Real Life in Bulgaria - Molly's Story
79Finding your Dream Region
Experiences and Insights
I have invited my friend Molly to describe her experiences and insights about living and buying property in Bulgaria. Molly writes:
"I met my Bulgarian husband on Match.com six years ago, and insisted that when we could free up a little money we should buy a village house. We settled on NE Bulgaria due to research suggesting it might be more slowly affected by climate change, and one look at the beautiful valley village of Kamenovo sold us on a cottage there. However, my husband gradually revealed himself as a city boy to the core, with no interest at all in agriculture or gardening, and I found keeping a large plot of land on my own too much work.
A neighbor's daughter one day asked if we'd like to see Tutrakan and its sweeping view of the Danube. At the time not even many Bulgarians seemed to know where it was, and the town had scant coverage in any of the conventional guidebooks. But when we saw it, we knew it was *the Place* for us, situated on high hills overlooking the river to Romania, with a still extant fishing community and a traditional fisherman's quarter which seemed ready made for an historical film set. My husband likes fishing, and is a film production manager. We decided to buy anything we could find for the small amount of money we had in the bank, and acquired two very basic, tiny cottages on a small plot with magnificent views.
Click here for link to PowerPoint presentation of Tutrakan's Museums
Click here for the Kalimok-Brushlen eco-protection group:
Click here for a Map of the Tutrakan Region
Danube villages near Tutrakan
Fortunately there are still many small Danube villages in the outlying areas where property is reasonable, often with fabulous orchards (apricots are a prime crop here) and empty beaches nearby. Most of these villages are slightly inland, with biosphere reserves along the river, perfect for fishing and birding. One such village is Dolno Ryakovo, which is surrounded along the coast on either side by as yet unpaved Roman roads and the remains of a fort, legacy of a Legionnaire's route between the principal towns of Silistra, Tutrakan and Rousse. The views are stunning and a hiker's paradise.
There is currently a bike trail between Tutrakan and its closest Danube village, Pozharevo, where a number of foreigners have bought houses. It is more like a farm cluster than a village, however, and doesn't have a beach of its own because there are still sand digs going on there, though that will stop eventually. The next village is Dunavets, which is even smaller, though there are a few properties with river views. After Dunavets, the Roman road continues to Dolno Ryakovo, but you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to pass it comfortably, or else a good pair of hiking shoes. It is heavily forested, as well, with wild walnuts and other fruit trees as well as pine and oak. In total, the distance between Tutrakan and Dolno Ryakovo is about 15 kilometres.
After Dolno Ryakovo, the Roman road continues on a higher plain, with spectacular river views and the remains of the Roman fortress. After 5 more km, it reaches Malik Preslavets, which has a famed lake where you can see rare birds and water lilies, though the town is considerably inland since the lake is under strict ecological control. However Malik Preslavets has been a known tourist attraction since the 80s, and property prices are notably higher. There has been talk of an Italian holiday cottage complex being built there, but whether it ever happens depends on getting around eco-zoning regulations.
Dolno Ryakovo is certainly where the best house bargains are at the moment, since it is not part of the Tutrakan municipality and is relatively isolated by the Roman roads. Additionally, there was a planned policy of isolation by the communists in the 80s, because many of the residents are Turkish speaking and the government began an ugly pogrom policy to try and drive them away, even though there have been Turks in Bulgaria since the 9th century, long before the Ottoman Empire. These people are not religious and eat pork and drink wine just as Bulgarian villagers do but Bulgarian investors can be prejudiced, and this is one of the reasons Dolno Ryakovo is so beautifully untouched. We have a small house with an orchard there, and we know of one other foreign buyer. The beach, a scant 1 km from the village center, is completely empty and commands sweeping views in all directions-- you can even see Tutrakan!
Currently, to reach Dolno Ryakovo conveniently in a car, you need to enter it from the main Silistra highway, which is rather a longer distance than along the coast.
Whether or not a village like Dolno Ryakovo would work for you depends on what at kind of lifestyle you are looking for. People interested in this part of the Danube coast should consider eco-tourism activities, hiking hostels etc, taking advantage of what can soon be launched as a 'Roman Road' tour. This area is also great for artistic types like sculptors, craftspeople, painters or writers, or anyone fond of relative isolation and undisturbed views.
As Cathi says, in "Relocating in Bulgaria" every potential buyer should carefully consider their needs, lifestyle requirements and long terms plans before choosing an area. Towns inland from the river with rich, black Danube basin soil, such as Staro Selo and Belitsa, have magnificent agricultural potential and friendly, tight-knit communities as well as some English speaking residents, but tend to be flatter. Choose the Danube coast for orchards and low-impact tourism, such as campsites and bike or birding groups. The village of Kamenovo, further inland, already has a campsite with spectacular valley views and a number UK buyers, but don't expect to find even such fancy food as olive oil in the small shops, let alone building supplies - you need to do your shopping in Kubrat or Razgrad! Are you ready to take up organic farming, or is your partner bothered by the sounds and smells of cattle, as mine was ;)?
We love this area, and access to Bucharest across the Danube from Rousse is important since the airport is much nearer than Varna or Sofia. And don't pay much attention to the bigger Bulgarian agents, who have rarely even seen the properties they advertise. Talk to your friends, and talk to us!
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Hi Dave
I am in the Rousse area - click the "contact" link on my profile and drop me an email if you want to
Cathi
Hello Kathy. I am often in Rousse as I own 4 properties there. Love the town and the people are great.
Great to hear from you if you have a minute.
Kind regards Paul.
Hi Paul How would I contact you?
