What is your name?Sharon Higgins
What is your current age or age range?
50
What country are you native to?
England
What area of Bulgaria do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
Strandja Park Bliznak
How long have you lived in Bulgaria?
Since December 2006
When you moved to Bulgaria, did you bring your family? What do they think?
No
Did you leave your family behind? How do you handle the separation?
I visit "home" a lot.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
I fell in love with a Bulgarian and with the Strandja Park
Why did you choose Bulgaria, or what factors helped you to decide to choose Bulgaria?
Above reasons
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
France. Because I did not want to do it without a partner
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
No because of my fiance
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
Language. Buying property. Finding work. Money
What was the biggest mistake you made in the transition to living in Bulgaria?
Not having done my homework before I jumped in with both feet! Documents. Pension rights, visa, divorce documents etc. etc. Information, documents.
What was the easiest part of making the transition?
Going to the village to my fiance, staying there during the winter, listening to the wolves and watching the flames flicker on the walls from the Petchka (cosy!)
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
Yes. I still have business, there, financial matters to clear up, loose ends. For communication purposes, internet, phone, face to face communications.
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
At times yes. There is a lot in Bulgaria to compensate for what I miss.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
My grandson, music, film, books, the arts, communication.
Are there the same recreational activities in Bulgaria?
No. Not in the Strandja. In Bourgas yes,
How easy has it been to make new friends in Bulgaria?
Very easy.
Do you have many friends from your home country in Bulgaria?
1
What are your favorite activities that are available?
Walking in the forest, the horemag, socialising, family outings (his) music, singing, live music, the opera house, swimming, hunting
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
I am in the library and have only a few minutes left on the computer sorry!...
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
Traffic, yobs, noise, the hustle and bustle, crime, cost of living...
Do you speak the language of Bulgaria?
Yes
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Bulgaria, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
Yes
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
No
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
Looking for work
How do you earn your living in Bulgaria?
Used my savings, my fiance works i Bulgaria
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