Sofia, Bulgaria Report of what it's like to live there - 12/18/14
Personal Experiences from Sofia, Bulgaria
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. Prague.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
D.C. Sofia is a small airport so you will need to connect to a major HUB in Europe or Istanbul.
3. How long have you lived here?
14 months.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Apartments near the Embassy and a few in the center but mostly houses near the mountain.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Widely available and about 20% cheaper than in the U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Everything and about 20% cheaper than in the U.S.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Lots of ticks.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and Pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Widely available and the standard rate is 10 lev.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, the Embassy has a decent one. Most others will cost about US$80-120 each month.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We are cautioned not to use ATM's and be careful with credit cards but I haven't heard of anyone having problems recently.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Not sure but I believe they are available.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can get by with just English but a little bit of Bulgarian helps a lot.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are cheap and safe. They have small metro which is nice, clean, cheap but very limited.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Small SUV but almost anything works here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes and very cheap and very fast.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local plans are great and cheap.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No and good vet care.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
No, not really as language is a barrier.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Several, just ask around.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Standard.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No and health services are good.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
In the winter it can get bad/unhealthy if you are in the city. Most embassy personnel live on the mountain so the air is better there.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Like D.C. but a bit colder in winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No experience but I hear AAS is good.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes but no experience. You may hear otherwise but it is possible to find daycare for children starting at 1 years old.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Decent size and good morale.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Like any other big city.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Great for everyone.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Never heard of any problems and I know several openly gay people here.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Roma and refugees from Syria, Iraq, etc.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Traveling to the Black Sea, experiencing all the various cultures that have inhabited this land, just being in the nature.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Amazing weekend visits all over the country and Greece and Turkey are a car ride away. Some really cool old communist monuments to check out.
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Nature is abundant, beautiful, and varied. Close proximity to Greece, Turkey. Cost of living to still relatively cheap compared to other European cities.
9. Can you save money?
Maybe if you limit your regional travel.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Lots of ticks and stray dogs.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
4. But don't forget your:
Ski gear and hiking boots.
