Zagreb
Accommodation
Finding Accommodation, Flatsharing, Hostels
The cost of living in Zagreb is quite high relative to average salary, which ranges from 5,000 - 10,000 kuna (658 - 1317 euro) monthly.
Coffee, beer, and wines by the glass are typically very affordable compared to other European countries. Lunches are generally quite cheap, but dinner in a restaurant (rather than a casual grill) can be fairly expensive. For a main dish, a side, and a beverage, it's not unusual to pay around 150 kunas per person. Clothing, electronics, furniture, and other household furnishings are relatively pricey in Croatia.
- Studio apartment in the center - 250 to 300 euro
- Coffee (espresso shot) with milk - 10-15 kunas
- Pint of local beer - 12-15 kunas
- Liter of milk - 7 kunas
- Eggs (10) - 15-20 kunas
- Bakery sandwich - 10-15 kunas
- Restaurant lunch - 35-50 kunas
- Restaurant dinner - 70-150 kunas
- Tram/bus ticket - 15 kunas
- Pair of sneakers - 550 kunas
- Toaster - 260 kunas
- Bottle of shampoo - 18 kunas
Prepare for your Housing Search
In addition to doing research on the different neighborhoods in Zagreb and the advantages and disadvantages each offers, it's a good idea to determine your priorities in a living space. This will help you sift through your options.
- What is your ideal location? Do you want to live right in the center? Close to work? Near a tram stop or a park?
- How big do you want your apartment to be?
- Do you want a furnished or unfurnished apartment?
- What is your price range?
Flatsharing
Flatsharing, or renting a room in an apartment that you share with others, is a great way to save on costs and to meet new people. A furnished room in the center generally costs around 150 - 200 euro and typically includes utilities. Prices will vary depending on location, size, and age of the apartment.
Classifieds websites like Njuškalo and Oglasnik are great resources for finding roommates. It's always a good idea to meet your potential roommate first before making any sort of formal agreement to determine whether or not you will get along well.
Hostel
Just a couple of years ago, hostels were a rarity in Zagreb, but now they're popping up all over the place. Hostels in Zagreb offer a cheap alternative to hotels, and many are located right in the center of the city.
Most hostels offer beds in multi-person dorm rooms or pricier private rooms. The price for a bed in a dorm can run from 12 euro during the off-season to 22 euro during the high season. Most hostels provide services like WiFi and bedding, and several provide breakfast for a small fee and organize city tours and other excursions.
Private Accommodation
"Private accommodation" in Croatia refers to apartments or rooms that are rented out short or long term, usually to tourists, by their owners. This is very popular on the coast, but the private accommodation market in Zagreb is quickly growing. You may be familiar with this idea because of increasingly popular apartment rental sites like Airbnb and Wimdu. It's the same idea, but Croatians have been doing it for years.
There's a great variety of private accommodation available, from basic rooms to luxury apartments. Generally, though, staying in private accommodation is more affordable than staying in a hotel, and you have a homier environment. This is a great option for families who want a bit more space or for expats looking for a short-term rental or somewhere to stay while they are house hunting.
There are many apartments available for short-term rental on the Internet at various prices. Reputable providers of private accommodation in Zagreb include:
25/05/2013