Apartment Prices in Republika Srpska: Who Can Afford 3 Marks per Square Meter?
Introduction: Prices Keep Rising, and the Differences Are Huge!
If you thought buying an apartment in Republika Srpska was easy and cheap, think again! Apartment prices per square meter continue to soar, and the differences between municipalities and cities are like night and day. In smaller towns, you can buy a square meter for less than 2 marks, but in bigger cities like Banja Luka, prices have hit record highs – the average price per square meter is around 3 marks, and even higher in the city center!
Where Is It Cheapest?
If you’re on a budget, Modriča is the place to be – there, a square meter costs only about 1 mark! Kotor Varoš is even cheaper, with prices below 1 mark per square meter, while in Pale the average price is around 2 marks. But don’t get too excited – these prices mostly apply to old buildings, as new constructions are much more expensive and practically out of reach for the average buyer.
Why Are Prices So High?
Dragan Milanović, director of a real estate agency, explains that buyers with money want apartments in the city center, in attractive locations. Unlike Western countries where people move to the suburbs for peace and comfort, here everyone wants to be in the epicenter of the action. This creates huge demand and pushes prices through the roof.
Real estate agent Stefan Vasilić adds that people from smaller towns don’t want to invest there because the population is declining and the long-term prospects are uncertain. Instead, money is invested in bigger cities like Banja Luka, where properties are easier to rent out and generate profit. This further inflates prices.
Banja Luka as the New Vienna?
Imagine this: buying an apartment in Banja Luka has become almost as impossible as in Vienna! Two average salaries don’t cover the price of one square meter. This is a nightmare for young people and the average citizen. The only option is to turn to smaller towns, but due to poor transport connections and population habits, most still choose to stay in big centers.
Conclusion: Housing in RS Is for the Elite?
As prices rise, ordinary people find it harder and harder to afford their own roof. The price differences between municipalities are huge, and trends show this will only get worse. If you don’t have deep pockets, better get used to living in smaller towns or keep dreaming about your apartment in downtown Banja Luka.
What do you think about this real estate madness? Is it time to move to Modriča or fight for every square meter in Banja Luka? Drop a comment, it’s more fun to rant together!
