Why is Irina not afraid of moving, and how has life in Cyprus changed her?

Irina and her life journey

Irina was born in Latvia, in the heart of Riga, where she spent her childhood and received her education. In 2008, she made the decision to leave her homeland and move to Sweden to be with her loved one, which marked the beginning of her "journey" through life. Over the next fifteen years, she managed to live in three different countries, and she has no plans to stop there.

Life in Bulgaria

At the moment Irina is settled in Bulgaria with her family, but she is in no hurry to buyreal estate, as she is not sure that this place will become her permanent home. In a recent interview, she spoke out about how she feels about changing her place of residence and said that life on the island can surprise, being not as ideal as it seems at first glance. Irina noted:“It’s very difficult for me and my three family members to stick to a monthly budget of 2000 euros.”

Cyprus: pros and cons

Cyprus offers both its advantages and disadvantages. Irina, born in Latvia into a Russian-speaking family, received her education and started her career in her homeland. But soon her life changed when she decided to move to Sweden with her chosen one, and they lived there for about a year.

Moving to Cyprus

Once, when the temperature in Sweden dropped to -30°C, a couple decided to visit the husband's friend in Cyprus. Upon arriving to warm weather and sunny summer, Irina realized that she didn't want to return to the cold. This prompted their swift move to Cyprus, and they quickly found a cozy villa for just 850 euros a month, not far from their acquaintance.

Budget for living

However, when it comes to the financial side of living in Cyprus, it becomes clear that for a family of three2000 euros per month— this is an extremely limited budget. This amount only covers basic needs:

• Nutrition
• Private school (about 300 euros a month)
• Housing rental

Irina emphasized that travel and leisure activities do not fit into this budget at all. Their choice of a place to live was spontaneous, but after moving from the North they needed a certain period of time to adapt to the new environment.

Cultural features of Cyprus

Irina noticed that Cypriots have a slower pace of life. This may cause confusion for Europeans, as it is not typical for the locals to rush in business practices. For example, if you need to call a specialist for repairs, you should be prepared for the fact that they may only arrive in a few days.

This relaxed approach creates an atmosphere of freedom and self-expression, but in many situations that require quick reactions, this sluggishness can become a problem.

Summer vacation and climate

The summer heat and the influx of tourists often troubled Irina's family in Cyprus, so during this time they preferred to go on vacation to Latvia. However, life on this beautiful island has its advantages:

• Warm sun
• Clear sea
• Comfortable weather
• A variety of fresh fruits all year round

Every new place that Irina lives in brings her unique impressions and experiences, and she happily enjoys every moment of her life journey.

Although Cyprus attracts with its lifestyle and beauty, the island also has its downsides. Due to its geographical location, Cyprus restricts certain aspects of freedom and movement, which over time has felt like pressure. Gradually, I came to realize the need to change the environment and began to insist on our possible move to another country.

At that time, my spouse didn't want to discuss this topic, but when the pandemic started, the situation in Cyprus worsened dramatically: the government imposed strict measures that at certain times required people to go outside only once a day. This system was organized in such a way that it was necessary to send a text message to a special number, after which approval for a walk would come with a clear indication of the time.

We realized that such restrictions test our patience, and after the first wave of lockdown, we decided to leave the island. Our whole family took part in the journey: our daughter, cat, and dog.

Why Bulgaria?

When we were faced with the choice of a new country to live in, we decided on Bulgaria. This decision optimally met our criteria:

• Moderate taxes
• Location on the continent
• Great climate

An important factor was also that Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, which was convenient for us as we have European passports. Like Cyprus, Bulgaria offers plenty of sunny days, warmth, proximity to the sea and fresh fruit throughout the year. I am a keen gardener and Bulgaria offers me the perfect opportunity to pursue this hobby.

The moving process

The preparation for our actual move stretched out for two months. We moved to Bulgaria in August 2020, just as the country was starting to recover from the first lockdown. During the preparation stage, we encountered some peculiarities of life in Cyprus. We left many things and furniture on the island, as shipping them across the sea would have cost us approximately...10,000 euros.

So we decided to take a trailer: my husband made some adjustments to it, and we packed everything we could, following the principle of "we took what we could." This trailer was shipped by sea to Athens, while we had to travel by plane.

Why did you choose Athens specifically?

On the eve of the pandemic, about a year before, we purchased a motorhome and left it in Athens. We shipped our belongings there and planned to load into the motorhome to travel to Bulgaria afterward. This was a real challenge: the trailer was overcrowded, which created some inconveniences on the way.

Moreover, our car stops were necessary since the vehicle had been stationary for a year, which eventually led to battery issues. Nevertheless, we successfully made it to Bulgaria, and the first city we stopped in was Plovdiv. I can't say we spent a long time choosing a new place to live; in fact, the decision was quite spontaneous: we just pointed at a map.

