Which is better, Czech Republic or Bulgaria in spring. Where to buy real estate for living and recreation: Bulgaria or Montenegro

Russia has been friends with the states that were previously part of the socialist camp for more than one decade, considering them friends, comrades and, in general, our Slavic brothers. In particular, and because of this, many parents choose seemingly safe and comfortable Montenegro, Croatia or Bulgaria for holidays with their children. However, when planning a vacation here, you need to be prepared for the fact that the situation may not be as rosy as it seems at first glance and as they try to present it in travel companies. In order for your vacation to leave only pleasant memories and the expenses not to be in vain, it is worth familiarizing yourself in advance with popular misconceptions about these countries.


Each of these three countries good in its own way. For example, in Bulgaria tourism is mostly focused specifically on children's holidays. That is why here the baby will have fun and comfort, and parents will not have to constantly think about how and how to entertain their beloved child. There is a dolphinarium, several water parks, a wide variety of animations available, as well as hundreds, or even thousands, of vacationing peers for children and teenagers. However, this country is not much different natural resources and every year there are more and more hotels and resorts here and less and less plants and green areas. Although for children this is probably not significant when there are slides and pools.


Those who like to relax in nature, but in civilized conditions and with all the amenities, should pay attention to Croatia and Montenegro. In these countries you can enjoy not only picturesque nature reserves, waterfalls, lakes and islands, but also superbly developed tourism infrastructure. By the way, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the beauty - literally at every step outside the hotel territory there are monuments protected by UNESCO.

Main myths and their debunking

The main myth is that both Croatia and Bulgaria offer tourists with children the same level of holiday. As tourism business experts say, in reality this is not entirely true. In Bulgaria, resorts are much simpler and cheaper, while in Croatia the predominant hotels are not the most luxurious, but are as close as possible to European standards. Everything here is permeated with European calm and sometimes indifference, in contrast to the sincere and homely hospitable Bulgaria. However, at Bulgarian resorts, vacationers will sometimes be haunted by the feeling of the Soviet past, and this is especially true for 3* hotels.


The second myth concerns the lack of soft sand beaches in Croatia. In real sandy beaches there are in this country, but there are quite a few of them, and not everyone can tell where they are. That is why, when going to this country with a child and hoping to soak up the warm sand rather than walk on small pebbles, it is worth expressing this wish to the tour operator and asking about the availability of such beaches near the hotel.


Another myth concerns the similarity of the climate of Montenegro, Croatia and Bulgaria. Despite the fact that all these countries are very comfortable in terms of weather conditions for holidays with children, the climate in them still differs. In the southern part of Croatia and Montenegro it is always more humid and quite hot than in the northern part of these countries and in the Bulgarian resorts. This should be especially taken into account if the child has health problems. Optimal conditions for holidaymakers with poor health will be climatic zones northern Croatia and most of Bulgaria.


Those who equate these countries, saying that they are equally good for holidays with children, are also not entirely right. As mentioned above, the infrastructure for children’s recreation is best developed in Bulgaria, while neither Croatia nor Montenegro currently has a single full-fledged water park entertainment, except for a couple of mini-water parks at hotels. Also in these countries there is clearly a lack of dolphinariums, amusement parks, and zoos. Although these countries, in turn, are famous for their amazing nature reserves, architectural monuments and wonderful clean air.


Finally, when choosing a country for a holiday with a child, it is worth keeping in mind that the system is not always all inclusive(“all inclusive”) in Croatia or Bulgaria are similar to this system in Turkey or Egypt. In fact, it turns out that when choosing all-inclusive hotels in Bulgaria, parents will most likely be unpleasantly surprised already at the first breakfast by the meagerness of the diet. For the same money you can get much more pleasure and variety of dishes in local cafes and restaurants. A similar situation arises in Montenegro and Croatia, where, having paid for a full meal plan, a family risks not getting the variety and abundance of dishes and desserts that are typical of European and Turkish hotels.


Visa regime

Of the three countries mentioned, a visa is not required only to enter Montenegro. The main thing here is that the passport expires no earlier than three months after the end of the trip. Despite the fact that some loyal border guards may close their eyes and not notice that one of the family members’ passport is almost out, it is better not to take risks with such things. To visit Croatia, tourists from Russia need a visa. Today (summer 2750-0_bgblur_014) this country is a member of the EU, but is not a party to the Schengen agreement, so it will not be possible to enter the Schengen zone with a Croatian visa. You can apply for a visa to Croatia through a travel agency or independently through the Consulate of this country. To do this, you will need to fill out forms and provide the necessary documents. Among other things, for minor children you will need to provide a copy of the birth certificate, as well as a notarized permission if the child is flying on vacation without parents, accompanied by third parties. You can get a visa through a travel agency in about seven working days, and on your own in five days plus a few days to send documents. Urgent visas can be processed within three working days. The cost of a Croatian visa is now 65 euros (about 3,090 rubles) for tourists over six years of age when applying through travel agencies, 54 euros (about 2,567 rubles) when applying through the Consulate.


As for Bulgaria, tourists can obtain a visa to this sunny country in about five working days. Here you need to remember about such a moment as the human factor. In the midst of holidays, consular employees are usually overwhelmed with work and sometimes errors occur with the preparation of documents. That is why it makes sense to plan to receive passports with visas at least three days before departure, so that you have time to correct possible typos and inconsistencies. As practice shows, a refusal of a Bulgarian visa is possible if not only the mother and child, but also the baby’s nanny goes to Bulgaria. In this case, you will have to contact the consul and confirm that the accompanying person is not a potential emigrant. A formalized employment contract will help here.


Are tours to “children’s” countries possible?

As for the “star rating” of hotels, then, of course, the most entertainment will be in 5* hotels, where the service is better, the rooms are more spacious, etc. However, some tourists with small and hyperactive children deliberately refuse to vacation in such luxury hotels, so as not to spend the entire vacation monitoring the child, making sure that he does not paint the leather sofas or spill juice on expensive carpets. Of course, hotels that accept children are ready for any tricks of the little guests and most likely they will not recover anything from the parents for the damage caused, but there is also little pleasant in such situations. That is why it is recommended to choose good four-star hotels. By the way, when choosing a place to stay, you need to pay attention to the note in the reservation system whether the hotel accepts children. In addition, it is worth remembering that in Europeanized Croatia the level of hotel service is an order of magnitude higher than in Bulgaria. Croatia is very reminiscent of punctual Europe, and Montenegro is more like our native, cozy and relaxed Crimea.

Montenegro or Bulgaria? What is the best choice for a vacation - useful articles and notes for travelers on the “Subtleties of Tourism”.

