Experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, by Joana

What is it like to live in Sofia? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

The city is pretty great, it's the capital of Bulgaria, so there are a lot more opportunities and things to see, and it's also a beautiful city. I certainly like living and studying here.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Sofia?

I can really only speak of my own university which is Sofia University "St. Clement of Ohrid" and it's great. I think young people and students in particular are open and friendly towards foreigners who come to study here. The professors are also very well qualified and the level of education is high.

How much does it cost to live in Sofia?

I guess it depends on what country you're coming from, but generally foreigners find that in Bulgaria everything is much cheaper. Sofia, of course, being the capital, is a bit more expensive than other smaller cities, but you should still find the prices acceptable if not great.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Sofia? Is there any advice you can give?

I don't think it's very difficult, especially for students. There are also student residencies which are cheaper, because they're made especially for students. If you're looking for an apartment though, the ones near the center of the city are the most expensive, so maybe look for one which is not there. There are great ones and it doesn't matter that they're a bit far from the center because the transportation is great (with the subway you can get almost everywhere and for the rest there are buses).

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There are a lot and different restaurants and places for fast food all over the city if you're into that. Otherwise, you can find everything in the supermarkets, I'd recommend the chains Billa, Lidl and Carrefour (they're big supermarkets, you can find almost anything there and there are also ready warm meals to buy).

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What places would you recommend visiting in Sofia?

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a must-see, definitely (it's very close to Sofia University). The Ivan Vazov National Theatre and the park in front of it are a great and very beautiful place. There are a lot of other great parks and museums too.

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Is it good to eat out in Sofia? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Like I said, there are a lot of restaurants in the city, most of them have great food. Some of my favourite spots would be Godzila, Happy and any chinese restaurant.

Is the nightlife good in Sofia? Where is good to go?

You can find the largest concentration of bars in Sofia near Vitosha Blvd., and around Sofia University where many students like to hang out. There, you have an enormous choice for a night club.

Clubs regularly schedule performances by bands that play anything from traditional Bulgarian music to hardcore, punk, reggae, electronica, or metal. The largest clubs in Sofia are concentrated in Students’ town (Studentski grad).

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