One of the msot interesting aspects of the recent Zagreb Digital Nomad Week was observing the reactions of the visiting nomads. Things that impressed – or probably better, surprised – them was the high level of English, the quality of the Internet, the diverse offer of the city and its surrounding area, and just how cool Zagreb was. When I asked Dean Kuchel, founder of Digital Nomads Israel and Digital Nomad World what Zagreb was missing, his response was very encouraging indeed.
“Zagreb is missing more digital nomads. It has perfect weather, great nightlife. Everybody speaks English, everybody is kind to you, and it is easy to get around. The Internet is fantastic, thank you. It has been very helpful with work. I don’t think it misses anything really. It checks all the boxes. It has good city life, nature, access to the sea. Just stay the same please.”
Zagreb still has a lot of work to do to establish itself on the digital nomad map, and while events such as Zagreb Digital Nomad Week will certainly help, there was more encouraging news today, with the publication of a new study “highlighting the destinations that are most attractive to digital nomads in search of a new home, according to legislation as well as livability factors such as weather, cost of living and equality.”
The Work-from-Anywhere Index by NestPick highlighted 75 destinations and ranked them according to three sections:
Costs & Infrastructure – Home office room rent, accommodation availability, income tax including social contributions, and Internet speed and capacity.
Legislation and Freedoms – Remote worker immigration, remote worker infrastructure, gender equality, LGBT+ equality, and minority equality.
Livability – COVID-19 vaccination rate, cost of living, healthcare, culture & leisure, weather, and pollution (air, light, noise).
Zagreb came in 43rd overall, with a combined score of 74.31, with Melbourne the most desirable place.
Even more encouragingly, the Croatian capital was listed 18th in Europe, with Tallinn taking the number one spot. You can see the full results of the entire study here.
While such studies are not official and open to interpretation, the very fact that Zagreb finds itself in such a position as it looks to pivot itself to take advantage of the digital nomad opportunity is hugely encouraging. Here are some of the key takeaways from Zagreb Digital Nomad Week 2021, which was an important first step in the city’s strategy. More promotional activities are planned, starting with the arrival of the first Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador tonight – meet Veronica Mulhall.
Why not become the next Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador?
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