What It Really Takes to Settle in Bosnia Long-Term

Pull up a chair — this one’s a ramble, but the good kind.It’s a Wednesday evening in northwest Bosnia. The sun’s just dipped behind Kozara National Park, painting the sky in that deep red you only get here. Tamara’s in Banja Luka with her mum, Predrag (her father) is off with a chainsaw (don’t ask), and I’m here with two dogs, seven cats, and my thoughts.This episode is about what it really takes to live here long-term. Not the glossy “buy a house in Portugal” kind of podcast episode, but the truth about visas, bureaucracy, and why most foreigners in Bosnia are here because they’ve married locals. I talk about property, residency permits, and why embracing the culture and language isn’t optional. It’s survival.There’s a little bit of Hemingway, a little bit of homesickness, and a lot of reflection on what it means to be happy in later life. If you’ve ever thought about packing up and moving somewhere far from home — or you’ve done it and know that strange tug of wanting to visit “home” but never really go back — this one’s for you.If you like the sound of crickets under a Balkan sunset and the idea of living somewhere without an expat bubble, hit play. This is life, unfiltered.Let’s Stay Connected?If you enjoyed this little postcard from my Bosnian summer, I’d love to hear from you. You can drop me a message.Thank YouThank you for listening to these little slices of my life. If you’d like to get more stories, you can subscribe to my Substack, it’s free, and if you ever want to upgrade to paid but can’t afford it, just email me. I’ll sort it out, no questions asked.Here are 3 questions I have.* What would make you hit “play” on an audio post instead of just reading?* What makes a podcast episode feel personal or meaningful to you?* Would you like me to add audio versions of my blog posts so you can choose how to enjoy them?I’ll give a complimentary subscription to Coffee and Rakija for life for taking the time to answer.More From Me This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe