Montenegro - Living and Working Remotely

This autumn, we traded our UK routine for the stunning coastline of Montenegro, and it turned out to be a great decision to start our remote working lifestyle. After weeks of research comparing potential destinations across Europe, Montenegro emerged as the perfect blend of affordability, natural beauty, and work-life balance.

Why Montenegro?

When searching for our next remote working base, we had a clear wishlist: lower cost of living than the UK (admittedly not difficult these days), breathtaking scenery, plenty of day trip and hiking opportunities, and reliable conditions for staying productive. Montenegro ticked all these boxes and more.

Where We Stayed: Njivice, Herceg Novi

We settled in Njivice, a quieter neighborhood adjacent to Herceg Novi. While it's slightly more remote than the town center, we gladly made this trade-off when I discovered a charming Airbnb right on the seaside with its own small private beach. Waking up to beautiful views, having coffee near the water and going for a kayak trip at lunchtime, made it all worthwhile.

As we stayed during the off-season, buses to Njivice run just a couple of times daily, so you'll need to rely on taxis or embrace the scenic walks. We found the relative isolation refreshing, and it kept us focused on our work.

Location Perks

One of Njivice's features is its proximity to Croatia. We were literally on the border, which meant our local hiking trails offered stunning views of both countries from a single vantage point.

Day Trip Highlight: I highly recommend venturing to Ston, Croatia, for a quieter, more authentic Croatian experience away from the tourist crowds. By car, you're also just an hour from Dubrovnik, though be strategic about timing your border crossing. Early mornings are your friend here to avoid lengthy queues.

Working Remotely

While Herceg Novi has several co-working spaces available, we haven't relied on them. Instead, we split our time between working from home (our Airbnb provided an excellent workspace) and rotating through local cafes. The combination kept us productive while allowing us to soak in the local atmosphere.

Food Scene

We thoroughly enjoyed the culinary scene and every restaurant we tried served delicious food, with excellent Italian dishes reflecting Montenegro's Adriatic heritage. The freshly baked pastries became a dangerous daily temptation too.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're considering Montenegro for a short holiday or as a longer-term remote working base, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Herceg Novi might not be a bustling city, but that's precisely its charm. You'll find everything you need without the overwhelming crowds, all while enjoying some of the most beautiful coastal scenery Europe has to offer.

Have you worked remotely from Montenegro or the Balkans? I'd love to hear about your experiences!