Two cultures.
One place to call home.
We came here searching for community, connection, and purpose.
Along the way, we found each other.
Iris, Bojan, Jimi & Darlin — the Kanja family.
Sometimes, a new beginning
takes you home.
Balkan Roots Living was born from a bold leap of faith and a deep desire to live life differently.
It all started with Iris Kanja, an American woman who traded the fast-paced life of the United States for something far more grounded — a quiet, deeply authentic life in the Serbian countryside. What began as a personal journey soon became something bigger… a story worth sharing.
But this story isn’t just about a place — it’s about building a life.
Iris Kanja - I met my husband online, not knowing that one connection would completely change my world. Through him, I gained not only a partner, but a family. I always dreamed of having a son, and now I have Jimi — a bright, loving presence in my life who filled a space in my heart I had carried for years. I always wanted a family built on love and respect… and somehow, across continents, I found exactly that.
“You can read about this life… you can watch it on TV… but you don’t truly understand it until you experience it.”
And it didn’t stop there.
When my mom came to visit, something shifted. She experienced the lifestyle, the peace, the connection — and when she returned home, she started packing. A year later, she made the move to Serbia too. Now we are here together, building something real, something rooted.
Even my father, and everyone who comes to visit, says the same thing:
You can read about this life… you can watch it on TV… but you don’t truly understand it until you experience it.
That’s what makes this life priceless.
Living in a small village where I stand out in more ways than one, I’ve embraced cultural differences, the warmth of Serbian hospitality, and the simplicity of homestead living. From tending the land and learning traditions passed down through generations, to navigating daily life where English isn’t spoken — every moment has been a lesson in resilience, love, growth, and connection.
Balkan Roots Living is more than a platform — it’s a bridge between worlds.
It’s where cultures meet, curiosity turns into understanding, and people from around the globe can experience Serbia through a real, unfiltered lens.
Through storytelling, humor, and raw moments, I share what it truly means to build a life abroad — the beauty, the challenges, and everything in between.
But this journey is still growing.
Looking ahead, we hope to adopt children in need of love and give them the same sense of family we’ve built. We want to meet our loyal, loving supporters in real life and continue expanding our freelance businesses — not just for ourselves, but to create opportunities and employ locals in our community.
We genuinely love creating fun, engaging content that brings people together and tells real stories in a way that feels authentic and entertaining. Whether we’re sharing moments from village life, traveling across the Balkans, or highlighting cultural experiences, we’re always looking for new ways to connect and inspire. Collaboration is a big part of what we do — we enjoy working with fellow creators, media outlets, and businesses that align with our values and vision. From creative partnerships to brand features and storytelling projects, we’re always open to building meaningful connections that allow us to grow, create, and share something special with a wider audience.
We came here searching for something deeper — community, connection, and purpose.
And now, we give back to that same community by spreading love, sharing our story, and inviting others in.
This is not just our story.
It’s an invitation.
To explore. To learn. To feel.
And maybe… to imagine a different way of living.
- The Kanja Family
Good stories bring
people together.
Brand collaborations, tourism partnerships, media conversations, and creative projects with a little Balkan soul.