Belgrade, Serbia Report of what it's like to live there - 11/13/25
Personal Experiences from Belgrade, Serbia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. Previously we lived in Seoul, South Korea.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
We are from the U.S. There are now direct flights from Belgrade on Air Serbia to NYC and Chicago. All other flights to the U.S. require a connection, typically in Amsterdam or Germany.
3. What years did you live here?
2023-present.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most Americans live in either Dedinje or Banovo Brdo, with additional apartments in Vracar, Senjak, or Dorcol. All housing is in apartments except for Banovo Brdo, which are freestanding houses (4 bedrooms) or triplexes (either 3 or 4 bedrooms). The houses are large and typically have large yards. Commute time from Banovo Brdo is around 20 minutes, Dedinje can walk, and from Vracar or Dorcol can widely vary (20-60 minutes) depending on traffic.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Great availability. There is very little that I cannot buy locally. There is a small commissary in the U.S. Embassy available to those working at the Embassy.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
American powdered sugar and LaCroix.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Tons of options! Wolt and Glovo are big in Belgrade, offering many options and cuisines. There are excellent restaurants in Belgrade with a wide variety of options. One of the biggest downfalls about living in Serbia is that smoking is still allowed indoors and in restaurants. Many restaurants have patios which makes this tolerable during the spring/summer/fall, but it becomes tricky to eat out in the winter.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We use the DPO mailing system at the Embassy.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Nannies are about 1000-1500 euros a month. Babysitters and cleaners range from 7-10 euros and hour.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Yes, I've never felt unsafe in Belgrade.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There is a small gym at the Embassy. There are reformer pilates, indoor cycling, big box gyms, personal trainers (Marko), and more. Price varies - the boutique style classes are cheaper than the U.S. but not inexpensive, the big gyms are inexpensive ($20-40/month).
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, I use Apple Pay almost exclusively in Belgrade. Outside of the city I tend to need cash more often.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There is a Catholic church downtown that offers a mass in English on Sundays.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Everyone speaks English, so you can get by speaking only English. There are local tutors available (I used Nevena and she is amazing) and they are inexpensive.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Like any European city, roads and sidewalks are uneven and could be difficult to navigate with physical disabilities.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes. As of January 2025, all public transportation is free. We've used Pink Taxi (they have an app) and CarGo (similar to Uber); both are safe and inexpensive. A taxi from Banovo Brdo to downtown is around $15.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Roads are not the best and there are a ton of potholes. I would say to bring a car that can handle bumpiness and that you don't mind if it gets a few bumps and bruises.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
The Embassy will setup your internet for you before your arrival. MTS is a common carrier, and you can select a package that includes both internet and a SIM card for your mobile phone. They can do both physical and eSIMs. Many people also use Google Fi, although there have been some issues with it's functionality (which may just be a bigger Google Fi verification issue and not a Belgrade issue).
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We use local plans. They are cheap.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Toma is the vet that everyone uses and he is amazing! He recently opened an office in Senjak. He does home visits and will board your dog when you travel for 12 euros a night. There is no quarantine requirement. When arriving to Belgrade, you need to follow EU and Serbian procedures because all flights connect in the EU. Some people opt to fly into Vienna or Budapest and drive to Belgrade to minimize the air travel time for their pets. Toma has picked people and their pets up in Vienna/Budapest and driven them to Belgrade.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
There are many telecommuters and DETOs at post. There are some eligible family member (EFM) jobs at the Embassy.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are school boards and the International Women's Club.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work is business/business casual. Formal dress may be required for events.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No health concerns. The quality of medical care is good. A new hospital, Avala, recently opened and may be a step up from the normal medial care provided by the primary local provider, Bel Medic. Pregnant women are typically medevac'd for birth and procedures requiring surgery are also typically medevac'd.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is generally good, especially in Banovo Brdo. The quality can be very bad due to pollution, but it is not constant. Having previously served in Seoul, I would say the fluctuations to bad air quality days are similar.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Four seasons with hot, dry summers and mild winters (average temperature is around 30*F).
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are three schools that Americans typically attend: International School of Belgrade (ISB), Chartwell, and the Green School. The Green School (https://www.greenschool.edu.rs/) is brand new and opened for the 2025-2026 school year on Ada Island. Both Chartwell and the Green School follow the British/Cambridge curriculum. Most American families send their kids to ISB, but there will be at least two families at the Green School in 26-27 and one family at Chartwell in 26-27. We chose to send our child to the Green School because we like how they balance fun and exploration with academic rigor. They are focused on outdoor activities, with a greenhouse, kitchen for cooking classes, garden, outdoor classrooms, and four incredible playgrounds.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes. We send our children to Cili Vili in the Banovo Brdo neighborhood. It costs $500-600/month/kid and the hours are 7:30am until 6:00pm year round (except some holidays). They do not accept children until they are 15-18 months old, and it runs through children aged 6. They are walking distance from the housing in Banovo Brdo. I don't know of any day cares that accept children younger than 12 months, those situations typically require a nanny.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Some. Many students participate in activities at the schools, but there are also soccer and Tennis in Banovo Brdo (at Kosutnjak) for kids ages 4+. Belgrade is also full of "igraonicas", which are indoor playgrounds. They are an excellent way to spend a rainy or cold day. Many restaurants have playgrounds attached.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Morale is excellent - Belgrade is a really wonderful post! There are probably 100 families in the U.S. community, and relationships can easily be formed with other expats through groups like the International Womens Club and Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
International Womens Club and Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I can only speak to families, but I would say yes all around!
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
I have never felt any predjudices.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Unsure, but there is a local Pride parade every September.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I can tell.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Belgrade is at most a tehre hour flight from any major European city. We have traveled all over Europe in our two years here.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Deuric Winery, Erdevik Winery, Tara National Park, Zlatibor, Subotica as a rest stop on the drive to Budapest, Ada Island restaurants and swimming, Zornica Kuca (little house and petting zoo outside of Belgrade), Natural History Center Svilanjnac (outside of Belgrade).
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really unless you count rakija (local liquor) :).
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It's relatively inexpensive, although prices have definitely increased in our two years here. You can easily travel anywhere in Europe on a long weekend. Flights on Wizz and Air Serbia are reasonably priced.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I would have known how easy life would be here. Belgrade is a big enough city that it provides anything you could want and need, while not being overly difficult to navigate like other mega cities. The biggest disadvantages (in my opinion) are: smoking indoors, no train connections anywhere in Europe, sometimes long waits when driving across the borders, and some dirtiness (e.g., dog poop on the sidewalks). That being said, the positives outweigh the negatives.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
100% yes.
3. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Death of Yugoslavia BBC documentary (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdw7wnKe0wiUSNdugFGpnSfm6wt-9gvUt) and I've heard Balkan Ghosts is a great read.
4. Do you have any other comments?
It's an excellent city - jump on living in Belgrade if you have the chance!
