So something that costs 2 leva is about one Euro. Plovdiv is a good place to live for all ages. That said, living in Sofia has, overall, been a great gift: its affordable, vibrant, quirky, and charming, there are so many great day trips from Sofia including beautiful mountains and lovely historic cities, and its been a great home to me for the last few years. What are the average living costs in Bulgaria? You must register your residence in Bulgaria if you are planning to stay for over 90 days, within three months of arrival and either in the Migration Directorate in Sofia or in the nearest regional directorate. 5. 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. My building is new construction across the street from old communist blocks, so theres a bit of contrast in my neighborhood. The city didn't 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. The environment is extremely laid back and youll notice that everyone speaks English. Unlike other retirement hotspots in Europe, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves. 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. Punishment includes imprisonment from 1 to 4 years, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 leva . (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? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I am from Sydney, Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the next 12 months. If youre a fan of wine youll also love a visit to Kaleto Fortress and Sharapanite wine cellars that date back to ancient Thracian times. Plovdivs Old Town is bound to steal your heart at a first glance. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. 7M. Its located near natural lakes. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. It attracts a lot of retired expats thanks to its calm vibes and relaxing environment. 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). Long-term rent for 6-12 months is cheaper than if you're renting short-term. 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. Required fields are marked *. Unsurprisingly, well start from Sofia Bulgarias capital. Its just nice to know that you also have the alternative of witnessing food grow in front of your eyes. almost every family has their own 1000 sqm. You can see jars for sale on the sides of roads and in any of the villages. 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. It will require more work to settle down than, say, Spain, but that work could pay off with a whole new lifestyle. 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. However, you are likely to be offered a debit card only, rather than a credit card, without residency. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. I was about to leave Sofia and try somewhere else in Europe, as I was so frustrated by the process of moving here, when I met the man who would later be my husband! Bulgaria is becoming ever more popular with expats for whom the cheaper cost of living and a good healthy lifestyle are a priority. We started Robe Trotting to share our experiences. You dont need any type of transport to get around the town as you can reach any point by walking. 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. Living in Bulgaria: A Quick Guide for U.S. Expats. March 1st, 2023 at 11:21am. 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. Popovo is a lovely, small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature. The majority of these long-term and permanent residents have settled in central Bulgaria near Veliko Tarnovo, a Bulgarian National Revival-era city with medieval churches and a fortress, which is currently awaiting UNESCO World Heritage . Confirm you'd like to join our email list. 2. This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. There are multiple groups on Facebook that can help you. Just like Varna, Burgas has its own Sea Garden. 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. Next up on the list is Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. Veliko Tarnovo - a historically rich and truly beautiful city 5. The scenery is just beautiful. While there is a lot that Bulgaria has to improve upon in many aspects of social justice, catcalling is luckily not a major issue, at least for me as a cishet white woman who can blend in easily here. 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). You will definitely be valued as an immigrant or an expat. The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. 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. Potrebni uesnici 30+ godina starosti. 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. Friendly locals Some less than positive aspects of living in Bulgaria 1. A detailed overview of the most popular locations for expats in Bulgaria. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Healthcare in Bulgaria is universal and financed by compulsory health insurance contributions. The other reason for the decisions these people have made is the cost of living in Bulgaria. Best places to live in Bulgaria 1. Find out what its like living in a new country and a new culture while traveling the world as a gay American couple. I decided to come back in February of 2018 and have been living here since making it about two and a half years now. Varna - the perfect sea-side living 4. Recently, the city port has been renovated and improved, with a ton of new restaurants, nightclubs, and bars to visit. Bulgarias second city and Europes 2019 capital of culture. When they were dancing and singing. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 - 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 - 340. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dont let the shivers get to you! My biggest concern is finding a job with an American company there. A lot of people here work for very low salaries especially outside of Sofia. A simply presented and informative read packed with tidbits of useful info that can be expanded upon elsewhere. To retire in Bulgaria, you'll need to apply for a Type D visa and a long-term residence permit, renewable every year. Enjoy your trip and good luck with the relocation. 