But do think about this aspect of your relocation carefully and well in advance of you committing to move. The expat scene in Sofia is small but tight-knit. 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 dont have to worry if you fall ill in Sofia the city has great hospitals and medical clinics to keep your health in check. 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. 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. Spend any time checking forums and youll find fairly even numbers of British expats extolling Bulgarias virtues or hauling it over the coals. 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. Living in Bulgaria! 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!). 11- Bulgarians are a very proud nation. There is so much history that you can explore in Plovdiv, considering that its the 6th oldest city in the world and the oldest in Europe. 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. There are a few ways to find a long-term apartment rental in Bulgaria. I work entirely for myself the entire time Ive lived in Sofia. I hate to be the bearer of bad news however my children were withdrawn from this small private school (one and only private school in Bourgas and very near to Hotel Bulgaria which Its definitely a big difference from where Im from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! 7M. Thats for a 40 hour week. I am from Sydney, Australia and I am looking at moving to Europe in the next 12 months. The city is full of life and has a lot to offer for students, working professionals, and retirees alike. 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. The cost of living in Varna is similar to that of Sofia. I rent an apartment for about 450 euro a month with my husband. 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. In our Living In Bulgaria guide, you can find more information on Bulgarian residency, banking, healthcare, and more. Its located near natural lakes. To enrol in the Bulgarian healthcare system, you must first get your residency. Bulgariais 42.72%lowerthan inthe United States. 1 Euro. Also, note that most banks will not offer joint accounts. Learn more about life in Bulgaria and a. This means we may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking certain links at no extra cost to you. Dobrich is another attractive area for expats who choose to live in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a great place to live if youre not sensitive and particularly good if you have an income from outside of Bulgaria, for example, a pension, or work for a foreigner company, definitely is a nice place to start a family and better place to live than two-thirds of the world. A good read and a balance of things to consider, Your email address will not be published. Other Black Sea resorts include Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, St Constantine and Helena. Its a city of central location and is extremely close to Varna and Balchik. Thats a surprisingly big number for a country of just seven million inhabitants smaller than the city of London. 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. I've just spent six weeks in Bulgaria, it's about as East as Eastern Europe gets. 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. 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. 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. Based on that experience, here are my request for you response and updates to your great work that youve shared with us: The city is connected via a well-developed bus transport network. better place to live than two-thirds of the world, All You Need To Know About Medical Insurance for Foreigners in Bulgaria. Emilie, thank you for you Intro. We hope that this guide will come in handy and will help you choose the best place that will meet your expectations. Em Shadows. International students will have the ability to meet Bulgarian peers, dive into the rich culture and learn new Bulgarian words. I lived and travelled through East European countries from age 18 till 25, many decades ago. For anyone looking to reduce the amount of tax they pay on their income or business profits, therefore, Bulgaria is definitely attractive! 6- Traveling inside the country is relatively easy because everything is close together, trip Sofia- Varna (one of the longer distances to travel is only 450 km.) Renting a property in Plovdiv is more affordable when compared to Sofia. As an expat, I have to admit, living conditions here are a bit discordant. I first came to Sofia, Bulgaria in August of 2017. Ad to these old cars and you can imagine yourself the result. Theres so much to do in the city and nearby! The freelancer visa is nearly impossible to get, not least because it starts with speaking B1-level Bulgarian (which is hard to do unless you already live here.). People from Bulgaria can dance! Thanks for this post! Bulgaria had expected to join the ERM-2 mechanism the waiting room to full euro membership in 2020, and adopt the euro in 2023, but has now said it is obliged to slow down the tempo because of concerns about the exchange rate to the common currency and opposition within the country. Today, I will be talking about the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Plovdiv. Its what I was doing before I came to Bulgaria, but now, I have more focus and purpose being based in one place. 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. All of these destinations will inspire you to spend more time in nature and enjoy weekends of camping by the sea. 5. Living in Popovo, youll soon start to feel as if all your neighbours are family. The cost of living in Bulgaria is $739, which is 1.32 times less expensive than the world average. 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. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. especially older generations have extensive knowledge on small farming, food conservation, and of course, the best way to grow your own tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. If you don't want to be surprised by this different way of socially behaving, it might be best to read up on Bulgarian culture. Of course, there are also a ton of options to choose from when it comes to dining out in a fancy and highly rated restaurant. Popovo - the place where anyone can feel at home 7. Unsurprisingly, well start from Sofia Bulgarias capital. 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. There were a lot of tears and several meltdowns along the way, but eventually we registered our company in Bulgaria. Were Derek and Mike 2 Americans living in Europe who love to travel the world. 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. 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. In this guide, we are bringing you both the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria as an expat. Summers can touch 35 or even 40 in some areas like Plovdiv and south Bulgaria. It is rare to find such a well considered and informative article that isnt trying to sell something. But to settle well you must truly integrate into the community and learning the language properly is a must. In addition, Kapana (The Trap), Plovdivs creative district attracts people of all ages with art and creativity. Read about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Bulgaria before you move there. 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. 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. I dont see myself living in Bulgaria forever. 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. Mobile phone packages are cheap for 25 leva you get unlimited calls to all networks with some GB internet. New pieces of beautiful street art adorn the walls unexpectedly, discovered on your daily walks. 15- Bulgaria has some fastest internet speed in the world, you get great value for money. 1-Living in Bulgaria will be an adventure , doesn't matter what kind of person you are and what you want out of life. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages cost on average 65% less, and clothing costs are 75% less than the European Union average. Read our Best Places To Live In Bulgaria As An Expat for a detailed overview of the most popular locations. Most restaurants have lunch specials generally between 12 2 pm and you can have the special for about 56 leva. 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). Dobrich is popular for its relatively balanced weather and amazing spring and autumn seasons. What are the average living costs in Bulgaria? They do not abide by any rules and enjoy a protected criminal lifestyle by virtue of being a minority . This country was established in 681 A.D. and has survived things you wouldnt imagine, they also are the inventors of the Bulgarian alphabet that through the centuries expand to most of the Slavic countries, they even have a day for celebrating the Bulgarianalphabet and culture, its on the 24th of May, you will see student take the streets with their parade. Perhaps, it never really was. 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. If you relocate to Bulgaria with the prospect of finding employment there you may find it very difficult to land yourself a job that will allow you to benefit from Bulgarias low cost of living. For people living in BiH: Istraivanje ekonomskog ponaanja u BiH i drugim zemljama Question Istraujemo kakve finansijske izbore prave stanovnici BiH i drugih zemalja. You need to contrast the cost of living with what you can expect to earn in Bulgaria. 3-low birth rates since Bulgarian families normally have one child, maximum two. Being aware of them before you relocate can make a huge difference to your overall experience. I was curious about Bulgaria from an American perspective and I appreciate how thoughtful you are. 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. We live by a beautiful park thats often filled with litter. 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). To retire in Bulgaria, you'll need to apply for a Type D visa and a long-term residence permit, renewable every year. Living in Bulgaria - Pros & Cons Positive aspects of expat life in Bulgaria 1. Bulgaria can provide you with very different experiences depending on whether you live in one of the cities, or in smaller towns and villages. This will give you access to a GP, referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or for free. In my neighborhood, cars park wherever they want to; you always have to look down or risk twisting your ankle on some busted piece of sidewalk. It offers a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere simultaneously and has something for everyone. You can choose your GP so most expats tend to choose a local and/or English-speaking doctor. If you're planning on moving to Bansko, you can take a look at apartments on this Facebook page. 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. You can visit St. Anastasia Island, which is a small islet with a monastery and a lighthouse, lake Atanasovsko, lake Pomorie, and others. 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