Studio or one-bedroom apartment – which is better to buy in Bulgaria

Each of us faces the task of buying a home. You have decided that you need a small apartment: a studio or a one-bedroom. But which is better to buy in Bulgaria?

It all starts with a daily search for a home on the Internet, browsing prices, comparing apartments, meetings with brokers, viewings. Questions arise: «What to choose? What is better, a studio or a one-bedroom apartment for living, holidays, and what is the difference? What should you pay attention to when buying?» This leads to fatigue, anxiety and nervousness. 

There is only one winner in a deal. It should be you!

Our Bulgarian real estate agency website Bulgaria Avenue features a variety of apartment options.

To make it easier for you to choose liquid housing, we have prepared an overview of what is better for living and renting out in Bulgaria - a studio or a one-bedroom apartment.

What is the difference between a studio and a one-bedroom apartment in Bulgaria

A studio apartment is an apartment without internal partitions and walls that limit the space. In essence, it is a living space that is simultaneously divided into a bedroom, living room and kitchen. The only closed room in a studio is the bathroom and toilet. The total area ranges from 25 to 100 sq.m. The property may have several windows.

The main zones are: kitchen, living room, sleeping area. They can be separated by a partial wall, a glass partition, a bookcase, a two-level floor, different lighting, or different types of wall colour. Sometimes the night zone is absent - then the entire studio is used as a work area. A studio usually does not have a basement.

Studio translates into Bulgarian as „boksoniera“, and a one-bedroom apartment is replaced by the word „garsoniera“. 

A one-bedroom apartment consists of a separate kitchen, a room, a bathroom, and a terrace or balcony. 

Today in Bulgaria, more studio-type apartments in new construction are found for sale on the market; if desired, a one-bedroom apartment can be purchased in older buildings.

Why one-bedroom apartments in Bulgaria are more expensive

Which is cheaper: a studio or a one-bedroom apartment? A studio in Bulgaria can be bought very cheaply - from 8,000 euros. Resort real estate predominates on the coast. One-bedroom apartments by the sea are a great rarity, and the cost per sq.m is much lower than on the urban market. The price is lower because the local population - Bulgarians - prefer to buy real estate in cities where there is work, infrastructure and year-round life. Only 10-15 percent of the population purchases resort real estate.

In Sunny Beach, on the southern coast of Bulgaria, it is more profitable to buy a studio apartment on the secondary market - from 450 euros per sq.m., 50 sq.m. With such an area, you can always convert a studio into a one-bedroom if you wish.

One-bedroom apartments (garsoniera) are more expensive, since the building is designed for permanent residence and the property is located in the city, usually in older construction.
The cheapest one-bedroom apartments are found in small towns: Dobrich, Shumen, Tervel, Ruse, Sredets and so on. For example, in a renovated building you can buy a 1-bedroom apartment with an area of 44 sq.m for 14,500 euros.

Advantages of a studio apartment:

• The main advantage of studio apartments is their lower price compared to one-bedroom ones.
• Low utility bills. This is due to the size of the space and its more efficient use.
• Another undoubted advantage is the panoramic windows, whose light is enough for the entire apartment. There is no need to use additional lighting during the day.
• In a large room, sound is well distributed, which will appeal to music lovers and home cinema enthusiasts.
• Studios have a special atmosphere. For young people, such housing is imbued with a spirit of independence and freedom. Creative individuals express themselves through arranging the apartment or turning it into a studio.

How to choose a studio apartment

When choosing a property, you need to determine the purpose of the purchase.

If you are acquiring real estate, there should be a balance of price, quality, location, and liquidity.

Before buying, you should always ask the question: „Will it be easy to sell a studio apartment or a one-bedroom? Does it make sense to buy a studio, since there are three or more of us in the family? Perhaps it is better to add some money, take out a loan and buy a larger apartment?

Recommendations before purchasing

Pay attention to:

• Location. Not everywhere is comfortable to live year-round.
• Noise in the neighbourhood, the area, and so on.
• Whether renovation is required, since the renovation may cost as much as the apartment itself.
• Avoid recently renovated buildings.
• Check the walls for mould, leaks, stains and/or cracks.
• Read the property documents carefully, hire a lawyer.
• It is better to buy resort real estate in winter.
• When purchasing real estate, familiarise yourself with people's opinions on what life is like in a small studio; there are plenty of reviews on the topic of real estate on the Internet.

Studio or one-bedroom for renting out in Bulgaria

Is it worth buying a studio or a one-bedroom to rent out? Why not, if you have the financial opportunity. Today, the most profitable option is investing in real estate.

By paying attention to all the recommendations given above and adhering to the principle of liquidity, you will choose a property that will always be in demand on the market.

In Bulgaria, when renting out property, many management companies offer a guaranteed income of 5 percent or more. Why not take advantage of this? Banks currently pay much less on deposits.

Bulgaria Avenue is working for you! 

With us, you will find what you were looking for. Dreams come true! A house or apartment gives a person a sense of stability, comfort, security and peace. Get in touch!