We Tracked Every Cent! 💵 Travel Cost Of Living North Macedonia | Skopje Digital Nomad

Here's our cost of living in Skopje, North Macedonia. This vlog isn't just our digital nomad monthly costs, but daily travel costs also...⬇ More Below ✈ This guide will show you how we do it - geni.us/9VHNx
Skopje isn't exactly known as a digital nomad hot spot, so going into it we didn't really know what to expect from the cost of living or daily travel costs - how expensive is Skopje? Before arriving we wouldn't have been able to tell you.
With our travels we like to explore as much as we can and found ourselves spending a month in Macedonia / North Macedonia for various reasons, a great chance to create our 10th cost of living video for digital nomads, curious peeps and in this version daily travel costs as well. Skopje is a very cool city with some amazing apartments, you'll see in the video we kind of got shafted with a canceled airbnb though so our costs blew out a decent amount, still worth it though!
Check the links below for our other digital nomad focussed cost of living videos from around the world as well as our recommendations for travel insurance options and VPN:
Cost Of Living Videos:
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➜ Krakow - goo.gl/LzC9Y4
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➜ Chiang Mai - goo.gl/QUPdNH
➜ Philippines - goo.gl/AgSypH
➜ Vietnam - goo.gl/HLs42G
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Hey, we're Dane & Stacey! Full-time travellers, digital nomads and content creators from New Zealand. We mix things up between finding the best experiences in more well known destinations and going off the beaten path to underrated travel spots, capturing it all to share. Authentic, genuine, cinematic and informative is our goal - we want you to feel like you're experiencing the day with us.
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#Skopje #CostOfLiving

[@BashkimUkshini]

I'm a local (used to be, now living in Germany for >2 years), but the price for the accommodation is way too high. I see it looks really fancy and nice, and most likely it's in the center, but you can get something as good for 2-3 times less, in other nice areas too. I think that kinda diluted the results a bit in the end. It's most definitely less expensive than Krakow and Zagreb, not sure about the rest of the cities, but as I said, taking into account the very high price you paid for accommodation, most likely Skopje would be in the lower end of the list. Next time, as a tip, check some FB groups and ask for local's help, probably would have ended up paying 50% less for the place. Another thing in the countries in that region is the seasonality. I hope you enjoyed your stay, and thank you for the video!

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Yup - thats why I mentioned it multiple times in the video. You can't compare costs to a local though, thats not realistic for 99% of the people watching. We've secured cheaper deals for long stays around the world by speaking to locals/local agencies, but it takes a lot more work, you often can't plan ahead and you run the risk of ending up with nothing but already being in the country... and then paying the bigger bucks like we had to last minute. Airbnb is more expensive, but its hands off and vetted.

[@bojanbozinovski1415]

I agree. Students pay 60-70$ per person or 300$/months for a standard apartment. But these guys have a fancy appartment so therefore the price

[@oleranilos9690]

Which FB Groups are available for North Macedonia?

[@BashkimUkshini]

​@@oleranilos9690 I would check: Туризам во Македонија Патувања низ Македонија Just copy paste those two sentences and search in FB. Feel freel to post in English, I don't think that would be a problem.

[@RexWaldron]

This new format works well - it's logical and easy to follow. I like the costs display in the bottom left had corner of the screen. The comparison of costs was interesting too and the graphics neat, stylish and clear. Great stuff! :)

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Thanks Rex - I got Stace to make the graphics fancier this time haha

[@SheillaOlga]

I love this part of the vlog. Helps to estimate costs and plan ahead 😍😍😍😍. Thanks for bringing it back.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Over due! More to come for sure

[@rjbpow]

I like the new breakdown comparison approach. It’s very informative, thx!

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Nice - thank you!

[@fmp6314]

I absolutely love that you do these kind of videos. You’re my fav travel couple channel. Always supporting you guys ❤️

[@DanegerAndStacey]

When a video like this tanks in comparison to our normal ones, we appreciate comments like this even more - thank you!

[@salsamite]

Really like these types of videos. It's really handy to get a scope of costs of particular destinations. Cheers!

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Glad to hear you enjoy them Sally!

[@viktorija.s3056]

Skopje is more expensive than other cities though. I think for travelers North Macedonia is cheap but for as locals is normal

[@Y_Not1]

Hi, What a great video, Your always working so hard. Thanks,stay connected. Have a great weekend.👍😎💖💕🌹

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Thanks for always being so positive!

