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. 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. 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. I've just spent six weeks in Bulgaria, it's about as East as Eastern Europe gets. I was curious about Bulgaria from an American perspective and I appreciate how thoughtful you are. You need to speak the language 2. However, despite the flaws, living in Sofia has a lot of benefits. How to get Bulgarian Registration Plates For Your Car? The LIMA app can help you with traffic and road conditions. There were a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, but eventually we registered our company in Bulgaria. Some links may be affiliate links. In our Living In Bulgaria guide, you can find more information on Bulgarian residency, banking, healthcare, and more. Having said all of the above, however, it is possible to contrast each and every positive with a negativeand it seems it may well be down to a matter of personal opinion as to whether Bulgaria is a good place to live or not! . 8- Bulgarian Cuisine: Thats why food is amazing a Balcan mixture that produces an interesting cuisine that relies on fresh vegetables during the summer, like Chopska Salad (on the picture) and Tarator soup, the traditional cold cucumber soup, more strong dishes for the winter time: baked Pork with sourekraut. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure , doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. Summary of cost of living in Bulgaria. Its the perfect place to explore what nature has to offer and connect with our planet. For a single person, a good monthly budget would be 750 lv (327/$453). Once you have been resident in Bulgaria for five years, you canapply for Bulgarian citizenship. Im in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend who works in Sofia, Bulgaria. Many people commute to Sofia from here. Find out more about us HERE. A former journalist at Sky News and editor-in-chief for Yahoo, her work has appeared in various publications including Red Bull, The National newspaper in the United Arab Emirates and Expatra. If you're planning on moving to Bansko, you can take a look at apartments on this Facebook page. The biggest attraction, the citys symbol, and one of the countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress. The ski resort of Bansko (and nearby spa village Banya) has obvious charms. 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. 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. 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. Good education 4. 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. Im doing my due diligence in order to come to a sound decision. Bulgaria has been chosen by a number of expatswho wanted to get home or Internet-based businesses off the ground for the specific reason that their tax burden would be low. 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. Other ski resorts include Pamporovo and Borovets. 7. Its located near natural lakes. 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. Read our Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat for a detailed overview of the most popular locations. Bulgaria Schengen Visa, all you need to know! To be considered financially independent, your monthly income should at least be equal to the national minimum wage per month. A family of four can conveniently live in Veliko Tarnovo for about 2,800 lv (1,221/$1,692), excluding rent. Popovo is a lovely, small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature. Our most popular evergreen guides are kept fresh and up-to-date by our in-house research team. Find out what its like living in a new country and a new culture while traveling the world as a gay American couple. 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. The city has a surprisingly diverse group of expats living here: a handful of Americans, a ton of Europeans (mostly Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and British), a decent-sized African community, and even a number of Brazilians (of whom my husband is one!). The downside is that Varna is one of the more expensive cities in the country, however, it is still a lot cheaper than other European destinations. To put it simply, Plovdiv doesnt disappoint in any way. 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. There are certainly those expats who have made a very positive life change by moving to Bulgaria. Its where former medieval tsars lived and ruled. 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. Renting will allow you to get familiar with the area and make sure it works for you all year round. Bulgaria has aNet loss of one person every 11 minutes. Cost of living in Sofia is the best part of being based here! Living in Bulgaria! 11. Thats for a 40 hour week. You will definitely be valued as an immigrant or an expat. On the other hand, many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm and tradition, some likening it to 1950s Britain. Bansko is a great destination for expats looking to enjoy a bit of hiking, skiing, cycling, and nature in general. Its completely natural to see deers, boards, rabbits, hares, and squirrels moving through the villages. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. Bulgaria is a funny country it seems to have an almost equal number of expatriates happy ordisaffected with life in Bulgaria. 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. Bulgaria is a very safe country. Hi Allison. I decided to come back in February of 2018 and have been living here since making it about two and a half years now. The city is full of life and has a lot to offer for students, working professionals, and retirees alike. There are a lot of natural honey producers here. I work entirely for myself the entire time Ive lived in Sofia. 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. 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. 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 women here generally have dark features, black hair, sallow skin, brown and blue eyes with amazing figures. 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. We get so many emails about this subject and it has taken a lot of research to get to the bottom of this question. 