Living in Bulgaria

At present most analysts agree that Bulgaria is seriously undervalued as a viable place to live and work. However, that is changing rapidly as more and more people are discovering just how far their hard earned dollars can go in this newest member of the European Union. In order to encourage this kind of growth and development, the Bulgarian government is spending millions of dollars to fix up the country’s infrastructure, airports and even to refurbish the country’s many historical towns and monuments.

Living in Bulgaria is very affordable as the cost of goods and services is currently one third that found in other European countries. Although imported goods naturally sell for more, local stuff is extremely affordable. The only things that are truly expensive are electronic goods and fuels – which can become quite costly during the winter months.

A big reason why Bulgaria is so appealing to expatriates is that Bulgarians have a very good work-life balance. Bulgarians are able to enjoy a full and exciting social life while still maintaining a career – something that is hard to do elsewhere. In fact, there is a great night life in Bulgaria – especially at the ski resorts. There are wonderful restaurants and little cafes where people gather to relax at the end of the day.

Finding a place to live in Bulgaria is relatively easy as there is an abundance of properties to rent – this is true of the big towns. As there are so many places available, rents are relatively low. Prices are slowly increasing for property in Bulgaria, but they are still comparatively very affordable.

It is probably best to line up a job before you arrive in the country, although with a booming IT sector there is a good number of excellent job opportunities available in the country. A good magazine for expats to consult in the country is Vagabond; a respected, English-language newspaper aimed at expats that deals with every issue imaginable – including how to obtain work in the country. Naturally local wages are lower than those offered by western companies, making them harder to live off. However, with a western paying job, Bulgaria’s low cost of living translates into a very high standard of life, which is something that every expat enjoys.

The only drawback currently with Bulgaria is its underfunded healthcare system. Although it is slowly changing, the quality of care and the cost depends on your home country’s understanding with the Bulgarian government and it is highly recommended that you get private insurance to cover the cost of private health care. 

So, with its swinging ski resorts, incredible beaches, its wine-tasting tours, its aqua parks, ancient monuments, nature reserves, numerous music and flower festivals and its fantastic work-life balance, it is no wonder that Bulgaria is attracting so many expats to its lovely towns.

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