-Where were you born?

UK

-In which country and city are you living now?

Nikolovo, Bulgaria

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Just the 2 of us

-How long have you been living in Bulgaria?

2 years

-What is your age?

Over 40

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Bulgaria?

Love the 4 seasons here but found the country by blindly placing a pin in the map.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Very simple as it is in the EU

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No problems so far

-How do you make your living in Bulgaria? Do you have any type of income generated?

We have a unique B&B /Pig Farm and working smallholding here in Bulgaria.

We grow organic fruit and vegetables and rear our own pigs who may get a little muddy from time to time but contary to popular belief...are very smart and clean.

However they are not allowed in the house!

The pigs on our farm are fed a vegetarian diet.  Although omnivores by nature they enjoy better health and produce a better quality of meat if they are not fed meat or meat products from other animals… They do however get the odd worm and bug or two!

We moved here and since October 2007 have been renovating the buildings and working the land. We grow all our fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices without using any chemical pesticides, herbicides (weed killers) or fertilizers.

Working the land this way is very labour intensive so occasionally we have students from all over the world stay and help us out.  They are usually studying organic farming and it’s an excellent opportunity for them to gain some "hands on" experience and for us to learn a bit more.

We are striving towards using solar and wind power to provide all our electrical needs, and become as environmentally friendly as possible.

We produce and home cure our own Bacon, Sausages and 'Parma' Hams along with Chops, Pork Roasting Joints etc.,  for sale to anyone living in Bulgaria.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

We think it is important to learn the local language and so have lessons every week.   It is important to respect and if possible join in with the customs and traditions of our neighbours.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I miss my family and look forward to visits from them to share my new life.  

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Only to improve and advance our organic life here

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We have bought our house here it was approximately one tenth of the price for the equivelent in the UK

-What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?

Initially it was very inexpensive compared to the UK - but now we have a Bulgarian income and the cost of living is rising!

-What do you think about the locals? 

Most locals are very helpful and curious, but like the world over there are some good and some bad.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria?

The summers are great, the winters are harsh.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Bulgaria?

Do not trust Property Agents (The same can be said for everywhere!) Carry out lots of research and do not always go with the first option or price presented to you!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Bulgaria?

Our own site is  www.bulgarian-holidays.ws

-Where were you born?

Kendal, Cumbria, UK

-In which country and city are you living now?

I live in a small village about 20 km from Stara Zagora in Central Bulgaria.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I live alone with 5 dogs and a cat.

-How long have you been living in Bulgaria?

I have been living in Bulgaria since October 2006 and have been in my new home for around 6 months.

-What is your age?

30

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Bulgaria?

Around the beginning of 2006, my ex-partner and I were looking to move abroad and had considered Canada, Germany, Scotland, Austria and Bulgaria. I already had business in Bulgaria as I worked part time selling property there as the UK agent for a small company based in Bulgaria and I already owned several rural houses that I had bought cheaply. And so with the cost of living and the cost of property being so cheap, it was decided that Bulgaria was the sensible choice. However, my ex-partner decided in July 2006 he was not prepared to move abroad and leave his family and life in the UK behind and so our relationship ended and I moved out here on my own in the autumn of 2006.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

None required. Initially Eu members could only stay in Bulgaria for 30 days out of 90 consecutive days, and so I did apply for a short term 'C' visa allowing me to stay 90 days out of 6 months, which would see me through to when Bulgaria joined the EU in January 2007. However, just prior to my move, the requirement for any visa was removed. Once Bulgaria had been accepted to the EU I could apply for long term residency here, which was a fairly simple procedure requiring production of E111 card, Passport, my Bulgarian company papers (required to own land here), my title deeds for my house and proof from the bank I had a little money sat there.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

When I first came here I took out travellers insurance to see me through the first couple of months. I now just pay privately for any health care required, as health service here not the best.

-How do you make your living in Bulgaria? Do you have any type of income generated?

I sell property to other British and Irish, mainly rural village houses and then oversee required renovations. I started out working in partnership with a small company here as the UK agent but have since branched out on my own and have my own office and run my own website at http://www.thetravelbug.org and work with a number of different agencies to source and sell property. I have a number of good local contacts that help me source property for sale.

-Do you speak Bulgarian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I can read the Cyrillic alphabet and know a few words but cannot form sentences as of yet. I can understand a fair amount but have been very lazy to date in learning Bulgarian as everyone I work and socialise with speaks good English or is another expat. But living in a village particularly it is important and necessary to speak the language so you can communicate with your neighbours.

There are many local customs and as part of a village you need to know and respect these - they include giving and receiving food from neighbours on certain days of the year, annual pig killing rituals usually around Christmas and so on.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Of course, like every Expat, I miss my family and not being able to pop around to my parents or gran for a cup of tea and a chat. I miss a good Indian restaurant!

