Naturally enough a low cost of living is a massive draw. If you earn a foreign income or pension, the cost of living is incredibly affordable and property prices have settled from their wild peaks. As a result of moving to Bulgaria a few years ago, she has a lot to share about what life is like in the country. A man casually shoots a homeless guy in broad daylight as others watch and do nothing. A lot of people describe Bansko as a small outdoor paradise. 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. When it comes to buying, dont just rely on local friends to help with the language hire local, English-speaking notaries and attorneys. 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. A. Built on seven hills, it has a partially restored Roman stadium and an open-air Roman theatre, now used to stage open-air concerts and plays. To the west of Sofia is the spa town of Bankya, about 20-30 minutes away. Thankyou. Driving around can be a challenge for you if you come for a Western European country, there are a mix of rainy weather, low maintenance, short-term repairments, and corruption, make Bulgarian roads one of the most dangerous in the EU. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. There were a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, but eventually we registered our company in Bulgaria. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Many people commute to Sofia from here. They do not abide by any rules and enjoy a protected criminal lifestyle by virtue of being a minority . Bulgaria is a funny country it seems to have an almost equal number of expatriates happy ordisaffected with life in Bulgaria. There are certainly those expats who have made a very positive life change by moving to Bulgaria. Plovdiv is a great place to live in for both locals and expats. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our previous 1-bedroom apartment in the center had been 350 euro a month, and when my husband lived in a studio, he had a gorgeous one for just 220 euro a month. better place to live than two-thirds of the world, All You Need To Know About Medical Insurance for Foreigners in Bulgaria. It is rare to find such a well considered and informative article that isnt trying to sell something. You may need to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your. Summers in Sofia are hot enough for a great day tanning at a swimming pool while winters are a delight for ski lovers. In Bulgaria, you should expect to pay personal income tax and homeowners tax, as well as vehicle tax and a fee for rubbish collection. Bulgaria Schengen Visa, all you need to know! Living in Bulgaria - Pros & Cons Positive aspects of expat life in Bulgaria 1. I rent an apartment for about 450 euro a month with my husband. Once you have been resident in Bulgaria for five years, you canapply for Bulgarian citizenship. Unfortunately, racism (particularly against the minority Roma population) and homophobia are often expressed openly, and theres a lot of corruption preventing the country from moving forward. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. 8 Best reasons to retire to Bulgaria! A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. Enjoy your trip and good luck with the relocation. You need to speak the language 2. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. People from Bulgaria can dance! Emilie, thank you for you Intro. Perhaps our report on the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria will help and inspire you to move. Your email address will not be published. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. They attract a very good salary which they can live on here exceptionally well, especially if they work remotely for a company from abroad. When people describe villages in Bulgaria, they describe horse and cart type of villages. Find out what its like living in a new country and a new culture while traveling the world as a gay American couple. As a result, the expat community in the Bulgarian capital is well-developed and you can always find help and advice or make friends. Cost of living in Sofia is the best part of being based here! 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. Thankyou Suzanne Locke! As one of Europes cheapest countries, there is so much to experience and explore, so much history to dig into, and so much beauty to see. I will be the first to admit that a lot of my struggle here is because I havent acclimated here nearly as much as I should have: I still dont speak much of the language, and I struggle to find new and creative ways to put the 500-odd words of Bulgarian I speak into new configurations without having to ever conjugate a verb. Paperwork can be painful. Private health cover is highly advisable and, although plans are expensive in comparison to the cost of state medical treatment, they are still cheaper than in other countries. Youll be astonished by the golden domes of one of the main symbols of Sofia the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which was created after Bulgarias liberation. 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 procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. One thing thats been a really positive change is that as a woman, I feel a lot safer in Bulgaria. If youre looking for a quieter pace of life, fresh produce and a beautiful beach-to-mountain backdrop at a lower cost than France or Switzerland, Bulgaria could be the ideal country for you. Find out more about us HERE. If you are resident in Bulgaria, you should exchange your UK licence for a Bulgarian driving licence at your nearest traffic police department within six months, after first registering with Bulgarian authorities. With over 90 neighbourhoods, you can expect a different vibe in every city area. Living in Popovo is a great way to be introduced to the old Bulgarian traditions and to truly explore what life in Bulgaria is like from a different perspective than that of the large city. You will definitely be valued as an immigrant or an expat. You dont have to worry if you fall ill in Sofia the city has great hospitals and medical clinics to keep your health in check. Read our Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat for a detailed overview of the most popular locations. Ill be forthright and say that Sofia is definitely not the easiest city to live in in Europe, and its not for everyone. With a monthly budget of 800 1000 lv (349/$483-436/$604) without rent for a single person, you will enjoy a comfortable living. My building is new construction across the street from old communist blocks, so theres a bit of contrast in my neighborhood. Bulgaria has aNet loss of one person every 11 minutes. