![Bulgaria has long history and rich culture.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bulgarian-heritage.jpg)
One of the oldest and most fascinating countries in Europe, Bulgaria boasts rich cultural and historical heritage and stunning natural beauty. It is a small country, but it has a lot to offer – ancient relics, natural wonders, architectural masterpieces, modern cities, luxury resorts, peaceful countryside, outstanding cuisine… There is something for everyone in the land of the roses (as Bulgaria is widely known) and more and more people from all over the world see the opportunities that the small Balkan country presents and choose to move there.
If you too are thinking about moving to Bulgaria, you have probably heard that it is a great place to live. Before you decide to actually pack up and move to the beautiful country in the heart of the Balkans, though, you need to find out as much as possible about your potential new homeland.
While the history, culture, and nature of Bulgaria are certainly quite a big draw, you need to be aware of all aspects of life in the Balkan country in order to be able to make an informed decision about moving there.
Here are some facts and details about Bulgaria to help you get to know the country and its people a bit better and decide if it’s the right place for you.
Pros and cons of moving to Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a unique and fascinating place – some people consider it to be a paradise on Earth, while others find it disillusioning and dysfunctional.
Depending on what kind of lifestyle you prefer, what you like and dislike, what you’re interested in, and what is important to you, you may fall in love with the land of the roses – or you may be quite dissatisfied with the country.
It is, therefore, essential to know both the pros and cons of living in Bulgaria before you commit to relocating there:
Advantages of moving to Bulgaria
From the wonderful nature and amazing culture to the friendly people and low cost of living in the country, there are many good reasons to move to Bulgaria:
1) Splendid nature
Located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria has a glorious coastline along the Black Sea and a gorgeous countryside made up of majestic mountains, rolling hills, vast plains, deep valleys, lush forests, magnificent rivers, and crystal clear lakes.
![Bulgaria has wonderful nature.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rose-valley.jpg)
Miles of dazzling beaches along the Black Sea coast and several snowcapped mountain ranges enable Bulgaria to have some of the finest seaside resorts and ski resorts in Europe. There are fascinating rock formations (the Belogradchik Rocks, the Melnik Pyramids, the Stone Forest, etc.), deep caves, stunning waterfalls, marvelous hot springs, and many other natural wonders in the county, making it a nature lover’s paradise. And the wildlife is amazing too – from birds of prey, pelicans, and storks to bears, wolves, red foxes, and deer, Bulgaria is home to thousands of animal species.
Whether you enjoy swimming, diving, kayaking, fishing, animal spotting, or hiking, the diverse landscape and abundant wildlife in the country will certainly satisfy your passions. You can pursue all kinds of outdoor activities in the land of roses – and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.
2) Rich culture
Founded in 681 AD, Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe – and it has retained its national identity and preserved its culture over the centuries.
The small country is tightly packed with history – the city of Plovdiv is the oldest inhabited city in Europe; the oldest processed gold in the world was discovered in the Varna necropolis; Thracian tombs, temples, and settlements are found all over the country; Roman fortresses stand guard over ancients roads, ports, and cities; rock-hewn churches and monasteries bear testimony to the country’s centuries-old Christian legacy; etc.
There are numerous historical landmarks and world heritage sites in Bulgaria (the Madara Rider, the ancient town of Nessebar, the Rila Monastery, the Boyana Church, and the Tsarevets Fortress to name but a few), but it is not just monuments and artifacts that make the country so interesting.
Bulgaria has rich culture and unique traditions which make daily life exciting, gratifying, and enjoyable – from Kukeri festivals and Nestinari dances to rock concerts and open-air opera productions, there is an abundance of cultural experiences to discover and enjoy.
3) Low cost of living
The cost of living in Bulgaria is quite low and that is a big draw for expats.
Housing is the biggest living expense and the cost of utilities is steadily rising, but groceries, transportation, clothing, and other everyday necessities are easily affordable. Eating out is becoming increasingly more expensive, but it’s still cheap compared to restaurant prices in other European countries.
![Life in Bulgaria is interesting on many levels.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/kukeri.jpg)
Keep in mind though that salaries in Bulgaria are also quite low, so you need to earn well above the average wages in the country or to have large savings in order to live comfortably.
Moving to Bulgaria is, therefore, most beneficial for retirees and people with income from outside of the country, as they will not be dependent on the local economy to provide them with a living. (U.S. retirees will definitely find that their pension income goes far further in Bulgaria than in America.)
4) Safety
Bulgaria is a very safe place to live – there have been no wars, armed conflicts, ethnic tensions, or terrorist attacks in the country for several decades, and acts of anti-social behavior are extremely rare. There is great tolerance and respect for society which grants a safe and peaceful living environment.