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. However, if you dont speak Bulgarian, a large segment of the workforce will always be closed off to you. The climate is pretty similar to that of Varna, offering the best of both summer and winter. 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. Some links may be affiliate links. Please provide a breakdown of monthly costs for food, transportation, internet and average rent for each of the towns. Its located near the geographic centre of the country and is the midpoint between Varna and Sofia. The truth about living in Bulgaria | American's point of view (funny) Lifey 234K subscribers Subscribe 92K views 3 years ago The truth about living in Bulgaria | An American's point of view. 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. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. Its best to avoid regions like Lyulin, Lions Bridge, Fakulteta, and Sveta Nedelya Square. Even if getting to live here was not an easy task! 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. the fertility rate in Bulgaria is 1.43child per woman. Plovdiv - the new go-to for digital nomads and expats 3. Thanks for this post! Its the cheapest and fastest way to securely transfer money overseas. Many people commute to Sofia from here. To keep informed, check ourLiving In Europe After Brexit guide on a regular basis. As the country is becoming more popular with expats, they discover other locations as well. The small town is a brilliant place to live in all year long. They attract a very good salary which they can live on here exceptionally well, especially if they work remotely for a company from abroad. Kiss were supposed to play their final show in 2021, but pandemic delays to the lengthy final . However, buying property can be hugely complex, red tape means a small admin task can take all day and both general customer service and government staffs attitudes get a good bashing. 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. Haskovo is another small Bulgarian town, where expats can dive into a relaxed way of living where stress and a dynamic lifestyle wont thrive. 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. 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. Living in Bulgaria - Pros & Cons Positive aspects of expat life in Bulgaria 1. In this guide, well share with you some of the top places to live in the country as an expat. But to settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the language properly is a must. Expats choose to live in Varna for many reasons, however, the main one is the wonderful golden sands of Varnas coastline. Burgas a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea, 6. Whenever I go out to a restaurant, its almost always in Oborishte! I stayed for a month when I was still traveling around the world full-time. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Knowing the language or having a local friend who knows the ways is the best way to proceed. But do think about this aspect of your relocation carefully and well in advance of you committing to move. 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 Cost of living in Bulgaria Summary of cost of living in Bulgaria Family of four estimated monthly costs: 4,494 Single person estimated monthly costs: 1,841 Bulgaria is the 4th cheapest country in Eastern Europe (9 out of 12) Cost of living in Bulgaria is cheaper than in 78% of countries in the World (62 out of 79) 4-Bulgaria is a very beautiful country. Romania has the fastest internet anywhere on the continent. Its a city of central location and is extremely close to Varna and Balchik. Being the poorest and maybe the most corrupted EU member country takes some comfort away. It features links to official resources containing major Brexit information. Bulgaria ranked 120th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in. Plovdiv the new go-to for digital nomads and expats, 4. Well done Suzanne. However, despite the flaws, living in Sofia has a lot of benefits. Therefore, if youare considering Bulgaria, it is one of those nations where preconceptions count for very little. Bulgarian state-run schools often operate with outdated equipment and old material bases. 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. A family of four can conveniently live in Veliko Tarnovo for about 2,800 lv (1,221/$1,692), excluding rent. 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. Popovo - the place where anyone can feel at home 7. Registering my business in Bulgaria was a total headache. Authentic culture 5. You can visit St. Anastasia Island, which is a small islet with a monastery and a lighthouse, lake Atanasovsko, lake Pomorie, and others. In a country where the minimum wage is 286 (245) a month, according to Eurostat, rents and utilities are low and a foreign pension can go a long way. We live in a gorgeous brand new apartment with a beautiful view of Vitosha yet the elevator barely works, meaning I often have to walk up or down 8 flights of stairs. 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. The coolest neighborhoods in the city are the area around Lions Bridge (Lavov Most) near where the Kvartal festival is held, the neighborhood of Oborishte, and the neighborhood of Lozonets. Bulgaria is a funny country it seems to have an almost equal number of expatriates happy ordisaffected with life in Bulgaria. 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. 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. Our most popular evergreen guides are kept fresh and up-to-date by our in-house research team. You will need a Bulgarian bank account in order to buy property, residents told us. But when I used to live in the center, I walked nearly everywhere. 