Why did the family choose Budva for living and working?

Meet the family

Sergey, Maria, and their daughters Vasilisa and Veronika, who are 13.5 and 8 years old respectively, make up a wonderful family that, a few years ago, like many other Russian citizens, decided to spend the winter months in warm countries. This decision led them to consider a complete move abroad.

Searching for the perfect country

Choosing the right country is a challenge, especially when quality education for children, opportunities for socializing and a variety of activities are a priority. Language barriers should also be taken into account.

Variety of options

Sergey and Maria have explored many countries, including:

• New Zealand
• Spain
• Argentina
• Portugal

However, in the end, they chose Budva. This decision was a logical step for them, as in Budva they had the opportunity to work on a family project — the IT application Vocaboo, designed for teaching children English. They came here to collaborate with a programmer who had settled in this city three years ago.

Conviction in the right choice

Arriving in Budva, they realized that they had found almost everything they had dreamed of. All this time, they felt that their daughters would not be lonely and would be able to make new friends.

Maria's discoveries

Maria shares her impressions: "The girls are very sociable. Communication is important for adults, but it is not as critical as it is for children, who need interaction for harmonious development. We did not make a mistake." In Budva, as in other coastal towns in Montenegro, there are many children who live here year-round or study during the school year. Mostly, these are toddlers and preschoolers, but there are also students in elementary and middle school age.

Challenges of adolescence

As we get older, it becomes harder to make new friends. There are significantly fewer teenagers over the age of 14 in the city, and those who are familiar with teenage children sometimes struggle to find peers to connect with, although this is not an insurmountable obstacle.

Moving to Budva

Moving to this wonderful city was a real gift for the family. The beautiful scenery, friendly atmosphere, sunny days, flowering plants, magnificent sea and mountain ranges with crystal clear water constantly inspire Maria. She meets each new day with excitement and joy since their arrival.

The creativity of Sergey

Sergey, an artist by calling, draws inspiration from the surrounding nature. He captures on canvas the vastness of the sea, picturesque sunrises and sunsets, as well as magnificent mountain peaks and secluded trails, allowing him to convey the beauty of Budva.

The charm of the sea

Maria adds: "This sea is amazing! I really love its transparent hue, which reminds me of sapphire, sparkling topaz, or iridescent aquamarine. Surrounding it are mountains of high quality: there are steep cliffs, rocky and pebbly beaches, as well as cozy sandy coves."

Benefits of vacationing by the sea

Swimming here is possible from April to October, but even in winter, the brave continue to enjoy the sea and its cold waves.

Budva: The Perfect Place for a Vacation

Budva, especially on sunny days, is an ideal location for active recreation and wellness activities. The air in this wonderful region is filled with numerous beneficial elements, making it popular among people suffering from asthma and various allergies.

In Budva, you can easily find springs and other natural treasures that are open to everyone. The local flora, including plants such as juniper, linden, oregano, St. John's wort, thyme, and sage, creates an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility. The city is characterized by year-round blooming of trees and grasses, filling the area with gentle fragrances.

Flavors and Nature

Every corner of Budva is enveloped in the fragrant scents of linden, magnolias, and chestnuts, as if inviting you to a perpetual celebration. It's quite interesting that in the gardens near the bypass road, beehives can be found, confirming the presence of local honey.

Active Life in Budva

At the same time, Budva radiates activity and energy. New projects are constantly being launched here, and the work process is bustling. The mild climate year-round makes Budva an attractive place: in winter, a light jacket or coat is enough.

In just a short time, you can find yourself in the mountains, where you can ski or simply enjoy the winter landscapes. The summer season opens access to resorts where you can escape from the scorching sun. Budva is known for its sunny climate, as the sun shines here almost all year round, making sunglasses an essential accessory.

Pros of Geographic Location

The geographical location of Montenegro near Russia also creates many advantages — relatives and friends can easily come to visit, and gifts for holidays and special occasions are quickly delivered back and forth.

Fresh Products of Budva

Don't forget about the fresh products that Budva is famous for. There is excellent drinking water here, both from the tap and from springs. High-quality fresh fruits and vegetables are available in stores at reasonable prices.

• Pomegranates in September cost about 75 cents.
• Tangerines in November through December are only 30 cents per tree.
• Oranges are 55 cents.

Although Montenegrin cuisine is famous for its heartiness, in Budva you can find cozy cafes and restaurants offering dishes from almost all world cuisines. The locals assure that in some establishments, the pizza rivals the delicacies of Venice itself.

