A New Life in Bulgaria: The Realities Behind the Dream
A British family who left the UK for a £7,000 home in Bulgaria have shared their experiences of what it’s really like to live in this Eastern European country. Laura Phoenix, 35, and her husband Anthony, 33, moved to Strazhitsa, a small town in northeastern Bulgaria, with their daughters Cecelia, six, and Nova, three, in September 2023. They previously lived in a two-bedroom house in Darlington, County Durham, but found it difficult to upgrade due to high property prices in the UK.
After selling their home for £85,000, the couple bought an abandoned three-bedroom property in Strazhitsa for just £7,000. Their goal was to create an off-grid lifestyle and enjoy a better quality of life. They spent £5,000 on renovations and say they have never been happier. However, they admit that life in Bulgaria is not as easy as it seems.
The Phoenix family has faced several challenges, including harsh weather and language barriers. Laura, who works as an online English teacher and writer, fell victim to a visa scam shortly after moving. She had to spend six weeks in Bulgaria alone while sorting out the issue, with her husband taking the kids back to the UK. This experience left her stranded and stressed.
She warns others considering a move to Bulgaria to be cautious. “Visa scams are huge over here,” she says. “I had to spend six weeks in Bulgaria alone while it was sorted, while Anthony took the kids back to the UK. It was horrendous.”
Laura also highlights the difficulty of learning Bulgarian. “Bulgarian is an exceptionally difficult language. If you don't learn it, the locals won't respect you. I've dedicated myself to learning the language. There is no work for people who only speak English.”
Despite these challenges, the Phoenix family remains committed to their new life. They were inspired by others who made the move before them and spent two weeks searching for their dream home in May 2022. They sold their business and Darlington home to buy their Bulgarian dream outright before moving the following year.
Now, nearly two years into the renovation, which they estimate is 60% done, Laura says it is finally feeling like a “normal house” after being like “a ruin” with a “giant hole” in the kitchen when they first moved. The couple estimate it may take another two years to complete the renovation. In the meantime, they use their large garden space to grow tomato plants and fresh berries.
They also warn about the harsh winters in Bulgaria. Laura recalls that it got down to minus 30 last winter. “People come here in the summer and don’t see it in the winter—when there is ice on every window.” She adds that many families have struggled to cope with the cold.
The family also faced a devastating scam involving a Bulgarian man who claimed to help with visa paperwork. It turned out he was obtaining visas illegally. Laura had to sort the matter with the help of an immigration lawyer. She says many other British families have fallen victim to similar scams.
Anthony and Laura, who have Irish family, have now obtained Irish citizenship, allowing them to apply for residency in Bulgaria. To apply, they only need to show £500 in each of their bank accounts, which is much lower than the previous requirement of £6,000 each.
Despite the challenges, Laura is glad she made the move. “I have never been happier in my life. It's perfect for me.” She believes that while the lifestyle is not for everyone, it can be rewarding for those who are tough and determined.
Brits have been moving to Bulgaria at a steady rate, with around four new arrivals each week. According to the 2021 Bulgarian census, there were 4,484 Brits living in the country who still held onto their UK citizenship, up from 2,605 ten years prior.
Another couple, Amy and Jerry Smerdon from Somerset, recently moved to Bulgaria with their four sons to fulfill their dream of living off-grid. They bought a former warehouse for £7,000 and are converting it into a liveable home, with monthly bills less than £200. They describe the life as idyllic, with no worries about their children making noise and annoying neighbors as they had in British suburbia.
Mrs. Smerdon said, “It's been our saviour. Everything is so simple and relaxed. It's like going back in time. There is no limit—if you want to do something, you're able to achieve anything you want. No one can tell you that you can't.”