Bulgaria is probably not on many peoples list of places to live, but it deserves to be.
No matter what your preference of lifestyle, be it a cosmopolitan city, living in a buzzing seaside resort, on the slopes of some of the finest ski-resorts in Europe, or living off-grid out in the countryside, Bulgaria has it all. And far more besides.
There are real seasons here with hot summers and snow covered winters which helps nurture the stunning scenery. There are endless vistas of sunflower filled fields, snowcapped mountains, rock formations like nowhere else, crystal clear rivers feeding cascading waterfalls, and beaches to rival anywhere on the med.
Wondering about expenses? This article breaks down the true cost of living in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria boasts some of the finest historic sites and collections of historical artefacts found anywhere, in fact the Varna Gold Treasure is thought to be the oldest processed gold ever found, dating from 4400-4100BC.
From rock concerts to open air opera productions, from modern art galleries to churches carved into rock faces with wall art that dates back centuries, history and culture buffs will find endless places to explore and enjoy.
Explore the best cities in Bulgaria for expats in this detailed guide: Where Do Expats Settle in Bulgaria?
Since Bulgaria joined the EU there has been, and continues to be, huge investment in the country. With low unemployment and many large businesses now choosing Bulgaria as a base for their operations there has never been a better time to move to Bulgaria.
And the icing on the cake is that the cost of living in Bulgaria is a fraction of most other countries.
So is moving to Bulgaria a good idea? Just ask anyone who has taken the decision to move here and the answer will almost always be yes, Bulgaria is a wonderful place to live.
How to Buy Real Estate Properties in Bulgaria
Is Bulgaria a Good Place to Live?
How do you define where is a good place to live?
Somewhere that is affordable to live and homes are cheap, has employment opportunities, low crime rates, great weather, a good education system, good healthcare, and real community spirit, a place that will help you grow as a person and stimulate you?
Bulgaria offers many advantages for expats, but which city should you choose? If you're considering the capital, check out the pros and cons of moving to Sofia to make an informed decision.
Bulgaria will tick all those boxes as well as giving you the holy grail of what most home movers seek, a vastly improved quality of life.
Let’s look at that list of what makes a good place to live again.
Cost of Living: Bulgaria has one of the lowest costs of living in Europe and with very affordable homes, for those on a budget or looking to make their pension go further, Bulgaria is a great place to live.
Employment: Wages are low in Bulgaria in comparison with many European countries so many young people leave Bulgaria seeking employment elsewhere. That leaves a skill shortage that many expats fill and if you can speak another language, then there are many employment opportunities. Currently IT, customer services, and manufacturing are industries where there are many employment opportunities in Bulgaria.
Recently, we’ve seen growing interest from North America as well. If you're curious about the specific motivations behind this trend, explore https://realistimo.com/en/blog/why-americans-are-moving-to-bulgaria/ - including cost of living comparisons, visa options, and lifestyle advantages.
Low crime rates: Compared with most of the world, Bulgaria has very low crime rates. Obviously this will depend upon where in Bulgaria you choose to live, but from my experience, not only are the streets safe to walk at night, but the Police are very quick to solve any crimes that do occur. Acts of vandalism or anti-social behaviour are extremely rare and I have never once witnessed any form of violence in a bar or club.
Learn about Bulgaria's healthcare from a personal perspective, covering everything from GP visits to hospital stays and dental treatments.
Great weather: If you like hot summers and snow covered winters, beautiful crisp autumns and warm springtime then Bulgaria is for you. Minus 20 in the winter is not unusual, nor is 40 degrees in the summer, but seasons are short which provides for ever changing foliage and landscapes.
Good education system: Bulgaria is renowned for a having a good education system with many schools being specialists in math, English, or arts for example. Most of the big cities have colleges and universities with large international communities.
Good healthcare: Forget long waiting lists to see a doctor or have an operation. Most towns and cities have excellent hospitals with state of the art medical facilities.
Community spirit: Nowhere else will you find such strong community spirit, especially in the villages where old traditions are kept alive and everyone helps each other in whatever way they can. Nothing is too much trouble and never will you turned away if you need help in any way.
Need a long-stay visa for Bulgaria? Our guide covers the full Bulgarian D visa process, making your move smoother.
If you move to a village you will learn new skills, you will learn to improvise, the older residents will be keen to show you the old ways of doing things, and you will gain a passion for living and life that may have long ago escaped you.
