Young people in Montenegro, even when employed, actually most often live with their parents. While some are happy with that and say they would not change anything, others have different plans and desires - to become independent. However, real estate prices are most often preventing them from doing so.
"I live with my family. Due to the abnormal prices, I am not able to become independent", "I live with my parents, I would like to get married and have children, but I cannot provide a roof over my head", "I live with my parents, I feel bad that I am not yet able to live on my own"...
The above answers are part of the questionnaire “Youth in Montenegro: Do you want to live independently?”. Of the 291 completed questionnaires, almost a third (102) are people between the ages of 18 and 30. The results also confirmed the data from a survey conducted two years ago by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), according to which 70 percent of young people in Montenegro live with their parents. The aim of the “Vijesti” questionnaire was to hear the experiences of young people aged 18 to 30, how they feel about whether they live alone, with someone or with their family, and whether and in what way this affects their everyday lives.
Additionally, the aim of the questionnaire was for participants, if they wanted their status to change, to indicate the factors that could contribute to this...
"Vijesti" only reports statements from questionnaires filled out by people who stated that they were up to 30 years old, as regulations define the category of youth.
In total, 102 people who completed the questionnaire stated that they had a job at the time. Of these, in the age group between 18 and 30, slightly less than a quarter (24) stated that they lived with their parents.
Of these, 13 are female and 11 are male, all from Podgorica.
Among young women with the status of employed person, one stated that she is satisfied with the fact that she lives with her parents, that she would not change anything. The others either mention only the fact that they live with their parents, that they participate in sharing the costs of such a community, or they express a desire to change this:
"With my dad, but I would be alone," says the young woman, who, according to the questionnaire, both works and studies.
"I live with my parents, that's a mistake," replied the second, who, as she said, was working two jobs at the time of the questionnaire.
"I work in customer service and give private lessons. My boyfriend doesn't have a job, we can't move in until we both work and get paid. I live in a family apartment," one of them said.
A young man from Podgorica, who stated that he works in the IT sector, says that he would like to live alone, or with his fiancée:
"But it's an impossible mission for now. Despite two relatively good salaries, we are unable to buy an apartment or get a loan from a bank on favorable terms."
Another, who also stated that he is employed full-time, said that he would move away from his parents for work. The young man, who stated that he both works and studies, said, “I feel that it is time to improve my financial situation to the extent that I can become independent, because I think it is time for that.”
Life in a “commune” as a test for independence
The four girls that "Vijesti" spoke with found a way to experience what it's like to live independently.
N from Nikšić, two girls from Pljevlja, E. and El, and B. from Herceg Novi are renting a property in Podgorica, where each has their own space, a room, while they share the other parts of the apartment. Three of them are employed, while one is a student.
This way of life, they tell "Vijesti", suits them for several reasons - apart from the fact that living in the capital is cheaper than if each of them were to pay rent separately, it is also their way to become independent. It is still far from their own property, but - they are not thinking about that for now. For now, they are satisfied with life in the "commune".
N, from Nikšić, lived in a student dormitory before this experience:
"I'm used to company and I'm not used to being alone when I get home. There are, of course, moments when I want no one to disturb me, to enjoy music, to work on myself, something that fulfills me. Life in a 'commune' allows me to do that," she says.
That wasn't actually her plan when she rented a room in the apartment she now lives in, but - it turned out well.
"Let's not lie, I didn't decide to take that step because I wanted to, but due to circumstances when the dormitory was closing, I rented a room for a month, and I haven't left that room to this day, because it suits me in every way. The location is good, and above all the price. Nowadays, you can't rent a studio apartment for less than 300 euros, unless it's in a remote area. The minimum wage for a university graduate is 800 euros. If we take all that into account, it's clear that living in a commune is worth it. That room has become my second home. All the habits, the way of life, everything is there."
Finances are one of the main reasons she chose not to cover the rent costs entirely herself and for B. from Herceg Novi:
"I decided to live in a commune primarily because it allowed me to manage my finances more easily and rationally. Instead of staying with my family, which might have been simpler and safer, I felt the need to test myself, to see how I would cope when I was completely responsible for myself. That decision was not easy, but it brought me a sense of freedom and the opportunity to learn a lot about myself, people, and life in the community. I learned to understand the needs of other people, to fit into new environments more easily, and to solve problems myself when they arise," she said.
