The "hidden jewel" of Europe

In this week’s Buzz:

• Where’s the best pasta in town?

• Water bills set to rise by 12%

• Sinsay coming to town this year

• Bansko Takeover at Contrabar with seven DJs on Saturday

• Local municipality and Bansko Street Dogs partnership

• Secret circle dinner event at Skabrin (even the menu is a secret! 🤣)

• Local restaurant closing its doors this month (for good)

Bansko seen as a unique place to live, as a number of digital nomads and foreign nationals call the town home

Euro News wrote an article this week about how a small town in Bulgaria has become a place for digital nomads & foreign nationals to call home, with some choosing to base themselves there and others ditching nomadism altogether to settle in the town.

Obviously, they’re talking about us, Bansko 😄 

The key points of the article are that living costs are much lower in Bulgaria than in their home countries, the town has a good community, and taxes are low.

The article focused on the fact that international individuals settling in Bansko is a good thing because it has helped stabilise the local economy, especially given the unpredictability of “climate change” affecting potential revenue from the winter season. Many infrastructure improvements have also helped improve the town, in part because these individuals choose to make Bansko their home.

I only have one reservation about the increase in digital nomads and foreign nationals: will prices go up for local people who grew up here and still live here? Many live a simple life, and the people moving here have significantly higher disposable incomes. Prices will increase (overall and in places set up to attract these individuals), whether that’s at restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or rental accommodation. By how much is anyone’s guess, but rentals rose significantly at the start of the 2024/25 ski season, with seasonal workers (Bulgarians) paying significantly more in rental amounts than in previous years.

Take a look at the article here and a video on the topic here.

From my point of view, I like any piece of news that promotes the town. I’d just rather they look into things a little bit more: how there are some genuine connections and communities within the wider community in Bansko, and how that feels to new people (amazing because we’re all welcoming, obviously 😁). It’s a topic I talk about a lot, and feel is what keeps people coming back and choosing to call Bansko home: the community.

Community & Coworking at Altspace

Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online at a coworking space, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant, painting & wine, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.

If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book a trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 181 New Posts, 💬 994 Comments, 👍️ 4,366 Reactions

I’m Researching For My Degree. Can You Help?
Kristina posted that she’s doing some research for her degree at Breda University in the Netherlands. If you take part in winter sports in Bansko, your answers might help her with her research paper.

Does Anyone Know a Personal Trainer in Town?
Ekaterina is looking to build her strength in the gym to improve on what she’s already been doing. See who people recommended.

It Might Be a Good Time To Think About Getting First Aid Trained
Maria posted some organisations who can help individuals become first aid trained. She posted this because she’s seen quite a few accidents on the slopes and believes it’s important to know how to provide immediate help if you witness an emergency.

Where’s The Best Pasta in Town?
Evgenia is craving some pasta, but wants to know where the best place is to have a quality dish. See where people recommended.

I Can’t Believe What I Saw: Fight Breaks Out On The Mountain
Svetla posted a video of a fight that broke out between a group of men. She wanted to highlight that she’d seen a lot of people drinking on the mountain and didn’t think it was right.

Bansko & Beyond

Water bills set to rise by 12%
Water prices in Bansko (and the greater Blagoevgrad region) are set to increase by around 12% from today. Other areas of the country will see either the same or similar increases. Water isn’t among the highest household bills in Bulgaria, so it shouldn’t affect too many people negatively. Read more [translation required].

Municipality partners with Bansko Street Dogs
The Bansko municipality has partnered with Bansko Street Dogs for March, offering free neutering for owned dogs within the municipality. This is the first time they’ve linked up after many years, with the municipality hoping things are fine when in reality they are not. I covered this topic in the Beehive this week (where you get my real, unfiltered opinion). Read more.

Sinsay coming to Bansko
There’s been a lot of speculation about what the construction project on Pirin Street next to the ice rink is going to be. Recently, Sinsay decided to confirm the speculation by placing a banner on the front of the building. This store should be open sometime in the spring. (Sinsay is a similar store to Pepco, having clothing sections and household wares. A good addition to the town.)

