Bulgaria Crime Rates

July 07, 2006 - Forum Crossfire

Author: jak
Hi,

I write about property for an Irish newspaper and obviously BG is an attractive option for investors from Ireland. Last week there was an article about Bulgaria in a major Irish newspaper and it warned people about buying in Bulgaria in the context of life being so corrupt and violent. The article highlighted the gangland murders and high level corruption quoting sources that we're all familiar with by now. There wasn't anything new in the piece but it was presented in a very dramatic manner. The headline warned: 'Don't Splash Your Cash On A Villa In The Scum'. It's frightened some people who were considering buying in Sunny Beach or Bansko as they felt they might be gunned down shortly after landing in Sofia or that the Mafia would take over their property.

Anyway, I've been asked to write a piece about how life really is in BG. My own experience is that I've never felt under threat on any of my visits and I suspect crime or the threat of it doesn't play a major part in day to day life.

Are there any ex-pats from Ireland or the UK who could give me a little insight into living in Bulgaria? How different is it from home? Is buying in Bulgaria a good idea? I'd be very grateful for any feedback.
Cheers

Author: mo
Well ask them to look up murder rates stats.
Bulgaria is right around that of the States and below some countries already in the EU, like some of the Baltic members.

For a country with a fraction of the income of the USA to have similar crime statistics means a lot.

Would they go to the States? In one year more tourists get waked in Florida than in the last 15 years in BG, our economic crises notwithstanding.
People still go to Disney World, as well as they should...