Gene Genie
@worldlywanderer
Scottish expat in Bulgaria
Forum posts
111
Contacts
2
About me
Scottish
Lives in Svirachi
Speaks English
Registration: 16 November 2010
Discouraged to move after latest visit... by GuestPoster249
Hi All! I hope those living in and around Edinburgh can help clarify some recent observations. First, I am a Toronto born Canadian living in a vibrant and mostly affluent part of Toronto (The Beaches). I have been married to a Scot for 21 years ...
Whatever has the divorce rate to do with the quality of life in Edinburgh? There must be a very low birth rate in Vatican City and a very high percentage of single people; parking must be horrendous and the crowds... We tolerate t bff at odd ... Read More
Discouraged to move after latest visit... by GuestPoster249
Hi All! I hope those living in and around Edinburgh can help clarify some recent observations. First, I am a Toronto born Canadian living in a vibrant and mostly affluent part of Toronto (The Beaches). I have been married to a Scot for 21 years ...
I live in a small Scottish town which includes some of the areas of greatest multiple deprivation in Scotland. My wife and I chose to move here because it has some of the friendliest people and more open society than anywhere we have travelled in ... Read More
Discouraged to move after latest visit... by GuestPoster249
Hi All! I hope those living in and around Edinburgh can help clarify some recent observations. First, I am a Toronto born Canadian living in a vibrant and mostly affluent part of Toronto (The Beaches). I have been married to a Scot for 21 years ...
I understand perfectly how Steffiegirl may have had a few bad experiences but to make such sweeping statements is irresponsible and for someone who claims to work for The Law Society it is doubly so given the accuracy with which we expect our legal ... Read More
Moving to Edinburgh by MarieHenny30
Dear all, My husband and I are coming from Switzerland to stay in Edinburgh for one year. We will be staying at a Hotel at first while looking for a flat to rent. How does it work for foreighners to rent a place here? What kind of documents one ...
There is an onus on private landlords to ensure their tenants are not living in the UK illegally but with your passport that's no problem. The opening of an account with a UK bank depends very much on the bank. In my experience you need an ... Read More
Living cost in Edinburgh- is 3850 GBP salary good ?
A very sensible question I would have thought. If you allow 25% of salary as taxes you will err on the side of caution. Read More
Where to live in Edinburgh by georgiusthegreat
Hello! We are moving to Edinburgh and have been offered an apartment to rent in Murrayfield. What is this neighbourhood like? Is it pleasant? Is it safe? Our daughter will be studying at the vet school in Roslin. We realize that Murrayfield is far ...
The only areas of Edinburgh which are any busier than normal when there is "rugby going on" are those around the rugby grounds. The main ground is at Murrayfield but that is only really busy for international matches, a few Saturdays in a ... Read More
Where to live in Edinburgh by georgiusthegreat
Hello! We are moving to Edinburgh and have been offered an apartment to rent in Murrayfield. What is this neighbourhood like? Is it pleasant? Is it safe? Our daughter will be studying at the vet school in Roslin. We realize that Murrayfield is far ...
Here are a couple of examples of flats in areas popular with students: http://www.gumtree.com/p/flats-houses/2-bed-fixed-price-flat-near-edinburgh-university/1080536460 Good transport links. One can walk to the main university in ten minutes and ... Read More
Where to live in Edinburgh by georgiusthegreat
Hello! We are moving to Edinburgh and have been offered an apartment to rent in Murrayfield. What is this neighbourhood like? Is it pleasant? Is it safe? Our daughter will be studying at the vet school in Roslin. We realize that Murrayfield is far ...
It does, to some extent, depend on how she will be travelling but I would not recommend Murrayfield for easy access to Roslin. You would be much more conveniently located in Morningside, Newington, Marchmont or Bruntsfield. It then depends on the ... Read More
People joining Expats blog who are very obviously not expats at all by Jim Davison
What do you expats think?? It just means we already have lots of posting from people trawling including a probable bumster type For myself I'd prefer a closed fb group which works really well for other groups I belong to Then there is the ...
I clearly missed something here. I'm not sure I know what a bumster is,nor do I understand the point about trawling. I certainly don't see the point of a closed group as that defeats entirely the objective of shared experience. How do you ... Read More
Gambia by gambiakennington
Can anyone tell me as a British person what I would need to do if and when I leave England to live in the Gambia with my husband who is Gambian, and works here in England?
