Best Places To Buy In Bulgaria
In recent years, Bulgaria has been attracting a growing number of expats and for a good reason. Diverse landscapes, low cost of living and welcoming people. But where should you buy? Here are the top places to buy and live in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria offers some of the best property prices in Europe and a wide choice – ski resorts, beautiful beaches, idyllic countryside locations and vibrant cities. In 2021, Bulgaria’s main cities experienced moderate increases in house prices, reflective of Bulgaria’s growing popularity.
Varna
Varna is the biggest city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast. The city is over 11 km long and nearly 9 km wide. Vineyards and gardens surround it. The city’s incredible natural scenery and vibrant party atmosphere have made this area Bulgaria’s premier summer holiday destination.
White sandy beaches and many smaller cove beaches along the coast draw in the tourists during the summer. And thanks to the mild winters and relaxing atmosphere, the area is also popular with expats.
With easy international access by air, the region attracts significant foreign investment. Sound transport systems provide quick and easy access to popular shopping areas, cafes, hotels and museums, and the waterfront.
The most significant source of income is from the tourist and the real estate sectors. Its popularity means property prices are higher than in other parts of Bulgaria. However, the cost of living is similar to that of Sofia.
Generally, expats have gone for calmer neighbourhoods and areas on the city’s outskirts with larger, more luxurious houses. Property prices for renovation projects are as little as 6,000 euros for a 2 bed house and renovated 2 storey house start at around 21,000 euros.
Sofia
In Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia, you find everything you would expect from any major European city, but at a much lower cost. The cost of living is almost 50% less expensive than in London.
This busy multicultural hub of professionals and students has a vast range of restaurants, coffee shops, concert halls and theatres. The city has a well-developed transport network, which means getting around without a car is easy. Equally, access to healthcare is not an issue as the city has good healthcare infrastructure – hospitals and medical clinics to meet any health requirements.
Sofia has a well-developed expat community, so making friends and getting help and advice from a fellow expat won’t be a problem. In 2021 the average selling price for a 2 bedroom apartment was between 156,000 and 200,000 euros, with house prices starting at 450,000 euros.
Burgas
Whether you are working professionals, retirees, or students, this vibrant city has a lot to offer. The fourth-largest city in Bulgaria is located on the Black Sea coast. The climate is similar to Varna – great summers and mild winters. Bulgarians voted Burgas one of the best places to live in 2018.
Burgas is more popular with the young than retirees. Thanks to the city’s fast and reliable internet, it is becoming increasingly popular with remote workers. Smaller than Varna, it still offers an excellent choice of international shopping, cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as museums and art centres. The region also has beautiful forests and is a popular ecotourism destination with national parks, hunting and wildlife reserves.
You’ll find studio apartments on Sunny Beach from 9,000 euros and further out from Burgas in areas such as Sredets 2 story brick built houses from 7,600. If you are looking for amazing luxury a beachfront apartment on Sunny Beach can be found for 240,000 euros.
Plovdiv
The second-largest city in Bulgaria and set amongst seven hills, the ancient city of Plovdiv has something for everyone. Often regarded as Bulgaria’s cultural capital, there is so much history to explore in the oldest city in Europe. And the cost of living is even cheaper than Sofia.
The Old Town area of Plovdiv is free of cars and full of traditional Bulgarian houses, old churches, and souvenir shops. You’ll find that almost everyone speaks English in this vibrant yet chilled-out city. Although the city has no underground network, it is possible to access most parts of the city by bus.
The area has a great range of properties – from a beautiful newly built luxurious 5 bedroom detached house can be found for 295,000 euros to a 3 bed bungalow for 36,000 euros.
Veliko Tarnovo
Located midway between Varna and Sofia, in Bulgaria’s geographic centre, Veliko Tarnovo is another beautiful city with historical and cultural riches. The city comprises the old town with its charming traditional Bulgarian houses and a modern city centre. In fact, the city is small enough that much of it can be explored on foot. The city’s biggest attraction is Tsarevets Fortress, where mediaeval tsars lived and ruled.
The surrounding villages are particularly popular with retirees, where property is more affordable. Many expats consider Veliko Tarnovo due to its pleasant summers and beautiful snow-covered winters.
Property with a good amount of land can be found for 7,000 euros and at the top end of the scale 3 bed, 3 bath properties are available from 65,000 euros
Popovo
In the small town of Popovo, surrounded by forests, seeing deer, rabbits, hares and squirrels are a common occurrence. If you are looking for a relaxed way of life, where your neighbours are welcoming, generous, and will ensure you are part of the community, then Popovo is your place.
Expat life is very affordable, and although there is less choice of restaurants than Bulgaria’s larger cities, the food is non the less delicious.
In the village of Targovishte 3 bed houses can be found for 5,800 euros. Similarly, a fantastic newly built 7 bedroom house with a large amount of land and a swimming pool in a secluded location recently came to the market for as little as 165,000 euros.
Dobrich
This beautiful town is a popular destination for expats due to the balanced weather, excellent foodie scene and the availability of properties with extensive gardens where you can grow your own food. The city is called “The Granary of Bulgaria” because of the rich fertile soil and perfect weather. And the town is ideally placed, close to Varna and the coast.
A 2 bed property with a large garden can be found at prices starting from 13,000 euros and a 3 bed 2 bath house in the lovely village of Balchik in Dobrich can be found for 99,990 euros.
Bansko
Thanks to its long ski season and excellent facilities, Bansko is one of Bulgaria’s top ski resorts. Bansko has plenty of luxury hotels, bars, and restaurants providing local and international cuisines, sitting between the Pirin, Rila and Rhodope Mountain ranges.
Bansko is so much more than a ski resort. This small town remains lively throughout the year. When the ski season is over, Bansko continues to attract visitors, who describe the area as an outdoor paradise for more energetic expats searching for hiking, cycling, nature, and skiing.
The resort has gone from strength to strength, becoming a ski resort of international standards. Property investors and second homeowners alike have been buying property in Bansko at prices a fraction of ski resorts in Western Europe.
Although there seems to be a shortage of properties coming to the market, some deals can still be found at the time of writing this post, a 1 bedroom apartment in the Blagoevgrad area was on the market for 65,000 euros.
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As you see, there is a wide variety of locations and an incredible choice of properties to meet any budget and preferences. If you would like help finding your dream property, just tell us about your requirements – Contact us?