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Actual question. Especially during the holiday season, when every cell of the body, tired after a year of backbreaking labor, strives to escape from the bustle of the polluted city somewhere to the sea in order to fully enjoy relaxing holiday under the rays of the warming sun.

So, we decided to hold our own, unfortunately short vacation in Montenegro or Bulgaria, but is it difficult to make a choice on your own in favor of one country or another? Well, let's try to help in this matter. However, after reading all the pros and cons of each resort, you will still have to make a choice yourself, taking into account your desires and, of course, financial capabilities.

Registration of entry documents

Any trip outside our boundless and indestructible borders begins with the preparation of the relevant documents. In particular visas. To spend a vacation in Bulgaria you need to apply for a Schengen visa, which will require a certain amount of time - from 4 days to 1 month. This should be taken into account. With Montenegro, everything is much simpler - citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed a visa-free stay in this country for 30 days, which fits well within the scope of a vacation. We buy a plane ticket and in a few hours we are already soaking in the Adriatic!

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Advice. Budva is a Montenegrin resort attractive to young people, where everyone will find entertainment to suit their pocket. However, in order to rent a cheap villa for living, you will have to look for them on the second and subsequent lines - the 1st line from the sea is built up with hotels. The small pebble beaches in Budva are quite wide, but to take a good place, especially during peak season, you should wake up early.

Tour costs

In fact, the number of last-minute tours to Montenegro is minimal. This is due to the fact that holidays in this country are not cheap. For example, at the end of 2011, a tour for two, including flights and meals, cost 100,000 rubles. Bulgaria is cheaper in this regard - last-minute trips to this country can be found, and according to the results of the same year, the trip cost 60,000 rubles. Naturally, with the global rise in prices for goods and services, prices in 2015 will be higher - you need to be prepared for this. To find an inexpensive trip or last minute tour, you need to track offers from different tour operators.

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Hotels and service

The countries of the former socialist camp, which are Montenegro and Bulgaria, are not particularly different from each other in terms of the provision of hotels and services in them. The vacation will remind you, for example, of your vacation on the Crimean peninsula. The presence of 4-star hotels, let alone 5-star ones, is rare in both countries. Basically, 2 and 3-star hotels predominate here, whose furnishings immediately remind you of the atmosphere of Soviet sanatoriums. However, the service in Montenegro is more reminiscent of European service than in Bulgaria, where everything is done with some characteristic laziness.

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Advice. In small Montenegrin villages located along the coast between the cities of Bar and Sutomore, you can have a great budget holiday. But the Bulgarian resort of Sozopol is an ideal place for family vacation according to the principle: beach, lunch, relaxation, excursions. 3-star hotels predominate here, but you can also rent a room with all amenities and often with breakfast from private owners. Two excellent sandy beaches with shallow water are an important factor when choosing a holiday destination.

Climatic conditions

Located slightly south of Bulgaria, Montenegro still has a drier and colder climate. This is due to the fact that the coastal strip is not as large as in Bulgaria, and the Adriatic Sea, washed by Montenegro, is colder than the Black Sea familiar to us all. Water in the Adriatic rarely exceeds + 230 Celsius. However, unlike the native Black Sea, the Adriatic is famous for its pure water. For fans beach holiday the choice is obvious - whoever prefers clean, incredibly clear azure-colored water is welcome to Montenegro. The beaches are mostly pebble. But on the Ulcinj Riviera there is a 13-kilometer strip of real sandy beaches!

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Advice. Bulgarian resort Golden Sands will satisfy anyone - young people will take over a huge number of party places, couples with children will easily interest their children in various attractions, leisure centers, amusement parks and the like, freeing up time for themselves. The sea in this part of Bulgaria is clean, warm, shallow, and the beaches have soft, golden sand.

Well, for those who are accustomed to the not very clean, but warmer and shallower Black Sea, as well as beaches with golden soft sand, welcome to Bulgaria. This country is also supported by the fact that everything is provided here for a holiday with a child - water parks with incredible attractions, dolphinariums. The entertainment infrastructure is more developed, both beach and night - for adults. In turn, Montenegro is a unique ecological holiday with trips to various nature reserves and National parks with intact flora and preserved fauna. Sightseeing different eras, mountain and sports tours.

Summarizing all of the above, we can say that these Balkan countries are simply created for individual travel. You can easily save a decent amount if you take care of housing in advance, booking it, for example, using the Internet, and also choose the right one chartered flight. You can also attend excursions on your own, spending money only on public transport and entry tickets. However, sometimes last-minute tours can be purchased at a price less than the cost of air tickets. Offers like these sell out quickly. So, it's time to make a choice!

Bulgaria, Montenegro, and the Czech Republic are the most popular Slavic countries among our compatriots. Many people have real estate there, while others are wondering whether to buy or not to buy. And if you buy, where exactly? Which country to choose for your own residence or summer holiday, how they differ from each other, and is it even worth spending money on housing in one of them...

This article is a reference and information material; all information in it is presented for informational purposes and is for informational purposes only.

The real estate portal tried to answer these questions and reveal the secrets of the popularity of the fraternal countries.

General delights
Bulgaria, Montenegro and the Czech Republic are Slavic countries that are close to us in spirit, with similar cultural traditions and mentality. Of course, it will take years to become “one of our own” there, but this process will be easier than, say, in Spain or the Caribbean.

All three countries have a good climate. Bulgaria and Montenegro are especially different - warm sea, lots of sun. But thanks mountain ranges and a refreshing breeze there is no sweltering heat, and even in the hottest months - July and August - the temperature does not rise above 30 degrees. And you can swim from May until the end of September, sometimes the swimming season lasts until mid-October. The winters there are very mild, usually the temperature does not drop below 0°C, although in some places in the mountains there is snow even in summer, so Montenegro and Bulgaria are also “options” for fans alpine skiing. In the Czech Republic, the climate is, of course, not maritime. But it is much softer than the Russian one, and there is a resort there known throughout Europe - Karlovy Vary.

“Basically, buyers buy property in these countries for vacation or for their family members, for example, elderly parents with children. Sometimes they consider such a purchase for their own retirement future. And here the main question is not what these countries better than Russia, but the fact that these are countries with warm sea, good climate, plenty of sun, which we are deprived of. These are traditionally resort countries, where the entire passage of time is unhurried, subordinated to calm and relaxation,” says Elena Nekrytova, head of the resort real estate sales department of the New Quality company. Perhaps in Sofia and Prague the rhythm of life is dynamic, but even they are far from Moscow.

Another factor in favor of these countries is transport accessibility and relatively short flights (on average 3-3.5 hours). All three countries are also attractive due to the similarity of their languages, and many local residents The older generation speaks Russian quite well.

