Ruby: Although I been to Ireland (see www.francistapon.com/europe/ireland.htm), I have never been to Belfast, so it will be hard for me to compare Montenegro with Belfast. Nevertheless, here is my response:i'm considering selling up and settling in montenegro as i find the place appealing despite having never visited the area.
i'm seeking solitude, warm weather, and a slower pace of life than belfast.
what are the natives like? friendly?i feel i could quite happily exist with my dog and car, knowing that a short flight will bring me home to see friends and relatives.
is hte cost of living cheap. are they're internet cafe's there. do many speak english.
sorry for all the questions but i feel your honest opinion is helpful.
many thanks. ruby
The Montenegrins are not as friendly as the Irish people. Although their country is lovely, they've had a rough history, which makes them a tad grumpy, like many Eastern Europeans.
Obviously, you can find wonderful, loving, and friendly people anywhere, but compared to the Irish, Montenegrins are more cautious.
The "short flight" you desire might not be that "short" or it might not be that cheap. There are no well traffic airports near the Montenegrin coast. Because of the limited services, flights are usually expensive. I encourage you to research this and prove me wrong.
The cost of living is cheap, but getting higher all the time. As I describe at www.francistapon.com/europe/montenegro.htm I was seriously considering moving to Montenegro. The house that I describe was 120,000 Euros in 2004. Today it is 500,000 Euros. I should have bought it, but alas, that's life. The takeaway is that the costs are rising, although still far below Ireland.
There are Net cafes, and you can get high speed Net access in your home in most places.
The Euro is the national currency.
Probably 20% speak English. You'll definitely need to learn the Montenegrin language, which is basically the same as Serbian (and Croatian). You could survive on English, but it would be a far more rich experience if you can speak the local language.
In short, I encourage you to visit Montenegro!
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),country has modernised-even Podgorica is now nice little Europian city that is worth seeing and prices went up,esspecially those of real estates.We gained our independence peacefully(although,Serbia was not to happy about it) and we remainded the only ex-Yu republic on which teritory there was no war.I love my country very much and I enjoy reading other people's impresions about my country,so I would like to ask you to write more about your impressions on montenegrin people,to compare Montenegro to other Balkan countries...Also,in your opinion,do we have the chance to ever become the part of the ½civilised½ world?
and this is not a legend!!