Here in the summer, it is a constant round of BBQs, days by the pool, sitting in street cafes having a beer....Winter is meals at other expats houses, cosy restaurants, etc.

I also go cycling, walking in the mountains, swimming and lots more.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Would like to expand property business. I am also launching my farming website (http://www.gofarmer.com) over here in Bulgaria. Want to travel to many places but intend to make Bulgaria my home and stay here. I have 11 rural houses here, one I live in, 2 have been renovated to rent out and rest waiting for renovations. Would like to expand rental side of my business and get steady income from that.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I bought a small, old house with a large plot for around 6000 Euros and then had this knocked down and a new 3-bedroom bungalow built for around 70,000 Euros.

-What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?

Not as cheap as it used to be. But still cheap by UK standards. Meal out for 2 with alcohol will cost around 20 levs, about 8 GPB. Bottle of beer about 50 pence, loaf of bread about the same. Fruit and veg all grown locally and very cheap and delicious from market. Petrol and electric not particularly cheap though.

-What do you think about the Bulgarians?

Mostly incredibly welcoming and friendly to foreigners. No problems being accepted into village, even though I do not speak the language. In main towns, many younger people speak English and are happy to help out.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria?

Positives - cheap living, more relaxed life style, great weather most of the time, friendly locals. Central European location meaning Greece, Turkey, Romania, Italy, etc., are all easily accessible by coach, train or plane.

Negatives - bureaucracy can be a nightmare, legal system slow and corrupt, no Indian restaurants!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Bulgaria?

Choose the area you want to live in carefully - do you want to be in a busy tourist area such as a coastal resort or ski resort, do you want to be in a larger town or village, do your research first and travel around a bit before settling anywhere. Keep in mind things that would take you 5 minutes in the UK, can take 5 weeks in Bulgaria and involve mountains of forms, visiting various offices and so on. You need to learn patience, something I am not at all good at.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Bulgaria?

http://www.thetravelbug.org - My personal website dealing with how I got involved in Bulgarian property and how I came to live here, my experiences renovating my houses, including court cases with builders and property I have for sale.

http://www.thetravelbug.org/blog - My blog updated weekly about what I have been up to, places I have visited recently and so on.

http://www.mybulgaria.info - largest forum for discussions about Bulgaria

-Where were you born?
Yorkshire, UK

-In which country and city are you living now?
Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live with my lovely wife Jain and our German Shepherd dog, Peluche!

-How long have you been living in Bulgaria?
4 years

-What is your age?
46

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Bulgaria?
Well, we've been ex-pats for around 15 years now. We were living in south-west France for many years before finally moving to Bulgaria 4 years ago. France had become far too expensive for us - not just in the respect of real-estate, but the actual cost of living. With that in mind, we looked 'eastwards' to find a better quality of life.

I've been visiting Bulgaria since 1984 (still then under Communist rule) and Jain's Father was Hungarian, so moving east was not as daunting to us as it may seem to others!

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
The amount of bureaucracy and paperwork four years ago was somewhat daunting; however, now that Bulgaria forms part of the EU, things have become greatly simplified. One can now come to Bulgaria as an EU citizen and stay for up to 90 days without a Visa. If a longer stay is required, then a simple application for a 'resident permit' can be made, and this is usually issued the same day.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Not at all. When we moved we were still covered by our French medical insurance, and now, we pay into the Bulgarian healthcare sytem.

-How do you make your living in Bulgaria? Do you have any type of income generated?
When we first moved to Bulgaria, we intended to work in the real estate industry - Jain worked in a Notrial office in France for many years running their 'immobilier' section. However, we were so shocked at the lack of decent advice and information available here for people wishing to purchase property or invest that we decided to launch an English language magazine to better advise and assist those wishing to invest, buy property or move here. The magazine has been a huge success and we are now in our third year of publication with subscribers growing on a daily basis!

-Do you speak Bulgarian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
We speak enough to get along and make ourselves understood, although we're not quite as fluent as we were in France. The main problem in learning Bulgarian, compared to say French or Spanish, is the fact that it really is 'back to basics' to learn the Cyrillic alphabet! Once the alphabet has been mastered, the rest is much easier! Another bonus is I can now read many Russian words which comes in very handy when watching Spy Movies on the television!

Living in the capital city is quite different to living in the rural areas as most people in Sofia speak English, and also want to practice their English. Even if I open a conversation in my best Bulgarian, they generally pick up on my accent and reply in English anyway.

