I'm not sure if I'm allowed/supposed to answer that directly!
There are indeed on-line forums aimed primarily at Brits/Irish who either have holiday homes or indeed live here. Like most of these things, they contain a small amount of good information amongst a huge pile of ill-informed opinion masquerading as "fact", back-biting and feuding. You'll find the "I Hate Bulgaria" brigade wrangling with the "Bulgaria is Paradise" faction with neither side listening to what the other says
In my opinion, the best of this bad lot is MyBulgaria - try Googling it. (
Mods, please delete this line if it's a no-no! )
When you say "around Sofia" what do you mean exactly, ie how close to the city and in which direction? Crime in some villages is high while in others it's practically non-existent. Like in the UK or anywhere else, it depends on how secure your house is, how close the neighbours are and, most importantly perhaps, what kind of relationship you have with them. If you buy a house in a poor "ethnic minority" village, for example, then it is much more likely (but not inevitable) that your house will be robbed. "Robbed" here is more like what you might recognise as "gutted" - many houses have had the wiring stripped from walls and ceilings, sanitary fittings etc ripped out, windows removed etc....wood-burners/tools/garden machinery are all special favourites among BG burglars. Try to avoid the
Brit Enclaves (or whichever nationality is relevant to you) as you won't be able to escape them or their gossip if you fall out with them....and Brit burglars are not unheard of here!
If you "splash the cash" you are likely to attract attention and the neighbours will talk about you; sooner or later this talk will come to the ears of thieves. Don't go crazy furnishing your new
House in the Sun (although that concept's a bit hard to equate with the current -26 night-time temperatures in Sofia!) Keep your furniture and fittings simple and as cheap as you can - skip the satellite dish unless you really want to tell everyone you have TV and sat equipment inside
If you intend to drive over, buy a van and bring furniture from the UK - even rubbish furniture is pricy here. Although Ikea is now open in Sofia it's by and large more expensive than in the UK, so a van load of second-hand stuff will be a worthwhile investment. You can drive to Sofia in 2-3 days from the UK or there are companies who can bring stuff for you.
When you have more postings, you're welcome to PM me for advice which is best not posted on an open forum but the essential bit is to do as much research as possible....and then some more! Most important of all, don't follow the advice of anyone who is going to make some money out of you - unless it's a decent lawyer who is trying to make sure you don't do something you'll regret. Finally, take
ALL advice with a pinch of salt.....including mine, since what I like you may hate!