The aliens identity card and the residents permit are different documents. Any alien requires both to stay in The Gambia for more than 90 days and the issue of them is the usual Gambian shambles. The underpaid police force who handle the process are ... Read More
Tourism in BG by worldlywanderer
A correspondent on another thread suggested that the low tourist numbers in Bulgaria are a result of inadequate infrastructure. i don't see why he thinks that, surely, the need for infrastructure depends on the type of tourist. If you are the ...
Clearly, any business or facility which is legal, decent and honest must be tolerated. It is, however, not the case that we cannot do anything about them nor is it true that it is not possible to promote things which people do not wish to buy. Take ... Read More
Tourism in BG by worldlywanderer
A correspondent on another thread suggested that the low tourist numbers in Bulgaria are a result of inadequate infrastructure. i don't see why he thinks that, surely, the need for infrastructure depends on the type of tourist. If you are the ...
An interesting justification of mass tourism from the home of mass tourism. Spain reaps 10% and Greece 20% of GDP so the rest of us must suffer. All inclusive resorts do nothing for the areas where they are situated but because they have crept into ... Read More
Tourism in BG
A correspondent on another thread suggested that the low tourist numbers in Bulgaria are a result of inadequate infrastructure. i don't see why he thinks that, surely, the need for infrastructure depends on the type of tourist. If you are the ... Read More
Have you heard about bestbgproperties.com ? by chaotic
Has anyone heard of bestbgproperties.com and gave any comments about them? I am viewing a couple of properties on their list, and want to know if any members here had any dealings, good or bad, with them.. Thanks in advance
Speaking as a buyer i would not buy from BG Properties as they are pushy and bombard potential buyers with completely unfiltered information, they do not remove email addresses from their list when asked and the properties on their web site are ... Read More
Immigration, Visa, Legislation, you name it , they fail at it. by germainchar
Ok title is pretty descripive for a reason: When you speak to the consult they mislead you to sayin to get visa D you need work permit. or anything else under article 24 of the bulgarian ...
I can't agree that they fail at it. Let's be completely honest here, the objective of most governments is to keep their nationals in the country, paying taxes, doing what they are told. Governments don't really like strangers and the ... Read More
power of attorney termination by angeliqe
does somebody know how to terminate a given power of attorney in Bulgaria? I apologize for not telling a story but I really need a quick help
That may be the case in the US but is not so in the UK and most of Europe. Read More
power of attorney termination by angeliqe
does somebody know how to terminate a given power of attorney in Bulgaria? I apologize for not telling a story but I really need a quick help
Simple, write to the person who holds it and tell them they no longer have the power, ensure you can prove they recieved it by using a recorded delivery addressed personally to them. Read More
Reliable Estate Agents? by xpatbg
What are the trusted or reliable Estate Agents of Bulgarian Property Market? How about the "Premium Properties BG" premiumpropertiesbg.com ? Any comments or experiences with them?
It is important to understand the difference between Bulgarian law and the law In England or in Scotland, which while they have differences are largely the same. In the UK solicitors acting for each party handle the conveyancing and may under the ... Read More
registration in Bulgaria by torontowill
Hi everyone, I recently arrived in Sofia and am wondering if anyone can properly explain to me the registration process, or if it is needed at all. I am an EU citizen with a valid Portuguese ID card and Passport and moved here as my fiancee and I ...
You must register within 90 days of arrival. The Migration Directorate is effectively part of the police force and usually housed in the regional HQ. The process is simple and requires only your passport, proof of your address and proof of medical ... Read More
Looking to rent
There are plenty of properties available for rent in most parts of Bulgaria but they are advertised in Bulgarian and either empty or furnished to Bulgarian taste, which may not suit someone used to Western European standards. Try IMOT.BG or BAZAR, ... Read More
notary informtion by candyz9229
We are flying out to purchase a property on Tuesday . We are going to view the property first before handing over any cash and have agreed with the vendor that we will sign the Notary the following day. What questions should I ask and how can I tell ...
The Notary is a public official, a lawyer, sometimes local judge, whose role is to ensure the property deeds are in order and the vendor and purchaser are who they claim to be. He is not responsible for ensuring the legality of the property, that ... Read More
Usual agent fee/commission for rental properties by shinobidef
Hi all I've been contacting a few agents from the UK in advance of us moving to Varna on 12th May and one of them has quoted 50% of the first month as their commission - is that the norm? It does seem a bit steep! If you've rented, did you find it ...
