We avoid military conflicts, crime is low, we don't actively engage in heated political debates, public protests are rare (but avoid them if they do break out), and religions coexist happily on the whole. Im planning to move to Bansko in about 3 years. It makes calculating costs a breeze! Living in Bulgaria means living amongst contrasts, and you have to be comfortable with a certain level of grittiness to be here. 13- Most young educated Bulgarians generally speak English and are so helpful and a pleasure to be around. Ive mentioned Cyrillic quite a bit, and it can definitely lead to some funny misunderstandings like seeing HOBO written everywhere and only later realizing that it means novo or new. This means we may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking certain links at no extra cost to you. They attract a very good salary which they can live on here exceptionally well, especially if they work remotely for a company from abroad. Best places to live in Bulgaria 1. 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. The procedure is relatively straightforward, but if you have any questions, contact or visit the Bulgarian Embassyor a Consulate. Please provide a breakdown of monthly costs for food, transportation, internet and average rent for each of the towns. 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. Theres a great etiquette guide on the Bulgarian Embassy of London site. You can visit St. Anastasia Island, which is a small islet with a monastery and a lighthouse, lake Atanasovsko, lake Pomorie, and others. The cost of living in Bulgaria is $739, which is 1.32 times less expensive than the world average. Bulgaria is a nation that has retained its national identity, history, culture and tradition it has certainly not sold out to the west. You can draw the money out once the paperwork is done, we were informed. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure, doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. 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). 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. Read More Stories on Our Expat Life Page Get New Posts and More Straight to Your Inbox With the Robe Trotting Newsletter. Its located near natural lakes. You can comfortably walk around the towns streets at 3 AM knowing that youre completely safe. Bulgaria Golden Citizenship program 2018 (Bulgaria Citizenship by Investment). 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. Popovo is a lovely, small town in North-Eastern Bulgaria, surrounded by forests and magnificent nature. 9- Food and drink are very cheap and convenient if you arent from the fancy type. Another thing thats given me culture shock is how Bulgarians nod their yes but mean no, and vice versa! Just imagine living in another European city with this budget. 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. Hi Allison. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages cost on average 65% less, and clothing costs are 75% less than the European Union average. We started Robe Trotting to share our experiences. 11. New pieces of beautiful street art adorn the walls unexpectedly, discovered on your daily walks. Im doing my due diligence in order to come to a sound decision. Just because Bansko is a popular ski destination doesnt mean that youll freeze living there. For retirees, its also the perfect place for a walk by the sea during the day. Especially during summer, Varna is a top destination, even for Bulgarians. Its what I was doing before I came to Bulgaria, but now, I have more focus and purpose being based in one place. better place to live than two-thirds of the world, All You Need To Know About Medical Insurance for Foreigners in Bulgaria. Find out more about us HERE. She runs her own digital content consultancy, Locke Digital. My building is new construction across the street from old communist blocks, so theres a bit of contrast in my neighborhood. Required fields are marked *. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. The city is also rich in all types of necessary institutions and amenities to make your stay comfortable and stress-free. 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. 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. Bansko may be popular for its natural riches but an interesting fact is that it also offers some of the fastest Internet! We get so many emails about this subject and it has taken a lot of research to get to the bottom of this question. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The cost of living in Bulgaria is 48.12% lower than in the United Kingdom. Also, note that most banks will not offer joint accounts. Another estimated 2,000-6,000 live in Bulgaria part-time, and are thus not registered as permanent residents. 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. According to (now 10-year-old) figures from think tank the IPPR, some 18,000 Britons have moved to Bulgaria, about half living here for half the year and the other half permanently. Bulgaria operates a flat tax system whereby personal and corporate tax rates are 10% across the board. 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. As the country is becoming more popular with expats, they discover other locations as well. Mobile phone packages are cheap for 25 leva you get unlimited calls to all networks with some GB internet. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. Ill be forthright and say that Sofia is definitely not the easiest city to live in in Europe, and its not for everyone. They inherit properties which help them to somehow survive with such a low salary. Enjoy your trip and good luck with the relocation. In this vlog, we explore some of the best reasons in retiring to one of Europe's most affordable . The small town is a brilliant place to live in all year long. Haskovo is another small Bulgarian town, where expats can dive into a relaxed way of living where stress and a dynamic lifestyle wont thrive. Thankyou Suzanne Locke! Dobrich is popular for its relatively balanced weather and amazing spring and autumn seasons. What are the average living costs in Bulgaria? This charming city is home to many expats, from students studying in the prestigious Medical University to retirees seeking the comfort of a beautiful and fulfilling city by the sea. 4-Bulgaria is a very beautiful country. For a family of four, 3,200 lv (1,404/$1,941) excluding rent is a fair monthly budget. Tell us more about your life there ! There has always been a bit of friendly competition between Varna and Burgas locals when it comes to which city is better. It is thought that up to a fifth of the 30,000-strong population is foreign. Retirees may find that their pension income goes far further in Bulgaria and they could benefit from a move as they will not be dependent on the local economy to provide them with a living. but there arent perfect countries, you can feel miserable in a rich country and vice-versa, the important is to accept the things how they are, dont waste energy in what can be changed, and when you see a possibility to make the improvements, do it one at the time. 15- Bulgaria has some fastest internet speed in the world, you get great value for money. I hope this story helps, good luck with your move! Paperwork can be painful. 7. 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) You can either join Facebook groups or look on Airbnb. Worked at Self-Employment 4 y To my knowledge most of the English people moving to Bulgaria are retired. The language barrier dealing with anything bureaucratic or institutional is frustrating, and the infrastructure is a little dated and needs a lot of love. There are multiple groups on Facebook that can help you. The other reason for the decisions these people have made is the cost of living in Bulgaria. Its safe to say that a single person can live comfortably in Sofia with 1,000 lv (437/$605), rent excluded. Read more in Expatras guide to international removals. Nationalminimum wageinBulgariaremained fixed at 260.8 per month. There are also a number of amazing places to visit near Veliko Tarnovo, like Arbanassi, Elena, and Gabrovo. If you have not worked in Bulgaria, you should claim your UK State Pension by contacting theInternational Pension Centre. In addition, Kapana (The Trap), Plovdivs creative district attracts people of all ages with art and creativity. 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. With its relatively mild climate, Bulgaria is pleasant all year round. 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. Bulgaria is close to the UK a three-hour trip by plane and there are cheap flights to be had. A family of four can conveniently live in Veliko Tarnovo for about 2,800 lv (1,221/$1,692), excluding rent. the fertility rate in Bulgaria is 1.43child per woman. 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. Keep an eye out for pickpocketing and scams. 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). Whenever I go out to a restaurant, its almost always in Oborishte! To join the public healthcare system, you will need to register with the National Health Insurance Fund and pay compulsory contributions. You can safely leave your car unlocked and enjoy peace of mind knowing that nobody will touch it. Therefore, if youare considering Bulgaria, it is one of those nations where preconceptions count for very little. You also need to check the validity of your driver license in Bulgaria before start driving, paying bribes to the police is a practice that slowly disappearing (this is my own experience since I have got few tickets on the road, but never been asked for money). Many of the expat city-dwellers are workers, and the city boasts a thriving start-up scene. 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. before your trip. You can also explore the Archaeological Museum, the Sea Casino, the Zoo, and visit the Sand Fest in Burgas during the summer. Its the cheapest and fastest way to securely transfer money overseas. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. 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. People from Bulgaria can dance! Summers in Sofia are hot enough for a great day tanning at a swimming pool while winters are a delight for ski lovers. 3-low birth rates since Bulgarian families normally have one child, maximum two. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. HOW DO YOU TRANSFER MONEY INTERNATIONALLY? Population. This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. 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. To enrol in the Bulgarian healthcare system, you must first get your residency. Bulgarian hotel and restaurant prices are apparently below half the average for the EU. Lifestyle and the cost of living in Bulgaria, Settling in Bulgaria: formalities and paperwork, Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat, etiquette guide on the Bulgarian Embassy of London site, How A British Family Bought & Renovated A House In Bulgaria, Expatras guide to international removals, The Pros & Cons Of Expat Life In Bulgaria, List of Regional Migration Directorate offices, Bulgaria visas and residency for US citizens , Living in Bulgaria after Brexit (for UK citizens) . Im sure that women of color struggle a bit more with harassment, but I cant make any generalizations to their experience, as I only know what friends have told me about living or traveling in the region. Housing in Bulgaria. Your tax obligations One thing thats been a really positive change is that as a woman, I feel a lot safer in Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo a historically rich and truly beautiful city, 5. 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. The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. Guys often wear skinny jeans and black Armani T-shirts, while girls go for equally tight pants and skirts with some sort of a designer tank top, be it Mango, Trussardi or Motivi. Expats often choose Haskovo as a popular Bulgarian place to live in as it offers the comfort and cosiness of the small town but its also extremely close to Plovdiv, where you can quickly travel to. In Bulgaria they can afford a pretty affluent life. If you are trying to familiarise yourself with the country, its worth watching some episodes. 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. The LIMA app can help you with traffic and road conditions. A lot of things go into a custody decision and corresponding parenting plan, writes Dr. Jann Blackstone. Bulgariais 42.72%lowerthan inthe United States. The cost of living will surprise you. its Just delicious, and national classic Bulgarian breakfast is coffee and a cigarette, joke, the traditional breakfast is at banitza filled with Bulgarian white cheese. Thats a surprisingly big number for a country of just seven million inhabitants smaller than the city of London. Emilie is a public relations expert based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Being the poorest and maybe the most corrupted EU member country takes some comfort away. Being the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, Varna hosts thousands of tourists every year. Bulgaria is a country withvery affordablehotels, restaurants and home appliances compared to the rest of the European Union. 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. Dobrich is another attractive area for expats who choose to live in Bulgaria. On the other hand, many have fallen in love with Bulgarias old-world charm and tradition, some likening it to 1950s Britain. Your email address will not be published. Romania has the fastest internet anywhere on the continent. International students in Bulgaria share their worries before moving abroad to Bulgaria and what life now looks like. 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. Save money on international transfers with Wise (formerly TransferWise). 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. Living in the city, you can still feel the magnificent presence of the glorious fortress. Ad to these old cars and you can imagine yourself the result. To benefit from the cost of living your income should be above the Bulgarian average Even if getting to live here was not an easy task! Living in Sofia is a far cry from San Francisco, but wherever youre from and wherever you end up living you can find a way to make it home. It features links to official resources containing major Brexit information. Other ski resorts include Pamporovo and Borovets. There are also a number of bus lines you can take to get to most regions. 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