4 ms·

I'm living in Sofia and I wouldn't live anywhere else. I got a comfortable job in IT which makes me a outlier though. I pay around 20% of my income in taxes an

I'm living in Sofia and I wouldn't live anywhere else. I got a comfortable job in IT which makes me a outlier though. I pay around 20% of my income in taxes and national insurance funds, excluding VAT. I actually believe I should be taxed more, even thought I'm far from the 1%. My costs for housing, utilities and transportation are low. Entertainment is cheap and the cafe's and clubs are always full. I get to eat out or go out as much as I want without straining my budget and I appreciate it because my friends in Western Europe live in lonely suburbs away from any friends and from the expensive city centers. And comfortable as they are they are still foreigners - something I tried for a few years, but didn't enjoy too much. That said I know a lot of expats that love it here. My friends in richer countries afford nicer cars and Apple products, but spend very little time outside their homes, long commutes and workplaces. I have yet to have one I envy even the slightest, but many people here believe that emigrants are showered with money for nothing. I travel a lot, both in richer countries and have been poorer parts like in Africa and Latin America. Travelling has only made me appreciate my country more. Seeing much people in poorer societies being much happier and grateful is eye opening! The healthcare is actually not that bad, if you have private insurance. People complain about the ZOC because it covers very little costs, but is focused on the most needy. I have close friends who had very expensive heart surgeries and didn't pay a lev for it. It is shameful and suspicious to say good things about any government institution so these friends keep quiet anout it. It is true that many of the medical workers stay here because of their families and out of charity for the country. Recently the nurses went on strike because they are paid close to minimum wage. My perspective might change if I get older, but so far I'm happy. I don't think the statistics are misleading but I don't think they represent the future. The trend is your friend until it ends..

tzjmetron 7y ago
Excellent point of view.
alt_f4 7y ago
> I actually believe I should be taxed more, even thought I'm far from the 1%. This only makes sense if BG had an efficient govt that wouldn't steal your money. The reverse is very much true, so this is a mistake. If it happens, you should try to fight it, as that money will just go into the pockets of state-connected oligarchs.
- dimitar 7y ago
  BG has problems, but it is not a kleptocracy.
  - alt_f4 7y ago
    For example, all infrastructure contracts are rewarded to a select few companies. These companies charge outrageous rates, building highways and bridges etc. at some of the highest rates per km in the EU, all the while these roads end up with significant technical problems just 2-3 years into exploitation, due to poor work and, more importantly, the use of lower quality than the spec materials (outright fraud), all the while paying workers 500EU / month. Based on my research, I'd estimate around 60-70% of the construction costs are theft. Or do you want to talk about the fact that BG fuel prices are about the same as all other eastern EU countries, all the while, BG has the lowest fuel tax rates and the same (or lower) VAT, thus more money goes into Lukoil and gas station monopolies than anywhere else. You are very uninformed.
    - alt_f4 7y ago
      *rewarded = awarded

tzjmetron 7y ago

Excellent point of view.

alt_f4 7y ago

> I actually believe I should be taxed more, even thought I'm far from the 1%. This only makes sense if BG had an efficient govt that wouldn't steal your money. The reverse is very much true, so this is a mistake. If it happens, you should try to fight it, as that money will just go into the pockets of state-connected oligarchs.

dimitar 7y ago
BG has problems, but it is not a kleptocracy.
- alt_f4 7y ago
  For example, all infrastructure contracts are rewarded to a select few companies. These companies charge outrageous rates, building highways and bridges etc. at some of the highest rates per km in the EU, all the while these roads end up with significant technical problems just 2-3 years into exploitation, due to poor work and, more importantly, the use of lower quality than the spec materials (outright fraud), all the while paying workers 500EU / month. Based on my research, I'd estimate around 60-70% of the construction costs are theft. Or do you want to talk about the fact that BG fuel prices are about the same as all other eastern EU countries, all the while, BG has the lowest fuel tax rates and the same (or lower) VAT, thus more money goes into Lukoil and gas station monopolies than anywhere else. You are very uninformed.
  - alt_f4 7y ago
    *rewarded = awarded