Why Buy Property In Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has a great deal to offer anyone thinking of purchasing a home there. First time visitors are often surprised at the stunning natural beauty, the diversity of the landscape and the environment, the openness of the people, the low cost of living and, of course, the rich cultural heritage.

Whether you are a ski enthusiast, a beach lover or just want to sample one of the cleanest environments remaining in Europe, Bulgaria is the location for you.

For many years Bulgarian authorities have made serious efforts to protect the Country’s natural riches. There are 7 national parks and more than 3000 protected natural sites as well as more designated bio-spherical reserves than anywhere else in Europe. These efforts have meant that Bulgaria has retained its natural environments and with accession to the European Union scheduled for 2007 the standards already set by successive Bulgarian governments will no doubt continue into the future.

As well as the outstanding natural environments, Bulgarian cities and towns have become increasingly cosmopolitan since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Sofia, the capital, is as vibrant a European capital as Paris, London or Madrid. As well as the wealth of theatres, opera, concert halls, museums and art galleries there is an abundance of impressive architecture dating from the 5th Century. Landmarks in this ancient city include the state opera house, the former royal palace, the Church of St George (4th-5th Century), The Banya Bashi Mosque (1474) and the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

If all of this were not enough to satisfy the visitor then the cost of living surely will. Bulgaria’s status as part of the communist bloc has kept living costs low and since its transition to a parliamentary democracy these costs have remained low, unlike other Eastern European countries. A meal for two including wine in a good restaurant will rarely exceed €10.

The Black Sea Coast

If you like your beaches to be long quiet stretches of undisturbed golden sands then you have to look no further than Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline. With average summer temperatures of 25 - 30°c and some of the safest and cleanest stretches in Europe the beaches of Bulgaria offer a real alternative to the over-crowded Mediterranean resorts.

Although tourists have been coming to Bulgaria since the 1950’s the coast has avoided the blanket development so often visible in Southern Europe’s coastal areas. Golden Sands and Sunny beach are two of the most heavily developed areas though there are many miles of completely undeveloped tracts of pristine golden beaches along with beautiful villages such as Nessebar and Sozopol waiting to be discovered.

Transport links have improved greatly in recent years and international airports at Varna and Bourgas make the entire coastline accessible to short and long-term visitors alike.

Winter Resorts

If the idea of spending all your time at the beach is not to your liking then why not cross the country to one of the six mountain ranges which intersect in Bulgaria’s South and West. Resorts such as Borovets and Bansko offer skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels the chance to test and improve their skills. The standing of resorts such as these can be seen in their respective bids to host the 2014 winter Olympics.

Borovets

Borovets is an increasingly popular ski resort. It is the oldest and the largest of the Bulgarian ski centres and at only 73km from Sofia is easily accessible to the visitor. Visitors have been coming here since the end of the 19th Century and this long experience of hosting visitors shines through in the warm and friendly welcome skiers and non-skiers alike receive.

Borovets offers a full range of winter sports including ski-jumping and cross-country. It has twice hosted World Cup alpine skiing rounds and has one of the best biathlon tracks in the world. With some pistes rising up to 2600m there is no shortage of options here regardless of your level of experience.

Bansko

Bansko is one of the newest and reputedly the best ski resorts to be discovered in Bulgaria despite the fact that the town has existed for many centuries. Skiing conditions in Bansko are excellent. The area has the longest ski season (from December through to May) in Bulgaria and thrives on its excellently maintained runs aimed at all levels of skier from novice to expert.

In addition to the excellent skiing opportunities Bansko is home to over 100 cultural monuments and attracts non-skiers to the area which abounds with beautiful scenery and countryside for miles around. Lying in the foothills of the Pirin mountain, an established nature reserve and UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, Bansko has a great deal to offer any visitor.