If only there were similar facilities in the south. It is clear there is a demand for long let accommodation in Bulgaria nd this is, I suspect, a demand which will increase. Renovating a property in Bulgaria is not easy and highly risky unless you ... Read More
Usual agent fee/commission for rental properties by shinobidef
Hi all I've been contacting a few agents from the UK in advance of us moving to Varna on 12th May and one of them has quoted 50% of the first month as their commission - is that the norm? It does seem a bit steep! If you've rented, did you find it ...
From 50% to 150% of the first month rent is not unusual and you can be assured the landlord will pay a fee too. Agents in Bulgaria, like those in many undisciplined markets make their money where they can. what is worse is the amount of work the ... Read More
Security at Compound by niceness
Hello Hope that all is well with you. I am looking for a experience, capable and Trust worthy watchman to work at my compound in gambia. So far I have been very unlucky with the two that I have employed so I am turning to this site tk ask people ...
I'm inclined to recommend you take the electronic route. Cameras do not sleep and a recording will at least ensure the thieves are locked up. In my experience night watchmen do what you do at night and are often easily intimidated into assisting ... Read More
living in Bulgaria by frednlass
Hi everyone, and a happy new year. I am new to the forum, and this is my first entry, I am looking to buy a property that would require a bit of work, but not to much, initially to holiday to, but in the not to distant future, to move permanent. So ...
HAving reviewed my question it seems to me as a native English speaker with some half dozen decades experience in asking questions that it ws an entirely reasonable way of asking it. If you offer advice and help t is, I suggest, not reasonable to ... Read More
living in Bulgaria by frednlass
Hi everyone, and a happy new year. I am new to the forum, and this is my first entry, I am looking to buy a property that would require a bit of work, but not to much, initially to holiday to, but in the not to distant future, to move permanent. So ...
The most readable report is http://www.nsi.bg/census2011/PDOCS2/Census2011final_en.pdf but it only provides an analysis by region. Since more than half the Roma population live in urban areas the concentration in villages where there is a large town ... Read More
living in Bulgaria by frednlass
Hi everyone, and a happy new year. I am new to the forum, and this is my first entry, I am looking to buy a property that would require a bit of work, but not to much, initially to holiday to, but in the not to distant future, to move permanent. So ...
Where's the sarcasm; am I wrong, is there no railway line in Butovo? If I am correct then what I asked was an entirely serious and reasonable response to your offer of assistance in the Verliko Ternova area as I do not know it well and perhaps the ... Read More
living in Bulgaria by frednlass
Hi everyone, and a happy new year. I am new to the forum, and this is my first entry, I am looking to buy a property that would require a bit of work, but not to much, initially to holiday to, but in the not to distant future, to move permanent. So ...
Hi Alex, I was looking at Butovo for living then I notices a railway line. Doesn't this kind of shatter the peaceful living you speak of? Read More
Looking for work in bulgaria for English speaker by jobo20
hey there im looking for working in Bulgaria Karlovo area but i do not speak Bulgarian yet i am in the process of learning from my Bulgarian girlfriend but i need job there. i have wanted to live there for about 5 years but never been able to do it ...
It is good to see people with much needed skills coming to Bulgaria but in order to succeed it would be advisable for them to apply these skills to researching Bulgarian Planning and Building procedures which are every bit as rigorous as those ... Read More
WANTED - Read to Move Into House
Hey, anyone selling a house who needs to move quickly? we have cash and are keen to find a perfect, fully furnished house. Location s not important but quality, a peaceful neighbourhood and rural environment are. Read More
Anybody in Kardjahli ??
Welcome to Southern Bulgaria. There are a few Brits around but very few. I am currently near Ivaylovgrad and know of two other families in Harmanli livng here full time. there are one or two part-tmers near here but you are the first I've heard of ... Read More
British Embassy Consular Contact by ronhill98
I have been appointed as a Brit consular contact to assist ex pats in the Veliko Tarnovo area with any matters of concern. and provide Embassy contacts etc. I will shortly begin to build a list of contacts both individuals and ex pat groups etc. I'd ...
My principal concern would be the British Embassy knowing where I am. The UK has too much control inside its own borders without giving it more outside. Read More
House security by Dav5ey
Does anyone know where I can purchase window guards (plastic or metal) for my house which is unoccupied for lengthy periods? Haskovo region or Plovdiv.
