Is it possible to make my Bulgarian renovation dream a reality?

[anon97528996]

For as long as I can remember, I've only really aspired to two things. Owning my own home, and living rurally and simply with loads of space. Somehow I've ended up renting a shoebox in central London.

I've spent the last few months researching gorgeous, derelict houses in Bulgaria - I could buy one with land for less than two months rent! I understand their economy is suffering and this would be a forever purchase rather than an investment. I have enough savings that this would only be a small dent, but not enough to afford buying in the UK.

Would it be utter nonsense to visit next year, buy, and renovate during weekends, annual leave etc over the course of many years? We have even thought about staying for 6-24 months when we leave London, we could stay with family until we find another rental when we returned. I'm in love with the idea of having a rural base for the future, I'm imagining blissful family holidays and an eventual retirement with chickens, goats, and dogs all over the place.

DP is a builder and we would do most of the work ourselves. The main priority would be finding a property with a solid roof as I think that would be the one thing we'd struggle with most.

Has anyone done similar, or have any horror stories to pop my mad bubble?

I know the feeling - being cooped up in a city and dreaming of open spaces, but I really think this is pipe dream. Just think of the practicalities, they are numerous. Distance, language, security of said property, time etc etc. It will ultimately be very expensive. I just find the thought totally mind boggling. Have you only picked this country because properties are cheap?
Have you thought of doing similar closer to home (Wales or Scotland)? Plus, when you retire, will you really still feel like looking after animals and land - everything gets harder as you age.
There is no law that says you have to live and work in London. Could you not investigate starting again elsewhere in the country - changing jobs, moving to a more rural area? It takes time but it's do-able. I did it myself 30 years ago and I have never regretted it.

Have you ever actually visited rural Bulgaria?

When I lived in London, I spent 90% of my time searching for yurts, tiny homes, cabins in the woods etc etc to get out of the city and lead a simple life. Ive since moved to the Home Counties, surrounded by fields and have zero desire to live a simple life in a yurt. Not quite the same as your idea, I grant you, but might it be worth exploring living outside of London for a while first? And seeing if that quenches your thirst for non-city life?

One of the problems with Bulgaria is that its population level is plummeting and this is forecast to continue. This is resulting in villages being abandoned, fewer people contributing to taxes means reduced services on all levels, affecting rural communities more than urban dwellers.

Also Bulgaria is reluctant to take in any refugees who might contribute to revitalising the economy.

There is a blog called "New start, new life in Bulgaria" by a couple who have done this, which you might find interesting.

Though IIRC they don't need to do much renovation, it's more about village life, growing food etc.

Friends ex husband did this. He's living there, married a local girl, lives on almost nothing, apart from expensive Internet connection and loved it. But he's quite an introvert and likes being off grid.

No one is quite sure what's happen as he gets older and may need medical care.

I think what a previous poster said makes sense. It would be much easier and more likely to work long term if you bought in rural wales for example. Do you think your feelings of being trapped in London are clouding your judgment a bit?

I would also suggest you do this within the UK - get out of the south east and you dont even have to be that far from anything.

And you'll have the NHS which is usually what brings the expats back later.

I have a Bulgarian friend who was telling me how places on the beach have picked up and foreigners buy up houses/lands (pushing prices up for locals...). I have been to Bulgaria once, it's a beautiful place but very poor in certain areas and crime can be quite rife. Do your research, don't buy anythibg without visiting first. I'd be really vary of buying anything in a country that I don't speak the language of.
I also have friends who have done this in Italy, they've built/done up a house bit by bit, they're still working on it. But they both speak the language.

I agree that you need to be wary, especially if buying through an agent.

I've heard tales of neighbours claiming that huge wood piles, barns full of animal feed, water sources, boundaries, out houses etc etc belonged to them, when the UK purchaser was under the impression that they were included in the purchase price.

It really is a case of buyer beware, and being there in person (even if you have an agent working for you) at the point of sale is very important.

Why don't you rent a house out there to see what it's like? Have you been for extended holidays? You also need to consider things like culture, language, family and friends, sources of income etc

I met a man on a plane who had done this, but in Romania. I also talked to a taxi driver in New York who wanted to do it.

The guy on the plane thought it was the best thing ever. He had an amazing house in a beautiful place, he was so proud of it too.