by Gilly Lockhart

So what is the pull towards rural Bulgaria for expats? Well, there are a variety of reasons, and probably the biggest is the ability to romance with the idea of running your own business in a beautiful rural idyllic spot, miles from the clamour and din of city life. When you have been used to a routine of 9-5 with hours of travel or mixed shifts where your body is unsure it ever really functions properly then the idea of working for yourself and running your own guest house, so being able to work from home, becomes a more reachable goal and not just a distant glimmer on the horizon.

Our choice was Kostenets village, which is part of the municipality of Kostenets. About 17,000 people live in this area which comprises the following places: the town of Kostenets, the village of Kostenets, the recreational campuses of Kostenets and the Villi zone, Momin Prohod, Momina Banya and Pchelin. Kostenets is a spa and recreational resort area, which is situated in the Dolna Bania valley, where the River Maritsa runs through. The town of Kostenets is to the south-east of Sofia , about a 40 minute drive and to the East lies Borovets ski resort, which is roughly a 20 minute drive.

The spas of Momin Prohod were used in Roman times. It is said that the hot mineral water which is some 65 degrees C, heals bones and has a profound effect on the joints, peripheral nervous system and respiratory system, if they are ailing.

The village of Kostenets has its very own mini waterfall, of the Stara River, at the base of the Rila Mountains. It has an open air swimming pool which is filled in summer with the curative mineral water. There are mineral baths, where for 1 lev you can bathe your aching limbs in the crystal clear hot mineral water. There are many walks which lead up the Rila Mountain and into the Rila National Park. There are backpackers hostels or huts along the way too. With such a wonderful combination of healing mineral water, beautiful mountainous scenery and fresh air, is it any wonder we picked Kostenets to be our new home. So far there are not too many expats here, however in Dolna Bania close-by they are developing a new Golf Course which will contain a complex of secure new villas. There is a flying school nearby which has a private landing strip. This area is gearing itself to move up into the world of eco-holidays.