Zagreb resident questions if his city has lost its soul, sparking debate among locals

A Zagreb resident has voiced his deep disappointment with the city he once loved, describing a stark contrast between his nostalgic memories and the current reality. "He is mine and I am his. I had so much love, will, desire, excursions, hobbies..." he began in a Reddit post that sparked widespread discussion among fellow citizens. He reminisced about past joys like trips to Sljeme, strolls through Štros and Gornji Grad, and gatherings at Jarun, Šalata, and Bundek.

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On je moj i ja sam njegov. Imao sam toliko ljubavi, volje, želje, izlete, hobije...

However, his daily experience now involves endless traffic congestion, both commuting to and from work, and encountering discourteous drivers. Even public transport offers little relief, with trams often stuck in traffic. Frustrations extend to everyday shopping, where he notes crowded stores, unpleasant odors, and a lack of hygiene, such as customers touching bread with bare hands. Finding parking is another significant challenge, often requiring a 15-minute search and resulting in fines for improperly parked vehicles.

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Odem kod doktora, gužva, samo me brzinski ubaci u 'program kompjutera' i viče: 'sljedeći'.

The city's healthcare system also drew criticism for its impersonal approach, with doctors perceived as rushing patients through appointments. He pointed to neglected infrastructure, such as a dilapidated path near Lagvić on Sljeme, crumbling building facades, and the persistent waste issue at Jakuševec. The increasing number of large cars on narrow streets exacerbates the problem. Even festive events like Advent have lost their appeal, reduced to photo opportunities with overpriced food and drinks made from powder.

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I kad gledam Zagreb očima turista koje provodim kroz centar, još vidim tu neku iskru - spoj srednje, južne i istočne Europe koji se tu nalazi. Ali stvarno je postao naporan grad za živjeti, nema dušu niti neki vajb, ljudi su enormno živčani, u Londonu i Rimu ljudi nisu toliko živčani, dakle nije do veličine grada i gužvi.

Adding to the conversation, another lifelong Zagreb resident and tour guide acknowledged the city's unique charm, a blend of Central, Southern, and Eastern European influences, which she still sees through tourists' eyes. However, she agreed that living in Zagreb has become taxing. She observed that people in Zagreb are significantly more nervous than those in London or Rome, suggesting the issue isn't solely due to city size or crowds. She concluded that Zagreb now possesses the drawbacks of a large city, pollution, congestion, and alienation, while offering few of its benefits, such as robust infrastructure or diverse cultural offerings.

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Dakle nije do veličine grada i gužvi. Baš sam nedavno zaključila da Zagreb ima sve nedostatke velikog grada (zagađenost, gužve, otuđenost), a premalo prednosti velikog grada (infrastruktura, ponuda kul