Thousands of Britons are flocking to Bulgaria, apparently lured by bargain-basement house prices, low living costs, and the prospect of a sunnier, simpler life. Official census data shows the number of British nationals living in the Balkan country has shot up from 2,605 in 2011 to 4,484 by 2021 — with the real figure likely being even higher now.

The eastern European nation, often overlooked in favour of hotspots like Spain or Portugal, is fast becoming a destination of choice for expats priced out of the UK property market. Some buyers are snapping up homes online for as little as £3,000, sight unseen. Many properties are dilapidated, but even after renovations, buyers say they’re still spending a fraction of what a similar project would cost back home.

Among them are Maxwell and Leah Jones, from Prestatyn, who bought a three-bed house in the town of Popovo for £8,000 without even visiting it first. The couple, aged 38 and 29, had been struggling to buy in the UK and decided it was time for a change.

Mr Jones told MailOnline: “We were due to buy a house in the UK but it became hard to put all this money out and still be paying it off for 25 years. We looked at the price in Bulgaria and it became a no-brainer. Now we’re mortgage-free.”

The couple plan to move in full-time by the end of the year with their children, Lorenzo and Indy. They estimate the full renovation will cost £15,000 to £20,000 — still just a fraction of UK property prices.

They’re far from alone. Scunthorpe mum Donna Hardy bought a large rural home near Veliko Tarnovo for around £22,000 last year. The estate came with outbuildings, a barn and an acre of land.

And in 2022, Lewis and Jordan Vye bought a rundown farmhouse for just £7,000, where they’re raising children Fae and Leo.

Many say Bulgaria offers an enviable quality of life. Average monthly costs for a family can be as low as £300, with bills a fraction of UK rates. Council tax, for instance, can be as little as £25 a year.

The weather is another major draw. Some regions see more than 300 days of sunshine annually, while access to the Black Sea coast and cheap rail links to Turkey and Greece provide plenty of travel options.

Estate agent Gemma Stevenson, who moved to Bulgaria in 2007 and set up Bulgarian Property Experts, said demand from Britons is booming.

She said: “Whether you’re renting or buying, the prices are significantly lower than in most Western European countries. You also have a much lower crime rate in rural areas and an incredibly welcoming local culture.”

Ms Stevenson now lives with her fiance, Georgi, and their children. Her daughter Sky is studying at university in Veliko Tarnovo. She said rural communities are often keen to embrace newcomers.

She said: “The locals take young families under their wing. Even if they don’t speak your language, they’ll go out of their way to help — bringing you homemade chutneys, preserves or even rakia to try.”

Nevertheless, Bulgaria is not without its drawbacks.

It remains the poorest country in the EU by GDP per head, and its political landscape is deeply unstable. Allegations of vote-rigging, voter intimidation and corruption have dogged recent elections. Much of the controversy centres on sanctioned oligarch and MP Delyan Peevski, accused of embezzlement and bribery.

Despite this, buyers seem undeterred. Listings on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace regularly feature properties under £10,000, and many buyers appear more focused on freedom and affordability than politics.

Ms Stevenson added: “If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and adapt to a slower pace of life, you can build something really special here.”