Hello everyone

I am still looking for a property in Bulgaria and have just come across one in a village called Garvan 25km from Silistra.

Does anyone live there or know anything about the village (good or bad)?

Thanks

Having visited Garvan I do believe its predominantly a |Muslim village and very small? I would say about 300 live there? its been a while since I was there so the numbers could be greater now. Good luck.

here is a video if it helps

We have passed it many times and an English couple used to live there until the man died than the woman moved back to the UK  I don't know if she sold or is selling her houe but it would have been completely renovated I will ask their friends if you wish. She spoke well of the village but it is quite a way out from Silistra about 36 to 30km.

@ Krypton- Thanks for the reply I saw a church in pictures but no mosque!!!

@ Bob - Thanks for the video - the roads in the village look better than many I have seen - interesting.

@ Doug and Bernie - Thanks and YES please - the ad says the village is a favourite for Brits and its supposed to be 24 KM from silistra.

Once again to all for the replies

eshek wrote:

@ Doug and Bernie - Thanks and YES please - the ad says the village is a favourite for Brits and its supposed to be 24 KM from silistra.

No worries Eshek we are seeing the people tomorrow and will find out what I can. I don't now that it is a favorite of Birts maybe the regions as Serberna Reserve is nearby and there are Brits living there. We will be going to Tutracan next week so will be passing Gavan if I remember I will check how far it is from Silistra
.

I think its a gypsy village with very few if any Brits

@ Berni and Doug - Thanks I will await further info

@ Bob - I have read (on this forum and other places) that the gypsies in Bg (and elsewhere) are problematic - how true is this?
May I ask why you went to Garvan and recorded that video?

Hi Eshek

Spoke to our friends today and it appears that Garvan is a lovely village. It is not a gypsy village. There are 4 English familes there one with younger chldren. There is two restruants/bars a super church and the people are very friendly. They have a mayor or a deputy mayor her name is Gaila an she is very good, if you need to find out about property for sale than go direct to her or if you just want to find out about the village etc. There is a lovely park there too. The Danube rivier is about a mile walk for Garan. The roads are good too. It is about 24km or so from Silistra. There is a bus once a day so your would need a car. Hope that helps. Sounds like a nice place

Regarding your last question I have read (on this forum and other places) that the gypsies in Bg (and elsewhere) are problematic - how true is this?

We do not live in a gipsy village however, a number of our friends do and they have have no problems what so every. We have two gypsy village around us and they are no ifferent to anyone esle, unfortunately the hostility we have encountered exists with the Bulgarians towards the guysies but we are slowly breaking down this barrier in or village. We also visited friens who are the only English in a gypsy ie Roma village and the village was lovely, and many greeted us. the houses were in much better condition and well kept, they are good workers too. Personally, I would not take any notice of what people say re Roma, we don't and take people at face value always judge for yourself.

Bernie and Dougie,

Thank you very much for you help - sounds good.

I too take people at face value and tend to make up my own mind - however it is well to be informed.

Thanks again- maybe we will meet for a drink of whatever you fancy.

George aka Eshek

My pleasure George Yes, indeed when you are due to come to Silistra just send me a message and I will give you our phone no. Of course it will depend on our timescles and free time can meet up in Silistra for coffee.

Bernie and Dougie,

You mentioned Galia (the Mayor) - does she speak English and how can I contact her?

Also as the village is so close to the Danube is there any risk of flooding?

Regards

George

When are you planning to visit?  within the next month or 6 months. When you go to Garvan go directly to the mayors office and ask him or his deputy Gaila what properties are for slae.  Either one will give you the details and of course will save you a lot of estate agents fees too.  Wish we did that.  It turned out the owner of our house only got £3000 from our sale the estate agents got 3 times more  so wrong.    I assume she speaks some English but you will always find they will get on the phone and find a translator so don't worry about the language.

Found this liink might help with info [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I don't know about flooding that is what you would need to speak with the mayor Nikolay Nedelchev or his deputy Gaila about this as well as well as any ammenities. You might be better sending an email asking the question. searach google for details of the mayor if find his or her details I will post here

Although we didn't buy our property through the mayor of our village, we have advised others to go to him about properties for sale and he has shown them around properties. Whether he charges any commission is not known, but nevertheless his prices would be lower than going through an estate agent.

I am planning to come to Bg sometime in October for a long weekend.

In the meantime I have sent an email to Mr. Nedelchev asking for information. let's see what happens.