First topic message reminder :

I thought I would start this topic off and get you all to add your own tips. A lot people are choosing to relocate to property in Bulgaria, as they are attracted to the mild climate, gorgeous beaches, and cheaper cost of living. Although Bulgaria is a beautiful place to live, there are always challenges when moving to a new country. a lot of people find that they feel lonely, out of place, or confused after such a big move, even though they are relocating to such a beautiful place. Moving can be emotionally and psychologically stressful, but there are ways that you can prepare yourself so that you will handle the transition with ease and enjoy your new life in Bulgaria.

Here are some tips of mine
Knowing the local language is not only helpful when you buy and sell property in Bulgaria, but it will also give you a huge advantage when you are integrating into your new life in Bulgaria. Also, learning about it in advance will get you mentally prepared for the move well before you leave. It will take many years to become fluent, so don’t get stressed if you can’t speak it very well at first. Instead, focus on learning a few key phrases and words that you can use in everyday conversation. This will help you make friends with the local people, and as you are exposed to the language you will eventually learn it very well and that knowledge will help you have a greater understanding of your surroundings. Although you are enjoying your new home in Bulgaria, it is important to keep in touch with your friends and family back home. There are lots of cheap and easy ways of keeping connect, such as free webcam chats on Skype, frequent emails, or sharing photos on Facebook. These connections are valuable and they will help you feel grounded and will be a support network for you if you ever need help. Why not invite your dearest loved ones to come stay with you in your new home in Bulgaria? They would love the trip, and it will make you feel more at home. If we move somewhere new with the expectation that it will be exactly the same as our old home, we will be disappointed when, of course, it isn’t. Focusing on what Bulgaria doesn’t have is a sure-fire way to be unhappy there. However, if you approach the new location with an open mind and no expectations, it will pleasantly surprise you. Make no assumptions about Bulgaria, only that it will be different than what you are used to. With this attitude, you will realise what is wonderful about Bulgaria and you will fall in love with your new home.

Hmmm...sorry about that Tony - must be too early in the morning for me. I'll take 500 lines and stamp must read posts fully on my computer.

Welcome to your new life in Bulgaria TnT. Tonyb60 thanks for the tip on health. I am a pensioner and have had to get new glasses which entailed an eye test. No word of English spoken but I managed. Also had a minor op on a small growth, no problem and finally went to the village doctor about headaches and dizziness. No word of English spoken but with the aid of a dictionary and some gestures we managed. He diagnosed very high blood pressure and I am now on medication. Having checked with my bio-chemist daughter in UK, he is quite right about the pills I am on. Should I have any more symptoms the village doc (who visits once a week and we all queue up) he will refer me to a specialist in the hospital.
I have been to the dentist several times starting with a broken cap. I have had a bridge put in and the result is excellent all for a fraction of the price in UK and immediate attention. All in all I would say please do not be afraid to consult on any health issue with or without a translator. All the professionals I have seen have been kind and understanding.
Others may disagree about the health issue and, like many things in Bulgaria, it depends a lot on the area or village you live in which goes back to making a wise choice of location!

Yes oldun - I have found the healthcare to be good and thorough here too. We do not suffer from ill health at all. I put it down to good diet (no processed junk food), fresh air, and a much more healthy / outdoor lifestyle.

We (my husband and I) pay monthly for the BG national health. Healthcare for my 5yr old (UK born) son is free through us - A couple of weeks ago he was complaining about his ears hurting, (he was making an unusual amount of fuss about it) it was about 5.30 in the evening so we decided to go to the out of hours doctor, at the hospital, in Yambol. Phoned my leechna lekar (GP) who referred us and told us where to go etc. The decor left a bit to be desired in the corridor - but there were no queues - we were in and out, prescription in hand, within 10 minutes. Back home by 10 PM ready for a good nights sleep.

