Anyone Live In Bulgaria???
 

I heard that income tax is a flat 10% over there. Just wondered what the living is like when the state takes so little....... whats the crime like? Is the health service any good? Curious to hear views.

yeah man good times.

I live in the Balkans. Bulgaria it's pretty cheap, don't know about tax rate but the biggest downside is that they have highly organized crime. Their prime minister Borisov was a mobster in the past. You got nice clubs there, hot girls but the crime is the only downside

income tax is 10% also in Serbia and in Bosnia (neighbor countries)...
crime rate is high in Bulgaria and corruption is at very high level...

income tax is 10%
but there are mandatory other things such as health coverage
I think my mother's tax rate is around 40% when all is said and done

crime - depends.
Most of it is theft, the rest are just dark elements clearing each other out for domination or what have you.

Just don't cross the mafia. If you want to make money online you're okay. In the offline world you may have to give up completely if you step on someone's toes and you often won't know it right away. My mother wanted to launch a business offline and couldn't because some douche claimed it was his market, he's well known, connected and protected so it wasn't worth it going against him. Not saying it's typical but...

If you want to shoot porn you can't, it's illegal. Or you can but with bribes, and even then the black berets might still hammer your doors down and parade you as the "uk man's porno operation busted'. Lately for some reason a lot of shady people who pay the piper have been made an example of

Health - if you're in Sofia you're okay. The university hospital "Queen Joanna" is considered one of the best, 'St Ekaterina' as well - it's mainly a cardiology hospital and has tons of great professors working there. Lozenetz Hospital is also a university hospital, used to be called 'Government Hospital' - it's known as the place where politicians and connected people often go.

It's better than it used to be but depends on what you expect and what you're used to in the UK

Sofia is a drab looking cold city where the women are HOT when they are young but once they get older..................

dont move to bulgaria its a shit hole

I guess if you're paying off the police and mafia it makes it really easy to find you when they want to make an example of someone:)

Yes, 7,351,234 people live in Bulgaria according to their February 2011 census. However the CIA has a July 2011 estimate of 7,093,635 so I guess something's going down soon.

All depends where you coming from? If you moving from the UK, might be a bit of a downgrade.... but the women a HAWT

Yes, the taxes are 10%, the crime is high, corruption same, medical system - I didn`t dare to step in a hospital because I heard some bad stories but until I see I don`t trust.
I met some employees in hotels I visited and they were pretty much depressed on the conditions. Many of them were dreaming to work in Romania because of their low salaries.
Still, the prices of apartments are at half as in Romania and everything is cheaper than here.
I like Varna. A nice and clean city.

Arnt there some good areas in Bulgaria where conditions are better and rich people live?

I dont like the idea of high crime especially dangerous crime. Im more concerned about violence and muggings then say theft or vandalism.

I live in Bulgaria; people that say that crime is high are retards - that much I can promise you. If you have any questions, just ask.

I will make a long post with the good, the bad, and the ugly in a few minutes....

I was thinking about moving to Bulgaria, but there seem to be so much corruption, you cant trust _anyone_ there.
I rather choose a country like Cyprus. 10% taxes, it's more expensive but still....

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1. Crime ? right now, probably one of the safest places to live in Europe. Your chances of being mugged, beaten up, attacked, assaulted, etc. are pretty much next to nothing. I have never been subject to violent crime (touch wood) and neither has any of my friends. You should still use your common sense ? a big city in Bulgaria comes with the same risks as a big city in any other country.


2. Corruption ? yup, it exists, but people have the wrong idea. I have never given a bribe to anyone since I have been back (more than three years) and I live perfectly fine. If you want to run an offline business, the chances of you having to pay here and there to speed things up, avoid fines, etc. are quite high.


3. Prices ? everything is quite cheap: rent, Internet, food, clothes, you name it.


4. Medical care ? world class if you live in a big city and can afford the private hospitals. If you go to a state hospital, you would probably run away scared, the doctors there might be as good as anywhere else, but buildings, equipment, etc. are in dismal state. Dental care ? the same, but prices are still lower than almost anywhere else in Europe.


