Living the Dream: Steve Tsentserensky Became a Digital Nomad in Croatia

Finally made it – to the top of St. Domnius bell tower!

From Struggling Freelancer to Thriving Abroad – His Journey to a New Life in 2021

Steve Tsentserensky Became a Digital Nomad in Croatia

Before Covid hit in March 2020, Steve Tsentserensky was earning about $4,000 per month. He was working as a freelance video producer. But as the pandemic intensified, those gig earnings quickly dwindled to $700.

Steve faced uncertainty about the future. He found himself sleeping on a futon at his sister’s house in New Jersey. He felt restless and missed all the traveling he used to do for work.

But a few months later, his prayers were answered. Croatia announced it would start offering a one-year residence authorization to digital nomads. This applies to anyone outside of the European Union working remotely starting in January 2021.

He had visited Croatia before and was utterly captivated by the country, so Steve decided to apply.

The Application Process and Preparation

He did a lot of prep work between April and December 2020 before getting approved for the authorization.

“The application processing fee was $100, and to qualify, I needed to have a monthly income of at least $2,750. So throughout the following months, I aggressively built a recurring income stream from freelance gigs (video producing and copywriting) through Upwork.”

By December 2020, Steve was back to making around $4,000 per month. He was also an obsessive saver and rarely spent his earnings. So with the $76,000 in his savings account, he felt financially secure enough to live abroad.

Also to the income necessity, Steve Tsentserensky needed to show proof of international health insurance. Steve got this through a U.S. based travel insurance company called Seven Corners. He also needed to obtain an FBI background check and give a location he’d be staying at.

Life in Split, Croatia (2021)

“I currently live in Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.”

The views are gorgeous, and the cost of living is much cheaper compared to most major U.S. cities. The average rent for a one-bedroom in Jersey City is $2,779. This amount does not include utilities. This data is provided by the rental listing website RentCafe.

“I live by myself in a 650-square-foot apartment, which I found through a Facebook group for expats in Croatia. I’m renting directly from the owner for $540 (including utilities) per month.”

His Daily Routine as a Digital Nomad

“As soon as my alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m., I’ll make some Turkish coffee and have a simple breakfast — usually some eggs, vegetables, cheese and toasted bread.”

Then Steve dives straight into his freelance projects. He tries to put in about eight hours of work on weekdays. Since most of his clients are based in the U.S., he schedules work calls on Eastern or Pacific Standard Time.

He has several dining options for lunch. It costs between $10 to $14, including tip. These options are within walking distance. “I love trips to the bakery for a tasty burek, a savory pastry typically filled with meat or cheese ($2 to $3).”

“A nice dinner on the coast will include lots of seafood dishes like tuna, octopus and squid ink risotto ($18 to $30, including drinks and tip).”

Exploring Croatia and Embracing the Culture

“I’m a pretty social person, and I’ve met a lot of great people in Split — both locals and other expats. On weekends, I could spend hours having meaningful conversations with friends over $2 espressos.”

From his apartment, Steve Tsentserensky is a three-minute walk to the famed ruins of Diocletian’s Palace. “Built at the turn of the fourth century and considered the heart of the city, the streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site have been worn smooth by pedestrians.”

“I’m also six minutes from the Riva, a waterfront promenade filled with cafés, bars, restaurants and shops.”

Steve arrived in Croatia in early 2021. Since then, he has taken several trips to see more of this endlessly beautiful country. He has visited Zagreb, Rijeka, and Zadar. Steve also explored the islands of Hvar and Brač. “Most recently, I took a two-hour bus ride ($28 for a round trip) to Zaton.”

The Future of His Nomadic Life

“The pace of life in Croatia is dramatically different — and much more my speed — than in New Jersey. When you combine that with the affordability, friendly people, fun activities, and low crime rates, there isn’t much to complain about.”

Relocating To Croatia On $47 A Day

One of the downsides of working and living abroad is missing and being far from Steve’s family and friends. He hopes to take a trip back home at some point.

“While Croatia will forever hold a place in my heart, several other countries, including Georgia and Portugal, also offer digital nomad visas. Once my permit here expires in March 2022, I plan to take advantage of those opportunities and continue the nomadic life for as long as I can.”

“The freedom to work from anywhere and chart your own course is a bit addictive, and the spontaneity of it is a big part of what brings me joy.”

Final Thoughts

His story shows the power of resilience and resourcefulness. It also highlights the willingness to embrace a new way of life. For those dreaming of location independence, his experience serves as an inspiring reminder. With determination and planning, the digital nomad lifestyle becomes more than just a fantasy. It’s a reality waiting to be lived.

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