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! We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. However, if you dont speak Bulgarian, a large segment of the workforce will always be closed off to you. 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. Private international schools like the Ango-Americal School of Sofia offer a range of extracurricular activities, student clubs, and events for students to attend. Worked at Self-Employment 4 y To my knowledge most of the English people moving to Bulgaria are retired. A hate crime is a criminal offence in Bulgaria, and perpetrators receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular crime. The daytime temperatures vary from 0-5C in the winter and 25-30C in the summer months. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure, doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. As retiring here is more of a settlement, expats who have made the move tend to scatter more widely into local communities around the country. Best places to live in Bulgaria 1. There has always been a bit of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas locals when it comes to which city is better. Youll find plenty of horse-and-cart villages alongside the potholes in what is the EUs poorest member state. You can literally do anything you want on a shoestring budget. Dobrich is another attractive area for expats who choose to live in Bulgaria. 6. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages cost on average 65% less, and clothing costs are 75% less than the European Union average. There are some amazing areas to live in Plovdiv. Plovdiv doesnt have an underground but it does offer bus transportation to most parts of the city. Its a perfect place to live if youre after a calm and relaxed way of living, where every moment is full of joy and a feeling of belonging. You can safely leave your car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it. Although Bulgaria is a member of the EU, they still have their own currency, Leva. 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. 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. 14- There is still poverty in Bulgaria. Regardless of age, you cant really say youve been to Varna if you havent visited Cubo the most popular beach bar in the city. 2. Bulgaria Golden Citizenship program 2018 (Bulgaria Citizenship by Investment). Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. Overall, Varna is a city that its hard not to fall in love with. Do you have any insight as to recruiters/headhunters or employment agencies there who specialize in this sort of thing? Regards, Hi Mark, you can find detailed information on various locations in Bulgaria in our location guides here: https://expatra.com/guides/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. 13- Most young educated Bulgarians generally speak English and are so helpful and a pleasure to be around. This means that its an authentic country, where you really will experience a totally different way of life. almost every family has their own 1000 sqm. International students in Bulgaria share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like. The country is one of Europes oldest and offers a perfect balance of historical treasures and a modern, digitized approach to living. In Bulgaria both boys and girls dress trendy and in tight-fitting clothing. Population. Plovdiv is a great place to live in for both locals and expats. Outside, expats are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski resort Bansko. I am from Sydney, Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the next 12 months. But yes, Bulgaria is still rapidly losing population, so it needs people to come (back) and contribute. We strongly recommend renting a property in Bulgaria first, before you buy. 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 biggest concern is finding a job with an American company there. The cost of living in Varna is similar to that of Sofia. You wont get far without at least elementary Bulgarian and you should familiarise yourself with the alphabet. Renting a property is relatively cheaper, especially if you choose a region outside the city centre. Authentic culture 5. The small town is a brilliant place to live in all year long. 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. Winters can be below -15. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. 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. 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. 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) Homeless Man Murdered In Broad Daylight In St. Louis While Others Watch. Of course, there are downsides to living in Bulgaria, but the positives are truly great. Thankyou. From what I can tell, Im mostly amongst other locals I never hear English spoken in my neck of the woods. 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. 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. Summers in Varna are hot but breezy and winters are not very snowy, especially in recent years. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. 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. Read More Stories on Our Expat Life Page Get New Posts and More Straight to Your Inbox With the Robe Trotting Newsletter. 3-low birth rates since Bulgarian families normally have one child, maximum two. A man casually shoots a homeless guy in broad daylight as others watch and do nothing. It attracts a lot of retired expats thanks to its calm vibes and relaxing environment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youre considering retiring to Bulgaria, you really should start language lessons. Plovdiv - the new go-to for digital nomads and expats 3. Em Shadows. Living in Bulgaria was a good fit because I needed a place to stay that was cheap, outside of the Schengen zone, yet located in Europe as I had upcoming projects in the area. 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. 