Russian Products in Budva

In addition to Montenegrin products, stores also offer a wide variety of popular Russian goods.buckwheat, halva, seeds, pickled mushrooms.and various sweets, such as pastila and marshmallows. It's always nice to find familiar products far from home.

Markets and supermarkets also offer a wide selection of dairy products and homemade cheeses — from fresh to aged, including blue cheeses.

A Unique City for Living

Budva is not only a corner of nature full of beauty, but also a place full of dynamic life, where something interesting is always happening. This city offers visitors and residents a multitude of events, making it a truly unique place to live and relax.

Variety of leisure activities

In today's world, there are many appealing options for how to spend your free time. For example, you can participate in the ceremonial opening of the school year, attend a science festival organized by the "Yes" Academy, or enjoy a film screening followed by a discussion. There's also the chance to see an exciting performance by street theaters.

Don't forget to check out the event "Well Over 50," which will feature a concert with the famous musician Grebenshchikov, as well as an impressive performance by the choir "Winter." However, this is far from an exhaustive list. In the field of leisure, there are also many seminars, lectures, sports competitions, and creative workshops taking place.

Family adaptation

Maria shares that her family adapted to the new life quite quickly, as they are surrounded mostly by Russian-speaking people. Of course, interaction with locals does not happen that often. Nevertheless, some families have started learning Serbian and enroll their children in local childcare centers and schools, as they are much more accessible.

Language barrierIt doesn't create any particular difficulties, as the structure of the Serbian language can be considered similar to Russian, which makes the learning process easier.

Education in Budva

When it comes to education in Budva, it is worth noting that there is a wide selection of educational institutions here. This allows Russian citizens considering a permanent move to avoid issues with obtaining primary and additional education. The city has both traditional and modern educational establishments, including those that offer a harmonious blend of classical and innovative approaches to learning.

• Traditional and modern schools.
• A comfortable balance of classical and progressive methods.
• Public access for citizens with a residence permit or work visa.

Every educational institution has its pros and cons, but each family can find a suitable option for themselves. Notably, local institutions offerfree educationfor foreigners, if they have a residence permit or a work visa (borovak).

Impressions of the school

Maria enthusiastically shares her impressions: "Our children go to school with great pleasure and can't decide which subject they like the most.

Moving to a new apartment

This year, we made the decision to change our place of residence, opting to move from our familiar house to an apartment. We have many reasons for this, both economic and practical, especially considering the options available in Budva, where we can find more interesting choices compared to country houses.

Problems with private houses

For example, systematically heating a private home is quite difficult and cumbersome, as such properties are most often located far away from the main amenities and cultural attractions of the city. We decided to find a balance between necessary quietness, proximity to supermarkets, places to meet friends and a school bus stop, while keeping in mind the view from the window, quality of housing, heating systems, rental costs and the expected duration of our stay.

Tourist season in Budva

It is especially important to note thattourist seasonin Budva starts as early as May, and during this period, accommodation owners try to maximize their profit from the influx of holidaymakers. For example, you can rent a property from October to April for €350 per month, while renting for a whole year can be around €500 monthly. That said, if you consider renting in May or during the summer months, the cost increases significantly.

We have set ourselves an ambitious goal - to create conditions for our child to learn without being distracted by constant moves in the spring and additional financial burdens.

Searching for a suitable apartment

Thus, this year we started a long process of searching for a suitable apartment, but the choice turned out to be quite difficult. We considered a variety of options:

• Two-level apartments located just ten minutes from Budva.
• Perfectly furnished apartment on the mountain with stunning views of the sea and the old town.

Ultimately, we chose the last option, which we thought was the most appealing. However, one of the downsides of the new place is that the apartment is very spacious, and we are still unable to achieve the necessary level of comfort and warmth, which forces us to keep the air conditioning on constantly. This, of course, significantly increases our electricity costs.

Financial aspects of renting

As for the financial side of the matter, the rent for this apartment costs us €450 per month, and the utility bills, including water, electricity, cleaning in the stairwell, and garbage collection, add another €70. It's important to note that in winter, from December to March, these expenses can rise to €150, as significantly more is needed for heating to maintain a comfortable temperature. The internet fee will be around €25, and transportation costs while moving around Budva and the surrounding areas are approximately €80-100.