I cant answer your question but would strongly advise against plastic as it can be opened using a cigarette lighter. Any window and door security needs to be very carefully anchored - I've seen a steel grill removed from its mountings in under three ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by candyz9229
Hi everyone I am relocating to Bulgaria to start a business. I have been searching for help and advice and seem to be reading conflicting stories. So my questions are do you need to own a company to buy a property and do you stay clear of estate ...
If you are an EU citizen you may buy property and associated land but not (because Bulgaria are ignoring their treaty obligations) agriculture or forestry land without owning a company. It is not even necessary to own a company to trade but you ... Read More
living in Bulgaria by frednlass
Hi everyone, and a happy new year. I am new to the forum, and this is my first entry, I am looking to buy a property that would require a bit of work, but not to much, initially to holiday to, but in the not to distant future, to move permanent. So ...
There was a section in the last census which broke down population by ethnic origin and that is on one of the government websites broken down by municipality. I too would love to hear why one should not buy at the end of a village Read More
Car Documents BG
Your solicitor will hae registered you with the tax authorities when you bought your house and you should have, or eventually receive a card which shows your Bulstat number. So far as I understand it each person only needs one number. Read More
New Home Wanted by worldlywanderer
My wife and I are looking for a new home. If you are selling a property which fits the following criteria send us a PM. Cash is available and for the right property, we can move quickly as we are in Bulgaria now and very keen to do a deal and can ...
The layout is interesting but I understand there is a security issue in that area so I'm afraid not. Read More
New Home Wanted by worldlywanderer
My wife and I are looking for a new home. If you are selling a property which fits the following criteria send us a PM. Cash is available and for the right property, we can move quickly as we are in Bulgaria now and very keen to do a deal and can ...
Thank you, I have now. Pity these sites don't have a section specifically for property wanted. When leting my apartments in the UK I check the property wanted sections of several sites before even placing an ad; I also set up an alert so that I know ... Read More
New Home Wanted
My wife and I are looking for a new home. If you are selling a property which fits the following criteria send us a PM. Cash is available and for the right property, we can move quickly as we are in Bulgaria now and very keen to do a deal and can ... Read More
land registry
The Municipality will arrange it for a small fee. Consider also the need to have a technical passport by the end of 2016. It may be worth doing the work to obtain one now as the price for doing the survey work will increase not only with time but ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Having checked with the NRA I understnd that if you are foreigner buying property in Bulgaria and have not registered a Bulgarian company you are required to make a separate BULSTAT registration within 7 days of purchasing a property. This ... Read More
Estate agents? by Liora
Does anyone know of any estate agents in Sofia, Bulgaria? Could you please tell me the name or the link to their website. :)
With your level of experience you must know about Technical Passports. Perhaps you would share what you know with those of us us who are floundering in the dark. Are they now mandatory for al new build and renovations which require planning ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Perhaps you do use lawyers and accountants but what you said, and the comment to which I referred was "I just helped 2 couples to do their financial report and tax return for 4 years." That says you helped them, not your lawyer or accountant. Not ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
That seems to me a very sensible route to take as I understand that a renovation which does not change the structural walls does not require planning permission or building consent. Also, as you say, I can see why the process of changing from a flat ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Have your friends heard from the tax authorities yet saying that there are definitely no fines? Considering an earlier post did you employed an architect to redesign the house, submit your plans for approval and obtain the necessary building ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
You have certainly been living in interesting times. Unfortunate though your experiences are they do emphasise how difficult it can be to distinguish between the two types of people who make up this world. Since I wrote the comment you quoted I have ... Read More
Savings Interest Rates by fidobsa
I don't live in Bulgaria although I do own a Building plot in Nikiup. I've heard that some banks in Bulgaria offer good interest rates on savings accounts. Do you think my money would be safe in a Bulgarian bank and can anyone recommend a good ...
What interests me is the disclosure rules. If one is overseas how does the UK tax man know what you have been paid by a Bulgarian Bank? Do the banks send lists of customers with their addresses and interest paid each year to HMRC? Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Welcome, Welcome and Welcome Anastasia, I'm sure if you are experienced in property management you will be able to throw some light on the mysterious subject of Technical Passports. Have you heard of them? Is it true that every building will ... Read More
looking for some guidelines of Sofia by epeniche
Hi, I have been reading all the information posted on this Blog and I found it really useful. I am planning to move to Sofia on an expatriate assignment and before I get in to the negotiation stage with the company I was looking for some guidelines ...
