The story of a Montenegro girl from England

A big thank you to Share Montenegro who recently published my story on their website!   Here’s the Montenegro Girl story.

The story behind Montenegro Girl

I was born in England, but I lived abroad when I was a child, as my father was a foreign diplomat. So, I you could say my experiences of living in some far-flung places has given me a taste for foreign shores and travel! I have been married to my lovely husband for 13 years and we have a beautiful 11-year old daughter. I am an aspiring minimalist and am in the process of simplifying my life while slowly following my dream to live in Montenegro one day.

How did the story of an english girl & Montenegro begin?

I studied Russian at university in England and as part of that had the opportunity to spend 7 months in the former Yugoslavia (Zagreb). I absolutely loved it.  Since then I have lived in various places in England and currently live in Harrogate, an historic spa town in the north of England. (I love to move house – another quirk from having moved around a lot as a diplomat’s child!)

I started thinking about investing some money in a property abroad, when the property boom hit England in the early 2000s and it was easy to get credit. It didn’t take me long to decide that I would buy in the part of the world where I’d been so happy as a student.

Although I had travelled a lot around the former Yugoslavia, I sadly hadn’t made it to Montenegro.  But my interest was piqued at a UK foreign property show, when someone suggested Montenegro to me. That was 2005 and by the end of the autumn that same year I was on a plane there and had purchased a charming old apartment in the heart of beautiful Kotor Old Town.

Why Montenegro?

I actually bought my apartment when I visited Montenegro for the first time, so I didn’t know it well at all.  But I immediately fell in love with it. It was an undiscovered beauty that really took me by surprise. I still remember the view of Kotor Bay and the Old Town when I saw it for the first time – it took my breath away. And still does – even though I have seen it many times before.

Over the years my relationship with Montenegro has deepened and it has become a very special place to me.  Somewhere I feel I can be myself.

And what’s so special about Montenegro?  Where do I start? Of course, there’s the staggering beauty of the country.  The coastline, the mountains, the lovely old buildings. Considering it is such a small country it truly has a lot to offer.

I have also really appreciated Montenegrin culture, which really includes children. For example, children are welcome in restaurants and aren’t treated separately with their own kids’ menus as they are in UK.   I first brought my daughter to Montenegro when she was 6 months old, so this has been a big factor for me, as it is very different to the English culture. 

I feel more relaxed and accepted in Montenegro. The pace of life is slower, as people sit and chat or have relaxed business meetings at cafes in the day. Families hang out at cafes while the kids play. It is noticeable that people aren’t rushing around all the time as they seem to be in England. 

Montenegro is a country with a rich and varied history.  There’s contrast and inconsistencies, but all this gives Montenegro character and soul.

Have you visited many towns in Montengro?

I’m still working my way around Montenegro exploring, but I have seen quite a few towns and cities.  Podgorica, Zabljak, Bar, Budva, Tivat and Sutomore to name a few. But it has to be Kotor that stands out as the one I love most.  Kotor Old Town is such a special place with its elegant architecture and faded glory.  I still get a little lost in its narrow streets that unexpectedly bring you into the sunshine in the most beautiful squares. It is also a fascinating place to visit as the ebb and flow of the town changes throughout the seasons. Throwing the shutters of my apartment windows open each morning to look down onto the square below is still one of my favourite things to do whenever I stay.

Which part of Montenegro is the most beautiful?

It has to be Bjelila.  This tiny village on the Lustica peninsula in Kotor Bay has been somewhere that I keep going back to time and time again.  It is such a beautiful spot with the calm, crystal-clear water, the cluster of old stone houses with their own little jetties framed by the majestic mountains in the distance. There is something so peaceful about this place too – it instantly makes me feel rested and grounded.