Finance

Tsarevets Castle

Veliko Tarnovo is competing to be the best place to live in Bulgaria. The poll is organised by a national radio and a  daily.

The best city to live is determined by a national survey. For a month and a half, the 2 media outlets will be gathering all sorts of information about the living quality and standards in towns all over Bulgaria.

Criteria such as investments, bicycle lanes, number of kindergartens, stray dogs, unemployment rates, sports facilities, parking issues, free Wi-Fi from a total of 29 will be taken into consideration

27 regional towns are participating in the battle for the best city to live. Naturally, the city with the highest number of votes will receive a special prize. Veliko Tarnovo has been voted “most beautiful Bulgarian town” for 2008 and 2010!

Currently the town is in the top 10, beating the capital which is ranked 21st!

Bulgarian real estate

In 2013, real estate prices in Europe will continue to fall, predict analysts of the international credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s. The only exception would be Belgium, where property prices ​​continue to rise. The main reason for the pessimistic forecasts is the weak economic activity.

Since 2009, Belgium has been the only country that does not account for depreciation of homes, houses, offices and retail outlets. Belgian market, however, is also expected to account for delays in price growth this year.

Dryanovo Properties

If you are looking for a rural retreat located in a magical area, monastery towns in Bulgaria are great for that. Take a look at our pick of Bulgarian properties near a monastery hotspot, such as Dryanovo.

Bulgaria’s Orthodox religious beliefs are ingrained into the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage with around 120 monasteries hidden in remote mountains, surrounded by panoramic scenery and terrific natural setting. Each monastery is unique with its own intriguing history and architectural legacy.

Dryanovo is also situated at the northern foot of the Balkans near Gabrovo. It lies in a picturesque gorge close to the Dryanovo River, about 4 km away from the fascinating Dryanovo Monastery, which was established by two rebel bolyars from the former Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo.

The monastery provided shelter to many monks during the 14th century, however and the beginning of the 15th century, the monastery was destroyed by invading Ottoman troops. Later, in the 17th century, it was reconstructed to its present state. Its single nave was partly buried underground. The monastery became a religious and cultural centre boasting one of the largest and best preserved cloisters in the Veliko Turnovo region and today it as amongst Bulgaria’s most visited tourist sites.

Prices for renovated Bulgarian houses in this area stand at around the average for the whole country at 38,000 euros. You can still pick up a renovation bargain here for around 7,500 euros. Feel free to  have a look at our Dryanovo Properties

Veliko Tarnovo map

U.S. navigation company “Tele Atlas” are mapping the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. A special bus is touring the Old Bulgarian Capital, making digital images of streets, buildings, intersections, traffic signs, traffic lights and main elements of the town infrastructure.

The company aims at creating a dynamic digital map, which then will be uploaded to car sat-navs. This electronic guide targets foreigners and visitors of Veliko Tarnovo.

The company provides continuous positioning, which is controlled by three satellites. This way, no one will get lost and easily find the main attractions of the town, as well as any address in town.

Unlike traditional GPS system information, here you can see images of objects, thus making the orientation much easier.

Bulgarian real estate

Economic forecasts for 2013 by leading Bulgarian real estate experts  do not indicate major trend changes in the property market this year.

Bulgarian property prices are expected to record a moderate decline until mid-2013 and then to plateau for the rest of 2013.

The demand in town property will be dominated by the Bulgarian buyers and will depend on the economic recovery, unemployment rates, household income and access to bank lending in the country.

In terms of vacation properties and holiday homes, Bulgaria will remain attractive for foreign home buyers from the UK, Russia, Greece, Turkey and Romania.

And while minimal changes are expected in residential properties, more significant changes are expected in the field of office/retail space and commercial properties.

Crucial factor in each market segment will continue to be the adequate pricing for the size and the state of the property, according to leading real estate agencies.