Every expat has to at some point. Find out what its like living in a new country and a new culture while traveling the world as a gay American couple. 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. In our Living In Bulgaria guide, you can find more information on Bulgarian residency, banking, healthcare, and more. Burgas a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea, 6. 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. 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. Well done Suzanne. 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. From our contacts and from forums, the answer is yes: you can still open a Bulgarian bank account as a non-resident (although one Bulgarian, who had helped a non-resident Greek contact open an account recently, told us it was a challenging task). Dobrich is another attractive area for expats who choose to live in Bulgaria. When people describe villages in Bulgaria, they describe horse and cart type of villages. Other beneficial activities include language learning in a multicultural environment with modern and advanced methods and a rich pool of young, enthusiastic, and dedicated Bulgarian and foreign teachers. 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. 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. A lot of people describe Bansko as a small outdoor paradise. Its bizarre to see someone repeatedly shaking their head but actually agreeing with you, and it can definitely cause some confusion with locals. Living in the village, youll notice that its segmented into two main parts the one close to the cable car (a popular winter area) and the normal village, which is where most people prefer to live in spring, autumn and summer. Its just nice to know that you also have the alternative of witnessing food grow in front of your eyes. Bulgaria is wonderful only if you dont come into contact with its red-tape bureaucracy and horrid government institutions. Life is Not Like the Movies Everyone thinks of California as a hippie paradise with no stress and a serene culture. Read our Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat for a detailed overview of the most popular locations. Registering my business in Bulgaria was a total headache. However, if you prefer the comfort of your personal vehicle, driving around town is not a problem and theres plenty of parking space available. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. There has always been a bit of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas locals when it comes to which city is better. The city is also rich in all types of necessary institutions and amenities to make your stay comfortable and stress-free. It's not easy, but if you love Bulgaria, moving here and being active is the best thing you can do. 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. Outside, expats are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski resort Bansko. There are a lot of natural honey producers here. Spend any time checking forums and youll find fairly even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals. You dont need any type of transport to get around the town as you can reach any point by walking. Dealing with those could literally shorten your life span! With a monthly budget of 800 1000 lv (349/$483-436/$604) without rent for a single person, you will enjoy a comfortable living. You will need to present proof of your income or pension and that you have a bank account in Bulgaria. the fertility rate in Bulgaria is 1.43child per woman. Bulgaria regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Plovdiv doesnt have an underground but it does offer bus transportation to most parts of the city. From visas to housing to the cost of a kebab this helpful guide should give you a glimpse into expat life 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. You can ship your belongings to Bulgaria by sea, air or land; its close enough to drive your stuff over and pets yourself too. Varna - the perfect sea-side living 4. Bulgaria definitely has several things that give you culture shock. Renting a property in Plovdiv is more affordable when compared to Sofia. Authentic culture 5. Bulgarian hotel and restaurant prices are apparently below half the average for the EU. 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. If you're planning on moving to Bansko, you can take a look at apartments on this Facebook page. and there are also few flights that connect both cities in less than an hour. 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. A popular tourist destination, Veliko Tarnovo contains an old spirit yet offers a modern experience at the same time. Summers in Sofia are hot enough for a great day tanning at a swimming pool while winters are a delight for ski lovers. I shop in malls more often than boutiques, and supermarkets more often than the farmers markets and specialty markets I used to be able to find all over NYC. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. But when I used to live in the center, I walked nearly everywhere. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. But there are also smaller towns that can give you that feeling of the perfect home you are looking for abroad. Once you have your certificate of residence, you need to apply for a Bulgarian ID card or lichna karta. Just like Varna, Burgas has its own Sea Garden. Popovo - the place where anyone can feel at home 7. Its completely natural to see deers, boards, rabbits, hares, and squirrels moving through the villages. Read more in our full article, The Pros And Cons Of Living In Bulgaria. You know when everyone was smiling? Its safe to say that a single person can live comfortably in Sofia with 1,000 lv (437/$605), rent excluded. Leslie Grantham: Bulgarias most famed Briton? The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. Its mostly residential and for families, and I like it for living, but its nowhere interesting to go out in. To benefit from the cost of living your income should be above the Bulgarian average 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. Plovdivs Old Town is bound to steal your heart at a first glance. A lot of things go into a custody decision and corresponding parenting plan, writes Dr. Jann Blackstone. 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. Keep an eye out for pickpocketing and scams. 8 Best reasons to retire to Bulgaria! 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. The summers could get pretty heated and dry while winters are a great excuse to hit the slopes and go skiing in nearby ski resorts. 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 . Cost of living in Sofia is the best part of being based here! Save money on international transfers with Wise (formerly TransferWise). The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Its also worth noting that there is an evident segmentation of elite and non-elite schools in the state-run school system, which can create certain communication problems with peers from other schools. Regards, Hi Mark, you can find detailed information on various locations in Bulgaria in our location guides here: https://expatra.com/guides/bulgaria/. You can choose your GP so most expats tend to choose a local and/or English-speaking doctor. However, if you are employed locally and earn an average salary for the country, you will have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. 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. I rent an apartment for about 450 euro a month with my husband. 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. Bulgaria is one of the European countries that has been attracting a large number of expats in recent years and there are many reasons why. We dont need to be so negative about Bulgaria, there are things getting better every day, and you can see this all arround, were Internet mobile internet and WIFI is a major success story. You can literally do anything you want on a shoestring budget. She lives with her husband and two children and has an affinity for writing. 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. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe, bordering Romania to the south, North Macedonia and Serbia to the east, Turkey and Greece to the north, and the Black Sea to the west. Bulgarias cost of living is low only for those who earn above the average in the country. 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. A single person can do well with around 800 lv (349/$483), rent excluded. They tend to be the ones who have a solid income in place, and who are willing to learn the local language and completely adapt. However, despite the flaws, living in Sofia has a lot of benefits. 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). The rate of homeownership in Bulgaria is high, at close to 90 percent, with many Bulgarians inheriting land and even a second home. before your trip. Bulgaria is becoming ever more popular with expats for whom the cheaper cost of living and a good healthy lifestyle are a priority. Enjoy your trip and good luck with the relocation. The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. This means that its an authentic country, where you really will experience a totally different way of life. Driving a car around the city centre may be difficult as parking is an issue. 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. Its a perfect location for expats who are fond of a green way of living and are looking forward to having the opportunity to move into a spacious house with a garden, where they can grow their own food and crops. Being the poorest and maybe the most corrupted EU member country takes some comfort away. Its 100% car-free, with small cosy stress and traditional Bulgarian houses. The mountains are stunning and the ski resorts are so breathtaking nothing to envy to any other country in the world.
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