Well, the economic aspect cannot but rejoice. Montenegro, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have a relatively low cost of living; low prices not only for real estate, but also for consumer goods, food, clothing. “And besides, low taxes and housing maintenance costs,” adds Yulia Titova, director of Rentsale company.

Where is it good for a Russian?
Today, the largest number of Russians is in Bulgaria; about 30 thousand emigrants from Russia permanently live there. This is approximately the population of an average regional center. In Bulgaria, Russians live mainly in Sofia, in the Lozenets quarter, primarily because there is a Russian school there at the Russian Embassy, ​​also in Burgas and Varna. And also in the Plevna region. Firstly, previously there were units of the White Army near Burgas, Varna and Plevna, and descendants of the first emigration still live there, and secondly, Varna is one of the most popular cities among real estate buyers, because it is both a major economic and cultural center, and a resort on the Black Sea coast. Varna is even considered the most comfortable place to live locality Bulgaria. This is the greenest and fastest growing city, but at the same time it retains its provincial flavor.

However, if you choose only for a summer holiday, then, according to Yulia Titova (Rentsale), you can buy in the cities of St. Vlas and Sozopol. You can also pay attention to Dobrichi, where, as reported Anastasia Duderova, head of the foreign real estate department of Delta estate, the Germans, mostly immigrants from Russia, organized their own settlement. But if you need “Russian infrastructure”: shops, clubs, clubs, schools, etc., then it is better to choose Varna or Sofia. What’s especially nice is that there are two Russian schools in Varna; a specialized Russian school has been operating since 1999 “ A little prince" There is a kindergarten at the school. Training takes place in Russian and Bulgarian. In 2011, they plan to open two more Russian gymnasiums here.

“In general, all conditions have been created in Bulgaria so that Russians living here can receive education at native language and study Russian culture. In Sofia there is a Russian school at the Russian Embassy, ​​famous not only for its deep traditions, but also for the fact that it fully follows the Russian state education system,” says Stanislav Zingel, President of the Gordon Rock International Real Estate Agency.

In addition, in all 28 regions of the Republic of Bulgaria there are 39 secondary and 6 higher educational institutions where the Russian language is studied. There is also a Russian-language newspaper in Bulgaria, distributed throughout the country through a network of kiosks and by subscription.

There is a Russian newspaper in the Czech Republic. Here, the majority of Russians live in Prague (especially in the Prague 13 area), Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne. “In these cities, the “Russian infrastructure” is very developed, there are many Russian kindergartens, schools and shops,” says Stanislav Zingel (Gordon Rock). But still “the most Russian” Czech city– this is Karlovy Vary, famous for its hot mineral waters, treating a host of ailments. The Czechs jokingly call them “Russian Vary”. Our compatriots began coming to Karlovy Vary (then called Carlsbad) back in the 18th century; Peter I was even treated and lived here, who took an active part in the construction of the first Russian real estate property in this resort - his own home. And after the revolution of 1917, the share of the Russian population of Karlovy Vary increased several times. The same thing happened in the 1990s, when the idea of ​​buying a house or an entire mini-hotel at this resort was very popular in “new Russian” circles, and, according to some experts, most of the Karlovy Vary real estate today belongs to Russians. Therefore, Karlovy Vary is replete with signs, signs, posters and advertising in Russian; Russian pop stars come here during the season, and Russian speech is heard everywhere. And naturally, there are no problems with communication in shops, sanatoriums and restaurants, the menu of which, by the way, is everywhere translated into Russian.

Of the countries under consideration, the least “Russian” is Montenegro. There are no specific cities with a high concentration of Russians, our compatriots are dispersed along the entire coast: Budva, Herceg Novi, Becici... But given the fact that Russians are the most active buyers of real estate in Montenegro after the local population, the “Russian infrastructure” there is quite well developed . True, we should not forget that Montenegro is a former socialist and far from the richest state with corresponding disadvantages, so if you are thinking about permanent residence in this country, then, as Yulia Titova (Rentsale) advises, it is best to choose real estate in the capital Budva or in Herceg Novi, but if you are choosing a holiday residence, then it is preferable to pay attention to Becici, where the most modern beaches today are equipped with sun loungers, with bars and water attractions.

Thus, each of the countries under consideration is quite comfortable for Russians, but, of course, each has its own characteristics.

Bulgaria - for Russian pensioners and businessmen
Bulgaria is the most economical of the countries featured in our review. The cost per square meter in Bulgarian cities and resorts, according to experts, starts from 400 euros, for example, this is how much apartments in democratic Sunny Beach cost. Thus, a two-room apartment with an area of ​​50 sq.m. near the sea can be bought here for 26 thousand euros. In the Bulgarian province, prices are even lower, but in Varna and Sofia, as well as in the ski resort of Bansko, of course, they are higher. For example, a similar two-room apartment is offered for 47 thousand euros in Varna and beyond 37 thousand euros in Sofia. A studio in the center of Bansko, 10 minutes from the ski lifts, costs almost the same. By standards, the prices are ridiculous, but chasing cheapness is still not recommended, because, as he warns Igor Indriksons, Director of the Department of Investments in Foreign Real Estate at IntermarkSavills, these may be illiquid goods and unfinished houses, and they sell them at inflated prices, since many Russian agencies include their own commission of 12-15% in the price.

We also note that Bulgaria is the most loyal country towards Russian pensioners, for whom obtaining a residence permit is simplified. It is enough for pensioners to have the minimum funds to live in the country for a year, which is about 2-3 thousand euros, and be provided with a pension in Russia. And of course, you must have your own home or a rental agreement.

“But Bulgaria also has exceptional conditions compared to the rest of Europe for the so-called “business immigration” of Russians,” says Anastasia Duderova (Delta estate). Through registration of a company, the state provides the right to obtain permanent residence and open a company or representative office there Russian company very simple and inexpensive. You can even do it in one day, and the total costs will be about 1000 - 1500 euros.

Czech Republic – for students and lovers of water and culture
The Czech Republic is already a Schengen country, so its multiple visa, residence permit and permanent residence already give the right to freely travel throughout Europe. But real estate there is also more expensive. Of course, a square meter in the little-known town of Most, Usti region, and indeed in the north of the Czech Republic, where the social situation is not the most wonderful, can be bought for an average of 400-450 euros on the secondary market and for 700 on the primary, but something more liquid, say, in the central Czech Republic, not to mention Prague and Karlovy Vary, is worth from 1000 euros/sq.m.