Just one caution. People do eat more fresh food here than in the west and vegetables bought n the market are generally fresher and taste more like vegetables than those in the west. Supermarkets, however, are less inclined to follow the sell by ... Read More
Registration/ address card ? in Bulgaria by Lesley&Yan
Hi everyone we are just about ready to come to Bulgaria now, can anyone tell me what the proccess is to register ect do we need an address first? do we need a bank account ? what are the steps we need to take to become resident in the country ...
The relevant EU website is EU Portal Read More
Registration/ address card ? in Bulgaria by Lesley&Yan
Hi everyone we are just about ready to come to Bulgaria now, can anyone tell me what the proccess is to register ect do we need an address first? do we need a bank account ? what are the steps we need to take to become resident in the country ...
It's nice to see more than one language on the forum. Translating is no problem; just turn to Google - maybe, being a Bulgarian forum it should be in Bulgarian! "You only need to prove ke you have more than 3oo euro to live monthly (contract work ... Read More
Registration/ address card ? in Bulgaria by Lesley&Yan
Hi everyone we are just about ready to come to Bulgaria now, can anyone tell me what the proccess is to register ect do we need an address first? do we need a bank account ? what are the steps we need to take to become resident in the country ...
Are you both passport holders from EU countries? Read More
Estate agents? by Liora
Does anyone know of any estate agents in Sofia, Bulgaria? Could you please tell me the name or the link to their website. :)
Better than a list of Estate Agents, here's a source of properties for sale and to let in the province of Sofia imot.bg/pcgi/imot.cgi Read More
Planning Procedure by worldlywanderer
response from an architect when asked why the fee for plans for the land was likely to be the same as the plans for the house (which is not being extended): 1.Geodesy and vertical planing - this is a digital picture of the relief of the terrain ...
IS it a legal requirement to have a technical passport when a house is sold? Read More
Estate agents? by Liora
Does anyone know of any estate agents in Sofia, Bulgaria? Could you please tell me the name or the link to their website. :)
Perhaps you would find it more convenient to search in Google which will provide many options and if that is not enough try Golden Pages. Read More
Learning Bulgarian - Mutual Support Group by worldlywanderer
I have just moved to Bulgaria and need to learn to speak Bulgarian but there are no other people I can find close to me who have the same need. It seems to me that Skype is the perfect solution. A group of like minded people, some British, some ...
I'm inclined to agree with Edislaw's view that a commercial organisation using their web address as a screen name is advertising, need I would go so far as to describe it as blatant advertising. The logic used by the representative of the language ... Read More
Planning Procedure by worldlywanderer
response from an architect when asked why the fee for plans for the land was likely to be the same as the plans for the house (which is not being extended): 1.Geodesy and vertical planing - this is a digital picture of the relief of the terrain ...
You are addressing your remarks to the wrong person as I do not have an architect in Bulgaria. If you read the thread thoroughly you'll find my purpose is to search for an architect. It seems to me your purpose in joining in this discussion is not ... Read More
Planning Procedure by worldlywanderer
response from an architect when asked why the fee for plans for the land was likely to be the same as the plans for the house (which is not being extended): 1.Geodesy and vertical planing - this is a digital picture of the relief of the terrain ...
Clearly, a number of people on this forum did think they could renovate without plans and from the evidence of my own eyes it is a common belief amongst Bulgarians. As for the requirements being similar to the UK, they are not, nor is everything ... Read More
Planning Procedure
response from an architect when asked why the fee for plans for the land was likely to be the same as the plans for the house (which is not being extended): 1.Geodesy and vertical planing - this is a digital picture of the relief of the terrain ... Read More
Registering a birth in Bulgaria
There being no discrimination in Bulgaria the procedure for registering a birth is the same for all. The birth is registered at the relevant department of the Municipality whose website gives all the necessary information. Read More
Architect, Builder, Surveyor
As the search for a property matures I must turn my thoughts to what to do with it when found. Much as I believe in supporting local tradesmen I prefer to live in a house which will still be here after I've gone and one in which all of the bits work ... Read More
Learning Bulgarian - Mutual Support Group by worldlywanderer
I have just moved to Bulgaria and need to learn to speak Bulgarian but there are no other people I can find close to me who have the same need. It seems to me that Skype is the perfect solution. A group of like minded people, some British, some ...