[@ephlis01]

I love this old school break down on finances. Too many other channels don't talk about the nuts and bolts of living overseas, just the dance music and pretty videos. Good job. keep it up. Fantastic job.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

I'll chuck in a dance scene with some pretty footage for ya next time 🤣 Thanks though, appreciate your comment

[@JuneK618]

My favorite!!! I always look forward to your breakdowns. Your channel has become my go-to reference whenever my boyfriend and I think about a place to potentially visit. Btw, I’ve already visited a handful of cities from watching your channel 😍. As always, greatly appreciate your efforts of putting together these breakdowns of local living!! Much love from NYC ♥️

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Ahh thats so lovely for us to hear, thanks so much for taking the time to share

[@lailaagrado]

And that kids, is the professor Dan with his captivating new lecure! ;) Cannot wait for the other videos :)

[@DanegerAndStacey]

You're a great student haha 🤣

[@lailaagrado]

@@DanegerAndStacey that...that sounds...so doubios ...anyhow, so from N.Macedonia where to? :)

[@Sashaaa17]

Great breakdown of costs. I can tell you love your lists and that. My partner is the same 😜

[@DanegerAndStacey]

I'm biiig into spreadsheets haha.

[@StorytellerDan]

Really good video. It's a pain in the ass trying to find videos like this, which do what they say on the tin - seriously. Cheers.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Cheers Dan... I've made similar ones for plennty of other cities/countries also if you're keen on more

[@StorytellerDan]

@@DanegerAndStacey I am. In fact, I'm doing something similar around Spain right now. I'd just prefer so I don't have to keep sacrificing relationships. I'm looking at the latest one right now, this might be the last time we see each other. It feels awful. Would love to know how you're doing it.

[@bobinestoroski8880]

Great video I'm maso from Australia respect

[@coinrotator]

Kind of strange to be in a city and see your videos pop up for the same cities! It's happened more than once too! Regards from Skopje :)

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Thanks for saying hi either way 🤙🏼

[@rogerlong6969]

Great video!

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tally1604]

I stayed in a hotel in central skopje for a lot less than you paid for your airbb. It looks new and very stylish though. Still, on the very expensive side.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Yup, we pay for the luxury of having our own office as well really

[@tomroncevic4404]

Well done!

[@johnmorrow4719]

I am off to Europe FREE because I am retired military. After you are "on the road" is is all part of the game. So I am off to Albania because my son's mother in law's cousin will show me around. Love how you are so honest in what you show... the good and the bad. I love beer too.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Haha you're gonna love Albania and North Macedonia then, beer is CHEAP. Hope you have a great trip

[@johnmorrow4719]

I am so impressed with your love of traveling, genuine production, and I wish you all success.

[@konstantinterekhin6124]

Hey guys, thanks for another helpful video. Wanted to ask about internet quality there. Is it reliable for full time remote job? Would be very cool if you can include that in some of you future videos. Thanks!

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Hey 👋🏼 You really gotta listen to the whole video haha, we mention speeds for both internet and mobile data later also

[@brubrazil]

perfect!!!

[@WorkForAvocados]

I've found the cost of a beer at the bar seems to be a pretty good estimate about the cost of living of the area you're in. Awesome breakdown of your expenses, thanks for the transparency!

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Definitely a good way to work it out relatively quickly - cost of accom per night and a beer. This video would be a lot less work, and shorter, if thats all we needed though haha

[@NinaNikolikj]

Enjoyed this video as a local :) and definitely accommodation is way cheaper, but given your circumstances it was all right. Might reshare your video on a blog post I'm preparing for next week, is that ok with you? Cheers from SkopYeah and I hope you liked here and will come back 🇲🇰

[@Psychphuq]

Love the breakdown of costs (long & short)... 🤓 Most places that don't have a worldly coffee understanding, I ask for coffee with milk to avoid cappuccino... 😎 5 GB of data for $9 is pretty good, N.Macedonia only I imagine...🤔

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Anything to avoid a cappu for sure! That's the worst result haha. White coffee, or coffee and milk tends to work but then it's bloody cold... lifes so tough 🤣

[@indrit2031]

The Video Quality is unormal good👌

[@bojangrbikj2495]

Late to the party as I see this video is a bit old, but its not like we are reinventing hot water if your work is remote and you suddenly figure out that you are not tied to one place of living or country of residence. You obviously can do both so long your salaries are sustainable enough to support that kind of a lifestyle. However, many other things will have to be taken into consideration before you are able to do that. I know people who do work from home, but do not have the income to do whatever you guys do. its great that you make a consultation out of it. Many employers are absolutely not open to having people do their work remotely, and while many employers are okay with you working remotely, they just don't feel like you are not accessible at times they prefer. Many things you have to regulate before you are able to do that. I am so glad you guys figured it out.