5. Roads ? terrible. Potholes everywhere, so if you want to drive, you better keep your eyes peeled.


6. Internet ? 100mb/sec is the highest speed that you can get, but it?s only available in the big cities. I have two lines ? one ADSL and one fiber 40mb/sec and I am paying about $50 per month for both.


7. TV ? I have cable with 160 channels + HBO and Cinemax, paying $20 per month. If you want porn, you would have to pay ~ $5 more per month for five-six adult channels.


8. Filth ? things have gotten a bit better, but some places are still seriously filthy.


9. Noise ? if you decide to rent an apartment, be warned that anyone can start renovating and banging on the walls at any time. Once your first neighbor is done, the second one will start.


10. Food, nothing to write home about, but pretty cheap. You will find KFC, McDonalds, Subway, etc. in every big city and plenty of restaurants, but most of the restaurants tend to have more or less the same menu. Alcohol - very cheap and sold everywhere.


11. Smaller towns and villages are pretty much fucked. No medical care at all, no police, no high speed Internet, poor quality of life.


12. Weather ? love the autumn and the summer. The winter sucks, but I live by the sea, so not too many snowy days.


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Has Bulgaria evolved the past years? Remember a few years ago they were pushed hard by the European Union for corruption and organised crime. Contract killings was common. Has that changed in any way?

Only been there a few weeks myself and people were friendly etc, everything dirt cheap but wouldn't want to live anywhere close.

Corporate tax is 10% but it's 30% for self-employed persons

Hey Antonio. Thanks so much for the awesome detailed feedback........ which cities do you think would be most popular to live in and especially for someone from a city (Im from London, UK)?

I was in Sofia for five days or so, two years ago... and it really sucks down there (and I'm from Croatia, so I know what I'm saying).

On the positive note - clubs, strippers, women, prostitution - that part is great :)

very high crime rate

gypsies will mug you

Belgrade if you like night life:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle5082856.ece

I'd say Varna is Otay.

Antonio, I planing to go to Sunny Beach this summer. Do you know if there is a mobile broadband provider in Sunny Beach, which I can connect to my laptop as you pay per day / week or month to use?

Tanks.

My parents have a home in Bulgaria, the living is pretty bad.. its all mafia country. Lots of cash being paid into the wrong places :( Nice & lovely country with fantastic summers but the winters are cold, like minus 10 :( Roads a terrible but fantastic hospitals & great health services. The crime rate is reasonably high due to many gypsies, however the policing is very good, and most robbers are caught.
Good luck with your decision :)

south Bulgaria is ok with crime -no problem at all- you also have free entrance to Greece anytime you want and its less than one hour driving to be at one big greek city(Thessaloniki).

Always keep an eye on your car.

People are reading way too much into this whole stereotyping business.

Varna would be my first choice, followed by Sofia; Sofia can be quite depressing, especially in the winter, but to each their own.


I don't have a clue, better call the hotel and ask. I live very close and drive pass there probably once a week; if you want me to stop and ask or call them on the phone, let me know, not a problem at all.

there is a chance that gypsies will kill you just to drink your blood in some witchcraft ritual. otherwise not a bad place.

the best thing about Bulgaria: the living is cheap

worst thing: you need to always have an eye on your car, you may lost it

Thank if fine. It looks like wi-fi in hotel room and broadband is rare in hotels in Sunny Beach. Just found two hotels in Sunny Beach who has it, and then it costs 5 ? / 24h. Seems to only be available in the lobby.

We will go to sunny Beach in the late May and stay for 1 or 2 weeks.

Antonio, Here is my ICQ 423478231 maybe you have time for a beer/drink in Sunny Beach.

Mikael / Sweden.

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh ...

i heard it is a great place.
great athletes too!