I have been corresponding with a Retired American who has sent questions about Bulgaria. The latest one caused me to think.  His question was "Can you introduce me to other AmerXPats?" I have a number of English speaking Bulgarian and other XPat friends from many Countries, but this question had to be answered as follows. "No, I hear from time to time that there are AmerXPats. I have never met one" My wife and I are AmerXPats.Â
We first visited Bulgaria by chance on our annual European trip in 2013. We joined a Bulgarian XPat group in Dallas in late 2013 to learn more about the culture.  I began reading the history of the Country and was impressed. By 2015 we had visited Bulgaria three times and my wife purchased a flat without regard to the question of other AmerXPats. I encouraged an American tour company that publishes a weekly tour TV show to visit Bulgaria, He did! Look at "Rick Steves visits Bulgaria" on Utube. The next year She and my Son's Company built a villa and the following year started to build a 110 unit Hotel that was finished in Dec. 2019. Fortunately my Son's company was able to pay cash and not have any debt.Â
Miraculously the Hotel survived Covid with sufficient rentals for the first year (2020) and broke even.  We are hopeful that the 2021 season will begin a renewed interest in the Black Sea area. My Son's company already have enough bookings to come close to a break even and it is only the beginning of February.Â
In spite of the challenges of the last 9 years, Sanctions, Russia, and the list goes on. Bulgaria is Dreamland.  Yes there are a host of deficiencies that will be sorted out over the next 20 years.Â
Our circle of friends has always been diverse from many cultures and nations.  We had guests from America almost weekly during the Sea Season--June to Sept from 2016 to 2019 when we finally stopped hosting American friends and clients in my home and then opted to have them stay in a Hotel.  Everyone states they loved the visit, the culture, the food and the ambiance.  None have returned more than three times so far. One has made the decision to relocate his internet business to Bulgaria. Most of our American friends and clients are trapped as they have no skills to transfer to Bulgaria and cannot compete with the cost of labor.  Yet, the manufacturing Company clients are very attracted to creating opportunities in Bulgaria.  Some of the visitors have responded in the positive about investing in Bulgaria through our company Balkin consultants.Â
It is apparent me that we Bulgarian AmerXPats are pioneers and visionaries. I see a bright future for Bulgaria.  Alas! Most of my American friends and clients still think Bulgaria is a slave state to the Communist USSR that no longer exists---Until they Visit!!! That is reflective of the American culture and decline in education. It is time for Bulgaria to think bigger i.e. Panama and other South American Nations have done to capitalize on attracting the wealthy.Â
If there are any AmerXPats in Bulgaria, please reach out to this forum to provide insight to those who inquire about life in Bulgaria. It would be of service to provide voices to questions that more Americans are asking as the flight for the wealthy from America has begun.Â
If there is any interest in attempting to communicate the beneficiale life in Bulgaria to American soon to be XPats.  Please contribute.