Hmm... I think you guys have a completely wrong picture regarding car usage in Croatia. Obviously we can't compare to the US (1 to 1 ratio) but when I drive around it looks like everyone has a car and here in Zagreb the traffic congestion is just as bad as in any western city. Liter of petrol is around $1.50 and it never stopped us driving. :-)
And to answer Swifty's questions:
- The $800 I've mentioned was after taxes. It's much easier to discuss salaries that way as you don't have to worry about different tax groups. Taxes are 15%, 25%, 35% and 45%.
- 1BR appartment would be considered two rooms apartment here and rent would be somewhere around $500. A single room apartment would cost you between $250-$350 depending on the location and age of the apartment. But you can't look at it from the same perspective as in the US. It's quite common to find up to three family generations to live in te same house or larger apartment and you must take into account that a lot of people are house owners so renting is actually the least prefered way of living here
- I've already mentioned cars but to answer your question: yes, average person owns a car and you'll be amazed at the number of German produced cars running around
- My commute is only about 10 minutes by car and 20 minutes if I take a tram. Which one I'll use depends solely on how I feel that particular day or what I have to do. Trams are quick and nice way of travelling the city if you use them outside rush hours. Otherwise be prepared to feel like a sardine in a (very) tight can :-) If you are unlucky enough to live at one side of Zagreb and have to commute all the way to the other side during the rush hour, expect a travelling time of an hour.
- Quick meals will cost you anything between $3-$10. A decent restaurant meal will cost you $7-$20. After that, anything goes. In some restaurants you can easily pay $50 or more, especially if you drink bottled wines.
Barney
And to answer Swifty's questions:
- The $800 I've mentioned was after taxes. It's much easier to discuss salaries that way as you don't have to worry about different tax groups. Taxes are 15%, 25%, 35% and 45%.
- 1BR appartment would be considered two rooms apartment here and rent would be somewhere around $500. A single room apartment would cost you between $250-$350 depending on the location and age of the apartment. But you can't look at it from the same perspective as in the US. It's quite common to find up to three family generations to live in te same house or larger apartment and you must take into account that a lot of people are house owners so renting is actually the least prefered way of living here
- I've already mentioned cars but to answer your question: yes, average person owns a car and you'll be amazed at the number of German produced cars running around
- My commute is only about 10 minutes by car and 20 minutes if I take a tram. Which one I'll use depends solely on how I feel that particular day or what I have to do. Trams are quick and nice way of travelling the city if you use them outside rush hours. Otherwise be prepared to feel like a sardine in a (very) tight can :-) If you are unlucky enough to live at one side of Zagreb and have to commute all the way to the other side during the rush hour, expect a travelling time of an hour.
- Quick meals will cost you anything between $3-$10. A decent restaurant meal will cost you $7-$20. After that, anything goes. In some restaurants you can easily pay $50 or more, especially if you drink bottled wines.
Barney