One strange custom in Bulgaria is the fact that a 'nod' of the head usually means 'no' and a shake of the head means 'yes,' which can lead to some extremely confusing (but generally amusing) situations!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
My Mother and Brother still live in Yorkshire, and Jain's Brother lives in Shropshire. Whilst we do miss them from time to time, with the current 'technological revolution' it's extremely easy to keep in touch. We all have web-cams and have weekly 'video conference' conversations, free of charge, thanks to the internet.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home?
For the past four years we have lived in a modern apartment in downtown Sofia. Whilst this has certain advantages (restaurants and bars open 24/7, shopping malls, cinemas, theatres, etc.) it also has its share of drawbacks (no garden, lots of traffic, lots of people, etc.). We currently pay around 1,000 leva (500 euros) per month for our rent.

During the last few weeks we have bought a house. It is a 'revival' style monument of culture in a museum town called Kotel. The property is situated in the protected part of the old town, around 500 meters from the actual town centre. It has a lovely walled garden and is very traditional. We paid 35,000 euros for it, although it needs some renovation work.

 
-What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
The cost of living here is incredibly cheap. In fact, Bulgaria has the lowest cost of living in the whole of the EU. To give you an example, a large glass of beer in a restaurant would cost in the region of 1 lev (around 50 centimes of a euro).

-What do you think about the Bulgarians?
This is quite difficult to answer as we live in the capital city - and, like all capital cities, it can be very busy and noisy. However, on the occasions that we've visited the countryside, we've found all the Bulgarians to be extremely warm and welcoming.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria?
Positives: Fantastic climate, incredible mountains, lovely coastline, friendly people and ... an amazing cost of living!

Negatives: As an ex-communist state the bureaucracy can be annoying, and things are sometimes slow to change.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Bulgaria?
Firstly, the main thing to remember is that Bulgaria was still under communist rule a decade ago... so please don't come here and expect everything to be like the South of France but a great deal cheaper!

Also, try and learn the language, even just the basics, it will make your life here far more enjoyable and allow you to learn such a great deal more about your neighbours and friends.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Bulgaria?
Of course, I would have to say our own web site! www.questbg.com, where we have lots of advice, useful links, recipes and more for people thinking about investing in or moving to Bulgaria!

Also, www.ourbulgarianworld.com is a very friendly forum site full of useful information from people that already live here.

-Where were you born?
Port Byron, Illinois, USA. Small town on the Mississippi River.

-In which country and city are you living now?
Sofia, Bulgaria

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I'm living with my husband, Michael

-How long have you been living in Bulgaria
Just over two years

-What is your age?
32

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Bulgaria?
In 2004, Michael and I were typical DINKS (double income no kids). I ran a marketing business. He was a corporate guy at DirecTV. We weren’t ready for kids, but we were curious about the world. We wanted to live and work abroad, lose our materialism, appreciate our roots and contribute to a greater good. Peace Corps was the right fit. You aren’t allowed to choose your country, only the region. We chose Eastern Europe because we knew it was a time of exciting transition.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, Peace Corps provides this.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Again, Peace Corps takes care of this.

-How do you make your living in Bulgaria? Do you have any type of income generated?
Peace Corps provides us with a stipend and assigns us to non-governmental organizations. I work for Traditzia, where I provide marketing, partnership networking and volunteer management. However, it’s very easy to find additional work if need be. If you join groups, strike up conversations and network all the time, opportunites are everywhere—writing for expat publications, English voice work for e-learning companies, facilitating English conversation classes, web site content editing, and of course, acting in low-budget Science Fiction films, which I’ve done now three times ;-) As a Peace Corps Volunteer, however, my primary job is to volunteer. So while here, all money I made went straight to my supporting organizations.

-Do you speak Bulgarian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I think it’s crucial to speak the local language and I believe your experience is much richer if you do so. However, that said, living in Sofia, a modern Eastern European city, has made it a challenge for us. We were given stellar language instruction for ten weeks upon arrival, but once here, our language skills deterioriated rapidly, as our colleagues and many Sofia-ites speak English. I also believe a balance of immersion and inclusion is best. You should follow cultural norms, but don’t forget that natives benefit from your international influence. Don’t go completely native! I strongly recommend looking into some cross-cultural classes if nothing is formally arranged for you. Don’t be fooled by Sofia’s modern and European façade.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course I do. However, SKYPE and blogs make keeping in touch a cinch. Here in Sofia, I adore unearthing new restaurants, attending Yoga classes, hiking on Vitosha mountain and attending the book club that I started. But Sofia has a lot to offer: theater, ballet, opera, cinema, biking, live music, festivals, beer gardens, everything.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
Yes! We finish our service in October and plan to travel through the Middle East and down through East Africa. Then we’ll head back to Denver, CO to pursue our graduate degrees. Myself in International and Intercultural Communications and my husband in Project Management and Political Science. But we definitely plan to live abroad again. . .

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Sofia is the least expensive capital city in Europe right now, so it’s a bargain. A small, Bulgarian style, flat in the center will cost you about 250 Euros. We only rent, but I understand there are some very good deals on investment property. The British are moving here by the dozens.