Municipal Council agrees on funding programme
This week, the municipal council agreed to fund several projects related to sports and young people. They confirmed the continued development of Bansko as a year-round resort and that several infrastructure projects had been given the green light. Read more.

Will the war in Iran affect prices?
I’m sure you’ve heard about the US and Israel strikes on Iran. I’m not getting into whether it’s right or wrong, but I think it’s important to be mindful about whether prices will be affected. Around 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is now said to be “closed”. How this will affect prices across European countries (we use oil in lots of industries) is anyone’s guess, but I’m sure it’s not going to be “no change”.

Join over 60 million people using Revolut. Hold Euros in your account and pay local businesses in Bansko easily. Sign up for an account now.

New to Bansko? Skip the tourist traps and join Nick for Bansko Like a Local tour. An insider’s guided tour to the best bars, restaurants/mehanas and hidden gems. Learn more.

Shop on Amazon & get packages delivered to Bansko with GGBG. Regular transport from the UK, Germany and the USA to Bulgaria. See website for info.

Travelling outside of your home country this year? Get travel insurance designed by travellers. True Traveller: one policy to cover all of your activities. Learn more.

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Events Next Week

Liberation Day (148 years)
On Tuesday (3rd), there will be a national holiday to mark Liberation Day, commemorating 148 years since Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottoman Empire. Expect celebrations in town and on the mountain, and for all government offices to be closed.

Before You Wakeup (Razlog)
On Saturday (7th) at 6pm, there will be an introduction to the book Before You Wake Up, which presents stories about sleep, resistance, the inner landscape, and the outside world. This will take place at ETHER in Razlog. The event is free. More info.

Bansko Takeover
On Saturday (7th), from 10pm until late, Contrabar is hosting a Bansko Takeover party with seven DJs (pAnega, DTK, Wavy, Vess-C, Moshino, Goldrum, Paramether). Apparently, drum and bass avalanches are predicted. More info [translation required].

Secret Circle Dinner
On Sunday (8th) from 5pm, Skabrin is hosting a secret circle dinner with the theme “Bringing the forest to your plate”. This will be a three-course dinner with wine and rakia. The menu will be given to those who enquire, apparently 🤷. Price is 90€ per person. More info.

Balkan Folklore Festival
On the 19th to 22nd and 26th to 29th of March, the Balkan Folklore Festival returns to Bansko for its third year. This will include music, singers, and traditional dancing from both Serbian and Bulgarian groups. (The programme for the events is yet to be released.) More info.

Regular Weekly Events

Here is a list of the twelve regular events that will be happening every week throughout the winter season:

- Pub Quiz: Monday from 7pm at different venues (Bansko Street Dogs).
- Bansko Run Club(ish): Tuesday at 6.30pm meet at Altspace Coworking (Central).
- Spanish Speakers Meeting: from 6pm at DiVino Wine Bar
- Latin Dance Night: Tuesday from 7pm at Four Leaf Clover.
- Pool Tournament: Thursday from 6.30pm at Smokey Mountain.
- Friday Beers: Friday 6pm to 8pm at Altspace Coworking (Central) [BYOB].
- Latin Dance Night: Friday from 7pm at DiVino.
- Bonkers Bingo: Friday from 7.30pm at The Hub
- Karaoke: Friday from 8pm at Tipsy 360.
- BSD Saturday Sale: Saturday 10am to 2pm at Bansko Street Dogs shelter.
- Sip & Paint: Saturday 2pm to 4pm at Lucky Bansko Aparthotel.
- Free Walking Tour: Saturday at 2pm at the big tree near the church (duration: 1.5hours)
- Sunday Walk: Sunday from 11am, meeting at the gondola.

Inside The Beehive🍯 

The Beehive is a monthly membership where I share more stories, information, and insights that I don’t share publicly. You also see things weeks or months before they’re published (whether in the newsletter or in the group).

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Photo of the Week

A beautiful view of Mount Todorka in the morning.

Follow @banskobuzz on Instagram.

Before You Go…