This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. Leslie Grantham: Bulgarias most famed Briton? However, it has not lived up to the bubble hype, with massive over-development, which has led to more tourism diversification into golf greens, climbing centres and spa hotels. Burgas - a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea 6. The scenery is just beautiful. When they were dancing and singing. Bulgaria is a very safe country. Your stay in Bulgaria as an expat could be extremely different based on where you choose to live. Best places to live in Bulgaria 1. Plovdiv is a great place to live in for both locals and expats. 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. Like our Facebook page. 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. Until then, students follow a standard educational curriculum, learning about preselected subjects. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. Enjoy the therapeutic mineral springs in Haskovo and the picturesque Kenana a magical oak forest that offers a large park, restaurants, tennis grounds, and recreational houses. In Bulgaria they can afford a pretty affluent life. All you need to know about moving to and living in Bulgaria as an expat: the cost, the best areas, the pros and cons and much more. On the other hand, many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm and tradition, some likening it to 1950s Britain. Find out more about us HERE. If you have any questions about our guides or the country discussed feel free to contact us or leave a comment below and we'll get back to you. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. Its bizarre to see someone repeatedly shaking their head but actually agreeing with you, and it can definitely cause some confusion with locals. Many people commute to Sofia from here. If you earn a foreign income or pension, the cost of living is incredibly affordable and property prices have settled from their wild peaks. The freelancer visa is nearly impossible to get, not least because it starts with speaking B1-level Bulgarian (which is hard to do unless you already live here.). Several thousand international expats live in the capital the cheapest city in Western Europe either in apartments in downtown areas such as Doctors Garden, or in suburbs such as Boyana, Dragalevtsi and Bistritsa. Bulgaria (especially Sofia) has become incredibly interesting to me recently. as slaves, as in the Blacks in America in the 16-18 Century. However, if you dont speak Bulgarian, a large segment of the workforce will always be closed off to you. Just be careful if youre taking a walk to the bar with food in your hands. Bulgaria is a country withvery affordablehotels, restaurants and home appliances compared to the rest of the European Union. I decided to come back in February of 2018 and have been living here since making it about two and a half years now. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages cost on average 65% less, and clothing costs are 75% less than the European Union average. My biggest concern is finding a job with an American company there. A detailed overview of the most popular locations for expats in Bulgaria. Even then, you may be asked for proof of income being paid into the bank for up to six months. We strongly recommend renting a property in Bulgaria first, before you buy. Dobrich your first step to a magnificent experience, 8. Varna - the perfect sea-side living 4. But to settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the language properly is a must. 15- Bulgaria has some fastest internet speed in the world, you get great value for money. In Bulgaria, you should expect to pay personal income tax and homeowners tax, as well as vehicle tax and a fee for rubbish collection. 2. Its where former medieval tsars lived and ruled. Plovdivs Old Town is bound to steal your heart at a first glance. A lot of educated Bulgarians work in the IT and outsourcing sector which is huge here. and there are also few flights that connect both cities in less than an hour. She lives with her husband and two children and has an affinity for writing. Its just nice to know that you also have the alternative of witnessing food grow in front of your eyes. Popovo - the place where anyone can feel at home 7. When people describe villages in Bulgaria, they describe horse and cart type of villages. 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. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. Based on that experience, here are my request for you response and updates to your great work that youve shared with us: A 1-bedroom apartment in the central area is around 450 lv (196/$272), while one located in regions outside the city centre could be found for 300 lv (130/$181). We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. Potrebni uesnici 30+ godina starosti. Recently, the city has become an attraction for digital nomads thanks to its vast range of suitable cafes and coworking spaces. The locals are friendly and speak good English, making it easy for expats to get around. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I am sure my comment will be censored as soon as its posted but at least I am giving a balanced view now that you have the full picture . The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. 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. Bulgaria uses the lev (plural: leva), which is pegged to the Euro at roughly 2:1. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 - 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 - 340. Your email address will not be published. In this guide, well share with you some of the top places to live in the country as an expat. Living in Popovo, youll soon start to feel as if all your neighbours are family. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo - a historically rich and truly beautiful city 5. From what I can tell, Im mostly amongst other locals I never hear English spoken in my neck of the woods. You must put a minimum amount into the account for it to be opened, which differs depending on the area. Thankyou, you have provided me with the desire to explore deeper into the possibility of living in Bulgaria, Your email address will not be published. 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. That is one of the biggest reasons not to move to California." 4. To be considered financially independent, your monthly income should at least be equal to the national minimum wage per month. 14- There is still poverty in Bulgaria. before your trip. The small town is a brilliant place to live in all year long. The percentage of homeownership in Bulgaria is very high, but if you're moving to the country for the first time as an expat, it's probably best to start with renting.If you start renting, you can test out different cities and see which one you prefer, then once you start to settle down, you can think about making a more permanent investment. The Greek neighbourhood is also an area that expats love to explore as it offers amazing architecture, small vibrant streets, and attractive street shops and coffee shops. 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. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. Fruit and vegetables are for sale everywhere and are the most delicious. 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. I like that I know the ins and outs of the best sights, restaurants, and things to do in Sofia, but I struggle with a lot of day-to-day interactions, like figuring out an issue with paying bills or handling paperwork at the migration office. Im in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend who works in Sofia, Bulgaria. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. 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. Bulgarias appeal was on the rise prior to and immediately following EU accession, and this resulted in a small wave of immigration particularly from the UK and Ireland. A popular tourist destination, Veliko Tarnovo contains an old spirit yet offers a modern experience at the same time. They are the success story of post communism leading a free-loading and pay-for-nothing lives, as well as the beneficiaries of state benefits and hand-outs. The climate is pretty similar to that of Varna, offering the best of both summer and winter. As an expat, I have to admit, living conditions here are a bit discordant. 0. 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. Bulgarian hotel and restaurant prices are apparently below half the average for the EU. Family of four estimated monthly costs: $2,423 (4,494 ) Single person estimated monthly costs: $992 (1,841 ) Bulgaria is the 4th cheapest country in Eastern Europe (8 out of 11) Cost of living in Bulgaria is cheaper than in 80% of countries in the World (63 out of 79) Mobile phone packages are cheap for 25 leva you get unlimited calls to all networks with some GB internet. 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