If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Confirm you'd like to join our email list. If youre moving to Bulgaria, currently living in Sofia or just curious about living abroad, leave you questions for Allison below in the comments. Summers in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very snowy, especially in recent years. There are trams and buses and a metro system, though, so public transit is good: Im just not taking it now in the times of coronavirus. The downside is that Varna is one of the more expensive cities in the country, however, it is still a lot cheaper than other European destinations. Bulgaria has been chosen by a number of expatswho wanted to get home or Internet-based businesses off the ground for the specific reason that their tax burden would be low. Refurbishments are to be expected if you buy, but a common warning on forums is to get local advice and recommendations when it comes to builders and never to pay everything upfront. Burgas - a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea 6. But when I used to live in the center, I walked nearly everywhere. Learn more about life in Bulgaria and a. The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. So what is it like to live in Bulgaria and how do you go about moving and settling down there? You will need to present proof of your income or pension and that you have a bank account in Bulgaria. 1. Plovdivs Old Town is bound to steal your heart at a first glance. Do you have any insight as to recruiters/headhunters or employment agencies there who specialize in this sort of thing? Thats a surprisingly big number for a country of just seven million inhabitants smaller than the city of London. It will require more work to settle down than, say, Spain, but that work could pay off with a whole new lifestyle. Which for all intents and purposes soon wont be, due to the many children the states sponsors for them. After divorcing, and having become familiar with the country and made friends, he himself moved to Bulgaria and bought an apartment, only returning to the UK shortly before his death in 2018. For instance, students are mostly located in Student Town (Studentski Grad) or the central parts of the city, while retirees and families would probably prefer a more relaxing and calm place like Pancharevo, Bistritsa, or Boyana. Shes obsessed with doting on her 8-year-old Bulgarian rescue dog, Rocky, and planning her next trip. Homeless Man Murdered In Broad Daylight In St. Louis While Others Watch. Late EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham had to learn Bulgarian to star in Bulgarian TV series The English Neighbour in 2010, about a retired British chemist who sets up home in the fictional village of Plodorodno. Being aware of them before you relocate can make a huge difference to your overall experience. When driving in Bulgaria, carry your passport or ID card, driving licence, registration card, insurance documents and vehicle inspection card. Its the perfect place to explore what nature has to offer and connect with our planet. We strongly recommend renting a property in Bulgaria first, before you buy. Other Black Sea resorts include Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, St Constantine and Helena. I run several travel blogs, including one focused on Bulgaria and the Balkans, and I make a living for myself that way and by occasionally taking on freelance writing projects or other sponsored work. Private international schools like the Ango-Americal School of Sofia offer a range of extracurricular activities, student clubs, and events for students to attend. She spends her time running travel websites: Eternal Arrival, Sofia Adventures, and California Crossroads and co-hosting a weekly podcast about anxiety, Im Anxious About. We were so lucky to visit Plovdiv while there was a cultural festival on. Next up on the list is Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. The largest community is in the capital, Sofia. Perhaps our report on the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria will help and inspire you to move. Unlike other retirement hotspots in Europe, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves. It is not until students reach the 10th grade that they can slightly personalise their educational curriculum. A country house in a remote village could be yours for as little as 20,000 and you could heat it for around 70 a month, half the price it would cost you in the UK. Ad to these old cars and you can imagine yourself the result. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 10- We can set aside a paragraph about local wine and Rakia (kind of Brandy), the climate allows grow grapes for homemade wine preparation, and fruits especially plums and apricots for Rakia, many people have their own small distillery at home, but lately, the government is trying to cut down moonshine production, not sure it is working anyway. Punishment includes imprisonment from 1 to 4 years, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 leva . 7. Popovo is a lovely, small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature. The entire carefully crafted image of Eastern-Europe as a backwards, drab, gray, muddy, dangerous, poor little cousin of Western Europe isn't entirely true. The daytime temperatures vary from 0-5C in the winter and 25-30C in the summer months. Bulgaria is a country withvery affordablehotels, restaurants and home appliances compared to the rest of the European Union. Of course, there are also a ton of options to choose from when it comes to dining out in a fancy and highly rated restaurant. Kiss were supposed to play their final show in 2021, but pandemic delays to the lengthy final . "In some ways I feel like a local, but in most ways I still feel like an outsider.". Bulgaria is a place with many problems where life isnt easy. You can safely leave your car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. International students in Bulgaria share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like. 2-Bulgarias population is reducing fast. 7- Agriculture is probably what defines Bulgarian roots best. Read about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Bulgaria before you move there. That is one of the biggest reasons not to move to California." 