Cathi
What sort of price would a house in Rousse cost? are there many english speakers there?
Hi Tony
Houses close to Rousse command a little more than houses in villages further from the cities and in the CENTRE of the city an apartment or house is significantly more expensive. Best to look at a village around 10km within easy reach of the city but with the benefits of a village.
There are many types of houses commanding various prices, the minimum cost being for a house that is sound but requires at least decorating and installation of a bathroom and kitchen and probably renovation (repairs to roof, new windows. . ) This type of house would usually have at least 700 metres of land and probably more (usually already cultivated and tidy too) and you could pick it up for around 15000 euros. It's much less when you go further from the city.
There is an english speaking community forming in this area, amongst those living within a 40 k radius of the city - It is fragmented as people are quite scattered and social activity involves a fair bit of travelling. People are very friendly and accomodate guests for social occasions. Many prefer not to be too close to a lot of english speaking neighbours and came here to adopt a different culture and lifesyle. Independence and individuality are benefits of this wider spread community.
Hello,
I work on an American TV Show that is a documentary of buyers looking for a home to buy in other countries outside the USA. We'd love to find a way to work with English-speaking buyers who are planning to purchase a home/holiday home in Bulgaria. Would you happen to have any ideas about how I can find such people?
Thanks!
Holly (hollymosiello@gmail.com)
hi cathi
i tried to make contact through ebay, regarding the artisan cottage but got no reply. i am interested in either of the houses in Dolno Ryakovo and was wondering if it was straight forward hiring a car and travelling from bucharest airport? i would be interested in similar properties between rouse and Dolno Ryakovo . we would be initially using it as a peaceful holiday getaway, with plans to move there permanently later. so we are wondering if we would need someone to keep an eye on the place while we are in the uk. and if when we come over viewing there are companies to find such properties to see.
thanks
john ps tell holly i'll go on telly
Hello Cathy. Just returned to the UK for a week after having a month in BG and Rousse. My email address is paulhawtin@yahoo.com
Sorry it took so long to get back to you! Maybe see you in Rousse next week.
PS-Its raining in the UK again!!!
Hello Cathi
Incidentally, I stumbled on your mail on the Internet while browsing for accommodation in Bulgaria and I jumped on the opportunity to contact you for some advice you may provide.
We are an Israeli retired couple living in a city apartment in Israel. I myself have been born in Bulgaria and speak the local language.
I have some kind of a dream to live in a Bulgarian village not far away from a large city, so we can enjoy both,
My idea is to rent a hose for few months in a year for the beginning and decide latter if to buy.
Could you give me an idea for a monthly living costs should I have to expect before taking any measures and the possibilities to rent a small reasonable house in a fair price.
I apologize in advance for " jumping" suddenly into your life with no permission and hope you may help with advice we can fulfill our dream.
Thank you in advance
Sincerely – Joseph Sadeh
Hello Cathi
Incidentally, I stumbled on your mail on the Internet while browsing for accommodation in Bulgaria and I jumped on the opportunity to contact you for some advice you may provide.
We are an Israeli retired couple living in a city apartment in Israel. I myself have been born in Bulgaria and speak the local language.
I have some kind of a dream to live in a Bulgarian village not far away from a large city, so we can enjoy both,
My idea is to rent a hose for few months in a year for the beginning and decide latter if to buy.
Could you give me an idea for a monthly living costs should I have to expect before taking any measures and the possibilities to rent a small reasonable house in a fair price.
I apologize in advance for " jumping" suddenly into your life with no permission and hope you may help with advice we can fulfill our dream.
Thank you in advance
Sincerely – Joseph Sadeh
hello all you kind commenters, and apologies to those of you who might have been trying to make contact through ebay. If you are interested please contact me at danubedreamer@gmail.com --Ebay has a limit on correspondence and that may be what happened. We know of a good few props on the mkt near here (Tutrakan) and would be happy to help.
hello all you kind commenters, and apologies to those of you who might have been trying to make contact through ebay. If you are interested please contact me at danubedreamer@gmail.com --Ebay has a limit on correspondence and that may be what happened. We know of a good few props on the mkt near here (Tutrakan) and would be happy to help.
hello all you kind commenters, and apologies to those of you who might have been trying to make contact through ebay. If you are interested please contact me at danubedreamer@gmail.com --Ebay has a limit on correspondence and that may be what happened. We know of a good few props on the mkt near here (Tutrakan) and would be happy to help.
Some lovely pics of rural Bulgaria here. An interesting read, thanks
Great photos of Bulgaria. Love traveling from my Internet chair.
Enjoyed the link to the slideshow too.
 | Amazon Price: $14.08 List Price: $23.00 |
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The Rough Guide to Bulgaria by Dan Richardson (1999, Paperback)-APR2712
Current Bid: $3.79
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NEW - Bulgaria (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)
Current Bid: $21.22
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Lonely Planet Bulgaria (Country Guide) By Richard Watkins,Tom Masters
Current Bid: $1.99
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WW1 Uniforms Equipment Central Powers - Austria Hungary Bulgaria - Ref Guide
Current Bid: $69.95
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The Rough Guide to Bulgaria 4 (Rough Guide Travel Gui..
Current Bid: $.99
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Lonely Planet Bulgaria (Country Guide)
Current Bid: $1.04
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Dave 3 years ago
Thanks very much for your info, which is very informative. My family and myself will be visiting Bulgaria very soon for 16 days with the hope of buying a propertiy in Rousse or the surrounding area. I think the village life would suit us fine.
Hope to meet English families while on holiday if possible.
You were most informing, many thanks.
Dave