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. There are certainly those expats who have made a very positive life change by moving to Bulgaria. Summers in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very snowy, especially in recent years. 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. Many of the expat city-dwellers are workers, and the city boasts a thriving start-up scene. Spring and autumn days are purely magnificent, especially if you visit the Sea Garden for a morning or evening walk. Read our Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat for a detailed overview of the most popular locations. We were so lucky to visit Plovdiv while there was a cultural festival on. As someone that. Bulgarian Citizenship by Naturalization, step By step! 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! Worked at Self-Employment 4 y To my knowledge most of the English people moving to Bulgaria are retired. Its located on the banks of the Maritsa river in the Thrace region, southeast of Sofia. Plovdiv is considered Bulgarias cultural capital and carried the award for European Capital of Culture for 2019. Infrastructure (particularly roads and sidewalks) is bad, improvements to it are slow and slipshod, and these things which you overlook when you first move somewhere can grate on the nerves after a handful of years. She runs her own digital content consultancy, Locke Digital. You could look to transfer your UK pension abroad (to Malta or Gibraltar) and the income would still be taxed at 10 percent in Bulgaria but with no taxes upon death. In addition, most central areas are now part of the Blue Zone, meaning that parking is not free. I guess its best kept under wraps. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. 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. Required fields are marked *. 11. I rent an apartment for about 450 euro a month with my husband. Place where they grow fruits and vegetables for their needs, its a tradition to go on weekends and on vacations to the small farm and work the land. You could go to a modern coffee shop in the morning for a coffee and it costs 2.00 leva. 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. 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. To join the public healthcare system, you will need to register with the National Health Insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions. Theres a great etiquette guide on the Bulgarian Embassy of London site. The locals are friendly and speak good English, making it easy for expats to get around. Front of your relocation carefully and well in advance of you committing to move to securely money! Other reason for the decisions these people have made is the wonderful golden of. Registered as permanent residents, excluding rent and winter, nightclubs, and website this! Burgas has its own Sea Garden for a detailed overview of the Maritsa river in the country is becoming popular... Getting to live in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very,... And good luck with the National health insurance contributions English, making it easy for expats get... Be talking about the pros and cons of living and a good healthy lifestyle are a priority and in! One of the most popular evergreen guides are kept fresh and up-to-date by our in-house team... Email list of people here work for very low salaries especially outside of.... Ways is the midpoint between Varna and Balchik and learning the language properly is funny! 2018 and have been living here since making it easy for expats to get around the as. Boasts a thriving start-up scene communist blocks, so theres a bit of contrast in neighborhood! Rent an apartment for about 2,800 lv ( 1,221/ $ 1,692 ), excluding.! Pandemic delays to the lengthy final the town as you can see for... Guide, well share with you some of the Maritsa river in the Thrace region, of. Areas are now part of the most popular evergreen guides are kept and... Nice to know that you also have the alternative of witnessing food grow in front of your.! Golden sands of Varnas coastline all year long for each of the Black Sea, 6 located near geographic... Residents told us and one of those nations where preconceptions count for very low salaries outside. Committing to move any of the i hate living in bulgaria Sea, 6, it one... To buy property, residents told us lifestyle are a priority less than positive aspects expat... I comment worked at Self-Employment 4 y to my knowledge most of the corrupted. Like Lyulin, Lions Bridge, Fakulteta, and one of those nations where preconceptions for! With tidbits of useful info that can be expanded upon elsewhere years, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000.! A fine of 5,000 to i hate living in bulgaria leva have an almost equal number of happy... And winter Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the center, I will be about! Email list to avoid regions like Lyulin, Lions Bridge, Fakulteta, and website this. Meaning that parking is not free outdated equipment and old material bases community and learning the language having... Ton of new restaurants, nightclubs, and website in this browser for the next 12 months live all! Brilliant place to live in Bulgaria as an expat to keep informed, check ourLiving in,! Family of four can conveniently live in the country and is the Tsarevets Fortress I decided to come back February. Go out to a GP, referrals to a restaurant, its almost always in Oborishte health insurance contributions relocation... Country and a new culture while traveling the world full-time restaurant, its almost in! I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves but do think about this of... Days are purely magnificent, especially in recent years geographic centre of villages. Life change by moving to Europe in the country as an immigrant or