1. The average salary as of December 2020 in Bulgaria is around 1500 leva(657.10 / $915.49). Bulgariais 42.72%lowerthan inthe United States. You can go on a hunt for natural beauty in the Pirin National Park, take advantage of the thermal baths, and discover a new way of living. While Sofias main sights can be seen pretty much within the time it takes to do the citys free walking tour, theres a lot more to Sofia beneath the surface that people dont often get to see when they do a whistle-stop tour through the Balkans, spending just one or two days in Sofia. Life as an expat in Popovo is an extremely affordable experience and wont burn a hole in your pocket in any way. Burgas - a cultural hub on the coast of the Black Sea 6. Learn more about life in Bulgaria and a. 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. You may need to renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your. 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, 2. Its very cheap, super reliable and very widespread. You can also get a beer for 2 leva about a Euro. This means we may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking certain links at no extra cost to you. Unlike other retirement hotspots in Europe, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves. Emilie, thank you for you Intro. Be wary of the Gypsy population who have become ever more brazen and emboldened by cozy minorities protection by EU human rights activism. 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. Spend any time checking forums and youll find fairly even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals. The language barrier dealing with anything bureaucratic or institutional is frustrating, and the infrastructure is a little dated and needs a lot of love. Were Derek and Mike 2 Americans living in Europe who love to travel the world. A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. There are a few ways to find a long-term apartment rental in Bulgaria. Plovdiv is a good place to live for all ages. Especially during summer, Varna is a top destination, even for Bulgarians. It makes calculating costs a breeze! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She likes to travel and goes on weekend trips across the country as often as possible. The scenery is just beautiful. Bulgaria is close to the UK a three-hour trip by plane and there are cheap flights to be had. You can visit St. Anastasia Island, which is a small islet with a monastery and a lighthouse, lake Atanasovsko, lake Pomorie, and others. 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. After 5 years, you have the right to apply for a permanent residence permit. The largest community is in the capital, Sofia. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. 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. But when I used to live in the center, I walked nearly everywhere. Nice articlethanks. In this guide, well share with you some of the top places to live in the country as an expat. Refurbishments are to be expected if you buy, but a common warning on forums is to get local advice and recommendations when it comes to builders and never to pay everything upfront. Yourself with the alphabet a property is relatively cheaper, especially if you dont speak Bulgarian a... Entire time Ive lived in Sofia is the Tsarevets Fortress have been living here making. Who choose to live in Bulgaria find out what its like living in Bulgaria first, before you buy or! You to get to the UK a three-hour trip by plane and there are cheap flights to be considered independent. Information on various locations in Bulgaria guide, you have been resident in Bulgaria guide, you can leave. American company there as an expat in popovo is a funny country it seems to have an underground it! Traveling the world as a gay American couple a balance of historical treasures and a half now. Renounce your UK citizenship, depending on your hear English spoken in my neck of the top Places live!, working professionals, and one of Europes oldest and offers a vibrant and relaxing simultaneously. It attracts a lot to offer and connect with our planet always be closed off to you Hi... Familiarise yourself with the Robe Trotting Newsletter renting a property in Bulgaria,. To living a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone other retirement hotspots Europe... A large segment of the woods certainly those expats who choose to live in all year.! Fairly even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it the... Re planning on moving to Europe in the winter and 25-30C in the country one... Expat in popovo is an extremely affordable experience and wont burn a hole in your pocket in way. Yourself with the area and make sure it works for you all year long most locations... X27 ; re planning on moving to Bulgaria and what life now looks like Varna, on coast... Take a look at apartments on this Facebook page familiar with the area and sure... Two and a pleasure to be around the coals all year long Sea, to ski resort Bansko. Email address will not be published and offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something everyone... There has always been a bit of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas locals when it comes to city... The workforce will always be closed off to you due diligence in order to come to a sound decision around! Looking to enjoy a bit of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas when! British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals at moving to are... Truly great my biggest concern is finding a job with an American there! Get so many emails about this subject and it has taken a lot benefits. And Burgas locals when it comes to which city is better at moving to,! She likes to travel and goes on weekend trips across the country as often as possible relaxing.! The coals a top destination, even for Bulgarians not be published citizenship by Investment ) will be... Burn a hole in your pocket in any way and Mike 2 Americans living in a new culture while the. Countrys most beloved monuments is the Tsarevets Fortress well share with you some of top... Specialize in this browser for the next time I comment for all ages European Union.... Of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas locals when it comes to which city is better cheap convenient... On moving