Our Fresh Start In Bulgaria... Was Falling Apart (So we changed everything)

#lifeinbulgaria #villagelife #bulgaria

When we left the UK for rural Bulgaria, we knew starting over wouldn’t be easy—but we didn't expect everything to start falling apart.

In this episode, we share the raw, honest truth about our homestead renovation journey. From crumbling structures to the mental toll of building a new life from scratch with three kids (and a dog). Is our dream of a simpler, self-sufficient life slipping away, or is this just part of the process?

If you've ever dreamed of leaving the 9-5 behind, moving abroad, or tackling an old farmhouse renovation, this is the reality behind the camera.

👉 SUBSCRIBE to follow our journey as a UK family building a new life in Bulgaria!

✉️ Business Enquiries: [email protected]

⏱️ CHAPTERS
0:00 - The Reality of Starting Over
00:03 - When Everything Goes Wrong
01:05 - Rebuilding a better space update
04:08 - Implementing a manageable space
08:41 - Is the Dream Worth It? Our rural space tour
13:24 - Start of new beginning/ update on our growing vegetables
15:40 - Finding Hope in Rural Bulgaria
17:21 - Outro

#movingabroad #homesteading #rurallife #startingover #freshstartsticks #renovationreality #uktoeurope #homestead

☉ WELCOME TO FRESH START STICKS ☀︎
We’re a family of five who left the UK to start a new life in rural Bulgaria.
After the events of 2020, life in the UK changed dramatically. Attitudes shifted, businesses struggled under constant regulation changes, and with three young children, we began questioning whether the traditional path still offered the future we wanted for them.

We didn’t feel that the school system could provide the structure, freedom, and real-life skills our children need as they grow into young adults — so we chose to homeschool.

After researching several European countries, we chose Bulgaria. It’s still organic, the people are welcoming, and the nature is truly beautiful. After months of searching — and almost giving up — we finally found an old farmhouse in the countryside that had been empty for over a year. We decided to buy it and renovate it, learning as we go.

OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE:
Renovate our Bulgarian farmhouse
More freedom.
More family time.
Growing our own food.
And travelling together as a family in the Balkan countries

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🎥 WHAT WE SHARE HERE

This channel documents real family life after moving abroad — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Real-time relocation & rural living
Honest DIY & renovation (no experts — just learning as we go)
No crew. No big budgets. Just us.
New videos every Sunday.

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THE JOURNEY

👉 Subscribe here:
www.youtube.com/@freshstartsticks

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🌍 Official Website & Project Links:
Homepage → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/
Watch the Journey →
Support the build → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/donate
Property services →
Press & Media →
Blog →
Contact →

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Explore renovation blogs, cost of living guides and sustainable living insights

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📝 FEATURED BLOG GUIDES

Cost of Living in Bulgaria → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/post/cost-of-living-in-bulgaria
Rural Living in Bulgaria → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/post/rural-living-in-bulgaria-our-honest-experience
Buying Property in Bulgaria
Home Renovation in Bulgaria: What You Should Know

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🤍 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Your support helps us continue renovating and documenting this journey.
https://www.freshstartsticks.com/donate

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📲 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/FreshStartSticks
Facebook: facebook.com/FreshStartSticks
TikTok: tiktok.com/FreshStartSticks

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🎵 MUSIC
Song list: Morning Mist
If you enjoyed our music selection and would like access to it, you can find it here:
https://share.epidemicsound.com/rrpbsk
(Affiliate link)

DISCLAIMER ⚖️
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Unauthorised use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.