Like entrepreneurs with sharp instincts, digital nomads can spot an excellent opportunity when they see it.
Nowadays, the opportunity is in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Most nomad destinations go through a particular circle:
First phase: Nobody knows anything about them (besides stereotypes and what they learn from the news).
Second phase: A few pioneers “discover” the place somehow - and start moving there.
They start coworking and coliving spaces, buy real estate, create business opportunities for locals, and enjoy the very low cost of living.
This phase usually lasts 5-10 years, and is called “the golden era”.
Third phase: Digital nomads, entrepreneurs, expats, and tourists start flowing into the place in masses.
As a result, prices go up significantly, the streets become packed with foreigners, the place loses some authenticity, and most golden investment opportunities are taken.
This is the life circle of many cities in the globalization era.
This is where Berlin was in the early 2000s.
When Tim Ferris wrote about geo-arbitrage.
He was paying 300ÂŁ monthly for a studio apartment in the city center.
Good luck finding a flat below 1000ÂŁ a month now.
Nomads have realized this, so they move to Belgrade, which slowly takes Berlin’s place.
This was Croatia in the early 2010s.
When I visited Split in 2011, it was super cheap, and I barely saw tourists (let alone digital nomads).
As Croatia goes into the third phase (and also joins the Schengen Zone + adopting the Euro currency), its golden era might be over (unless you are rich).
Now it’s Bosnia and Herzegovina’s turn.
Nature in Bosnia and Herzegovina is beyond beauty.
If Croatia has the Adriatean beach line,
Bosnia and Herzegovina have mountains, lakes, rivers, gorgeous sunsets, and castles.
It has hi-tech parts like INTERA in Mostar that are thirsty for investors, skilled workers, and professional talents.
They’re ready to talk business.
There’s a good reason why Israeli Bilioner Amir Gross Kabiri has recently bought the Aluminium factory of Mostar (Aluminij Insudtries), with annual revenue of 263M$.
And it’s all here, 2 hours away from Dubrovnik, and probably 1\3 of the price.
If you spend some time in the Balkans this summer,
Make sure to stop in Sarajevo and Mostar for a few days.
You’ll be surprised :)