So, is Bulgaria a good place to live? I can’t think of any country that I would rather be.
The Pros and Cons of Moving to Varna
What is the Quality of Life Like in Bulgaria?
Quality of life is a sum of parts and Bulgaria offers a quality of life that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Imagine living in a country where people live in harmony with nature, where being self-sufficient is the norm, where commercialism means nothing and finding pleasure and satisfaction in being with friends and family is more important than having the latest car or smartphone.
You may measure quality of life by having close friends around you. The people of Bulgaria are very friendly and will welcome you into their community with open arms, it is easy to make friends here.
Family life is very important here, often with generations living together. Families gather in the village square of the evening whilst the older residents sit on benches outside their homes swopping the latest village gossip.
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People always make time for each other and life is lived at a slower pace.
Delicious fresh food and an excellent bottle of wine could be high on your list of things that improve your quality of life.
In Bulgaria the food is nearly always home grown, the meat and dairy products are from the village farms, and home cooking is an art form. Be prepared for neighbours to thrust freshly cooked delights upon you or to attend endless feasts celebrating one of the endless festivals or special dates here.
Nearly every week of the year there is a reason to celebrate one tradition or another and these are always a great excuse to feast and drink well into the small hours.
Bulgaria has wines to rival any vineyard in France or Italy, they are so underrated, probably one of the best kept secrets of this amazing country.
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Nearly every villager makes their own wine but there are also international award winning vineyards in every region of the country.
You may measure your quality of life by the amount of peace and tranquility around you. Outside of the cities you will find that light pollution is nonexistent, you will see the night sky like you have never seen before with a carpet of stars, the occasional shooting star and even the Milky Way visible at times.
During the day you may hear the turkeys being herded round the village or the hooves of donkeys as they pull a cart of hay down the lane.
The only sounds you hear at night are the call of wild animals, packs of jackals, owls, birds of prey, and the clapping of the storks’ beaks from the nests high on the poles in every village.
Finally, you may regard being financially stable as a piece of the jigsaw that defines your quality of life.
Not having the anxiety or stress that debt causes can vastly improve your quality of life. Without the commercialism that many countries suffer from you are not under the same pressures to have the latest, fastest, biggest or most shiny possessions.
Many pensioners choose to move to Bulgaria because their pension goes so much further. The low cost of living coupled with the low cost of real estate, as well as the opportunity to grow the vast majority of your food in your own garden makes Bulgaria a very affordable place to live.
See how foreigners can buy real estate in Bulgaria.
So, does Bulgaria offer a good quality of life? Most people who move to Bulgaria will tell you that they are living a life they never dreamed possible. With a slow pace of life, a connection with nature that is only possible in a country like Bulgaria, great food and wine, amazing culture, and friendly locals, all the ingredients for a very happy life are here.
What's the Average Cost of Living in Bulgaria
Should I Move to Bulgaria?
So is moving to Bulgaria a good idea? Bulgaria is a very varied country, each region offering you something unique and special.
But Bulgaria is not for everyone, there are obviously far more pros than cons to living here and as when choosing to move anywhere, you must do your homework to ensure that the region, town, city, or village that you choose to live in suits your needs.
Many people choose to rent a place, often in different regions, before making a final decision on where they want to move to. Rental properties in Bulgaria are plentiful and cheap so this makes a lot of sense.
Visit at different times of the year if you can as many villages can get cut off by snow during the winter.
There are numerous expat forums and social media groups for most regions of Bulgaria where you find lots of useful information and advice.
Prices of homes are steadily rising and have been for years, long gone are the days when you could buy a villa for 500 euros (although you can still find some at those prices the cost of renovation has risen sharply too so may not offer the return of investment that they once did).
Before you decide to make the step, speak with a professional estate agent in Bulgaria that can give you an idea on what to expect. Financing options are also available.
So now would be an ideal time to buy a home in Bulgaria before they go over to the Euro which is when house prices are expected to double.
Very few people ever regret moving to Bulgaria, the ones that do regret their move tend not to have done enough research or have come with unrealistic expectations. Bulgaria is not the Costa Del Sol and is all the better for not being so.
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If you come with an open mind, are willing to adapt to a totally new way of living, and want to embrace the culture and traditions of this amazing country then you will never regret your decision to move here.
