We MOVED to Bulgaria But Are We Being Scammed?
Are we being scammed in Bulgaria? 🇧🇬 | The reality of moving abroad as a family
We left the UK to start a fresh life abroad…
to grow our own food, live simply, and create freedom for our family.
But after returning home to Bulgaria, we were hit with something we didn’t expect…
A massive bill.
An overgrown property.
And questions we didn’t think we’d be asking.
👉 In this video, we share the REALITY of rural life in Bulgaria — the good, the challenges, and the moments that make you question everything.
If you’re thinking about moving abroad, starting a homestead, or leaving the system behind… this is what you need to see.
In this video you see:
Life in rural Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Cost of living in Bulgaria
The reality if moving abroad with a family
Growing your own food / homesteading
Unexpected costs of living abroad
The reality behind a “fresh start”
00:00 Reason we chose a rural life
00:18 We returned home… and the land was wild
00:53 The unexpected bill that shocked us
01:21 Watering what we planted before leaving
02:45 A kind Bulgarian neighbour helps us
04:00 The real cost of living in Bulgaria
06:36 What we do with the food we grow
06:49 What REALLY shocked us
13:43 Moving abroad isn’t always easy
17:55 What’s coming next
☉ 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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© Fresh Start Sticks 2026. All rights reserved.
Unauthorised use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.
🔍 HASHTAGS
#movingabroad #lifeinbulgaria #costofliving #homesteading #freshstart #leavingtheuk #rurallife #familylife #offgridliving #bulgaria