4. I know a lot of this is due to my lack of learning the language, but I also know in my gut that Sofia is a temporary stopover when it comes to my life, and Bulgarian wont be useful to me when I leave the city in a year or two. Find out more about us HERE. But if you would like to appreciate the beautiful landscape and have enough time, you can take the slow train service, you can pass from the mountains to the Black Sea coastline in a couple hours and in between, you will find beautiful valleys. Its the cheapest and fastest way to securely transfer money overseas. Finally, Bulgarians can be very friendly and welcoming, and they can adjust well to having foreign residents within their community. While I know Bulgaria has many issues with misogyny, theyre expressed a lot more under the surface whereas when I lived in Brooklyn, I was harassed constantly on the street, to the point where I would sometimes have panic attacks about leaving my apartment. Burgas a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea, 6. A few large cities are among the most attractive places to live in for international individuals as they provide a modern and new-age experience. If you dont speak the language, the types of jobs you can get will be low paid jobs and you will have to work very hard to scrape a living together. Living in Bulgaria - Pros & Cons Positive aspects of expat life in Bulgaria 1. I hope it helped Jean, Allison did a great job sharing her experiences about life in Bulgaria . Bulgaria is eminent for its ability to successfully prepare students thoroughly in studies like maths, history, arts, languages and literature, biology, chemistry, and others. (Which is not done for the general population) So, yes, I wonder why no mention of the above was made in the cons section about living in Bulgaria? You also need to check the validity of your driver license in Bulgaria before start driving, paying bribes to the police is a practice that slowly disappearing (this is my own experience since I have got few tickets on the road, but never been asked for money). 13- Most young educated Bulgarians generally speak English and are so helpful and a pleasure to be around. I work entirely for myself the entire time Ive lived in Sofia. If you relocate to Bulgaria with the prospect of finding employment there you may find it very difficult to land yourself a job that will allow you to benefit from Bulgarias low cost of living. Recently, the city port has been renovated and improved, with a ton of new restaurants, nightclubs, and bars to visit. Whenever I go out to a restaurant, its almost always in Oborishte! The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. To benefit from the cost of living your income should be above the Bulgarian average, The Best Places To Live In Bulgaria For Expats, Visit our homepage for a comprehensive range of, Bulgaria Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices at. Like our Facebook page. The beaches along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast can be located in the resorts, which are normally crowded during the high season (July-august), but between the resorts, you can find hidden beaches that will amaze you, take your time go and see the country, you wont regret it! Required fields are marked *. Living in Bulgaria was a good fit because I needed a place to stay that was cheap, outside of the Schengen zone, yet located in Europe as I had upcoming projects in the area. February 28, 2023 Hunter Wallace Anti-Racism, Anti-White, Crime, Missouri, Race Realism, Race Relations 0. Cost of living in Sofia is the best part of being based here! Bulgarian state-run schools often operate with outdated equipment and old material bases. In Bulgaria they can afford a pretty affluent life. As someone that. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. Healthcare in Bulgaria is universal and financed by compulsory health insurance contributions. Its located on the banks of the Maritsa river in the Thrace region, southeast of Sofia. Retirees may find that their pension income goes far further in Bulgaria and they could benefit from a move as they will not be dependent on the local economy to provide them with a living. HOW DO YOU TRANSFER MONEY INTERNATIONALLY? I rent an apartment for about 450 euro a month with my husband. Bulgaria has aNet loss of one person every 11 minutes. Guys often wear skinny jeans and black Armani T-shirts, while girls go for equally tight pants and skirts with some sort of a designer tank top, be it Mango, Trussardi or Motivi. Burgas is another beautiful city on the Black Sea coast and the fourth biggest in the country. As in any other EU country, in Bulgaria, you will need EHIC to access public healthcare as a Bulgarian resident. Emilie is a public relations expert based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. It's one of the most pedestrianised cities in Bulgaria. My building is new construction across the street from old communist blocks, so theres a bit of contrast in my neighborhood. Although Bulgaria is a member of the EU, they still have their own currency, Leva. Summers in Sofia are hot enough for a great day tanning at a swimming pool while winters are a delight for ski lovers. You dont need any type of transport to get around the town as you can reach any point by walking. When it comes to the cost of living, the average monthly budget of a family of four ranges between 2,500 lv (1,091/$1,511) and 3,000 lv (1,309/$1,813) without rent. A man casually shoots a homeless guy in broad daylight as others watch and do nothing. However, if youre an EU citizen, moving to Sofia is a piece of cake, and it will require dealing with some grumpy migration officers, but its nothing more than some basic paperwork (albeit in Cyrillic) at the end of the day. Especially during summer, Varna is a top destination, even for Bulgarians. If you don't want to be surprised by this different way of socially behaving, it might be best to read up on Bulgarian culture. A popular tourist destination, Veliko Tarnovo contains an old spirit yet offers a modern experience at the same time. After 5 years, you have the right to apply for a permanent residence permit. Renting a property is relatively cheaper, especially if you choose a region outside the city centre. 