-What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
A decent Indian meal for two with alcohol costs about 17 Euro, while a typical Bulgarian meal for two will cost half that.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria?
Positive: Fresh produce and natural yogurt is delicious. Wine is a terrific value. There is a broad spectrum of outdoor life, including the mountains and the sea. Cost of living is quite affordable. Transportation is efficient and cheap. Laid-back lifestyle is marvelous. The location provides access to several other countries. Read more about these here and here.

Negative: No customer service, very reserved and not a terribly friendly culture, reckless driving, no lines, and a fatalist attitude. Read some of my lessons about culture here.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Bulgaria?
If you want to understand Bulgarian people, read up on the history of this country. Five hundred years of Ottoman oppression and then many decades of Russian communism has taken their toll. Communication is just different. Most of all, just know that the schedule in your day planner is only an IDEA of how your day will actually turn out. Be ready for it!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Bulgaria?
www.glory-ho.com
My husband and I find the glories in life by putting on our boots and going to see what we can see. Blogs about culture, travel, books, life, technology and learning how to fly by going abroad.

www.sofiaecho.com
A weekly English newspaper where I freelanced. A great introduction for Bulgaria newbies.

www.vagabond-bg.com
A monthly English magazine where I did some writing---well written, a little fashion, a little culture, a little politics, a little tourism, a little fiction and a lot of helpful expat information.

-Where were you born?
Erith, Kent, UK

-In which country and city are you living now?
Bulgaria

-Are you living alone or with your family?
Originally alone but now with a Bulgarian partner

-How long have you been living in Bulgaria?
Two years

-What is your age?
49

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Bulgaria?
Didn’t even know exactly where Bulgaria was three years ago. Discovered cheap property, looked into it, and found the country’s other attractions and the people there overpoweringly beautiful. Stressed out with teaching in the UK, the different lifestyle there was too tempting.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
First off a visa was a complex business and expensive, since EU entry the renewal was very simple and the cost – next to nothing. A working permit is not needed here.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
I know it’s wrong but medical insurance wasn’t applied for, I will have to look into that sometime. Getting medical insurance isn’t difficult, it’s just getting around to doing it.

-How do you make your living in Bulgaria? Do you have any type of income generated?
Originally I had no plans to work here, I was living off the land and do a bit of cash in the hand, private tuition for utility bills, etc. Then I accidentally met a Bulgarian woman and looking after myself only was no longer the priority. I wanted to look after her and her family. I had to earn more than just pocket money and I was very lucky to find employment as a website administrator for a British-owned company promoting Bulgaria abroad.

-Do you speak Bulgarian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I get by reasonably well but only because I live and work in the main with native Bulgarian speakers. It is vital that you at the very least try to speak the language! Not just from a point of being practical but as a form of respect for the host country and people that have welcomed you there. Too many just don’t try and that’s a shame.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Do I miss home and family? I think about this question many times and with my hand on my heart I have to say if I was happy in the UK I would probably not be here now, I think that answers the question.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
At the moment I want to be buried in Bulgaria, not just yet though. The people here have made me feel like this is real home, and with my Bulgarian partner I have responsibilities to look after them. The biggest factor is that I am happy here and the people around me are happy, that’s the difference.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I have a house in a village that has been renovated and paid around 10,000 Euro two years ago. I live in my partner’s family home but was paying around 70 euro a month for a one-bed studio apartment close to my workplace.

-What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
The only way to describe it coming from the UK is cheap but in relation to local wages it is expensive and currently the cost of living is rising substantially for Bulgarians who cannot keep up with their own incomes. Foreigners coming in with money should be aware of this. It is very difficult especially for Bulgarians on a pension.

-What do you think about the Bulgarians?
There are two types of people here, the rich and the poor and this is widening right now. They see foreigners here as part of the rich society, but retain in the main a friendly approach at all times; they have this in their nature. They are very tolerant of the foreigner here and aren’t quite sure how to react to them in many cases. This is all new to them and has come about very quickly over the last ten years. One area that stands out is that the Bulgarian way of doing things is the right way and always seen from a practical point of view.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria?
There are many positive aspects of the country from the magnificent diversity of land to the people who are so welcoming, kind and generous even through poverty. The richness comes in food from the land. No one goes hungry here not just from a point of food from the land but from community help especially in the villages.

The negative aspect can be put down to the politics and apparent corruption at the top end this does go on but form the vast majority seen at a distance.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Bulgaria?
Respect and do your research into Bulgarian communities and culture. This will go a long way into understanding the country and why it is as it is and why the people are as they are.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Bulgaria?
My job is partly involved in blog writing to promote the websites I work on. I try hard to paint the picture of how it is over here for others interested in the country.

www.ourbulgarianworld.com is the workhorse for this as you will see from the major amount of useful content within.