At the same time, new buildings in the Czech Republic, as a rule, are more expensive than secondary ones, since new houses are distinguished by the quality of construction, good layouts and are very comfortable for living. The exception to this rule is perhaps Karlovy Vary, since there are not many new buildings there and they are built on the outskirts, while the historical ones in the center of the resort are of particular value - they can be quite expensively and successfully rented out. But even here everything depends on the specific object - of course, brand new apartments on the outskirts are more expensive than an apartment in the center, which requires a fair amount of repairs. In general, housing prices in Karlovy Vary start from 800 euros/sq.m and reach 2-3 thousand euros/sq.m. But the most expensive housing in Prague, in central region Prague-1, here the cost per square meter is on average 3.5 thousand euros on the secondary market and 3.8 thousand euros in the new buildings market. In the “Russian” district of Prague 13, a studio with an area of ​​38 sq.m. can be bought for 90 thousand euros, and a similar apartment on the outskirts of Prague - for 64 thousand euros.

The Czech Republic can also be chosen for permanent residence, and for relaxation, says Stanislav Zingel (Gordon Rock). As the expert points out, the undoubted advantage of this country is its location in the center of Europe; from the Czech Republic you can drive to the ski resorts of Germany or go shopping in Italy in a few hours. Prague is ideal for students. In the Czech Republic there is classical higher education of a high level, for example, at Charles University. In addition, Prague has a lot of educational institutions and workplaces, so it is more suitable for study and career. Although it’s also nice to relax here, because Prague is considered one of the most beautiful European capitals with many cozy cafes, bright nightlife and all kinds of exhibitions and festivals.

For a respectable holiday, it is better to go to Karlovy Vary. In addition to water and treatment, here you can enjoy the beauty of nature and clean air, and in the evenings go to restaurants, nightclubs, casinos, the Summer Amphitheater with unique natural scenery, the City Theater and concert halls.

Montenegro – a resort country
Montenegro is, first of all, a resort: nature virtually untouched by civilization, magnificent views and clear sea. On its territory there are four nature reserves and 40 lakes, some of which, including the largest - Skadar, are recognized natural monuments. Also impressive are the Tara River canyon, the depth of which reaches 1300 m, the Kotor slopes and the fjord (the only one in southern Europe). And at the same time, a modern infrastructure for recreation and entertainment is being created here, five-star hotels and a port are being built, which promises to become the largest in Europe. Montenegro now has excellent roads, Internet and digital television, and a regional water supply system bringing water from mountainous to coastal areas.

Behind natural beauty you have to pay: real estate prices in Montenegro are relatively high, in coastal areas the cost per square meter is on average 1.5-2 thousand euros, and in business class club residences it reaches 4.5-7 thousand euros/sq..m For example, a one-bedroom apartment with sea views 300 m from the beach and an area of ​​64 sq.m in one of these residences in Herceg Novi can be bought for 135 thousand euros. But a simple apartment or even a house in Bar, where running water has not yet reached, costs about 45-50 thousand euros.

Portal summary
The Czech Republic, Montenegro and Bulgaria are Slavic countries with a pleasant climate, close to us in spirit and culture. In each of these countries, many compatriots live and vacation, there are Russian communities, so they are great for vacation or for permanent residence, especially after completing active work. And which country to choose depends on your goals and personal preferences.

Updated: 2019-7-31

Michael

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I've known the guys for several years now. And finally they wrote a long-awaited post about how they emigrated to Bulgaria. To be honest, I myself sometimes think about Bulgaria, for example, instead of, all the time listening to how one or another acquaintance is buying an apartment there. Considering that the scheme for obtaining a residence permit is quite easy, this looks tempting. So it was doubly interesting to read about this country first-hand. By the way, it is also suitable for wintering, albeit with some reservations. But now, without reservations, nowhere, I see that someone has already moved from Asia to colder countries, like Montenegro.

We have no antipathy towards the Russian Federation and no desire to move from Russia and not return, we simply cannot live without travel and without the sea! Neither our relatives nor our children can dampen our passion for travel. By the way, we already have three children: a six-year-old son Stepan, a two-year-old daughter Sofia (so named in anticipation of our move to Bulgaria) and little Maria, born this spring here in Bulgaria. It was the children who at some point influenced the desire not only to settle down, but to have housing to which we could return from each of our trips.

Why exactly Bulgaria?

Nature. Climate. Sea

The climate in Bulgaria is mild. In summer it is +25+30 degrees Celsius and the sea water temperature is +22+25 degrees. Many mineral springs throughout the country. Almost along the entire Black Sea coast there are excellent sandy beaches, many of which have been awarded Blue flag for cleanliness.

In winter, the average temperature is 0+5... Snow is rare on the coast. But at the ski resorts south of Sofia - Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo - there is quite enough snow. From the coast to the ski resorts or Sofia - about 400 km, the same as from Moscow to Smolensk.

The off-season in Bulgaria is very pleasant - autumn and spring. We often took family walks along the beach or promenade in April, May, September, October and even late November. For example, this photo was taken just three weeks ago - in early November:

The sun and temperature +15+20 are in order... But the most a large number of precipitation in Bulgaria - in January and early June.

In Bulgaria it is very beautiful nature! Forests, mountains, vineyards, fields of roses or sunflowers.

We truly fell in love with Kaliakra and the Mermaid - we wrote about these places on the blog, but believe me, no descriptions or photos can compare with reality!

It is impossible to describe the feelings when you stand at the chapel on the very edge of the steep Cape Kaliakra and look at the endless sea from the height of a sixteen-story building!

And how mesmerizing is the fog on a mountain serpentine road at night or early in the morning covering the bay, the embankment and half of Varna with a dense cloud! You won't see this in any movie!

People

People in Bulgaria are friendly and helpful. It’s normal to help get the stroller off the bus, even if it’s a man with the stroller... Over a dozen trips to Bulgaria and almost a year of living here, we have not encountered any unfriendliness or aggression. The attitude towards Russians as a nation is generally positive.

It is also good that Bulgaria is an Orthodox country. There are Muslims (mostly Turks) and Gypsies here, but their percentage is not large. In Varna, near the railway tracks, there is an area considered to be gypsy - it is striking with dilapidated barracks. The gypsies themselves were seen only once during all this time (a mother with children), although they traveled all over Varna and the coast of Bulgaria far and wide. Therefore, we won’t say anything bad about the gypsies...

The crime situation in Bulgaria is quite calm. According to the Bulgarian news, we see some reports of crimes committed extremely rarely, and then in the depths of the country or Sofia... Life with a beach “nearby” relaxes, and does not push you to commit crimes - that’s a fact!

Bulgarians, like most Europeans living by the sea, are leisurely, a little lazy and a little unnecessary. This has its own appeal, but sometimes it is annoying. For example, when you make an appointment or delivery time at one time, but you end up waiting for something other than what you ordered, and a few hours later...

