Varna or Burgas — which city to choose for buying property and relocating

Varna or Burgas? Bulgaria is a wonderful country, and which city to choose for buying property and relocating is a decision everyone makes for themselves. 

Where is it better to holiday and live? Some are tied to past memories or future opportunities, some have parents or relatives living there, some have met their loved one and got married — life turns out differently for everyone.

Both cities have all the necessary infrastructure for a full life year-round and for holidaymaking. That is why Varna and Burgas are suitable for young families and for pensioners who are used to living in the city but at the same time want to have a Seaside Park, the sea, and enjoy a mild climate.

„Where is the climate more comfortable and where is it warmer?“ — clients often ask us this question. The distance between the two cities is 110 km, so the difference in temperature is not significant — it happens that Varna is warmer, or the other way around.

Where is the sea warmer? The sea is warm everywhere; the water temperature is affected by the direction of the wind, but no substantial difference is observed during the summer period.

Today, together we will make a small analysis, referring to national statistical data and Darik Radio, which every year conducts a survey «Which city in Bulgaria is the best to live in?»

Which city in Bulgaria is better to move to: Varna or Burgas?

The cities of Varna and Burgas are located on the Black Sea coast. 

According to the overall vote and Darik Radio data, the city of Varna won the status of best city twice, in 2007 and 2008, while Burgas won three times: in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Varna or Burgas — this is a dispute that has been gaining momentum in recent years. But whichever city wins the prize, it will be an acknowledgement that everything located far from the sea is provincial.
Each city is a leader in certain categories, each has its own pros and cons that are worth working on for years.
According to the National Statistical Institute, in 2019 the population of the Varna region was 469,885 people, which makes it the third largest in the country. According to unofficial data, twice as many people live in the city.

Varna is a promising city, a city that is a guardian of history, a city of sport, a city of knowledge...

Many Bulgarian settlements invest in educational infrastructure and in the educational process, but Varna is a genuine academic alternative to the capital.

Where it is better for children and young people. Tens of thousands of students study in Varna. Six universities are known beyond the country's borders, and secondary schools and vocational colleges lead in academic performance and quality of teaching. In 2017, the city of Varna was recognised as the Youth Capital of Bulgaria.

Recently, academic leaders in Varna signed a joint memorandum with the municipality and business representatives, which guarantees fresh and capable staff for companies, and for young people — safe and promising jobs at companies ready to invest in the future.

According to the National Statistical Institute, in 2019 the population of the Burgas region was 313,132 people, which makes it the fourth largest in the country.

The city of Burgas is assessed in five categories: city of knowledge, business, lively, green, city. And today we present Burgas, which is about to enter a new technological orbit thanks to large-scale long-term investments in education.

As for the absorption of European funds, Burgas is one of the leaders in the country. The municipal administration leaves a good impression; it has a project for every opportunity for external financing.

Speaking of cleanliness and waste collection, Varna does not lack criticism. The situation in Burgas is much better than in other cities. The city is clean. The correct and effective steps in this direction are underground containers and separate waste collection.

As for the balance between work and leisure: Burgas and Varna really do offer many opportunities for various sports and continue to develop, with new facilities being built. There are enough open and accessible outdoor areas for leisure and entertainment. 

In the sphere of urban life, if we talk about cultural events, everything is on the scales. The Burgas Municipality has lost one of its emblems — the «Spirit of Burgas» festival, which has remained in the past. But there are other cultural institutions in both cities: opera, ballet, theatre.

As for territorial isolation, the city of Burgas is connected to Sofia by a motorway. Varna's problem has a name — the Hemus motorway, or more precisely, its absence. The Black Sea motorway should be a priority, not just a conceptual project, so that Varna and Burgas can be more actively connected. The state is responsible for such large-scale infrastructure projects. Bulgarians hope that the Hemus project will be completed in 2024 and the traffic problem on the Varna – Burgas road during the summer season will end.

Where are housing prices lower: in Varna or in Burgas

The property market of Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas — the three largest cities after Sofia — is showing a rise in housing prices. During 2020, transaction volumes remain similar to last year's. 

Based on PSPI data, it can be concluded that the three urban markets have managed to recover from the coronavirus crisis and the disruption of market activity it caused, and to meet the new season with active markets, good demand and supply.

The average cost per sq.m in Varna and Burgas is €850 and above.

The cost per sq.m is affected by the district, the reputation of the developer, quality, the number of floors, the aspect and the view.

In the large cities of Eastern Europe a big battle is beginning — for talent, for investment, for the future. In order to «appear» on the map, constant work and improvement is needed. The work of local authorities has long consisted of more than just maintaining rubbish bins, road lighting and sewerage. 

Bulgaria Avenue will be glad to help you decide where it is better to buy a house or an apartment. We will select a plot of land for building a house — not far from Varna or not far from Burgas. We organise familiarisation tours, to which we invite you. Leave a request on the website or give us a call. We work for you!