[@IAMDANREEVE]

Honestly, I think you'd have a hard time finding a "flat white" in the USA. It's not a normal one on the menu even in the hipster coffee joints. Dan

[@robynlawlor4389]

Bali seems to have cost you more than you expected. What location did you prefer for a longer stay?

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Bali was the most fun, best restaurants, amazing food delivery and mostly cheap - we had a very 'fun' month and nice accom that cranked up that price so with that i nmind it's right near the top of that list. The value of Thailand is hard to beat though.

[@bfourney]

Hey Dane! So just to be clear, all these costs are totals for two people right? For exactly one month? It would be pretty cool to see the categories broken down like mint categories so it’s easier to compare, I’m guessing you’re just using spreadsheets to total up or something. Interesting to compare with my average costs in LA Housing/rent: $950 (really good deal on a shared place) Food/dining/groceries/coffee shops: $1000 Transportation/gas/insurance/car wash: $750 Gym, misc otc pharmacy items, health: $80 Wireless bill: $70 Entertainment: $20 Shopping/Other: $100 or so Total: generally around $3000

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Hey - yeah these are per month, for 2 people. So as a couple our total outgoings. There's a category breakdown near the end when I show the total. Is yours for 1 person>?

[@bfourney]

@@DanegerAndStacey Yeah lol, that's only for one person

[@lb42]

I love you guys&your videos👌💞👍 Macedonia is quite cheap,compared to Croatia very cheap,but you've payed a lot for the accommodation.😔😔 Anyhow I am glad you are enjoying Macedonia,now North Macedonia,it's a beautiful country with lovely people.💓 Much love&regatds from Split Croatia 🙋🙋💓💓

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Definitely got screwed over with the accom sadly, but a cool place to explore... not as beautiful as Split though!

[@lb42]

@@DanegerAndStacey Thank you 👌♥️😍

[@Eufrat93]

Macedonia*

[@rdx86]

Nice video, guys. Sorry you got stiffed on the accommodation but I guess that's a reality of flaky Airbnb hosts sometimes. Usually, how many months in advance do you book your accommodation? I agree about Bali too. I got a rude shock when I stayed there for a month- probably my most expensive month this year, and this includes India, the Balkans and some of the touristy places in Thailand.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Yeah we hear you on Bali - you get what you pay for really. We generally are only a month or 2 out with our bookings, but things were a bit hectic here because of Stace's laptop repairs and a 2-3 week delay for parts etc so we had to make plans last minute and pay the price.

[@dark698701]

My beautiful country 🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰

[@dgolber]

Like every modern city, there are web listings of apartments for rent. I searched for "skopje stan iznajm" (Skopje apartment rent). I chose one of the listing web sites. Lots of apartments for 400-500 Euro. For example, I see one in the Centar area, 68 square meters, two bedrooms, one bath, air-conditioning, central heat, etc. For 450 Euro. If you can't handle even that much of the language, here's what you do: stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks. Find a local beer-buddy. Ask him (or her) to help. Not difficult.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Good tips for if you plan to stay for a longer time!

[@tatjanavelkova5814]

@@DanegerAndStacey I WISH YOU NICE YEAR ! ! ! Tatjana

[@hristinastoimenovska5048]

I'm from Macedonia (small city -Delchevo), I live in Sofia, Bulgaria (for 7 years now) but I think this is soooooo expensive. I can't believe it. Maybe because of the accommodation, but almost 100000 Denari, from a month? It seems a lot. The average salary is around 30000 denari per month I think.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Yup, very expensive compared to local costs and the cancellations/accom shifts really hurt us! Still would have been more, but within a more reasonable price

[@bozin_ru4302]

They could've found accommodation for at least 400 dollars less had they been not so close to the center i live in gjorce skopke but almost all my reletives live in the center of center so i find my self there 80% of the time so i can say these people got basically ripped off.