Choosing an English-speaking school

The main factor that influenced our choice was the availability of an English-speaking school for our daughter, which we found in our new city. However, shortly after moving, the educational institutions were closed due to the quarantine, and classes became completely remote. Thus, we were unable to enjoy the wonderful conditions of that school, but we found another American school that offered us online education, and that is where our daughter is currently studying. Therefore, our attachment to a specific educational institution eventually faded away.

Life in Bulgaria: First Impressions

When we started considering living in Bulgaria, we did not have inflated expectations. However, after spending some time here, we were able to see both the positive and negative aspects of living in the country.

A new stage of life in Bulgaria

This is a completely new stage of life, where there is an opportunity to enjoy everyday life just like we did in Cyprus, while keeping financial expenses at a similar level. However, one of the less pleasant aspects is the lack of skills in the Bulgarian language. Although this doesn't create major problems, the language barrier is still felt, and not knowing Bulgarian limits communication.

But the position isn't so bad: there are enough people around who speak Russian or English. For now, that's quite sufficient, and in the future, we'll adapt to the circumstances.

International family and language skills

Interestingly, our family composition is very international and has a variety of language skills. I speak fluent Russian, Latvian and English, while my husband, a Swede, only speaks Swedish and English. It is more difficult for him to get used to the new conditions in Bulgaria, as he cannot understand Russian among Bulgarians.

The mentality of Bulgarians differs from that of Latvians and Swedes, as the latter are clearly more reserved and cautious. In contrast, the Bulgarian people are characterized by their openness, friendliness, and constant readiness to smile. However, it is worth noting that some Bulgarians exhibit traits of frugality and modesty, although this largely depends on individual characteristics and social circles.

Cost of living in Bulgaria

On the topic of the price level in Bulgaria. We rented a one-bedroom apartment in Plovdiv for225 eurosper month, which used to be the norm for a one-bedroom apartment. Of course, rates vary depending on the neighborhood and the size of the apartment, but even so, renting here is noticeably more affordable than in Cyprus, Riga or even Sweden.

The utility costs are pleasing – in winter, we paid about for the apartment.150 eurosincluding a unique electric heating system. In the last days of September, our electricity expenses amounted to about20 eurosand on water –7 eurosIf we talk about the garage, its price is60 eurosper month, and a parking space on the property will cost30 euros. As a result, the total living expenses for the three of them are at least1,000 eurosper month, which covers rent, utilities, and food.

Buying real estate in Bulgaria

When it comes to purchasing real estate, Bulgaria has enough options for every budget. For example, in the northern regions of the country, you can find a house that needs renovation for...5,000 eurosThat is, with minimal investment. Alternatively, one could consider the possibility of purchasing a luxury villa for an amount exceeding...100,000 eurosIt all depends on the buyer's preferences.

Currently, the cost per square meter of housing in Plovdiv ranges from500 to 900 eurosIn our opinion, now is a very suitable time to invest in real estate, considering the current economic situation. However, we are not rushing into a purchase, as we are still unsure whether Bulgaria will be our permanent place of residence.

Our primary task is to spend some time in this country and find out if the local lifestyle suits us. Perhaps later we will look into the issue of purchasing property in Bulgaria.

Moving to a new village

Currently, we are moving again – this time we have chosen a village near Yambol, which is located in69 kilometersfrom Burgas and the Black Sea.

Conclusion

So, in conclusion to this story about my travels and search for the perfect place to live, I want to emphasize that moving has become not just a regular practice for me, but a true way of life. My journey from Riga to Sweden, then to sunny Cyprus, and finally to Bulgaria has been made possible by my inner confidence and desire to explore the world.

Every new place brings new opportunities.

Each new place brought its own joys and challenges. In Cyprus, I enjoyed the warm sea and sunny days, but over time I felt that the island's limitations were affecting my sense of freedom. Life in Bulgaria, on the other hand, opened up new horizons for us — there are more opportunities for self-expression and development here, and the picturesque landscapes and climate are inspiring.

Each place has its pros and cons

Nevertheless, I understand that no place is perfect, and every country has its pros and cons. But it is this diversity and the dynamic nature of the moving process that make my life vibrant and fulfilling. In the future, I might find myself on a new shore again, and that doesn't scare me at all. Every step is a chance for a new beginning.

Important points of the move

• Moving is a constant process that requires readiness for change.
• Every new place brings its own unique opportunities and challenges.
• The key is the willingness to accept challenges and move forward.
• Every step is an opportunity to discover something new.

I hope that by sharing my experience, I will inspire others to embrace change and not be afraid of new adventures. Life is full of unexpected twists, and sometimes it is these very twists that lead us to the most wonderful moments and places we never even imagined.The main thing is the willingness to accept challenges and move forward, experiencing new sensations and discovering the world.