There are a lot of natural honey producers here. 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. And young Bulgarians are friendly and open, happy to chat with someone and always a bit curious why a foreigner is living in Bulgaria. The people are extremely kind and generous. Plovdiv doesnt have an underground but it does offer bus transportation to most parts of the city. In fact, Bulgaria, in general, is well-known for its blazing Internet that allows you to easily communicate online whenever you want to. You may need to take a translator and/ or lawyer with you if you dont speak Bulgarian, although one person told us that the teller at the branch in Sofia they went to spoke good English. In Sofia, I largely get around by car and by taxi, since I now live a bit outside the center. Tips For Your Life in Bulgaria, Best Info and Advice for Expats. On the other hand, many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm and tradition, some likening it to 1950s Britain. 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. You can literally do anything you want on a shoestring budget. Bulgaria ranked 120th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 52nd best country to live in. There are multiple groups on Facebook that can help you. Im doing my due diligence in order to come to a sound decision. Renting a property is relatively cheaper, especially if you choose a region outside the city centre. Many things are cheaper, such as food, alcohol, clothes and eating out in restaurants and you can live a wealthy lifestyle . Bulgaria is eminent for its ability to successfully prepare students thoroughly in studies like maths, history, arts, languages and literature, biology, chemistry, and others. 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). Bulgaria regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Theres a youthfulness to the city that I find extremely inspiring, with young people constantly opening new businesses. Emilie is a public relations expert based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Varna - the perfect sea-side living 4. Keep an eye out for pickpocketing and scams. However, like any other place on earth, Bulgaria has its drawbacks. Bulgaria is a country withvery affordablehotels, restaurants and home appliances compared to the rest of the European Union. A basic plan from Uniqa for a couple under 70 years old will cost 330 BGN (145) a year. 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. Im in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend who works in Sofia, Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo - a historically rich and truly beautiful city 5. Dobrich your first step to a magnificent experience, 8. I lived and travelled through East European countries from age 18 till 25, many decades ago. New pieces of beautiful street art adorn the walls unexpectedly, discovered on your daily walks. With its relatively mild climate, Bulgaria is pleasant all year round. 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 area around ulitsa Tsar Simeon also has great nightlife, and thats where I go out. 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. Burgas a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea, 6. Its worth noting that renting in Burgas is cheaper, with a difference of around 40% in prices. If you are trying to familiarise yourself with the country, its worth watching some episodes. 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. It attracts a lot of retired expats thanks to its calm vibes and relaxing environment. 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! Bulgaria has aNet loss of one person every 11 minutes. Its mostly residential and for families, and I like it for living, but its nowhere interesting to go out in. Renting a good two-bedroom apartment in a nice neighbourhood of Sofia will cost you around 700 800 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), about 300 340. 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. The expat scene in Sofia is small but tight-knit. There are also a number of amazing places to visit near Veliko Tarnovo, like Arbanassi, Elena, and Gabrovo. Paperwork can be painful. 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. Romania has the fastest internet anywhere on the continent. A monthly budget of 1,200 lv ($722/530) for a family or two will offer a perfect way of living, rent excluded. There are eight municipalities in Dobrich and they all deserve consideration. 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. Tell us more about your life there ! Moving to a new country is like entering a new world where different rules apply, and it takes a while before you can fully understand them.Not knowing the language and not having any close friends, it may be quite frustrating to handle even simple daily tasks, let alone sort out the basics - how to get a job, a place to live and a residence permit. 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. 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. Veliko Tarnovo is another Bulgarian city with extreme history and cultural riches. This means that its an authentic country, where you really will experience a totally different way of life. 12- Bulgarian people was described as outrageously beautiful. 7M. 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. Its what I was doing before I came to Bulgaria, but now, I have more focus and purpose being based in one place. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. Perhaps our report on the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria will help and inspire you to move. I joke that its bizarre that my circle in Sofia is an American, a Zimbabwean, and a Brazilian, but thats the reality! Fruit and vegetables are for sale everywhere and are the most delicious. Its located near the geographic centre of the country and is the midpoint between Varna and Sofia. 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. Find out more about us HERE. 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. 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. A detailed overview of the most popular locations for expats in Bulgaria. I'll further discuss whether Bulgaria is attractive for expats or not. The majority of expats moving to Bulgaria consider living in Sofia first. Some links may be affiliate links. There are a few ways to find a long-term apartment rental in Bulgaria. 1. Im struck with homesickness a lot of the time, even though I know that home is a deeply broken place, and Im terrified of whats happening in America on a public health, political, and moral level. Healthcare in Bulgaria is universal and financed by compulsory health insurance contributions. A new and exciting bar, restaurant, coffee shop, or boutique seems to be opening up in the center nearly every other day. For anyone looking to reduce the amount of tax they pay on their income or business profits, therefore, Bulgaria is definitely attractive! If you're planning on moving to Bansko, you can take a look at apartments on this Facebook page. Recently, the city has become an attraction for digital nomads thanks to its vast range of suitable cafes and coworking spaces. I decided to come back in February of 2018 and have been living here since making it about two and a half years now. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. For people living in BiH: Istraivanje ekonomskog ponaanja u BiH i drugim zemljama Question Istraujemo kakve finansijske izbore prave stanovnici BiH i drugih zemalja. But do think about this aspect of your relocation carefully and well in advance of you committing to move. If you are considering relocating with children, you can choose to educate your children locally in Bulgaria, or they can attend an international school if you live in or close to Sofia where theres plenty of choice in terms of school and curriculum. Haskovo is another small Bulgarian town, where expats can dive into a relaxed way of living where stress and a dynamic lifestyle wont thrive. 24.9%. The cost of living will surprise you. The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Bulgaria to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. 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. 6. A single person can do well with around 800 lv (349/$483), rent excluded. In this vlog, we explore some of the best reasons in retiring to one of Europe's most affordable . I've just spent six weeks in Bulgaria, it's about as East as Eastern Europe gets. Dont be fooled by the common misconception that Bansko is simply a ski resort and thats it. To join the public healthcare system, you will need to register with the National Health Insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions. To put it simply, Plovdiv doesnt disappoint in any way. As someone that. The cost of living in Bulgaria is $739, which is 1.32 times less expensive than the world average. Some of them would effortlessly win modeling competitions. 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, Positive aspects of expat life in Bulgaria, Some less than positive aspects of living in Bulgaria, 2. 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 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. 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. 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