I really liked the musical tastes of the Bulgarians. There's not a lot of outright pop. Modern Bulgarian and foreign rap and hip-hop, alternative rock, as well as classic rock like Scorpions, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep or something heavier are very popular. Rock festivals often take place here, gathering fans from nearby countries, or simply concerts in parks, gathering residents of nearby houses.

Language

The language in Bulgaria is very similar to Russian. Cyrillic alphabet. Many words are written and pronounced absolutely identical to the Russian language. Even without knowing a word of Bulgarian, you can understand each other. In addition, the older generation, especially in Varna and northern Bulgaria, often speak Russian quite well. If you can’t understand each other in Russian-Bulgarian, most young people speak English well...

However, “misunderstandings”, sometimes very funny, are quite possible! Just because of the similarity of the language. The fact is that many words are written and pronounced similarly, but mean absolutely the opposite... For example:

Bulgarian "to the right" means "straight"...
"Dinya" means "watermelon"...
"Table" means "chair"...

And there are many such examples. Oh, and don’t forget that Bulgaria is the only country in the world where a nod of the head means “no”, and a shake of the head to the side means “yes”. It's impossible to get used to this. Try to learn to simply say “yes” or “no” without moving your head.

Transport

I am writing about Varna. In other cities public transport didn't use it.

There are many buses and trolleybuses, they run strictly on schedule. The cost of travel around the city is 0.50 euros. Lately Free Wi-Fi is now available on buses.

A taxi will cost approximately 0.50 euros per kilometer. Even to/from the airport. But only if it's on the counter! Prices must be posted on the rear passenger window. It is imperative to focus attention on the presence and operation of the meter, or the tariff may extortionately increase by 2-3 times!

The airport is located about 8 kilometers from the center of Varna. Train Station and a bus station - almost in the center of Varna.

Infrastructure. Children. Medicine

If at least one of the parents has a residence permit, you can easily and practically free send your child to kindergarten or school. Tested on personal experience. With the same rights as the Bulgarians - without taxes and with free textbooks... Children grasp the Bulgarian language instantly. And upon completion of training, the child will have a diploma listed in the European Union.

The infrastructure is developing, but for now you can still feel the post-Soviet legacy in places... Although, take a walk around pedestrian streets Varna in the Old Town area is very pleasant, and at any time of the year.

Lots of restaurants and cafes. Many large shopping centers. International hypermarkets such as Metro, IKEA, Decatlon, Kaufland, Billa, Praktiker are represented... There is no Tesco.

The hotel and construction business occupy a huge niche.

Medicine is at an average level. Inexpensive dental services. With a residence permit, medicine is paid, but not very expensive. An appointment with a doctor will cost approximately 10 euros. With permanent residence, medical care is free in most cases.

My wife gave birth to a daughter at the end of May at the Majchin Dom clinic in Varna. I liked everything, everyone was happy. The room, attitude and service are good. The birth cost only 800 euros. More details about childbirth in Bulgaria and the important nuances of obtaining a birth certificate will be on our blog. If this question is interesting, subscribe so as not to miss it.

Nutrition

For children and adults with sensitive stomachs, Bulgarian cuisine will definitely be much more comfortable than Asian cuisine...

We really liked the cuisine in Bulgaria. Olives, cheese, fish, tomatoes... Reminiscent of Greek and Italian. Widespread meat dishes. There are borrowings from Turkish cuisine. Pizza for sale. Grill is popular. Large selection of seafood. Among the national Bulgarian dishes, we note bannitsa and shopska salad.

Bulgaria has delicious beer and good inexpensive wine.

Prices

Prices in Bulgaria in national currency – in leva. 1 euro = 1.95 leva. This course has remained unchanged for many years.

Inexpensive shopping in shopping centers. Cheap alcohol. Prices are very low for most products and fruits and vegetables. For example:

1 kg of cherries – 1 euro
1 kg of tomatoes – 0.80 euros
1 kg of apples – 0.70 euros
1 kg of potatoes – 0.50 euros
1 kg of chicken – 2-2.50 euros
1 kg of pork – 2.50-4.50 euros
1l beer – 0.90 euros

Chocolate and dairy products are a little expensive.

Prices in restaurants are very reasonable even at the new exchange rate. The bill in most restaurants will cost 3-10 euros per person.

At concerts that often take place in Bulgarian parks, admission is usually free, and food and alcohol are very cheap. For example, a 0.5l glass of beer at such events will cost only 0.50 euros, and a kebab - 1 euro!

Coupon sites are common. Using coupons you can eat at restaurants, visit beauty salons or make very cheap tourist trips to neighboring European countries.

Real estate. Rent and purchase

What should you choose? If you need apartments only for summer holidays - Golden Sands and Sunny Beach. If the sea is not important, but you are interested ski resorts or running a serious business, then Sofia. For permanent residence near the sea - Varna or Burgas. Burgas, it seemed to us, is too gray, and a much smaller percentage of the population speaks Russian there than in Varna. Therefore, our choice is Varna.

Bulgaria has inexpensive housing rentals. For a long-term stay, you can rent a good, spacious, fully equipped apartment in Varna for only 150-200 euros per month.

The range of real estate prices in Bulgaria is quite large, from approximately 500 to 1500 euros/sq.m. In Sofia, Varna, Burgas and in good resort complexes it is more expensive. In residential areas and outside the city - cheaper. There are reliable large realtors and developers, and there are also scams. If anyone needs help and advice, contact us on the blog, we will help. We have experience, contacts and acquaintances.

We approached the choice of real estate thoroughly - we came to Bulgaria for this purpose five times and traveled around the entire coast. The reason is that we were not interested in resort real estate. Resorts like Golden Sands or Sunny Beach They live only in the summer - from June to August, in the remaining months they are like post-apocalyptic extinct ghost towns.

I don’t recommend any small towns or villages, except perhaps for pensioners. Or if you want to buy a house in the village. The range of prices for houses, by the way, from 5,000 euros for a wreck in the middle of nowhere to 500,000 euros for a large one new mansion on the coast of Varna with stunning views. But when buying a house, keep in mind that a residence permit is not enough to register land ownership; this is only possible with permanent residence.

We needed an apartment suitable for permanent residence; close to the sea, but not on the beach; in a quiet green area, but not far from the center; with developed infrastructure, but not in the middle of concrete boxes... And we found such a place on the outskirts of Varna - in the Galata area. And the view from here is beautiful.

Apartment with an area of ​​80 sq.m. in a modern residential complex cost us 46,000 euros (575 euros/sq.m.).

Here it is necessary to take into account an important nuance - the total area of ​​an apartment in Bulgaria is measured together with the area of ​​balconies, walls and common areas (parts of staircases that are divided among all residents). The actual living space of our eighty-meter apartment was about 65 meters. But still, the purchase turned out to be successful.

The price usually includes windows, doors, sockets. What about the finishing? Construction materials and finishing works (not luxury) are very cheap in Bulgaria. Our budget was limited. We purchased all construction materials and equipment ourselves from Praktiker and Mr.Bricolage stores. And the hired team did the repairs. We paid only 5500 euros for everything! For this money we received a complete turnkey project including work and installation: tiles, laminate flooring, painting of walls, tiled bathroom with bathtub, plumbing fixtures and boiler, two air conditioners.

A refrigerator, washing machine, TV and economy-class furniture (kitchen, living room, hallway and a couple of sofas) cost us about another 1,500 euros.
- Notarization of ownership of the apartment cost 2,000 euros.
- Annual property tax plus garbage removal – about 50 euros per year.
- Utility bills for electricity and water meters - an average of 40 euros per month. Internet and TV – 12 euros per month.
- Management company fee – 8 euros per month.

These are our expenses with our apartment. Amounts may differ either down or up. Especially if you purchase resort property. In this case, instead of a penny fee from the management company, there will be a support fee of 6-12 euros per year per sq.m., regardless of whether you live or not. For our footage, be it resort complex by the sea, the payment could be 500-1000 euros per year... The amount, to put it mildly, is rather large!

Car in Bulgaria

A Russian can register a car purchased in Bulgaria either for a representative office or for himself if he has a residence permit.

Driving along the entire coast or deep into Bulgaria by car is very interesting, but you can also rush to neighboring European countries. There are inexpensive car rentals in Bulgaria. At long term rental, especially not in the summer season, the rental price starts from only 6 euros per day.

The cost of fuel is one of the cheapest in Europe - an average of 1.10 euros per liter.

The vast majority of the population drive their own cars. Old, used, but in decent condition. The market for used cars imported from European countries is very developed. You can buy a ten-year-old minivan or golf class in really good condition for 1,500 euros. And for 4,000 euros you can buy a four-year-old car in excellent condition. If it weren’t for the collapsed ruble exchange rate, these prices would have been absolutely wonderful...

Where can you travel from Bulgaria?

With your own car, the whole of Europe is open to you! But keep in mind that you can only travel to the Schengen zone with a Schengen visa. If you have a residence permit, then Schengen is done here in Bulgaria without any problems.

From Bulgaria you can quickly and inexpensively travel by bus to Turkey, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy and more.

You can find tons of cheap deals on holidays abroad on local coupon sites.

From Sofia you can fly by plane to Europe and even further... Low-cost airlines WizzAir, Ryanair, Alitalia are represented... Tickets to most European countries, Turkey and the UAE, as a rule, cost from 30 to 100 euros. And Istanbul and Dubai are the largest “hubs” of the Middle East Asian region, through which you can easily reach any corner of Asia!

How to get to Bulgaria

You can get to Bulgaria by train, plane, car and...by bus from Istanbul. We tried all the ways.

I don’t want to repeat the experience of traveling to Bulgaria by train... Well, it’s very boring, long and many hours late.

We drove 2000 km to Bulgaria by car with two children in 2-3 days - quite realistic and very interesting. You can read about this trip on our blog. True, now we will have to make a detour, going around Ukraine.

By plane from Moscow you can reach Bulgaria in 2.5 hours with direct regular flights S7. During the season, tickets become noticeably more expensive. As an alternative, you can find an inexpensive charter from Russia to Bulgaria or fly to Istanbul, walk around this beautiful city and get to Varna or Burgas in 6-8 hours by bus. Although, in the light latest events, let's see what happens...

Visa issue

There is no visa-free entry. Russians can enter Bulgaria with a Schengen visa, if available. If not, then you need to apply for a Bulgarian visa at the Bulgarian consulate or visa center vfs.global, for example. The application process is similar to obtaining a Schengen visa. The cost of a tourist visa is 35 euros, the vfs.global visa fee is 1,400 rubles. After one or two trips, getting a multiple visa for a year is not a problem.

The period of stay on a multiple visa (either Bulgarian or Schengen) is up to 180 days in 6 months.

Emigration to Bulgaria

To obtain a residence permit, and later permanent residence, it is not even necessary to buy real estate! You can simply rent, as already mentioned, for 150-200 euros per month. What is important, until recently, a mandatory condition for extending a residence permit was to stay in Bulgaria for at least 6 months per year... Now this rule has also been abolished - it is enough to come once a year to renew your documents.

How to get a residence permit

  1. Open a Bulgarian representative office of a Russian company. A Russian LLC may have no activities, then in the Russian Federation it is simply necessary to submit “zero reporting” once a year. You can open a representative office in Bulgaria without much difficulty on your own or with the help of a Bulgarian company for 800-1000 euros. There are no taxes or reporting required for a representative office in Bulgaria.
  2. Take out insurance for a year from a Bulgarian insurance company. You can register on the spot for 70-80 euros per person.
  3. Purchase a completed property in Bulgaria (with Act 16) or enter into a property rental agreement.
  1. Provide a certificate of good conduct.
  2. Confirm your financial status. You will need an account statement from a Bulgarian bank with an amount of just over 2,000 euros per person. You can withdraw money back either immediately after receiving a bank statement, or the next day. The amount may vary as it depends on the minimum wage.
  3. Apply for a D visa at the Bulgarian consulate in the Russian Federation (issued for 6 months and costs 100 euros).
  4. Pay about 250 euros per year for a residence permit.

Documents in Russian are translated by translators accredited by the consulate and certified.

It's easier for pensioners. You don’t have to open a representative office, you need a smaller amount in the account, etc.

permanent residence

You can obtain permanent residence no earlier than 5 years after obtaining a residence permit. To do this, you can be absent from Bulgaria in general for no more than 30 months in 5 years, i.e. on average 6 months a year. With permanent residence you become a full-fledged citizen of Bulgaria, receiving, for example, free medicine, the right to work or acquire land ownership...

Briefly pros and cons

If we compare Bulgaria, as an option for permanent residence, with other European or Asian countries(for example, Thailand), then what conclusions can be drawn?

Pros:

Not only the sea and excellent sandy beaches, but also ski resorts. Mild autumn, winter and spring. Mineral springs. As in Thailand, low prices for almost everything and inexpensive real estate. Inexpensive used cars from Europe and reasonable fuel prices for Europe. Perhaps in the near future Schengen. An abundance of fruits and vegetables. Good, close to Mediterranean, cuisine. Convenient location for travel and proximity to Russia. The opportunity to send your child to school or kindergarten almost free of charge using a parent’s residence permit. Obtaining a residence permit even without real estate, under a representative office and a rental agreement. You can leave Bulgaria for a long time without compromising your residence permit or permanent residence permit. No language barrier. It's easy to open your own business. Lowest taxes in Europe.

