This should in theory not be too difficult as there is an abundance of accommodation available for rent. The problem is finding something that will feel like home away from home. There are several areas popular with the expat community and the first decision you will need to make is whether to live in town or in the suburbs.

Accommodation in town will usually be in apartments, either in modern purpose built blocks or in some of the older grander buildings, which unfortunately may have rather run down and dirty communal areas. Living in town is recommended for singles or couples without children who enjoy going out in the evenings. The drawback is the noise, dirt and bad air. Popular residential areas in Sofia include Iztok, Lozenets and Doctor’s Garden.

Out of town accommodation is usually in new villas with all sorts of extras, including pool and sauna (depending on your budget). The air is cleaner here and most villas have reasonably sized gardens making it the better choice for families with small children. Access in the winter months can be tricky as side roads in these areas are rarely cleared of snow and ice and the general condition of the roads is bad to start off with. Four wheel drives are highly recommended if you choose to live in the suburbs. Popular areas include; Boyana, Dragalevtsi, Simeonovo, Bistritsa, Pancharevo and Gorna Banya. The city centre is generally a 20-30 minute drive from these areas.

Estate agencies will usually take a commission of half the first month’s rent. In exchange for this they should help you negotiate the amount, the terms of payment and sort out any legal issues such as contracts signing.