Expats in Zagreb: Settled in the Capital

Tell us a bit about yourself. How come you moved to Croatia?

Hello, my name is Pedro Soltz. I am a Brazilian guy born in Belo Horizonte. I’ve been working as a model for several years and eventually as an actor as well.

I studied engineering and also management and have a few side businesses in those areas. Since I left my country, I’ve lived in around 10 different countries and visited over 50. I've learned five languages, and I met an amazing Croatian model who gave me a beautiful daughter.

After living in several different countries, we decided that Croatia would be a nice place to settle because of our daughter. Here, she can have a nice family life, and we can often take trips without affecting her.

That’s how we ended up in Zagreb. Even though Croatia doesn’t have a very developed market in our business sector, it’s still a good place to stay because it is very easy to reach the whole of Europe. So, I think that after all, our choice was very positive.

Image credit: Pedro Soltz 

How hard was it to move and get used to living in a different country?

My first international trip was at the age of 19. But I moved abroad when I was 23. In the beginning, it was hard, really hard, but later on, I got used to it, and I started to see the world as my home.

What are the most significant differences between your home country and Croatia? Is there anything that surprised you here or was hard to get used to?

It’s very different — the weather, for starters. Brazil is kind of summer or spring whole year. Over here you have well defined all four seasons. Also, the language can be a bit of a barrier. Food is very different. I must say, Brazilian is better in my opinion.

In Brazil, a beach means that you have a long stretch of a couple of kilometers of sand and it’s quite wide. In Croatia you have stones. There you have lots of waves, here the sea is flat and clear.

Compared to Brazil, Croatia is very small. There is less crime and roads are good. Also, it's not very crowded. Brazil is a huge country, roads are bad, the crime rate is quite high.

I mean, there are thousands of differences. But it’s best to go there and experience it on your own. Brazil is an amazing country just like Croatia. They are just different.

Did you know much about Croatia and Zagreb before moving here?

My first time in Croatia was in 2010 when I met Iris. Before that, I had no idea about what Croatia was like. Actually, the only thing I knew about Croatia was that national soccer team had white and red square T-shirts.

What is your favorite thing about living in Zagreb and what don't you like about it?

I like that it is calm, easy going, no big traffic jams. The airport is easy to reach. The seaside, as well. No crime. Also, one of the things I love in Zagreb is that there are always different city events going on like street concerts, Advent market during the winter, recent Festival of Lights, many summer festivals, outdoor cinema, etc.

One thing I don’t like is that, unlike most cities in Europe, you kind of need car for everything here. 

Image credit: Pedro Soltz

Do you have some favorite places to go in the city? If so, tell us which.

In the city, I like the city center very much. I also like Jarun, Bundek and also Medvednica mountain and it’s Sljeme peak above the city.

Have you learned to speak Croatian? 

Well, yes. I can speak Croatian. Still not perfect, but I can communicate on my own. It’s a hard language, but I’m getting better at it.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

I think people the most. So that’s exactly that. I miss my family and my friends.

Besides that, I miss the long sandy beaches and good Brazilian food.

Image credit: Pedro Soltz

Was it hard to assimilate here and meet new people?

I think Balkan people are very welcoming. I made some good friends over here, and I think it wasn’t hard. The hardest thing is to manage all my trips, all my responsibilities and still be able to meet them.

Do you consider Zagreb your home now and are you planning to stay here forever?

Yeah, it is my home, definitely. As far as staying, forever is too long. You never know.  I have some business going on in Brazil, and it requires my presence very often. So, there is always a possibility of going back. But for now, we are here.

Header image credit: J. Duval, TZGZ

Author: Darija Ilić