Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Bulgaria Expat Forum

Move to bulgaria

New Topic Newest First
Annabellerobinson
  9/10/2017 11:17 EST

We would like to know how easy it is to buy a house in Bulgaria and live off the land, we currently live in the uk any tips and advice would be appreciated.
Blessings.

DoctorJRH
  9/10/2017 13:07 EST

Hi. It is now easy to buy property in Bulgaria since, unlike in the old days when we moved here, it is not necessary to form a company in order to buy a house with land. One word of caution: beware of buying houses that require renovation. We made this mistake and spent a lot of cash on re-roofing, damp courses etc before we realized that it's cheaper to pull the old house down and build a new one. Buy either a house that has been renovated by competent builders (often a problem here) or better yet a new build. These provisos notwithstanding, land is very cheap here. The only drawback is the language! And dob't forget, while Summer's are long and hot, winters can be brutal - -15c last January.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

johnners
  9/10/2017 13:28 EST

Hi Anna, getting a house here and living off the land is not too difficult if you are sensible and good with your hands and by that I mean able to do some basic DIY! It is essential to buy a home with sufficient ground to make it possible to live off the land and we always suggest that the minimum should be between 2000 and 3000 sq metres, more than this and you will have an awful lot of work on your hands keeping things under control as things grow like crazy in the summer after a dose of rain! On the cost of living differences between here and the UK, we recently read a report that stated that BG is 83% less expensive to live than the UK, so there's a head start! The challenge you face is that whilst there are many empty houses available for little money, many are 'train wrecks' that we would not recommend. Ideally you need a place with electric and mains water connected with mostly non-structural cosmetic works required to make it into your ideal home. Such a property in this area with a roof that is OK will cost circa £7000. It is important to understand the mentality of some of the locals who purport to be 'meisters' who can make a complete and expensive mess of things if you employ them. We run a Charity here near Montana where property is cheap and as such we know those locals who are reliable and trustworthy and we have helped several Brits settle here and so if you would like to PM us we can talk more and maybe we can help you too!

Annabellerobinson
  9/11/2017 04:20 EST

Thank you for your reply and your advice is greatly appreciated ?

Annabellerobinson
  9/11/2017 04:52 EST

Thank you for your reply your advice is greatly appreciated I will definitely keep in touch and shall let you know how we got on on the up coming months. Blessings ?

britsabroad
  9/12/2017 03:13 EST

Hi there
My partner and I bought her in 2015 and moved in 2016. We choose a shell of a house with 2600m2 and paid £1800 for it. In 18 months we have completely renovated half of the shell and have just finished putting a new roof on the other half. As an earlier respondent stated it does mean that you will need to spend money but part of our dream was making a home to our own specification. And it has been amazing. My partner is extremely talented and has undertaken all of it with some help from some friends. In fact he has been so successful he is now beginning a company that is booked till next year! We bought another 1400m2 with a house for 1400 leva adjoining our property that is being converted to a workshop and space for more animals next year. We have pigs (one of which we have slaughtered and is in the freezer and feeding us nicely), chickens are coming, we have grown probably 80% of what we would have bought from the markets/supermarkets. And yes a lot of land is a lot of work because the weeds grow as quickly as the plants. But if you are prepared to evolve with this new life and take advice from the Bulgarians and the very sensible replies above it is a fantastic lifestyle. I write a blog that started when we bought, through selling in the UK, to moving here and up until now. It might provide you with a birdseye view of our journey which is similar to your own wants www.gradishtedream.wordpress.com

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

Annabellerobinson
  9/13/2017 11:17 EST

Thank you I shall have a look at the website link you've given and shall keep in touch. Blessings

smartcharlie
  12/5/2017 15:03 EST

Hello,, if you are looking at purchasing property abroad, can I suggest you use First Rate FX? I used this company when I purchased my property and not only are their Exchange Rates excellent, they also don’t charge any fees to transfer your money. Good luck in your search.

SteDebBorg
  1/16/2018 13:59 EST

Hello, my wife and I are considering a move to Varna/ surrounding area. You seem very knowledgable and we wondered if you could offer any advice. i.e areas to avoid/look at. Also what is really like for expats living there. We are looking at a permanent move not just a holiday home.

Teal
  1/17/2018 06:45 EST

Hi, Have you an area in mind. We have property and large garden north of Veliko Tarnovo might be suitable for what you are looking for. Have look at our web site. https://athomeinbulgaria.weebly.com
Just take your time look around. decide what area.
PM me if you need any advice. Enjoy the search.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Bulgaria GuideLiving in Bulgaria Guide

Expats living in Bulgaria can have all kinds of experiences while living abroad there. The capital city of Sofia offers a much different experience compared to what expats will experience in a Bulgarian village.

Bulgaria Forum Bulgaria Forum
Join our Bulgaria forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Bulgaria.

Contribute to Bulgaria Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Bulgaria.

Best Places to Live in Bulgaria Best Places to Live in Bulgaria

If you're dreaming about living in Bulgaria, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Bulgaria in 2023.

Expat Healthcare Advice in Bulgaria61 Expats Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Bulgaria

Expats living in Bulgaria talk about their own experiences with healthcare, hospital visits, emergencies, finding a doctor, buying health insurance in Bulgaria and more.

Cost of Living in BulgariaCost of Living in Bulgaria

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Bulgaria.

Moving to BulgariaMoving to Bulgaria Guide

Expats who move to Bulgaria have a wide variety of options to choose from in terms of where to live. Whether you want to live off the grid, in the mountains, or by the sea, it's all there to be had as long as you do the appropriate research and understand some of the unique aspects of successfully moving to Bulgaria.

Real Estate in BulgariaReal Estate in Bulgaria

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Bulgaria.

Pros Cons of Living in BulgariaPros & Cons of Living in Bulgaria

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Bulgaria.

Retiring in BulgariaRetiring in Bulgaria

Advice for people retiring in Bulgaria.

10 Tips for Living in Bulgaria10 Tips for Living in Bulgaria

If you've recently arrived in Bulgaria, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Bulgaria.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Bulgaria Network Contribute
Help others in Bulgaria by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Bulgaria.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal