Life as a female expat in Bulgaria

Personally I have never felt threatened in Bulgaria, I live in a village so it may be different in the Cities. I have always felt safe, and also walking around in Varna, never had any problem, and now I am alone still the same.

The men are definitely the boss, and if you are dealing with someone professionally and the man says one thing and the women something else the woman will be ignored and always what the man says goes, he is the head of the family.

I also live in a village and feel absolutely safe.  My feeling is that whilst men often seem publically deferred to I have found Bulgarian women to have no identity crisis', are extremely confident, strong and educated women, be that through traditional education, vocational or as holders and carriers of centuries old traditions.  I benefit daily from the natural cameraderies of the women of the village from teens to OAPS's.  The UK could learn much from the women of Bulgaria

Overall, as a foreign woman in Bulgaria I feel safe. I have often walked the streets alone at night and not felt uncomfortable. I have safely hitchhiked... in fact, the only time I've been put in a sexually uncomfortable position was with other expats.

There is the very occasional street harassment, but it is not common (at least towards me- maybe that has to do with my age and appearance these days).

Although Bulgaria has high rates of domestic violence, that violence doesn't tend to spread to strangers. So, be careful about who you date.

If you are looking to expand your social network as a woman, I would suggest meeting with other women, and then expanding your network through them, rather than meeting with men. Alternatively, join a club or volunteer (red cross, scouting, etc) where you can meet men and women in a safer environment than nightclubs etc. Of course, there are many absolutely wonderful Bulgarian men who are worth getting to know.

@Sueinvarna

I am afraid your opinion shows very little experience ....in short. Not the truth. The man and the woman in BG are equally involved and they have both the right to take and act equally in an equal manners! In quite opposite from GB! British men are famous with their lack of respect  and bad manners dating from  centuries! The simple example... enjoing in the pub after work instead of going home....men's clubs...etc...

Hello Reni1960,

Welcome on board !

Please note that you are responding to a comment posted in 2018 .... This members hasn't been on the forum for the past 3 years.

Regards

Bhavna

Still a worthwhile post as every woman everywhere must be prepared for any sort of violence.  I suspect that most violence is from drunk husbands to their wives as well as drunk men who live with a woman.   My former wife hooked up with a typicial Bugarian man who didn't work and he stole all her money and jewelry and beat her frequently.   This seems to be common however I suspect it is just as commin in the USA and other counties.   This is a topic that can generate strong responses and a word to the wise is to be vigilant and report any malevolent behaviour immediately.   Likely the police won't do anything but making a record is important.   One thing about police records is they refuse to give you a copy of the report and most reports are thrown out of the window when they leave so document with your cell phone.  Tell your friends and be vocal. 

In life you shouldn't be native,

That's my way of thinking.

Sophie

@Johnavann

I don't think that it is very commom for a non-Bulgarian woman to hook up with a Bulgarian man due to male reputation of dominance in Bulgaria.

The opposite is true for Bulgarian womem, who are looking for the relative stability from international partners and tend to look after themselves well to be attractive to the opposite sex.

As for the police force, yes they are pretty ineffective but, for example, are they any better in the UK where they do keep records but make very little effort to solve the case?

The biggest problem here in Bulgaria is the selfish attitute fuelled by the blatent corruption from the top down.