Minuses:

The short swimming season is from mid-June to early September. A bit of a "soviet" infrastructure. Lack of parking spaces in the center. Popularity of smoking among Bulgarians. The optionality of the Bulgarians. There are few 100% juices on the shelves, but there are many foreign products containing E-shek and monosodium glutamate (read the composition). Humidity on the coast (as, indeed, in Asia). You cannot work with a residence permit - only business or wait for permanent residence.

Life hack 1 - how to buy good insurance

It’s incredibly difficult to choose insurance now, so I’m compiling a rating to help all travelers. To do this, I constantly monitor forums, study insurance contracts and use insurance myself.

Life hack 2 - how to find a hotel 20% cheaper

Thanks for reading

4,75 out of 5 (ratings: 91)

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    The fish is looking for where it is deeper - people, where it is better. A logical principle for a potential immigrant. So, a Russian migrant, along with other options, sees life in Bulgaria as better. A country with a warm climate and attractive living conditions is ready to welcome young and old. What is it really like - the life of a Bulgarian Russian with a permanent residence passport?

    How many Russian emigrants live in Bulgaria

    According to data from the National Service, which determines the migration strategy into the country, for the period 2000–2015. 5,200 immigrants from Russia were awarded Bulgarian citizenship. It should be clarified: every accomplished citizen received the coveted status on the basis of “Bulgarian origin”.

    The first place in the general statistics of migrants is held by immigrants from Moldova. Further, from top to bottom, the rating of countries - demographic donors to Bulgaria continues:

    • Ukraine;
    • Serbia;
    • Russia;
    • Israel;
    • Albania;
    • Türkiye.

    Citizens of the Russian Federation who have received permission for permanent residence, judging by the data of migration services, are also in the top ten of the relevant statistics. Separately, it is worth noting Russian migrants with a residence permit, whose main goal is to get an education at the European level or simply enter the country for a long-term vacation. They take second place in the ranking of temporarily registered migrants. According to the National Strategy, there is a forecast for an increase in the number of migrants until 2020.

    Against the backdrop of an albeit insignificant but increasing increase in migrants, a high percentage of the indigenous population leaving the country is also recorded. And the trend is only growing.

    Life in Bulgaria through the eyes of a foreigner: reviews from eyewitnesses

    Reviews left online by citizens who moved to Bulgaria for permanent residence, for some reason, mostly compare life in a new place with the realities of the Russian capital. However, Moscow is a state within a state. The regional standard of living in Russia is radically different from life in the capital. This fact must be taken into account. So, life in Bulgaria is on the shelves, but first a generalized description, borrowed from one of the blogs:

    ...Russian immigrants grow vegetables and fruits. They are engaged in winemaking and distill brandy. The bulk are military pensioners who are tired of living in the northern regions of Russia. There are significantly fewer engineers, doctors, architects, scientists who prefer to live in large cities in Bulgaria...

    Varvara

    http://varyadavydova.com/category/russkie-v-bolgarii/

    ...Bulgaria has everything! You have no doubt about it. I remember with a smile the time when I delivered food and things from Russia. Bulgaria is like Greece - everything is there. And how many new things you will discover for yourself. Check out the Romanian sausage at LIDL...

    bluebay

    http://peopleandcountries.com/

    ...Groceries, cars, medicines are much cheaper in Bulgaria than in Moscow. The medicines are not counterfeit. The Bulgarians are happy to see us. Thanks to us, they also have jobs. They build a lot here and quickly. Real estate prices from 450 euros per sq.m. m. Most homeowners are from Russia. There are also many Germans, Poles, English, Romanians, and last years Ukrainians appeared...

    taisiya_d

    http://age60.ru/

    Video: how Russians live in Bulgaria

    Prices

    Based on reviews from residents and families of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna - large Bulgarian cities - it was possible to determine that the average cost of a food basket in them is only slightly different from the food basket of the average Muscovite. For example, the main product is bread, costs 35–40 rubles, a kilogram of beef 350–400 rubles, a kilogram of potatoes 37–40 rubles. In 2019, taking into account the confirmed increase in inflation to 2%, price tags will most likely be rewritten upward.

    ...Everyday life is everyday life everywhere. Only in Bulgaria is this way of life different from what it was at home. The European country forces you to pay for everything. At home, accountants, engineers, and lawyers could pay from their earnings. But here you can’t earn much with a residence permit. But we are working. We work and live...

    Varvara

    Video about Bulgarian food prices 2018

    Housing

    Immigrants with permanent residence unanimously declare cheap real estate. Indeed, housing in Bulgaria can be bought or rented at relatively low prices. From the experience of immigrants, only 20 thousand euros are required to purchase an apartment on the seashore. However, home owners immediately talk about the exorbitant costs of maintaining apartments and houses, regardless of the area. Of course! Paying at least 1,500 rubles a month for a telephone alone is clearly too much for a resident with permanent residence. But not everyone thinks so:

    ...Demands dictated by the way of life in Moscow lose all meaning in Bulgaria. For example, there is no need to protect your home. In Bulgaria you are safe as long as there are no gypsies living nearby. Comfortable climate everywhere. Not even close to comparing with Moscow. Within the city or outside its borders - it doesn’t matter.

    The cities here are homely and comfortable. Take Burgas. There are several densely populated areas here. Free development, paved streets, all infrastructure. Thank God, there is no such city as Moscow here. It's green everywhere in Bulgaria. And in cities too. You just need to go and inspect the future of permanent residence together with people who are familiar with a particular area...

    Glokaya Kuzdra

    http://www.bglife.ru/

    As we live, we all get involved in everyday life. But I must say that it is somewhat different here than at home. Let’s say heating (steam) here is more expensive and cold water costs money. Who knows how much he pays for cold water in Russia? I’ve never even been interested) And in Russia, who did you pay for cleaning the entrance and how much? Do you know how much it costs to maintain an elevator?

    Varya Davydova

    http://varyadavydova.com/pro-zhizn-russkih-v-bolgarii/

    Work and salary

    The level of wages of Bulgarian residents is comparable to the average wage in Russia. According to reviews from settlers, the average salary of a Bulgarian worker is about 30,000 rubles. per month. At the same time, the minimum wage level established by the state is 12,500 rubles. Naturally, converted from Bulgarian levs.