I had a basic health check when I registered with the doctor...she is really nice. She is great with my son he is not nervous about seeing her at all. She speaks no English but we always get by. Alot of medical terms are the same in both languages. I think if it came to anything more complicated I would take a translator with me. I do look up any drugs I have been given on the internet - just so I fully understand what has been prescribed.

Esta wrote:

. I do look up any drugs I have been given on the internet - just so I fully understand what has been prescribed.

Yes Esta this is a good tip. We do the same I also say 'God bless google translate'

I too, find Google brilliant for checking out drugs. Sometimes there is a slight difference in names because one I am on is made in Bulgaria but it is basically the same contents. The 'translate' is good although not always accurate and can be quite funny when translating ordinary language.
I also agree about the decor in medical centres - it does leave a lot to be desired but I am of the opinion that it is the doctor, his room and diagnosis that is important and not the standard of the corridors. Bulgarians always strike me as a very patient people but being under Communism I guess they got used to queues!

Another tip worth knowing. Is if you live in a Village always have at least 2 bottles of 10 Litres of water at hand. This will cover the frequent water outages that occur. It is also a good idea to have several litres of well water (if you have a well( at hand for flushing the toilet for the same reason.

We have at least 2 torches and several candles to hand for when the Electric goes off at night

Spot on there Tony!!!!

Another thing - Make sure your cupboards/ freezers are kept well stocked in Winter. You never know when the snow is going to come or how big the snow drifts are going to be!.

Maybe keep a shovel near the door too

More good tips. Even if you have the biggest 4x4 you really don't want to go out when the weather gets really bad. Its not just the snow and ice but the way Bulgarians drive and the potholes!!! We don't have a car and somehow the local shop always has stock and the bus always seems to get through, but you never know.....

Never discuss their history, international politics, soccer or medical system with them as they see things from a very one-sided point of view and will not take favourably to anything negative you might have to say about any of those topics. If you really want to be liked, complement their country’s beauty, the beauty of their women-folk and the quality of their food, a always remember that you will forever be considered an outsider in the country no matter how long you have lived there and that most of your friends will likely end up being fellow ex pats.

Esta wrote:

Make sure your cupboards/ freezers are kept well stocked in Winter.

Another good reason to buy the 'seasonal' produce. Stock up with pumpkins and tomatoes as Autumn draws near (at really good prices) and make a bucket load of soup, freeze this and you're sorted throughout winter if you don't fancy sweeping a meter or so of snow off the car!

Chris wrote:

Esta wrote:

Make sure your cupboards/ freezers are kept well stocked in Winter.

Another good reason to buy the 'seasonal' produce. Stock up with pumpkins and tomatoes as Autumn draws near (at really good prices) and make a bucket load of soup, freeze this and you're sorted throughout winter if you don't fancy sweeping a meter or so of snow off the car!

And don't forget to get your winter supply of logs in and have them accessable not 50 yards down the garden

This really is a brilliant thread and I can't recall the topic being discussed before. I would agree that it is politic not to criticize all things Bulgarian, at least to a Bulgarian. As immigrants it behoves us to learn everything about Bulgaria but to keep criticizms to ourselves. I would disagree totally about keeping to other expats as friends. You will learn little from them except complaints. Many have no intention of having anything to do with understanding their new country or its inhabitants. Its a matter of personal choice of course but many 'new Bulgarian Brits' have no history with each other and its often easier to make a new life with fellow village Bulgarians. Just what I have found anyway.

Perhaps the number one tip available, and the one that really sums up all that has been written above, is be adaptable when you relocate to Bulgaria. Don’t take all your old ways, beliefs, customs and habits with you – be prepared to change, to learn, to find ways around and ways forward, open your mind and see opportunity rather than obstacles. Those who are open, friendly, positive and adaptable will find it far easier to make good and lasting, true friends in Bulgaria, and through these contacts your life will be enhanced as well.

From the many posts on this thread it sounds as though many of you have to be prepared to live like a hermit given some of the weather and shortage of essential supplies that may occur during the winter. Do you have emergency parcel drops from the Red Cross when the weather is really bad??