3.5 Years of Life in Serbia: An Honest Review of Emigration

Three and a Half Years in Serbia: A New Chapter

It has been three and a half years since moving from Russia to Serbia. This time has flown by, and the last year and a half have been the most eventful and powerful of my entire life. It became a period when my childhood dreams of what adult life should be like began to come true.

These reflections are part of a unique immigrant diary, documenting the changes, insights, and events of a new life. Judging by the feedback, such stories inspire others and help them better understand what life in Serbia is like, showing it from different perspectives.

Looking back, I realize that my current lifestyle—my work, my social circle, the way my days unfold—is exactly what I imagined in my youth. This realization brings an amazing sense of rightness to everything that's happening and makes me think about the next steps and future goals, which now seem quite achievable.

Career, Freelancing, and Creativity in Emigration

My professional activity is focused on creating content for various brands and businesses. The journey began as an SMM specialist, which involved full project management, development, and creating sales-oriented content. Over time, I came to realize that what I enjoy most is the creative process itself—shooting and creating materials.

• Fitness club
• Massage studio
• Coworking space for ceramicists
• Coffee and pastry shop
• Jewelry school
• Historical project
• Sushi restaurant

At one point, the number of projects reached eight simultaneously, which led to severe fatigue and burnout. It became clear that combining the roles of an SMM specialist and a content creator on such a scale alone was impossible. The solution was to delegate some tasks to a creative assistant, which allowed me to focus on what I love and find a work-life balance.

Now I have three projects left that I genuinely enjoy. I have more free time, and my income allows for a comfortable life. This has allowed me to turn my personal blog from a potential job into a true hobby, which I run without stress or chasing numbers.

Finding 'Your People': How a Social Circle is Formed

For the first two years in Serbia, my social life was quite limited: it mainly consisted of offline conversations with my husband and online chats with my mom. However, over the past year, the situation has changed dramatically. A circle of like-minded people, friends, and good acquaintances has gradually begun to form.

I developed a sense of community and belonging. Now there's always someone to meet for coffee and a chat. Interestingly, my new social circle consists mainly of creative, unconventional people who don't work standard office hours but are engaged in their own projects, travel, and lead rich lives.

Sometimes, pleasant encounters happen spontaneously. I can just go to my favorite coffee shop to read a book and accidentally run into an acquaintance, and several hours will fly by in conversation. It's moments like these that create a true feeling of home in a new country.

Stability and the Feeling of Home

After a series of moves and housing problems, life has finally found stability. For two years now, my family and I have been living in the same apartment, and it's the best place we've ever had. The location in the city center is perfect: everything we need is within walking distance, with parks, the embankment, and convenient city exits nearby.

For the first time in many years, the constant desire to change something and move somewhere has disappeared. It's a new and pleasant feeling. After a recent month-long trip to Russia, I realized that I now have two homes: Russia is the place where I spent my childhood, and Serbia is the place I am building as my own home now.

Here in Novi Sad, I have a clear feeling of being in the right place. This doesn't mean Serbia is the perfect country for everyone, but at this stage of my life, it is ideal for personal growth and self-realization.

The 'Polako' Philosophy: How Serbia Changes Your Worldview

Life in Serbia has brought significant changes to my worldview. The constant dissatisfaction and the chase for future happiness based on the 'I'll start living when...' principle are gone. In its place has come the ability to live in the present moment and enjoy simple things: a beautiful tree outside the window, the sky, a delicious coffee.

This transformation is likely related to overcoming numerous immigrant crises and finding an inner anchor. Now, gratitude for the little things in life arises naturally, from within. This feeling of harmony extends to everything around me.

The local culture played a big role in this. The Serbian philosophy of 'polako' (slowly, take it easy) teaches you to slow down and appreciate the moment. People here are not in a hurry; they find time to chat with family and friends over a cup of coffee. This measured pace of life helps to get rid of unnecessary hustle.

For the most part, Serbs are very open, kind, and responsive people. They are easy to connect with and are always ready to help a stranger on the street. This creates a sense of safety and comfort, a feeling of a 'brotherly nation,' which greatly facilitates adaptation after moving.

Everyday Joys: Food, Markets, and Traveling the Country

One of the main pleasures of life in Serbia has become the local food and the culture of the markets ('pijaca'). Here you can always find fresh, high-quality, and seasonal products. Chatting with the vendors at the market is a separate ritual that brings joy.

While before the focus was on trips abroad, lately I've developed a desire to explore Serbia itself. The country has turned out to be very beautiful and diverse. It has mountains, national parks, and picturesque fields—lavender or sunflower.

Traveling around Serbia has become an important part of life. All interesting routes, locations, hotels, and restaurants are being compiled into a special guide so that others can also discover this country.

Practical Aspects: Prices, Documents, and Work

Over the last year and a half, the cost of living in Serbia has increased noticeably. This applies to both housing rentals, which have become 2-3 times more expensive, and food prices. Nevertheless, some things, like visiting restaurants and cafes, remain more affordable than in Russia. But overall, Serbia can no longer be called a very cheap country to live in.

The process of obtaining documents, such as a residence permit, has also become more complicated. It now requires more time, money, and paperwork. To successfully navigate all stages, it is recommended to seek help from lawyers or special consultants, the so-called 'pomagatori.'

As for work, finding employment in a local company without knowing the Serbian language is quite difficult. Most immigrants work remotely for foreign companies or are freelancers. Local salaries are generally not high, so Serbia is not the place you go to for big earnings.

Healthcare in Serbia: Public and Private Sectors

The healthcare system in Serbia is divided into public and private sectors. Public medicine is free but involves long queues and not always high-quality service. Private clinics offer good service, but their services are quite expensive.

My personal experience with private clinics, for example with a dentist, was positive. Some employers provide insurance that can cover part of the costs of private healthcare. In any case, when moving to Serbia, it is important to have a financial cushion for unexpected medical expenses.

Future Plans and Is It Worth Moving?

To the question of whether it is worth moving to Serbia, the answer is: yes, if you are looking for safety, a calm and measured pace of life, and a good climate. However, if your goal is rapid career growth and high income, you might want to consider other options. The best advice is to come here for a while, live, and see if this country is right for you.

My personal future plans are to stay in Serbia. In the near future, I plan to buy a car for more active travel around the country and neighboring regions. In a few years, I am considering the possibility of purchasing my own property, perhaps a house outside the city.

Overall, after 3.5 years, life here feels harmonious and right. This feeling of comfort and happiness comes from within and is reflected in everything that happens around me, making Serbia truly my home.