Zagreb Expats: Home Is Where the Heart Is
This month we talked with Nabilah. She is a professional make up artist, Instagram influencer and an entrepreneur based in Zagreb but originally from Capetown, South Africa.
''My husband’s job brought us here 5 years ago. He is from Zagreb, but we met abroad a few years ago. We wanted to come to Croatia as his family lives in Zagreb and it's a great place to raise a family and feels very safe. We have a 3-year-old son now.''
Image credit: Nabilah Harron
How hard was it to move and get used to living in a different country?
We had a very short time to move so initially it was stressful. But, the novelty of living in a new and exciting city wore off after 8 months, and it was back to reality. It took me about 1,5/ 2 years to integrate into society and honestly feel like this is my second home. After learning a bit of the language, making new friends, becoming a first time mother, and being an entrepreneur, I now enjoy living in Zagreb. It's a great place to raise a family, and it's very safe. Personally, home is where the heart is. Where my family is I call home.
What are the biggest differences between your home country and Croatia?
The culture! Cape Town has a very multicultural society, it's also a much bigger city than Zagreb. That took a while to get used to but compared to five years ago when I arrived it’s become more developed (restaurant scene especially) and somewhat more multicultural. Not the same as Cape Town, of course, but better than it was a few years ago. After a while, I loved how easy it was to get around in a small city. Everything is so close by. I also love the outdoor farmer's markets. In Cape Town, we don’t really have this culture. The weather is similar to Cape Town, but of course, it does not snow in Cape Town so the weather conditions are not that extreme and CPT’s climate is more Mediterranean.
What is your favorite thing about living in Zagreb and what don't you like about it?
I live close to the city center, so everything I need is within walking distance. I love it. Also, it’s very safe and clean city. There are many lovely coffee shops scattered throughout the city. Croatians take their coffee very seriously! I'm a huge foodie, and I've noticed a significant rise in the number of great bistros opening up. The food scene is definitely getting better in Zagreb, and I love it. What I don't like is that there’s no Sephora! Honestly, for a professional makeup artist, this is so frustrating! Other than that, there’s nothing I don’t like about living in Zagreb.
Image credit: Nabilah Harron
Have you learned to speak Croatian? Was it hard?
I studied Croatian for an intense 3 months (1 Semester) at Croaticum, at Filozofski Fakultet. It was very difficult. I do not speak fluently, but I speak basic Croatian, enough to get by for sure! I understand a lot though. Once I learned a bit of the language and could communicate better, it was much easier to live here.
Tell us what are the things that you miss the most about your home? Besides your family of course.
The food. Because Cape Town has such a multicultural community, you can imagine how many different kinds of cuisines can be found there. South Africa has a huge variety of food, with many different franchises.
Also, living in the south, I lived near the beautiful beaches. Zagreb is in the north and not a coastal city. I really miss the seaside. Morning runs along the promenade, and weekend hikes up Lionshead and Table mountain and of course family birthdays, weddings, births that I miss out.
Image credit: Nabilah Harron
In the end, do you see yourself living in Zagreb forever?
Nothing is forever. I’ve lived in 3 different countries and traveled to many countries around the world, so I cannot say if I will live in Zagreb forever. Who knows! For now, it's home.
Header image credit: M. Vrdoljak, TZGZ
Author: Darija Ilić