Stara Planina

For those who have asked and are considering a property in Bulgaria we can totally recommend Stara Planina (www.stara-planina.com).

We chose the region of Ruse (also spelt as Rousse or Pyce) as it is close to a number of airports (Bucharest or Varna being the closest which are serviced by budget airlines). The city of Ruse is very cosmopolitan having beautiful squares lined with cafes and restaurants, immaculate parks and being on the banks of the River Danube. Children play freely in the many parks and family life is highly cherished. We have always found the city to be very safe.

In the countryside around Ruse are a number of national parks, places of historical interest and places of rarely found tranquillity and simplicity. There is an abundance of wildlife and outdoor pursuits all set in unspoilt countryside where local transport of donkey and carts go about their daily chores. You really are stepping back into a better and less complicated way of life with true values and appreciation of a less commercialised life.

The village we have moved to is Gorsko Ablanovo, about 50kms outside of Ruse. It has about 350 residents, a couple of shops, a bar, beautiful church and tranquillity in abundance. Once it would have been a very affluent village as there are some stunning buildings, most of which are now sadly unoccupied but would make amazing homes. Every day a local herds his turkeys through the village, flocks of goats and sheep roam the countryside whilst donkey and carts trundle through the lanes. The whole village is surrounded by pine forests and farm land as far as you can see in every direction. There are a few towns around us where all your consumer needs can be met as well as a
market in the village square once a week. There is even a bus to a local town three times a week and to Ruse a couple of times a week. Everybody in the village takes time to stop and chat with you (well actually we get to practice saying 'sorry we do not speak much Bulgarian' but still they try to communicate with us - we are all getting good at charades!!)

It is essential if you do move here to have a helping hand and Monica Jivkova who owns the Stara Planina office in Ruse is absolutely our daily saviour. We could not have ever dreamed of meeting a more professional, efficient and capable person as Monica and are very lucky to now consider her a friend as well. We are having a lot of work done on our house and the team Monica uses is faultless. We cannot recommend Borko and his team highly enough. The standard of workmanship is outstanding and the team are considerate, polite, courteous, helpful and nothing is too much trouble (even when we change our minds about how we want things - sorry guys). Again we consider Borko a real friend and he has gone above and beyond to help us on many occasions with not just building works. Monica can be contacted through the Stara-planina website and if considering Bulgaria for a holiday or permanent move she should be your first port of call for the Ruse area. Equally for any building works in the Ruse area Borko and his team come very highly recommended.

Hope this helps those who have asked but if you need any further detail please contact me through the comments facility on the blog and I will help as best I can.