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. DSK Expressbank and Postbank were both recommended as Bulgarian banks for foreigners. In addition, most central areas are now part of the Blue Zone, meaning that parking is not free. If youre considering retiring to Bulgaria, you really should start language lessons. There is also a tax-free allowance of 4,050 (3,460) per year. To enrol in the Bulgarian healthcare system, you must first get your residency. Plovdiv is a good place to live for all ages. We strongly recommend renting a property in Bulgaria first, before you buy. I am from Sydney, Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the next 12 months. The daytime temperatures vary from 0-5C in the winter and 25-30C in the summer months. For people living in BiH: Istraivanje ekonomskog ponaanja u BiH i drugim zemljama Question Istraujemo kakve finansijske izbore prave stanovnici BiH i drugih zemalja. Recently, the city has become an attraction for digital nomads thanks to its vast range of suitable cafes and coworking spaces. The largest community is in the capital, Sofia. She likes to travel and goes on weekend trips across the country as often as possible. 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. Living in Sofia comes with all the benefits of being in a big city while giving you a sense of a slower more relaxed life. Its definitely a big difference from where Im from I spent 17 years living in California (San Francisco to be precise) and 9 in New York City but for now, its home! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. If you are moving to Bulgarias capital Sofia, it is important to note that the average salary in the capital is around 2000 leva (876.13 / $1,220.66) for the same period. There are two lakes surrounding Dobrich, offering a delightful opportunity to spend evenings outside. Nationalminimum wageinBulgariaremained fixed at 260.8 per month. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. Ive made quite a few adjustments compared to living in New York my apartment is way bigger and nicer, and I dine out a lot more. 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. Expat Advice for the First 30 Days Abroad, Tips for Learning the Local Language as an Expat, The 10 BEST Provincetown Airbnb Rentals to Book NOW, 16 Best Strasbourg Airbnb Homes to Book Today, 16 Perfect Sitges Airbnb Rentals to Book This Year. Long-term rent for 6-12 months is cheaper than if you're renting short-term. Most restaurants have lunch specials generally between 12 2 pm and you can have the special for about 56 leva. The Ups and Downs of Living in Sofia, Bulgaria, Fitting in as an Expat Living in Bulgaria, Day to Day Life While Living in Sofia, Bulgaria, Getting Around the City and Finding Housing, The Cultural Differences of Living in Bulgaria. With its relatively mild climate, Bulgaria is pleasant all year round. While Bulgaria is developing slowly after rising up from its darker days of communism, the country still has a way to go in terms of being progressive. You can visit St. Anastasia Island, which is a small islet with a monastery and a lighthouse, lake Atanasovsko, lake Pomorie, and others. and there are also few flights that connect both cities in less than an hour. 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. It was a nightmare though, and my lawyers were really awful at helping me navigate it, so possibly I could have had a better experience with a different lawyer. You could go to a modern coffee shop in the morning for a coffee and it costs 2.00 leva. Save money on international transfers with Wise (formerly TransferWise). Keep an eye out for pickpocketing and scams. 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. She lives with her husband and two children and has an affinity for writing. 11- Bulgarians are a very proud nation. 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, Expatras list of the cheapest countries to retire. If youre moving to Bulgaria, currently living in Sofia or just curious about living abroad, leave you questions for Allison below in the comments. 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. Best places to live in Bulgaria 1. The men tend to physically look after themselves well, that makes it a good place to look for your better half and get married if you still dont. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. I have a few local friends, but mostly Ive stuck to the expat community, as my husband works with mostly Portuguese people and my business partner here is American. Whats more, those who took their time exploring the nation before committing to one city, town or village based on only limited research have settled in more effectively. The law is strict when it comes to drink-driving, with almost zero tolerance (0.05 percent blood-alcohol limit) and you could face losing your licence and even jail time. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 340. Renting a property is relatively cheaper, especially if you choose a region outside the city centre. 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. Were Derek and Mike 2 Americans living in Europe who love to travel the world. 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! Based on that experience, here are my request for you response and updates to your great work that youve shared with us: 1 Euro. However, despite the flaws, living in Sofia has a lot of benefits. 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