UK Family Saves £21,600 Annually Moving Mortgage-Free Bulgaria

Amy and Jerry Smerdon, a British couple with four young children, have relocated from the UK to Bulgaria after buying a £7,000 three-bedroom home as a holiday property and later deciding to move permanently following an inheritance. They purchased a larger property with a warehouse in Popovo, Bulgaria, which Jerry converted into a liveable home, allowing the family to live mortgage-free and save around £1,800 monthly on household expenses. Frustrated by the unaffordable UK property market, difficulties securing a mortgage due to age and credit issues, and lack of government support with council tax, the family sought financial freedom abroad. Amy expressed that the move allowed them to regain control of their lives and feel truly united as a family rather than merely surviving. Jerry highlighted their struggles in the UK, including bailiffs visiting their home, and emphasized that the move was about gaining freedom. The family is currently renovating their new home with a budget of £10,000 and enjoying a lifestyle with significantly reduced costs compared to the UK.