[@Wolverine-ky9gk]

Why Bulgaria they hate us

[@hristinastoimenovska5048]

@@Wolverine-ky9gk They think we hate them.

[@Wolverine-ky9gk]

@@hristinastoimenovska5048 But we do lol,

[@BIGJED75]

Maybe list the places for dearest to cheapest. Hope you both are doing well.

[@motarski]

Thusand bucks for accomodation in Skopje, I think you got ripped off. That's just way too much.

[@nicktugwell8056]

UK guy .. I need to leave the philpennes for a year plus.. visa reasons... 3 months max... how about flipping from there to Albania every 3 months .. your opinion appreciated... budget is important

[@nikola23gr]

$1000 for accommodation that's so expansive for Skopje my friend has 2 apartments 2 bathrooms 1 bathroom nicely furniture mostly Ikea with ac and he rents them for 350 euros to 450 for the month short term usually he rents them to our friends that they live in USA when they go back in Macedonia.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

If you have the right contacts you can always find things cheaper - Would be the same if you came to New Zealand. We would be able to find cheaper accommodation than you as we know the right people :) That's just life as a traveller.

[@GLazarevski]

I think you overpaid the accommodation, in general for a well positioned apartment 55m2 with 1bedroom in the downtown area with all the modern setup costs no more than 500 Euros including utilities. But you will need a good research ahead and maybe being a local helps more to get the correct price.

[@russellgray1426]

From a grocery perspective why don’t you adopt a “shopping basket” of your own e.g. a loaf of bread, a bottle of lager, a pack of chicken breasts, a bottle of water etc etc etc. I feel it would give a better idea of the variation of prices in each place. You could also add the prices for the local weed for me 🤣🤣🤣

[@DanegerAndStacey]

You mean a comparison of those items between other countries? Haha surprisingly no offers to get high while here, and we didn't go looking for it 🤣

[@russellgray1426]

Daneger and Stacey - yes mate, not those particular items that was just a suggestion, you could select what items you want to include to suit your taste of course. It would have to vary slightly from place to place because some stuff may not be available in a certain country, pork in Muslim countries and beef in India etc. Just select 10 items you regularly buy and compare them. Thanks for sharing your travels, you have certainly opened my eyes to places I wouldn’t ordinarily contemplate to visit, and I’ve been around the world a few times in my seafaring days. Kudos to you both 👍🏻🌎

[@andrewpower7743]

it amazes me how much people pay for apartments! There are much cheaper for long term rent.

[@jameslittle3931]

The one cost you continually leave out is Stacey's shopping addiction as i'm staring in Stacey's direction hard now Hmmm

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Haha I'm lucky, she shops online in her own time and we rarely have to go to a store!

[@leightonjohnson183]

Is the internet good for working from USA?

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Yup! We messaged hosts to ask for a speed test and they seemed willing

[@filip_trajanov5340]

Thats the capital. If you go to the NOT holiday places to normal citys, you will get 3 times cheaper

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Yup, very true

[@wolfriderpack]

😍😍

[@alextrajkovski198]

Any chance you can change North Macedonia to just Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia on your videos, as it was an imposed name on our country and is quite offensive to 99% of ethnic Macedonians. At least out of respect to the country that you stayed at for a month. Otherwise love your videos guys, keep up the good work.

[@Andy_M986]

US prices, so it would be less in NZ or Aussie dollars.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Probably the other way round actually, more expensive for us

[@user-oq5et4bm2c]

Macedonia*

[@nerogreek9739]

ILLIRIDA

[@user-oq5et4bm2c]

@@nerogreek9739 bruh

[@nerogreek9739]

@@user-oq5et4bm2c ИЛИРИДА ГЛАВЕН ГРАД CKYΠИ ILLIRIDA CAPITAL SKUPI

[@user-oq5et4bm2c]

@@nerogreek9739 bro r u Greek or Shqip🐐? Btw I don't understand u... R u saying that Skopje is capital of Albania? 😂😂

[@nerogreek9739]

Yeap, using two strange symbols, a Bulgarian hero and an ancient greek symbol you have to choose two sides. Bulgarians or Greeks. You are an Orthodox, if not then soon Skopje will be the capital of Albanians.

[@aleksandarpaskoski369]

Makedonija ovde

[@d-rzarkocubrinoski]

Macedonia.