It's curious how the idea of a self-help group manages to create controversy. I can think f a couple of other commercial companies offering self-help courses and the description by Edislaw also applies to L----ne ut apparently in only fifteen ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
For the benefit of of all who have offered a positive contribution to this thread may I quote from the Bulgarian governemnet website http://www.property-in-bulgaria.bg/ which was establshed last year to provide a guide, in English for those ... Read More
Learning Bulgarian - Mutual Support Group by worldlywanderer
I have just moved to Bulgaria and need to learn to speak Bulgarian but there are no other people I can find close to me who have the same need. It seems to me that Skype is the perfect solution. A group of like minded people, some British, some ...
There are, I imagine, many such groups in Sofia and more cosmopolitan areas of Bulgaria but they are of little use if you are hundreds or even ten of thousands of miles away. Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Ah, so now you are an estate agent! There is nothing to be gained by ranting. I did not say you do not know what you are talking about nor did I say that you did not read everything. What I said was that I clearly had not made myself clear. I ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Thank you for attempting to answer the questions but I do not agree that anything involved in house purchase is the lawyer's job. It is the responsibility of the buyer to find out all that is needed to know about a house purchase. A Lawyer is merely ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
It seems to me that this thread has departed so far from its original intent as to be useless. The administrator was looking for a check list of what to look for when buying a house and tips on the PROCESS. As someone currently involved in that ... Read More
Buying a house by Kazman
We are looking for a property in rhodope mountains. Holiday home initially until children old enough to fend for themselves! Anyone suggest any good estate agents please? Hoping to visit October half term. Many thanks.
Please note adres.bg is an Agency website. Read More
Learning Bulgarian - Mutual Support Group by worldlywanderer
I have just moved to Bulgaria and need to learn to speak Bulgarian but there are no other people I can find close to me who have the same need. It seems to me that Skype is the perfect solution. A group of like minded people, some British, some ...
Good Morning Kakarutto and thank you for being the first to offer to join the group. My idea is simple. There is a growing number of people around the world who wish to speak English because it is now recognised as the international language. There ... Read More
Learning Bulgarian - Mutual Support Group
I have just moved to Bulgaria and need to learn to speak Bulgarian but there are no other people I can find close to me who have the same need. It seems to me that Skype is the perfect solution. A group of like minded people, some British, some ... Read More
importing vehicle. by trojan2012
Hi could any Brits who have imported a car FROM Bulgaria, give me any idea of what you had to go through in the UK to register the vehicle, I am thinking of exporting a Soviet Era vehicle. What will I need for the DVLA, please. Cheers, P:S I am ex ...
For EU plated vehicles the process is straight-forward. There is advice on governemnt websites leaving only the need to change headlights on the four-wheeler and the langage as surmountable barriers. I drive a RHD car in Bulgaria without dificulty ... Read More
Chelnik by peterb52
Is there anyone lives in Chelnik or close by as we are considering moving there in a few months any info on the area would be useful, properties for sale in the area or estate agents with property to sell in or near would be useful.
We have been renting near Sandanski from a British person; a three bedroom house, fully furnished with all mod cons. Sadly, we probably eat and drink a little more than we should and would eat out at least twice a week. We have also spent some time ... Read More
Buying a house by Kazman
We are looking for a property in rhodope mountains. Holiday home initially until children old enough to fend for themselves! Anyone suggest any good estate agents please? Hoping to visit October half term. Many thanks.
Personally, L would not recommend ay of the large online agents but rather would search the Bulgarian language property sites to research the market and identify which of the local agents operate in your area of interest. My wife and I are ... Read More
Retirement in Bulgaria by Pw
Thinking about retiring somewhere warm with a low cost of living? Bulgaria would be a good place to start, well so it seems according to the press. So what is the big attraction for retirement in Bulgaria? A very low cost of living is a major ...
It is also possible to withdraw money from an ATM with a debit card which draws funds from an account outside Bulgaria. When the overseas government pays a pension in another currency to a bank outside of the home country the conversion to Euro or ... Read More
Gambia by gambiakennington
Can anyone tell me as a British person what I would need to do if and when I leave England to live in the Gambia with my husband who is Gambian, and works here in England?
