American Forrest James Stilin, Community Manager of Zadar's Digital Nomad Valley

Thus, Digital Nomads from the Valley in Zadar work for employers from all over the world or are self-employed. In addition to accommodation and workspace, the increasingly popular modern nomads - estimated to reach a billion in ten years - have some additional activities and possibilities. They can practise yoga in yoga classes in the Valley or simply go hiking on Velebit. 

 - Our village is something like a summer campsite for adults and employees. Digital Nomads stay in various types of recreational vehicles. We have a variety of group activities such as shared dinners, field trips, hiking, health and wellness activities, cooking, movie and game nights. We also have a co-working space in a hotel, whose Spa is an excellent and perfect place to relax after a long working day - says Forrest James Stilin, communication manager of Work Remotely Croatia - Digital Nomad Valley Zadar, who makes sure that everything works out faultlessly in the Valley. Work Remotely Croatia is actually a part of the grabAhome that  organizes remote working communities. They say that one of the most significant advantages of working remotely is the ability to move offices virtually anywhere. American Stilin has been living in Croatia for four and a half years. His grandparents, he says, emigrated to the United States at the beginning of the last century, while Stilin began coming to Croatia as a student in the late 1980s. He has dual citizenship, American and Croatian.

- I worked as a photography producer for a long time. My job was to look for different locations and bring in photo teams, mainly in commercial retail photography, such as furniture or fashion. My current role in the Valley of Digital Nomads is similar because it involves partnering with the local community, solving various problems and ensuring that our team, or group of digital nomads, have everything they want to have a productive and fulfilling experience on-site. Since he previously lived in Zagreb, he keeps his address in Zadar fulfilling.

 - I enjoy the clean air and mild climate with sunny days. I am also impressed by the history and Dalmatian spirit of Zadar and the proximity of nature that I explore at weekends. My impression is that Zadar is a very thriving and energetic city even outside the summer season. I enjoy exploring local gathering places, Advent events and cultural offer - says Stilin, who was, above all, attracted by the Zadar Valley project because of the idea of working remotely and freely exploring the world.

- I became an administrator in the Facebook group Digital Nomads Croatia and founded a partner group for accommodation. Through these groups, I met Marija Mrkša and Vedran Presečan, the founders of Work Remotely Croatia. They offered me the opportunity to be a community manager in Zadar. I think they both see a great future for Croatia as a critical destination for telecommuting. Of course, I saw a fantastic opportunity to meet digital nomads from all over the world - says Forrest James, who likes riding a bike in his spare time, so in the new 2022, he is looking forward to exploring the many bike trails in the Zadar region. Stilin is in Zadar until the end of March when the project ends, but the natural beauties of the Zadar area, some favourite places and bars on the Peninsula could, he admits, extend his stay for another month.

And then?" I hope to see you again in the fall," said the American manager.