SWEET ESCAPE
I quit England to buy a mansion in Bulgaria with my kids for £21.5k – we have an acre of land & a massive barn too
Watch the video below to find out how to get the best deal on your mortgage
A HOMEOWNER has wowed with her dream mansion bought for a fraction of the price houses cost in England.
Donna Hardy paid just over £21,500 for a huge family house in Bulgaria.
2
2
Donna () has garnered over 40,000 TikTok followers since she began to share the process of renovating her new home.
She went viral on the social media app when she posted a video answering questions from viewers.
“We paid €26,000 for this house,” she said, pointing at her lavish abode.
“Not only did we get this house, but around the back, there is another little mini house, a massive barn, we have outbuildings.
Read more real life
“And we also have the garage along with an acre of land.”
She said her family are still unpacking and settling into the spacious property, which was “rundown” when they first bought it.
Almost 25,000 viewers liked the video and commenters confessed they were shocked by the price.
“Wow! That’s cheap! In Bristol, England, £26 grand gets you the front gate,” one person said.
Most read in Fabulous
“I’m packing now [laughing]. What a bargain, what a lovely place you have. Plenty of room for all the animals I would love to foster,” another commented.
“I got my house in Bulgaria in 2018 and as an English man I can honestly tell you it’s the right move, the place and people are lovely,” a third wrote.
We quit England & bought an abandoned house in Bulgaria for £7k… the winters are so harsh but we have our dream home
“Why are houses in the UK so dear… we’re so ripped off here. Your house looks amazing for €26,000 well done,” another added.
However, other commenters claimed that Donna and her family will miss the UK and listed several downsides of making the move.
One person complained about the language barrier, while another said it’s difficult to get a high-paying job.
“Bulgaria is cheap to buy yes, but there’s not much there and it’s f***ing freezing in the winter!” a commenter said.
“I know a whole family from grandparents down to grandkids bought a house in rural Bulgaria, they were back within 2 months & nothing to come back to in the UK!” another chimed in.
“The grandma had never been further than Blackpool. It was a shock for them all, they didn’t learn the lingo & hated how rural it was, residents didn’t help either!”
Moving house hacks
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.
2. Create an Inventory
Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.
3. Use Quality Packing Materials
Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.
4. Label Everything
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.
5. Pack a 'First Day' Box
Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup
Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.
7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.
8. Colour-Code Your Boxes
Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
A third commenter warned about loopholes that mean buyers often don’t own the land their house is built on.
The average price of a house in the UK is £282,000, according to .
Donna revealed that her family bought her house using the company Bulgaria Direct.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
She said buying a house in Bulgaria would’ve been “a lot cheaper” if they bought privately.
“Because it was the first time we were buying a house and we weren’t sure what we were doing, we wanted to be safe so we went through an estate agent,” she said.
Topics