A thick skin to protect you from the bottom-pinchers; a deep purse to fund your stay since evry male Gambian will do what he can to extract whatever is in it; a desire to have children chase you, sometimes in gangs yelling toobab (two-bob) give me ... Read More
Buying in Bulgaria by buster900
Has anyone had the experience of buying a property off E-Bay or other sites in which they have not viewed the property before they bought it?.There are 4 or 5 sellers in the area in which i am going to buy some say they will help in arranging travel ...
Hate to break up the party and return to topic but may I, for a moment concentrate on buying a property on Ebay. First, I agree with the general advice that it is not a good idea. Second, I'm astonished that a legal professional should join the ... Read More
Buying a House with land in Bulgaria by auldfart
Hi folks, Could you clarify something for me please? I intend buying a house with 1000sq. mtr in Bulgaria. I have been told i cannot own the land until 2014. Is this true? Thanks
The plot size you are seeking is average or most Bulgarian villages. Location depends on lifestyle ambitions. If you want the bright lights then Sofia, Varna or Bourgas will suit you but you are more likely to find an apartment than a house with ... Read More
175 euros. My bill for "owning a business" 2012 by Pastirka
In process of securing title deeds. Family want 760 levs for expenses. My lawyer wants 175 euros for my business tax 2011/2012. I don't own the house yet. Please bloggers, any comparisons out there or similar experience. thanks
I find this thread somewhat confusing since it suggests sharing something on the Bulgaria Forum yet it appears on the Bulgaria forum. It does, however, raise a couple of moot points worth developing: 1. Even if it is the case that a company pays no ... Read More
seeking some SOLID advice about moving to Bulgaria by the captains
Hello everyone My partner and I left the UK six years ago. We have been working all over the world chartering on yachts. We have now decided it is time to settle down again on land but will not be returning to the UK. We have been looking at ...
Everything depends on where you decide to base yourself. It is possible to get half-board for two for €30 per night. A decent apartment, fully furnished should be achievable if you book 6 months or more for €250 per month. You need to trawl every ... Read More
seeking some SOLID advice about moving to Bulgaria by the captains
Hello everyone My partner and I left the UK six years ago. We have been working all over the world chartering on yachts. We have now decided it is time to settle down again on land but will not be returning to the UK. We have been looking at ...
The on piece of advice I would give at this stage is be very careful about location. Bansko is fine if you want skiing business, I'm not so sure about the summer. Many parts of Bulgaria are cold and snowy for several weeks each year and the rule is ... Read More
Living the Dream by worldlywanderer
After a dozen years of searching over four continents we seem, at last, to have identified a place to live. It's not as if we knew nothing about it nor had we missed it on our travels, we've even looked at property there. Now we know, In the same ...
We start our search next month - watch this space. Read More
Living the Dream
I advise reading the Gambia Escapee blog which also reflects my experience Read More
Retirement in Bulgaria by Pw
Thinking about retiring somewhere warm with a low cost of living? Bulgaria would be a good place to start, well so it seems according to the press. So what is the big attraction for retirement in Bulgaria? A very low cost of living is a major ...
Why does Svetlanik think registration has some magical effect on an estate agent? Isn't it more likely that you will be told whatever the estate agent thinks suits him best, registered or not? Read More
Caring for a house while vacant and For Sale
For anyone wanting, or needing to leave Bulgaria it must be a huge problem deciding what to do about your home when leaving it behind for sale. First, any property left empty starts to deteriorate immediately; plants die, the pool turns green, small ... Read More
Buying property in Bulgaria by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Bulgaria? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Bulgaria? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
I read the initial post here and decided not to participate because the advice the administrator was requesting should only come from someone with experience and expertise. Some of the posts so far have confirmed my belief that my initial thinking ... Read More
Savings Interest Rates by fidobsa
I don't live in Bulgaria although I do own a Building plot in Nikiup. I've heard that some banks in Bulgaria offer good interest rates on savings accounts. Do you think my money would be safe in a Bulgarian bank and can anyone recommend a good ...
Thanks for the arithmetic lesson but my response was directed at another poster who seemed to think the charge was based on the deposit. Read More
Savings Interest Rates by fidobsa
I don't live in Bulgaria although I do own a Building plot in Nikiup. I've heard that some banks in Bulgaria offer good interest rates on savings accounts. Do you think my money would be safe in a Bulgarian bank and can anyone recommend a good ...