[@nerogreek9739]

ILLIRIDA

[@tatjanavelkova5814]

@@nerogreek9739........ go ............ in HELL.

[@tatjanavelkova5814]

@@nerogreek9739........... D I B E K .

[@tatjanavelkova5814]

THIS IS VIDEO FOR MAKEDONIJA ! ! ! ! !

[@dgolber]

Can I still make comments on this video?

[@DanegerAndStacey]

You just did!

[@endktv1331]

You got ripped off for most things tbh

[@z0ne1917]

Makes perfect sense not to add euros to this video.

[@Therandeon]

If you had to pick, where would you rather live? Albania or North Macedonia?

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Think our preference would be Albania

[@Therandeon]

@@DanegerAndStacey Great choice. I think the same.

[@KingBardylis]

You should come in Kosovo and try the best beer in Balkan named Peja.

[@Wolverine-ky9gk]

He already was in Serbia why would he go again

[@KingBardylis]

@@Wolverine-ky9gk where are you from?

[@pierceoleksik522]

you should drink coca cola, Macedonia has the best in the world.

[@lookintothesky123]

Are Macedonian people honest?

[@DanegerAndStacey]

Other than that one Airbnb host that maaaay have lied when they cancelled on us the day prior (which screwed our accom costs) they are very friendly. Perhaps they appear a little cold at first, which is fairly common in a lot of countries, they lovely beyond that

[@klaush373]

they scammed you for the flat 100%

[@janejanevski17]

I respect you a lot that you did video about my country but please do not call it N... Macedonia, we people from Macedonia don't know that country, so as long as you want to get respect from the Macedonian people you should change your title.

[@DanegerAndStacey]

We hear your pain, Jane. We spoke with many Macedonians about the challenges, you might want to check our past few videos and one in particular where we discuss it, the hatred in the comments is nasty regardless which way we go. As foreigners theres no way to win sadly, but we empathise with you a lot!

[@CRO13B]

*Empathize

[@zpag1973]

Noth macedonia is the country now!!!!Macedonia is Greek

[@nerogreek9739]

NOT MACEDONIA- JUST ILLIRIDA

[@tatjanavelkova5814]

@@zpag1973 MAKEDONIJA BELONG TO MACEDONIANS ! ! !

[@ioanniskoletis8300]

North Macedonia seems nice. Are you planning to visit Macedonia also? Maybe more expensive.

[@baits9301]

they are in macedonia . what kind of stupid question is that lol . they should compare athens to skopje . no homeless in macedonia .

[@ioanniskoletis8300]

@@baits9301 Where are they? The title says they are in North Macedonia. lol Are you stupid or something?

[@baits9301]

@@ioanniskoletis8300 there is only one country with the title macedonia in it . if you are referring to greece say so .

[@ioanniskoletis8300]

@@baits9301 Yes. North Macedonia country. Slavs and Albanians. And Macedonia region in Greece. Do you heard anything about Prespa Agreement? Northmacedonians Slavs decided to sign and add North to their country so there is no misunderstanding between North Macedonia and Macedonia. Then what Macedonia are you talking about?

[@baits9301]

@@ioanniskoletis8300 prespa agreement says that we are macedonians that speak the macedonian language recognized by the un and the macedonian language is taught world wide . google macedonian language . greece has a province called macedonia . it's a province not a country . your country is called greece . the word greek or greece never existed before 1821 fact . macedonians also live in southern macedonia in greece . macedonians also live in northern macedonia . or north macedonia . 1.5 million anatolian christian turks settled into southern macedonia and greece 1923 that spoke turkish on arrival as refugees . their not macedonians or europians their christian turks and greeks hated them and raped them , they tell their story on youtube . when you say macedonia on its own means the country called macedonia not greek macedonia .

[@d-rzarkocubrinoski]

Macedonia.

[@Sue-cf6wt]

Thank you so much for visiting our beautiful country, next time when you go make sure you visit Ohrid. To the Greek people I just want to say that this couple are visiting different countries and they are shearing tips for traveling, no one is talking about politics and let the politics to the politicians. Hats down to you guys and have safe travels, cheers 👍😀🙋

[@nerogreek9739]

ILLIRIDA

[@tatjanavelkova5814]

@@Sue-cf6wt EVERY GOOD ! ! ! Tatjana from MAKEDONIJA