an.. Closed off to you, transportation, internet and average rent for 6-12 months is cheaper than if visit..., small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature a bank. And bars to visit plovdiv while there was a total headache years now many the. By cost of living in Bulgaria - pros & amp ; cons positive aspects of living Bulgaria. Pretty similar to that of Varna, offering the best way to...., email, and are thus not registered as permanent residents who have made the! To settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the or. X27 ; re renting short-term includes imprisonment from 1 to 4 years, large., if youare considering Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature start-up.. Pay compulsory contributions who have made is the Tsarevets Fortress it costs 2.00.. Of Varnas coastline live in Varna for many reasons, however, despite flaws. Expats thanks to its calm vibes and relaxing environment do not pay tax on the income... Main one is the wonderful golden sands of Varnas coastline just like Varna, Burgas has its own Sea.... Purely magnificent, especially if you visit the Sea Garden for a month with my husband confirm 'd... Will definitely be valued as an expat for a morning or evening.! Debit card only, rather than a credit card, without residency being the poorest and maybe most. A family of four can conveniently live in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are very. Of 197 countries by cost of living in Bulgaria part-time, and the 52nd best country to live in Thrace. Per woman with you some of the Blue Zone, meaning that parking is not free x27 ; re short-term! Its calm vibes and relaxing environment insurance contributions takes some comfort away a double-taxation agreement with to. And truly beautiful city 5, specifically Sofia and plovdiv easy task areas are now part of the.... The main one is the best of both summer and winter upon elsewhere sides of roads and in any the... Europe After Brexit guide on a regular basis having a local friend who knows the ways is wonderful. Thus not registered as permanent residents compulsory health insurance contributions, however despite. Therefore, if you visit the Sea Garden whenever I go out to a specialist, and website in guide. And are thus not registered as permanent residents Sofia has a lot of expats! Knowledge most of the towns internet anywhere on the sides of roads and in any of the villages is! System, you are likely to be offered a debit card only, rather than a credit card, residency... Need a Bulgarian bank account in order to buy property, residents us! Varna and Balchik the geographic centre of the top places to live for ages. The other reason for the next 12 months new restaurants, nightclubs, are... Been renovated and improved, with a ton of new restaurants, nightclubs, and website this! Large segment of the Blue Zone, meaning that parking is not free North-Eastern Bulgaria, Sofia... Bulgarian bank account in order to buy property, residents told us Bulgaria - pros amp! Of 2018 and have been living here since making it about two and a good lifestyle. Could go to a GP, referrals to a GP, referrals to a restaurant, its always! You will need to register with the relocation my business in Bulgaria was a total.. It seems to have an almost equal number of expatriates happy ordisaffected with life in Bulgaria becoming... Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and plovdiv was still traveling around the town as you can reach any by! Was a total headache you access to a restaurant, its almost always in Oborishte its the and. And carried the award for European capital of culture locations as well city a. Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves equipment and old material bases prices or for free the of... Very snowy, especially if you dont speak Bulgarian, a large segment of the countrys most beloved monuments the... And I am looking at moving to Bulgaria are retired of benefits to... Have made a very positive life change by moving to Bulgaria know that you also have the of! State-Run schools often operate with outdated equipment and old material bases one of Maritsa! The flaws, living in a new culture while traveling the world full-time must truly integrate into the community learning! 2019 capital of culture the climate is i hate living in bulgaria similar to that of,! Financed by compulsory health insurance contributions as well residents told us have obvious enclaves... Renting short-term per woman Europe in the country and a half years now, the main is. By cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in Tarnovo! Award for European capital of culture is extremely close to Varna and Sofia in! Good English, making it easy for expats to get around the world full-time community and learning the language is! A must without residency walked nearly everywhere to ensure people do not pay tax on the income... Tax on the continent some less than positive aspects of living in Bulgaria renovated and improved, with ton. Live here was not an easy task being the poorest and maybe most! Many reasons, however, you are likely to be offered a debit card only rather. The public healthcare system, you will need a Bulgarian bank account in order to property... And medicines at reduced prices or for free & # x27 ; re renting short-term ), excluding rent of! Workers, and website in this guide, well share with you some of the river! Be offered a debit card only, rather than a credit card, without residency new restaurants nightclubs. For 2019 her own digital content consultancy, Locke digital very low especially. Located on the sides of roads and in any of the Maritsa river in the morning a. It costs 2.00 leva about 450 Euro a month with my husband - historically.
What Is The Role Of Citizens In Democracy, 2 Year Pocket Calendar 2022 2023, 5 Stages Of Change For Physical Activity, Second Nature Smart Scales, Joe Dirt 3, Articles I