Crime rates are very low too – acts of violence are quite out of the ordinary and even burglary is front page news. It depends on the area, of course (big cities have their share of crime problems), but in most places, it is safe to walk the streets at night or let kids play outside unsupervised.
5) Friendly people
Slavs are generally known as easy-going and friendly people, but Bulgarian cordiality and hospitality is truly legendary – people are very welcoming, extremely emphatic, and always ready to help.
Expats are warmly received and encouraged to get involved in the community – Bulgarians are very kind to foreigners and eager to introduce them to their way of life. Everyone takes the time to chat, show newcomers around, and give them useful advice. Small gifts (fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade wine and cookies, etc.) are very common and help is readily offered.
What’s more, the pace of life in Bulgaria is very relaxed – there is a great work/life balance, the community spirit is very strong, sharing time with friends and family is extremely important, people are open and outgoing, and celebrations are frequent and fun. It’s really easy to integrate and make new friends.
American expats are likely to find the gentle pace of life in the country, the friendliness of locals, and their willingness to help in any way they can one of the biggest benefits of living in Bulgaria.
6) Great cuisine
The Mediterranean cuisine is widely known for its fresh, healthy ingredients and amazing flavors – and Bulgarian cuisine makes no exception. Food in Bulgaria is almost always locally grown, most of the fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products are from village farms, and everything is fresh, organic, and delicious.
![Bulgarian food is healthy and delicious.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bulgarian-dish.jpg)
The country is best known for its healthy yogurt, but all Bulgarian foods are wholesome, nutritious, and tasty. Traditional Bulgarian dishes include banitsa (pastry filled with cheese), tarator (cold soup made from yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic), and shopska salad (vegetable salad topped with cheese), but the local cuisine features a number of dishes found in the Greek, Turkish, and Serbian cuisine (such as sarmi, moussaka, gyuvech, etc.) as well, as Bulgaria has a lot of shared history with these countries.
Bulgarian wine deserves a special mention – the Balkan country has superb wines that can rival the best in the world. There are international award-winning vineyards in every region of the country, but many people still make their own wine – and the quality is astonishing.
The list of advantages of living in Bulgaria can go on for quite a while – the weather is great, the education system is very good, the location of the country is extremely convenient for international travel, etc. What matters the most, however, is the outstanding quality of life in the Balkan country – the peace and tranquility, the healthy living environment, the affordable prices, the amazing culture, and the friendly people make Bulgaria a truly wonderful place to live.
Downsides of living in Bulgaria
However wonderful the land of roses may be, it’s not without its challenges:
1) Language barrier
English is widely spoken among the younger generation, but in order to integrate and feel at home in Bulgaria, expats need to learn some Bulgarian – and the Bulgarian language is quite difficult, made even more difficult by the fact that it uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
2) Cumbersome bureaucracy
Dealing with institutions in Bulgaria can be quite frustrating – everything involves paperwork (a lot of paperwork), the paperwork is very complicated (and officials usually only speak Bulgarian), and the processing takes a long time (and expats often need to zigzag between departments to get everything in order).
3) Poor economy
The Bulgarian economy has been in crisis for decades – income levels are low, businesses are struggling, inflation is high, unemployment is high, and many people live in poverty.
Expats who don’t have an income from outside of the country and intend to look for employment in Bulgaria will need to land a job that pays more than the average salary for the country in order to live comfortably – and finding such a job may be quite difficult.
4) Awful driving conditions
![The road infrastructure in Bulgaria is old and poorly maintained.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bulgarian-road.jpg)
Driving in Bulgaria is difficult and dangerous – most of the roads are in very bad condition, road signs are often missing, traffic laws are commonly ignored, and accidents occur frequently. Drink driving is a big problem in the country and speed limits are exceeded on a regular basis – and it is still possible to see horse-drawn carts on motorways or turkeys, cows, and other domestic animals herded down the lane.
Despite all the driving challenges in the country, however, it is difficult to do without a car, even in the big cities – public transportation is limited and unreliable, taxis are quite expensive, and bicycle lines are nearly non-existent. Having a car is absolutely essential for expats living in rural areas.
5) Poor healthcare
There is a shortage of good medical professionals in the country and most medical facilities are outdated, poorly equipped, and poorly maintained.
There are other negative aspects to living in Bulgaria, too – corruption is prevalent in the country, people are smoking everywhere, there are plenty of bugs and snakes, etc. Life in the land of roses is not for everyone and you may regret moving to Bulgaria if you go there with unrealistic expectations.
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