Studies as a turning point
Student E. from Pljevlja decided to live independently because she believes that studying is "a turning point when people need to become independent":
"And to leave the cozy home of their parents and loved ones, to learn how independent living works and thus face many challenges that they would not otherwise have in the comfort of their own home. We are all used to ironed and arranged clothes, lunch prepared, bills paid, a full fridge. It is only when you start living alone that you start thinking about planning a household budget. I am a student and currently not working, but it forced me to learn to live with the monthly budget that my family sends me," she says.
Living in a space with people who are not family, but random roommates, is not a problem for her:
"Personally, I function well, I've never had a problem finding a common language with people. I can perform my daily rituals without any problems, even though I'm in group accommodation, of course, there is some understanding I have for the people I live with, but I don't deny myself anything personally," she said.
He recommends other young people try the same:
"Primarily because of the costs, especially for students like me who came to study in another city. Rents are extremely expensive for studios and apartments, and I think this type of accommodation is suitable and allows you to study without any obstacles, and in addition, you save your parents at least 150 euros and they worry less."
The state to help
Those who filled out the "Vijesti" questionnaire say that, in addition to higher earnings, it would be helpful to change status and separate from parents if rental prices were lower. Those who are considering buying an apartment say that this would be possible if the prices per square meter were also lower.
According to data from the Statistical Office (Monstat), published in February, the average price per square meter of a new apartment in Montenegro in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 1.936 euros, and in Podgorica it was 1.938 euros.
The average price per square meter in new buildings in the coastal region at the end of 2024 was 2.076 euros, in the central region 935 euros. No sales of new buildings were recorded in the north.
According to the methodology of the research "Prices of apartments in new buildings", the calculation of the average price per square meter of an apartment in a new building takes into account only apartments that are sold on the market for the first time, that is, for which a purchase contract has been concluded for the first time.
To support tenants, the Capital City of Podgorica also announced a public call for the reimbursement of part of the rental costs at the end of March this year. Tenants residing in Podgorica are entitled to support in the amount of 100 euros per month.
"I was a tenant, but with the arrival of Russians and Ukrainians, I could no longer pay the significantly increased rent. Lower rent prices or state assistance to buy an apartment on favorable terms, for young people with higher education," suggests the young man, who also stated that he would like to start a family, get married and have children, but that he cannot do so because he cannot provide a roof over his head.
One of the proposals is for banks to offer loans with lower interest rates for apartments to young couples.
The young women who filled out the questionnaire, who are employed and live with their parents, have similar thoughts, but they also say that the state should do something: "To reduce rents, the state has to do something about it."
Once they feel independent, it's hard for them to give it up.
Now that she's used to living independently and having her own routine during the day, says N. from Nikšić, she's starting to miss some of her rituals when she goes to visit her family:
"When I come home to the house where I grew up, my habits change, I come for two days and I already miss my morning coffee in silence, leaving things where they are and not having anyone tell me anything. I turn on the TV program that suits me, I listen to what suits me and most importantly, I don't have unannounced guests when I have something to do. I can organize my own day and routine, come home when I want and not have anyone ask me why I'm late or why I went into town," she says.
Independent living has taught him to value the money he earns, his time, his needs:
"There are no unnecessary expenses, and until then you need everything... You value your time, you take care of yourself and you see how much you really enjoy being independent. You feel good that you don't ask your family for two euros for a coffee, that you can afford everything yourself. You don't have to eat white cream, but you can just buy black and no one criticizes you for it, you turn on the water heater and use up all the hot water without a twinge of conscience, you use up a lot of electricity, your phone bill is high because you've used up your limit, but you finance it all yourself. Only your inner voice 'speaks' a little, and warns you to slow down a bit. You learn where your money goes, that you can save, that it's not the end of the world if you ever run out of money, in short, you learn to manage your finances," she says, adding that independent living, although a bit more difficult to learn, is still a good lesson in financial literacy.
"There is no workshop that can explain this, no lesson that can prepare you for it."
And the most beautiful thing about life in a commune, he adds, is cooking:
"When you make something that doesn't taste good, no one knows and no one complains about how easy it is for us younger people to throw away without earning it ourselves. I come home and lunch is waiting for me. I don't clean the house every now and then, but we share. Those roommates end up becoming really good friends, and when things are tough, you also have a free 'psychologist'"...
Bonus video:
