8 replies to this topic

[grun]

Firstly, I feel I’ve learned a great deal by reading the posts in “Central Turkey” and would like to thank everyone who made them.
I’m an American currently living in Japan and I’m now looking for a place where I can settle permanently. Because of the nature my work, I’m a freelance translator and need only a good Internet connection and a laptop to work, I’ve been fortunate enough to live for extended periods of time in five different countries. I will, however, turn 55 this year and feel that now it’s time to set down some roots.
I’ve narrowed my search for my new home to Bulgaria and Turkey. They both have the advantage of having a relatively low cost of living, interesting cultures and histories and both are close to other parts of Europe. Both countries also do not seem to have excessively strict resident permit requirements.
Although I plan to spend a couple months in each country before making a final decision, I would be grateful to anyone with experience living in both countries to share the comparative pluses and minuses of the two countries.
I should note that I plan to live in Mersin, where a Turkish friend for my law school days who lives permanently in New York and has a house in Mersin which she is willing to rent to me and, also, she still has at the a network of family and friends there.
TIA
David

[Cukurbagli]

Well since this is a forum for and by expats living in Turkey you wouldn't really expect us to recommend Bulgaria would you?

[Abi]

Hi David and welcome to our forum. I can't tell you anything really about Bulgaria as I haven't been. A few people have left Turkey to live there but the main reason is because they have tight budget and can no longer afford to stay here.

I read that you can rent your friends house in Mersin, we do have a member called Yellowcatt who lives in Mersin and would be able to give you the heads up on living there. I'm not sure if he is about at the moment as his mother was taken ill in the UK and may have returned. I know when he does read your post he will reply as he is very helpful.

I'm glad that you will visit both countries as it's only something you can decide on in the end.

Good luck

[Meral]

Well I've never been to Bulgaria (except passing through many years ago while still under communism), and I'm sure you must've done a lot of homework already, but one thing to consider is that Bulgaria has recently joined the EU, which means prices and living expenses will be on the way up. The other thing is Christianity vs Islam -- whether that might affect you in any way ?

In any case, I welcome you to the forum and wish you luck in whatever you decide !

PS. Perhaps you might join a Bulgarian expat forum to get their side of things ?

[sunny]

to our forum. As others have said we don't have information about Bulgaria so you'll have to join a Bulgarian forum for information. Most of us on this forum really love Turkey, warts and all and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[Ken]

I think the main advantage to living in Turkey is that it uses a westernized alphabet, where Bulgaria doesn't. The Turkish language is also phonetic, so if you can pronounce it, you can spell it, and if you can read it, you can pronounce it. Good luck in finding a place to settle, I don't know much about Bulgaria either, and my recommendation of Turkey is rather biased! Mersin is a nice place to live, a seaside, modern city. Thanks for joining us, I hope we can help.

[Abi]

If you are undecided on which country to live in spend at least a year in each to see all the seasons. Places can change radically depending on the season,and it will also give you time to get a feel for the place. Bulgaria is not yet a full member of the EU yet and won't be until 2014.

I'm not sure what you meant when you said ''Both countries also do not seem to have excessively strict resident permit requirements". In both Turkey and Bulgaria before you 90/180 day Visitors Visa expires you need to apply for a Residents Permit and the paperwork required is almost exactly the same. At the time of writing a 1 year Residents Permit in Turkey is 80 USD which is converted in TL on the day of application and is not difficult to get.

[samanthaozkara]

welcome to the forum from me too Grun!

Like the others I have never been to Bulgaria so couldnt help you there and as a massive fan of Turkey even with the good and bad points I would never live anywhere else.

Hope you have fun decided where you will settle.

Love Sam x

[MercerMersin]

Ive lived in Mersin before and intend on returning there in 2013. Great city. Great people. If youve got a social circle then you will be fine otherwise it can be a little daunting (but I guess thats the case anywhere in the world!). Love Mersin and cant wait until June 2013!