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Stephen_T

@Stephen_T

Active member

Australian expat in Bulgaria

Forum

48 posts

Contacts

13

About me

Australian

Speaks English and Bulgarian

Registration: 15 March 2016

Activity

Stephen_T replied to a thread
5 years ago
ricoandmand

A massive THANK YOU to Stephen T by ricoandmand

Hi guys, I have been married to a Bulgarian for over 25 years! We live in the UK. We had to sell an apartment in Sofia as grandma had to go into a nursing home. OMG who would I trust to start and finish the job particularly when we were not ...

Stephen_T

Haha just saw this now, havent been very active in the forum, thank you VERY much for the kind words, it was a real pleasure dealing with you and your husband. Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
6 years ago
Hebburnman

Property buying in bulgaria by Hebburnman

Hello Just trying to find out about this process Is it easier to use an agent or deal direct with the owner,and also what kind of legal representation will i need Looking to buy at Central Park in novi han Grateful for any information I ...

Stephen_T

I work in real estate, dont trust Bulgarian real estate agents, the majority are only interested in their commission and could care less if there is a problem with the property. If you cant find a recommended, trusted agent, hire a good property ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
6 years ago
Tobi S

Rent a flat in Sofia by Tobi S

Hello locals, I am going for work to Sofia soon and seeking for an affordable appartment. First I used google and found some good looking appartments on English-speaking websites. They looks like nice, but were overprisied. I would be comfortable ...

Stephen_T

Thats real, the agency (aldes) is one of the bigger ones, all their ads are real. Other big agencies are yavlena, address, primo plus, mirela.. im not saying theyre good, just saying their ads are real. The reason its "only" 450 leva is ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
6 years ago
JimAH1152

Healthcare in Bulgaria by JimAH1152

My wife and I will be retiring to Europe within the next few years. We love Sofia (wife is Bulgarian, I’m from the United States), but wanted to know how good is healthcare for older retirees in a city like Sofia?

Stephen_T

The free healthcare is terrible, the doctors and equipment are from the Soviet era and nobody cares. Anyone young and competent has moved to Europe or to a private hospital. For anything serious you need to pay at a private hospital, I recommend ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
6 years ago
kojidae

How Often Do You Go "Home"? by kojidae

I moved to Bulgaria eight years ago, more or less by "accident." (I was a peace corps volunteer, assigned to Bulgaria, then I met my husband and it was much easier for me to stay here than to try and get him to the U.S.). While I enjoy ...

Stephen_T

I used to go back to Australia every two years, right on New Year since tickets were ridiculously cheap. Still had a lot of friends who hadnt started families and we could hang out and have a good time. After everyone got married and had kids they ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
6 years ago
JackieJ10

Experiences of purchasing property in Bulgaria by JackieJ10

I am interested in finding out members experiences of purchasing a property in Bulgaria. My research has lead me to believe it is not without its risks. Stories of property fraud & scams. I wish to know the best & safest way to purchase a ...

Stephen_T

You need a trustyworthy real estate broker or a lawyer. Someone who is looking after your interests. The main things to check on the property you are interested in is first checking if its legally built and the land is properly mapped, and ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
6 years ago
Tobi S

Rent a flat in Sofia by Tobi S

Hello locals, I am going for work to Sofia soon and seeking for an affordable appartment. First I used google and found some good looking appartments on English-speaking websites. They looks like nice, but were overprisied. I would be comfortable ...

Stephen_T

Hi, just piping in because I work sales in real estate, specializing in Sofia, and I get a lot of private messages regarding the rental market. The decent 400 leva a month apartments ads are a scam, no such thing exists in the open market ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
Poster88

Will I be able to manage with 320 canadian dollars a month? by Poster88

Am a solo traveller to sofia. Please help me with the following :- Cost of the following things(monthly):- Salon toiletries yoga gym+personal trainer meds phone+internet accomodation+food+wifi+laundry+cleaning food(if i cook by myself) whatever is ...

Stephen_T

Lol@yoga/personal trainer/salons and 320 dollar budget, surely thats trolling Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
Poster88

Will I be able to manage with 320 canadian dollars a month? by Poster88

Am a solo traveller to sofia. Please help me with the following :- Cost of the following things(monthly):- Salon toiletries yoga gym+personal trainer meds phone+internet accomodation+food+wifi+laundry+cleaning food(if i cook by myself) whatever is ...

Stephen_T

If you get a cheap shared room and live on junk food and dont buy anything you can survive on 500-600 leva but it will be pretty miserable. Decent accomodation (one bedroom apartment in decent suburb, decent furniture) will be minimum 600 leva, food ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
Brandy1

Property tax by Brandy1

I already own a property in Bulgaria near Varna but not sure how to go about paying property tax as not been there for a few years

Stephen_T

Just go to the local council and give them your name and address, if they can't help they'll send you to the right place. Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
kojidae

Looking for New Positive Projects/Organizations for My Blog by kojidae

Sometimes I miss that this used to be expat blog ;) Anyway, I started a new blog called doingitright.life Each week I focus on 1-2 projects, people, events, places, or products that are doing something new/exciting or interesting-- usually ...

Stephen_T

Orphanages, for foreigners looking for adoption, if you don't mind doing some research. All of them are in a terrible state, and the majority of children are NOT disabled unlike in the majority of other Eastern European countries. Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
Sacki

Building a small hotel in the ski resorts by Sacki

I am wondering how easy or not easy it is for a foreigner to build a small hotel and do business in one of the ski resorts? Is it still controlled by "groups" well known in Bulgaria?

Stephen_T

0 chance if you are not mob-related, unfortunately. Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
Dale&Efie

Thinking of taking a job in sofia bulgaria by Dale&Efie

Hi There to all, I am thinking of taking a job in sofia Bulgaria, can anyone please advise on what its like to live there and what the cost of livng is like and what sort of rents are being asked pref looking for a ...

Stephen_T

Hi, This is a great thread with lots of general information- https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=583059 Generally speaking, Sofia is by far the cheapest european capital city to live in. Rent wise, a quality furnished 2 bedroom property ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
7 years ago
Ledgerous

English Primary School Options by Ledgerous

Hi everyone, My family and I have been offered a position in Sofia which we are considering. The only question mark we have is on schools. We have 3 daughters all of primary school age. So far we've identified the British School of Sofia as ...

Stephen_T

The anglo american school is supposed to be the best English speaking school in Sofia, however the fees are a bit ridiculous... for 3 kids it will be around 65-70k euro a year. I think there are English/Irish boarding schools on a much higher level ... Read More

Stephen_T replied to a thread
8 years ago
expat1066

When buying property in Bulgaria by expat1066

Hi all, For those who want to buy property in Bulgaria, you dont need expensive estate agencies, buy direct off of the locals, its much much cheaper.. I am sure a British expat would spare the time to help show you where there is a Good Notary ? ...

Stephen_T

Dear Hally, You contacted me yesterday, I responded twice since then. Twice I asked what your budget was, which you ignored. Despite this, I offered the only two properties which are on sale through us that fit the only criteria you told me (within ... Read More