    But before we talk about making money, you need to get a job. In Bulgaria, a country that receives its main income from tourism, it is almost impossible to find a job. This factor, by the way, is key to the problem of the outflow of the indigenous population. Meanwhile, it is much easier for native residents to solve the problem of employment than for immigrants. From blog posts:

    ...For almost a year, my son could not get a job. Only when I received permanent residence status and citizenship did I find a job. But when registering for departure, he received an official work permit. There is an unspoken rule in Bulgaria - without permanent residence, without unified state tax, state-owned enterprises and private firms do not hire migrants...

    Tamara

    http://bgrelaxing.com/

    Pensions

    An obvious fact is what the life of Bulgarian pensioners should look like when the country’s economic potential is low, when unemployment reigns in the country, and state revenues directly depend on the preferences of foreign tourists. To understand this truth, you do not need to study the reviews of immigrants.

    In addition, the country's authorities recently passed a law raising the retirement age (63 for women, 65 for men). According to government sources, as of 2018, the average pension in Bulgaria was 20 thousand rubles.

    This is almost an analogue of Russian payments.

    Holders of permanent residence status assure that you can live on that kind of money. Meanwhile, the majority of Russian pensioners, as it becomes clear from the reviews, live in Bulgaria on passive income. The sale of real estate and pensions from their homeland help them live relatively comfortably in exile.

    ...I sold Russian housing for 100 thousand dollars. I bought a house in Bulgaria for 40 thousand. The rest of 60 thousand dollars was deposited into a bank account. Another pension, which allows you to live a normal life. After all, prices in Bulgaria for some goods and products are cheaper than in Russia. The heating makes me a little nervous. In winter it works every other day, and sometimes you even need to light the fireplace...

    Rimma

    http://www.prostobg.ru/

    The change of orientation towards the European Union turned out to be nonsense for the Bulgarians. The number of citizens with higher education has decreased to 20% of the total educated population. The education sector is fully standardized to EU standards. Studying is paid and expensive.

    Fortunately for Russian immigrants, there is a Russian school in Sofia. The institution is located on the territory of the Russian embassy. Children are taught there according to Russian standards, but only paid education is available to immigrant children. For children preschool age There are no Russian-language kindergartens in Bulgaria.

    I have two schoolchildren, first and ninth grade. (the rest are in kindergarten))) In order to enroll a child in school, in grades 1 to 8, it is enough to come to the local education department - in each big city yours (you don’t need to go to Sofia to the Ministry of Education for this), and bring there a translated and legalized certificate of completion of a certain class and a legalized birth certificate of the child (it can be translated and legalized through a lawyer, simply translated and certified by a notary is not enough, you need You should also certify at the Russian consulate, they put a lot of beautiful stamps, we didn’t go to the consulate ourselves, the lawyer did everything for us))) And you are given permission to enroll your child in a Bulgarian school. If the child will go to grades from 9–12, then such permission can only be obtained in Sofia, it takes 2–3 months. As a rule, if a child has completed 8th grade in Russia, he is enrolled in 9th grade (but you can try straight into 10th grade, I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say for sure). The grades in the new Bulgarian certificate of completion of a certain class will be changed taking into account the Bulgarian six-point system. Threes will be converted to fours, fours to fives, etc. 😆

    Vyara

    http://forum.aboutbulgaria.biz/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13252

    Medicine

    Bulgaria's aspirations to unite with the EU and implementation paid services qualitatively changed the level of medicine in the country. Russian settlers have different opinions about the quality of Bulgarian medicine. But the facts are clear: prices for citizens of the country are affordable, and immigrants need to buy health insurance.

    Only purchasing health insurance makes it possible to reduce treatment rates to the level of Bulgarian citizens. So, taking into account European standardization, many permanent residence permit holders are forced to bring medicines from Russia to Bulgaria. Reason: it is impossible to buy even drops for a runny nose unless you have a prescription from a doctor.

    Modern Bulgaria and attitude towards Russians

    Comparing the relations between Bulgarians and Russians 50 years ago and modern relations is similar to comparing a watermelon and an apple. Time changes people, changes morals and values. If the outgoing generation of Bulgarians has retained some elements of the memory of past friendship, the young society is already a completely different people.

    Nevertheless, according to feedback from immigrants, there are no extreme difficulties in relationships. Bulgarians are friendly and decent people, but they have their own national characteristics . Therefore, in order to become part of the local civil society, Russian immigrants actually need to live their lives anew:

    • learn Bulgarian language;
    • get to know the local mentality;
    • establish connections in the local environment;
    • prove your worth;
    • show your capabilities.

    For young immigrants looking forward to an enviable future, these are truisms. It's a little easier for pensioners. Judging by the reviews, they do not have to comply with the positions on the list if they have the means to survive.

    Russian diaspora and community

    The similarity of languages, common cultural and religious values ​​were the foundation on which the Russian diaspora in Bulgaria was created. The history of creation spans several centuries. Even today, one of the three main Russian communities has survived in Bulgaria - the Old Believers.

    The Russian diaspora in Bulgaria is considered a large foreign formation. According to official data, more than 25 thousand citizens make up the Russian community. Immigrants from Russia created several large public organizations. An example is the Union of Compatriots, which has been operating since 2000.

    Many Russian believers are united by the Russian Orthodox Church. In particular, active church work aimed at uniting compatriots is carried out with parishioners of the churches of “St. Nicholas” and “Holy Martyr Panteleimon”.

    About the best places to live

    There are no clear solutions for taste and color. People with different preferences rarely choose similar things. So it is with a place to live in Bulgaria. From those who have settled in Sofia, Varna, Burgas, you can hear only positive reviews. But everyone recommends proceeding from personal needs.

    If life is connected with business, if the goal of immigrants is to educate children, Sofia is the best place. The cities of Plovdiv and Varna promise a calm and measured life. The city of Varna is located on the seashore, which is an additional advantage. Many immigrants do not recommend Burgas: the old port city, according to citizens with permanent residence, does not provide complete comfort and tranquility.

    The coast is an option for retirees. Old immigrants, as a rule, choose small towns, villages, and hamlets. Such places are not suitable for middle-aged and young people. There are even more problems with work and income. End tourist season and life in the countryside comes to a standstill.

    Photo gallery of popular cities to live in

    Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria, the center of political and business life Varna is a port and resort town, attracts a lot of tourists and those wishing to move for permanent residence Burgas is one of the largest cities in Bulgaria, the port city plays an important economic role for the life of the country Ruse is sometimes called little Venice for its Baroque and Renaissance architecture

    Pros and cons of living in Bulgaria (final table)

    The conclusion suggests itself without fantasies. If you have passive income, business profits, inheritance and other sources of finance, moving to Bulgaria for permanent residence can only be welcomed. In another case, you need start-up capital, a sought-after profession, good education, aspirations for better life. It is advisable to comprehend and evaluate any move for permanent residence before it is carried out, and only then can a specific decision be made.

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