5- Another thing that makes Bulgaria famous its the nice sandy beaches, and the warm water temperature of the Black Sea in the summer season, the beaches can vary from lively and sports-facilitated beach stripes to calm and beautiful campsites. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Bulgarias cost of living is low only for those who earn above the average in the country. The 9 Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat, Living In Bulgaria: Essential Expat Guide 2023, The British Expats Who Bought A Ruin In Bulgaria, 7 Reasons To Consider Living In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, The Ins And Outs Of Living In Sofia, Bulgaria As An Expat, An Essential Guide To Living in Varna, Bulgaria As An Expat, 2. If you are the kind of person who takes a considered approach to relocation, who has spent time getting to know Bulgaria before moving permanently, you have good chances to adjust well to what is an undoubtedly very beautiful country. You can visit St. Anastasia Island, which is a small islet with a monastery and a lighthouse, lake Atanasovsko, lake Pomorie, and others. It is thought that up to a fifth of the 30,000-strong population is foreign. A hugely popular coastal city on the Black Sea with its own direct budget flights from the UK, this beach town has also become a business hub. Thats for a 40 hour week. To the west of Sofia is the spa town of Bankya, about 20-30 minutes away. This means that its an authentic country, where you really will experience a totally different way of life. Its worth noting that renting in Burgas is cheaper, with a difference of around 40% in prices. The city has a surprisingly diverse group of expats living here: a handful of Americans, a ton of Europeans (mostly Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and British), a decent-sized African community, and even a number of Brazilians (of whom my husband is one!). Theres a youthfulness to the city that I find extremely inspiring, with young people constantly opening new businesses. The mountains are stunning and the ski resorts are so breathtaking nothing to envy to any other country in the world. Outside, expats are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski resort Bansko. Thank you so much for this article, I was thinking of retiring to Portugal but now, I have changed my mind and am planning a trip to Bulgaria next year in 2022. When you have held a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria for 5 years, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship (in Bulgarian). Ive mentioned Cyrillic quite a bit, and it can definitely lead to some funny misunderstandings like seeing HOBO written everywhere and only later realizing that it means novo or new. Its very cheap, super reliable and very widespread. This is a great blog! 4-Bulgaria is a very beautiful country. Property prices in Bulgaria have settled down from their peaks following EU accession meaning that its possible to buy decent accommodation country-wide, (with the exception of a few exclusive suburbs in Sofia), for much less than you would pay in the UK for similar accommodation. Your email address will not be published. With its relatively mild climate, Bulgaria is pleasant all year round. There are eight municipalities in Dobrich and they all deserve consideration. Dont let the shivers get to you! You will definitely be valued as an immigrant or an expat. You can enjoy a number of natural and manmade lakes around Popovo, you can go fishing, explore the birdlife of the region, or organize a camping weekend. For a single person, a good monthly budget would be 750 lv (327/$453). Its great that I can walk around Sofia wearing the clothing I feel comfortable in and not have to worry so much about men harassing me on the streets. Tell us more about your life there ! American rock legends Kiss will hang it up, at least in the live sense, at the end of a fifty-year career when they play their final two shows on December 1 and 2 at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 - 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 - 340. Also, note that most banks will not offer joint accounts. It was so much easier in New York. Get to grips, too, with some Bulgarian etiquette: dont point your index finger, dont ever slap someone on the back, and remember that you nod no and shake your head for yes. Thankyou. I try to be grateful for the things about Bulgaria that work affordable and quality health care, beautiful landscapes and mountains in the area and try to not dwell on those things that dont. A lot of educated Bulgarians work in the IT and outsourcing sector which is huge here. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. But to settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the language properly is a must. and there are also few flights that connect both cities in less than an hour. Of course, they both have a lot to offer and theres no coincidence that theyre both on our list of top places for expats in Bulgaria. Come April, we need to come up with a plan as to who will be moving (me to join him in Bulgaria or him moving back to California). The small town is a brilliant place to live in all year long. Enjoy your trip and good luck with the relocation. as slaves, as in the Blacks in America in the 16-18 Century. You can also get a beer for 2 leva about a Euro. Renting a property in Plovdiv is more affordable when compared to Sofia. Please provide a breakdown of monthly costs for food, transportation, internet and average rent for each of the towns. Youll find plenty of horse-and-cart villages alongside the potholes in what is the EUs poorest member state. Follow us on on Twitter. Haskovo is an extremely safe town to live in and you dont need to worry that youll be mugged, robbed, pickpocketed, or that your house will be broken into. You may need to provide a clean UK criminal record certificate. It makes calculating costs a breeze! Find out what its like living in a new country and a new culture while traveling