Young American Justice Reed has conquered social media with an unusual project: the renovation of a neglected house in the middle of the wilderness.
Reed, who has been living and traveling in former Yugoslavia countries for two years, is known for his videos sharing experiences from the Balkans. But his latest venture has turned him into a true internet sensation.
At a friend’s urging, for just 5,000 euros, he bought an abandoned house deep in the forest in Zagorje—without electricity, without water, and even without a proper road.
Biggest Project Yet
The journey to this inexpensive house was an adventure in itself, but the overgrown forest path and inaccessible terrain did not discourage him. Instead, he decided to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
“This is going to be a wild summer,” he announced in his first video, launching a series followed daily by millions of users.
Reed records the progress of the house’s renovation daily, and his videos have attracted enormous attention—some garnering up to nine million views. Followers enthusiastically comment on every step, and many admit it’s their “favorite content on the internet.” As he himself says, the project unexpectedly became “the biggest thing he has ever done.” But there is no profit yet, writes Paula Bosančić from Pixsell.
Although he initially did everything himself, neighbors from nearby villages eventually came to his aid. Two teenagers on summer break even offered to help him.
All Thanks to a Yugo 45
Before becoming a viral sensation in the Balkans, Reed worked as a car mechanic, and he turned his profession into his first social media series back in 2021, repairing old cars. His life changed after he posted a video about the legendary Yugo 45, after which people from the region started contacting him and invited him to visit. He accepted and stayed.
Today, he says he considers the Balkans his home. He especially loves the simplicity of life, nature, ćevapi (grilled minced meat), and—most importantly—the people.
“The hospitality and warmth I’ve experienced here cannot be compared to anything else,” Reed admits.
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Source: Blic, Foto: Printscreen Instagram