A British family has revealed how they left the UK to buy a spacious three-bedroom house in Bulgaria for just £25,000 and they didn’t even view it before purchasing. Their renovation journey, shared on TikTok under @RenovateBulgariaWithUs, has captured the attention of many, as they transform their new property near Svilengrad, close to the Turkish border.
The family decided to buy the house last year on a ‘spontaneous Wednesday afternoon’, a decision that surprised many but is becoming increasingly common as some are looking for more affordable alternatives to the UK property market.
Their purchase included outbuildings, half an acre of land and a huge swimming pool. Since moving in, the parents and six children have been busy renovating, tackling everything from installing a working toilet to replacing windows and flooring.
They’ve added personal touches like a velvet chair, a blue sofa, and some colourful curtains, creating a stylish living space that’s almost finished.
Outside, they’re building a bar area with seating, a firepit, a BBQ, and have even laid astro turf for the children to enjoy and play football outside.
The family pays an annual property tax similar to council tax, which comes to about £45, while electricity and water bills are a fraction of UK costs. For example, their monthly electric bill is just £15-20, compared to £250 back in the UK.
Water costs are around £5 a month, and groceries are significantly cheaper too.
The North West region offers the best value according to Move2Bulgaria, with average asking prices of only £15,175 (€18,000).
One person commented to one of the videos: “Loving watching the progress videos. Your outside space looks amazing and really taking shape.”
Another person said: “Gorgeous house!”
Andrea Draper added: “I only came across your TikTok yesterday and I’ve watched from the beginning and WOW! What an amazing transformation already, looks phenomenal.”
Another TikTok user said about the renovation progress: “Looks good now what a difference.”