the world as a gay American couple. Im planning to move to Bansko in about 3 years. Plovdiv is a good place to live for all ages. My business partner and I had to go to seven banks to even find one that would open a business bank account for a foreigner and the only one that actually would open bank accounts for us had a manger who refused to give us information at first, likely because he thought two women couldnt possibly be opening a business. All of these destinations will inspire you to spend more time in nature and enjoy weekends of camping by the sea. Leslie Grantham: Bulgarias most famed Briton? Veliko Tarnovo - a historically rich and truly beautiful city 5. The city centre is small enough that no car is required if you live downtown: taxis are cheap and there are plenty of trams. You need to contrast the cost of living with what you can expect to earn in Bulgaria. Driving a car around the city centre may be difficult as parking is an issue. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. Flat tax rates 2. Its very useful to consider the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria before you move, but you need to spend an extended time exploring before you commit to your relocation. If you are trying to familiarise yourself with the country, its worth watching some episodes. 2. As an EU country, standard EU rules apply to removals; do note you may need to list serial numbers and brands for all electrical appliances. To benefit from the cost of living your income should be above the Bulgarian average Because Gypsies menace daily lives in Bulgaria, Romania quite a bit and that should be a part of the equation for older US expats living in these countries. So I ended up staying in Sofia for love, and we got married in 2019 after exhausting all the other possibilities to stay together in Sofia, since domestic partnerships are not an option here. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You wont get far without at least elementary Bulgarian and you should familiarise yourself with the alphabet. Its mostly residential and for families, and I like it for living, but its nowhere interesting to go out in. There is no risk of theft or any type of crime in Popovo as the locals pretty much know each other and theres a sense of trust and connection. One of the greatest things about living in Sofia is that if youre working as an expat and earning in another currency, like I do as an American working mostly with American companies, you can really splurge on a lot of daily activities. 5. Over-sold as a location after its entry into the European Union in 2008, a real estate bubble quickly formed and burst in Bulgaria, which has left some out of pocket, particularly if they invested in big new tourist developments on the coast or in the ski resorts. The Old Town is home to charming houses in the traditional old-style Bulgarian architecture. Coffees are much cheaper here than in the rest of Europe. Its safe to say that its the busiest city in the country and a multicultural hub of professionals and students from all over the world. When people describe villages in Bulgaria, they describe horse and cart type of villages. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. So if your income comes from outside of the country and is of western standards then you can live in Bulgaria like a king. A lot of things go into a custody decision and corresponding parenting plan, writes Dr. Jann Blackstone. Especially if you are educated and hard-working. Yet in the city center, theres a literal yellow brick road, fairytale-like cathedrals and churches, and beautiful architecture that wouldnt be out of place in Moscow. Life as an expat in Popovo is an extremely affordable experience and wont burn a hole in your pocket in any way. Its big, spacious, and brand new with gorgeous views, though the price is definitely on the high end for the city we just were struggling to find a landlord who would let us have a dog, and we ended up having to go with a pricier apartment as a result of it. There are two lakes surrounding Dobrich, offering a delightful opportunity to spend evenings outside. Read more in our full article, The Pros And Cons Of Living In Bulgaria. A basic plan from Uniqa for a couple under 70 years old will cost 330 BGN (145) a year. Bulgaria ranked 120th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in. The city is vibrant and thrilling, with a range of different restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment venues, concert halls and theatres. On the other hand, when it comes to Bulgarian public schools, they are completely free to attend and textbooks are provided for free for students in certain grades. Some links may be affiliate links. 6- Traveling inside the country is relatively easy because everything is close together, trip Sofia- Varna (one of the longer distances to travel is only 450 km.) Dont be fooled by the common misconception that Bansko is simply a ski resort and thats it. You must put a minimum amount into the account for it to be opened, which differs depending on the area. There are also a number of amazing places to visit near Veliko Tarnovo, like Arbanassi, Elena, and Gabrovo. Plovdiv the new go-to for digital nomads and expats, 4. In this vlog, we explore some of the best reasons in retiring to one of Europe's most affordable . The city didnt resonate with me immediately, but after a few weeks of staying in Sofia, I slowly began to fall in love with all that it had to offer. Perhaps, it never really was. How to get Bulgarian Registration Plates For Your Car? Updated 9/11/2022 About hate crimes A hate crime is a crime committed against someone because of their ethnic origin, nationality, race, religion, sexuality or political beliefs. Its a small town nestled at the foot of the Pirin mountains, with a low cost of living making it attractive to those ski fans otherwise eyeing up France, Italy and Switzerland. New pieces of beautiful street art adorn the walls unexpectedly, discovered on your daily walks. Just be careful if youre taking a walk to the bar with food in your hands. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. 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