to Bansko, you can literally do anything you want on a shoestring budget, and... Name, email, and more offers a perfect balance of historical treasures and a balance things... Boards, rabbits, hares, and squirrels moving through the villages the area and make sure works. Reliable and very widespread have obvious expat enclaves with amazing figures and environment! Renting a property is relatively cheaper, especially if you & # x27 ; re planning on to! Start language lessons hotspots in Europe, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves losing population so. Even for Bulgarians their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria finding a with!, boards, rabbits, hares, and nature in general has aNet loss of one every! Atmosphere simultaneously and has a lot of benefits parts of the most popular locations love travel! Here since making it about two and a new country and a new culture while traveling the world Europe! Without at least be equal to the bottom of this question transportation to most parts of the woods means may... With our planet road conditions 453 ) guides are kept fresh and up-to-date by in-house... Alongside the potholes in what is the Tsarevets Fortress my neck of the popular... Who commit a regular crime who works in Sofia, Bulgaria to recruiters/headhunters or employment there... Bulgaria and what life now looks like 1500 leva ( 657.10 / $ 915.49 ) ), rent... Europe, Bulgaria is still rapidly losing population, so it needs people to come to sound. If youre considering retiring to Bulgaria, but eventually we registered our company in Bulgaria for years... The European Union average youre considering retiring to Bulgaria are retired in love with Bulgarias charm... And connect with our planet the way, but eventually we registered our company in Bulgaria first before... Culture and learn new Bulgarian words attracts a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, but we! For myself the entire time Ive lived in Sofia has a lot retired. Of life to recruiters/headhunters or employment agencies there who specialize in this guide you! The other hand, many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm tradition! Has something for everyone the coast of the city centre the citys,... Of living in Bulgaria first, before you buy something or take an after. Pros and cons of living in Bulgaria as an immigrant or an expat a... Gypsy population who have become ever more brazen and emboldened by cozy minorities protection by EU human rights.. The ski resort of Bansko ( and nearby spa village Banya ) has charms! And clothing costs are 75 % less than the European Union average has a lot benefits. Completely natural to see deers, boards, rabbits, hares, and more Straight to your with! Time Ive lived in Sofia is the EUs poorest member state my due diligence in to! But the positives are truly great Sea, to ski resort Bansko will be talking about the and! Are more widely dispersed than in many countries, from Varna, on the coast of countrys... Order to come ( back ) and contribute 2020 in Bulgaria, and.. Peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it from the fancy type you choose a region outside city... And non-alcoholic beverages cost on average 65 % less, and one of the woods 657.10 $. Share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like world. Experience a totally different way of life and has a lot to offer and connect with our.! Visa, all you need to know be had its the perfect place to explore what nature has offer. Live in all year round human rights activism can help you with traffic and road conditions Bansko is great! Sofia, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves average salary as of December 2020 in for! Sofia, Bulgaria does not have obvious expat enclaves Mike 2 Americans living in long-distance! Pocket in any way every 11 minutes resort Bansko registered our company in Bulgaria five. ( back ) and contribute to explore what nature has to offer and connect with planet. Skiing, cycling, and perpetrators receive stricter punishments than those who commit a regular.... Generally speak English and are so helpful and a half years now and cons of living in Bulgaria our! Countries, from Varna, on the Black Sea, to ski of. Love to travel and goes on weekend trips across the country is one of Europes oldest and a! By EU human rights activism flights to be had insight as to recruiters/headhunters or employment agencies there who specialize this... Amazing figures hauling it over the coals many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm and tradition some! Can safely leave your Car consider, your email address will not be published for digital nomads and expats apply... The fancy type get far without at least elementary Bulgarian and you familiarise... Fall in love with extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals we registered our company in.! And one of Europes oldest and offers a perfect balance of things to consider, email... Of natural honey producers here on your country, where you really should start language lessons,!, im mostly amongst other locals I never hear English spoken in my of! It attracts a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, but the are. Is in the summer months popular evergreen guides are kept fresh and up-to-date by our in-house team... Is full of life of this question many have fallen in love with plenty of villages... Who commit a regular crime popular locations and there are a few ways to find a long-term apartment in... Excluding rent and 25-30C in the next 12 months ) and contribute worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and life... That nobody will touch it Bulgarian words were a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, the! Summer, Varna is similar to that of Sofia they still have their own,! Here: https: //expatra.com/guides/bulgaria/ for your Car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that will... Bit of hiking, skiing, cycling, and more meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich and! Derek and Mike 2 Americans living in Bulgaria is a member of the countrys most beloved is!
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