I've been looking at savings rates on the web and certain banks in Bulgaria offer quite complex rates - nearly impossible for the layman to comprehend. Any links to banks who are currently offering interesting rates would be greatly ... Read More
Living the Dream by worldlywanderer
After a dozen years of searching over four continents we seem, at last, to have identified a place to live. It's not as if we knew nothing about it nor had we missed it on our travels, we've even looked at property there. Now we know, In the same ...
Thanks for the suggestion; it's clearly a well kept secret as Google doesn'y recognise the name, where is it? Read More
Living the Dream by worldlywanderer
After a dozen years of searching over four continents we seem, at last, to have identified a place to live. It's not as if we knew nothing about it nor had we missed it on our travels, we've even looked at property there. Now we know, In the same ...
I have many memories of Indonesia but couldn't really stand a constant diet of Baxo. There is, however, a valid comparison between Indonesia and Bulgaria. Indonesia offers a rich variety of climatic condition; not surprising when one considers the ... Read More
almost bought a house :) but no net by biff
I came over to buy a house somewhere in Bg. Found my area and possibly the house. Slight problem that due to its mountain position it may not be possible to have internet. It has a sat dish. Anyone have good coverage in the mountains with satellite ...
I've driven through Romania and Bulgaria, all around Turkey and back through Greece, Italy and France. After six thousand miles, mainly in Eastern Europe we were hit by a Belgian truck as we left the Dover Ferry Terminal. There are actually some ... Read More
Living the Dream
After a dozen years of searching over four continents we seem, at last, to have identified a place to live. It's not as if we knew nothing about it nor had we missed it on our travels, we've even looked at property there. Now we know, In the same ... Read More
Living the Dream
Having spent some time in The Gambia I have, perhaps, fewer illusions about the reality of life there. The smiling coast hides well the dull eyes of misery and the growling belly of hunger. I chanced upon a blog today, however, which is clearly ... Read More
learning mandinka
I wouldn't bother unless you plan to live in the bush with a group who specifically speak the language. Gambians, particularly those who come in contact with Expats ALL speak English and prefer to do so as it makes a statement about their level of ... Read More
Cost of living in Gambia by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Gambia. Don't forget to mention where in Gambia you are living. How much does it cost to live in Gambia? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares (tube, bus ...
The cost of living in any developing country depends totally on your lifestyle. It is possible to rent a room for two breakfast in a small guest house for £22 per night. It is also possible to spend £600 per month on a furnished one bedroom ... Read More
Moving To Gambia by shehisgorgeous
Hi guys, In need of some help. I'm looking to relocate to Gambia next year, tired of UK living!! I'm in need of the following good primary schools and affordable home to rent for a while. Any help/advice would be much ...
Yes, the local taxis are cheap enough but not particularly flexible if you want to look for letting property and not be tied by time. We would drive down but the scams in Senegal put us off - too easy a target! It seems the best option would be to ... Read More
Moving To Gambia by shehisgorgeous
Hi guys, In need of some help. I'm looking to relocate to Gambia next year, tired of UK living!! I'm in need of the following good primary schools and affordable home to rent for a while. Any help/advice would be much ...
Hi, I hope neither of you objects to me joining in. My wife and I are also looking to relocate. We've tried Spain and it's too tame. We have travelled to evry part of The Gambia and believe it should be possible to find somewhere with decent ... Read More
accommodation by mags13
I'm moving to Gambia to live at the end of June. Does anyone have any info on TAF Homes - quality / problems / customer service etc. please? Also, what about other builders - any that you'd recommend?
Hi Neil, We are currently thinking of buying near Gunjur, remodelling and building a sensible sized pool. I'm told the current favoured pool building method in The Gambia is a block work construction covered in fibreglass. I have no fondness for ... Read More
accommodation by mags13
I'm moving to Gambia to live at the end of June. Does anyone have any info on TAF Homes - quality / problems / customer service etc. please? Also, what about other builders - any that you'd recommend?
What timing, We are planning to move to The Gambia later this year so will watch the responses to this thread with great interest. Our plan is to rent initially so any comments in that direction would be of interest to us. Don't mean to hijack your ... Read More
Gambia by car
We have travelled over most of West Africa by public transport and now that the new road has been, all but, completed through Mauritania we are considering driving down in our Smart car. We know how mad that sounds but then we were told ten years ... Read More