Additional expenses for a child

In addition, to raise our child, we need to allow for the additional costs of kindergarten and school, which range from €200 to €400 per month. We have also taken into account the cost of additional clubs and activities:

• Swimming lessons will cost between €30 and €90.
• Art education lessons cost €50.
• Theater studios - €30.
• Cinematography courses range from €30 to €50.
• Additionally, football lessons, archery, Serbian, English, and Russian language classes, horseback riding, and many other activities are offered.

Thus, we continue to adapt to our new life, taking into account numerous factors and circumstances.

The average family budget in Montenegro

The average financial plan for a family of four in Montenegro is structured as follows: the cost of renting housing ranges from €400 to €500 per month. For this price, you can choose either an apartment or a private house with a yard.

Utility costs range from €70 to €150, depending on the time of year. In the winter season, electricity costs for space heating are added.

Expenses for food and communication

The food expenses amount to about €600 if the family prefers to cook at home. If there's a desire to have lunch at a café or restaurant, the average bill for four people will be around €15.

As for mobile services, the cost for one person ranges from €15 to €20, while home internet plans start at €29 per month.

Expenses on a car and education

Sergei and Maria have purchased a car and their fuel costs range from €80 to €120, not taking into account annual running costs, which can be as high as €100 per year.

• The budget for kindergarten starts at €400.
• Tuition for daytime schooling will cost from €400 and up.
• Since classes for children, such as dance or sports, cost around €25-30 per month.
• Classes in art studios range from €40 to €70.
• Riding courses cost around €30 per lesson.

Prices in the capital and other expenses

In the capital region, prices for services and goods are generally lower, but it's important to remember that travel time can take about an hour and a half.

Expenses for clothing, medical services, and entertainment depend on each person's preferences. As a result, the overall budget for a family of two adults and two children will be approximately €1500-1800 per month.

Visa issues

As for visa aspects, a Montenegrin visa can be issued for a period of three to twelve months in Russia. For information on the cost of obtaining a visa, you should contact the Consulate of Montenegro in your city.

Upon arrival in the country, you will need to submit your passport to obtain a registration document for a certain fee. Therefore, be sure to check with your landlord if they can assist with this procedure. Registration must be completed within 24 hours of entry; otherwise, a fine of €200 per person will be imposed upon departure.

Temporary residence permit and Schengen visa

A temporary residence permit in Montenegro can be obtained if you own property, but certain conditions must be met and necessary documents provided. Many citizens prefer to stay in the country on the basis of a visa and renting accommodation.

A Schengen visa or a visa of another European country can be applied for in the capital of Montenegro by visiting the consulate of the desired country. Some consulates may require a criminal record certificate, which can be ordered by mail. A call to the consulate will help to obtain an up-to-date list of required documents.

Transport system

The transportation system in Montenegro is well-developed and convenient for travel, making it easy to get around the country. Buses connect all the cities; for example, a trip from Budva to Kotor costs €3.5, from Budva to Bar it’s €10, and to Podgorica it’s €7. In winter, the prices for some tickets may decrease.

Buses are available for trips into the countryside, for example, to Durmitor or Žabljak, which takes almost five hours. Usually, buses start running from 5-6 AM and continue until 8-9 PM; on some routes, they may even operate until 1 AM.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to share my thoughts on the life we have chosen in Budva and how this change has affected our family. Moving to a new country is always a huge step that requires courage and determination, but we have not regretted our choice for a second. Budva has become not just a new home for us, but also a source of inspiration and joy.

We are enjoying every moment spent here, from morning walks on the beach to evening gatherings with new friends. My love for the sea and beautiful landscapes only grows stronger; every stroke, every drop of inspiration I receive from the surrounding nature helps me create and adds vibrant colors to my creative life.

Children and new opportunities

Our daughters, Vasilisa and Veronika, have found new friends and hobbies that bring them joy and develop their talents. I see how they are blossoming before my eyes, overcoming the language barrier and discovering new horizons. Here, surrounded by other children, they are learning to appreciate friendship and shared joys, which will undoubtedly be an important experience in their lives.

Environment and health

EcologyThe freshness of local food has made us more attentive to our health. We enjoy local products, and this not only improves our well-being but also enhances our overall quality of life. Budva, and Montenegro in particular, has given us the opportunity to enjoy the true joys of life, which are so sweet and precious.

Conclusions

Thus, I want to emphasize thatmoveto another country is not only a difficult challenge, but also an incredible opportunity. We chose Budva, and every day here fills us with happiness. It is a life full of warmth, light and new discoveries. I hope that our experience will inspire others to take a similar step, because, as our story shows, happiness and harmony can be found where unexplored opportunities hide beyond the horizon.