is likely to be one of the next countries to enter the EU, which will bring great things to this little haven. If you can set up residency or citizenship before this happens, you’ve got your foot in the door of the EU, meaning access and the right to live in 27 other countries.
9. Low Cost Of Living
Property, rent, utilities, meals, and more are affordable in Montenegro. You can
almost certainly lower your current cost of living by moving here—a budget of 1,500 to 2,000 euros per month will see a couple living comfortably here.
Property prices vary from town to town, with Kotor Old Town and Tivat’s seafront drag costing the most compared to the villages scattered around the bay. You can rent a small, one- or two-bed apartment in Kotor Old Town for about 800 euros per month.
Other expenses, like utilities, are low, too… One expat quoted me 40 euros per month for electric and water…
In terms of food and drink, for a meal for two at a nicer place, expect to spend 50 to 60 euros, including drinks, mains, and dessert. You can have hearty meals at local spots for much less than this; 20 to 40 euros for two.
The expat community in Kotor Bay is big, diverse, and active. Choose to join them and you’ll get to enjoy stunning sea and mountain vistas every day…
You’ll lower your current cost of living…
You’ll enjoy mild temperatures year-round as well as access to untouched nature…
You’ll be able to choose the lifestyle that suits you best among a diverse array of opportunities…
You’ll have a friendly expat community to lean on if culture shock becomes overwhelming at any point…
And you’ll be making a smart move, as property and rent are still cheap and can get you residency and potentially a backdoor to the EU…
Sincerely,
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Living Letter
