What are the down sides of emigra\ting to bulgaria ???

Question

I've been thinking about moving from england to bulgaria due to the attractive property prices and the prosperity over there.
I've researched into it as much as possible and plan to visit the country before i go over there to buy property.

I'd just like to know if anyone out there has had any experiences involving bulgaria.
I know about how foreigners have to set up a company to buy land but have any of you had real experiencs of this???

Have you moved over there and if so what are the downsides to emigrating to bulgaria ???

Any other information would be appreciated also.

Thanks.

I'm emigrating for the lifestyle ,not just as a property investment :)

Answer 1

Bulgaria is the one European country I know the very least about. I have to say that if you're after attractive property prices and prosperity, consider Hungary. With the fall of communism/socialism just a mere 16 years behind them, they're teenagers in their economic development. There's lots of opportunity if you are patient and if you are invested in being there. They pride themselves in being Central Europe, NOT Eastern Europe. Maybe Bulgaria has more attractive property prices but I really needed to throw Hungary out there.

Answer 2

As already stated, buying existing property as oppossed to off-plan is risky from a paper work point of view.
The other point to take in is location, on the black sea coast, there is a possibility of it becoming the new costa del sol in time, but it does freeze hard in the winter, (the sea can freeze there!) another point is you would be advised to learn bulgarian/russian, I have lived abroad in various countries for many years, and the less well developed the country is, the more you will need the language.
Also, Get a lawyer, a local one that speaks english, NOT a brit that speaks bulgarian, regardless of how good they say they are.
This has been one of the most invaluable peices of advice on my travels, reason being, you then know that there is no misinturpretation of the law!
Good luck.

Answer 3

This is by no means personal experience, but I saw a real estate program on Channel Four that followed a British family moving to Bulgaria. They used their life savings to buy a house there and then when they went to move, they were told that the Whole Family, not just one owner, had to agree to sell the property in question. The British couple ended up getting jipped out of all their money because the rest of the family would not agree to sell. So buyer beware I guess. Just make sure you have someone who understands Bulgarian Law on your side...

As for the country itself - I've been on holiday there before in winter and found it to be quite nice (although a little poor) and of course, great for shopping with British Pounds. Just watch the locals trying to swindle you! They tried the old 'you broke this, now you buy it' on me a few times, the cabbies overcharging etc - all the usual games they pull with tourists. Didn't worry me though - it goes with the territory.

Good luck with it all :-)

Answer 4

I am bulgarian and I live in Canada.I think the biggest problems for you will be adjusting to the standards there.Vacations in BG are nice but once you start dealing with every day problems will not seem as nice.The country is still very undeveloped,there is lot of bureaucracy and as a foreigner everybody will try to make money from you

Answer 5

no more English breakfasts or fish and cips with salt and vinegar

Answer 6

your next door neighbor will be Borat.