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A BRITISH family-of-six has made a drastic move to Bulgaria, where they are now saving a whopping £22,000 a year on household bills.
Fed up with the UK’s rising costs and a rental market that left them feeling trapped, Amy Smerdon, 35, and her husband, Jerry, 53, decided to pursue their dream of owning a home.
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After realising a mortgage was out of reach in Britain due to age and credit history, they found their solution in Bulgaria, where property prices are significantly lower.
The couple – who have two sons aged eight and six, and twin boys aged five – initially bought a three-bedroom home for just £7,000 in 2024 to use as a holiday home.
After Amy received some inheritance money when her grandad passed away, the family decided to move permanently.
They bought a plot with a warehouse near the town of Popovo, and Jerry, who runs a vape shop and ice cream parlour in the UK, converted it into a liveable home at the beginning of this year.
Amy and the children – including her eldest son, eight, from a previous relationship – moved from Wincanton, Somerset, in March 2025.
Now, they are renovating the home with a £10,000 budget and feel “free,” claiming they are able to save £1,801 a month.
“We’ve regained control of our life,” said Amy, a stay-at-home mum.
“We’re actually a family – not just surviving.”
Jerry, who has four older sons from previous relationships, shared a similar view.
“A big part of this was to give this freedom,” he said. “I’ve been let down by my own country. We were struggling to survive in the UK.”
Amy had originally considered converting a shipping container into a home to live off-grid, but found the costs were still too high in the UK.
She explained their situation: “With the age gap – I’m never going to be able to get a mortgage as I don’t have very good credit.
“Jerry is older – he’d never be able to get one because of his age.
In the UK we see eight-year-olds walking around with iPhones
Amy Smerdon
“We didn’t want to rent somewhere for the rest of our lives. You can’t paint that wall, or put something up on one wall.”
The family had visited Bulgaria on holiday several times and thought it was a “lovely” country.
After seeing others buying properties abroad, Amy and Jerry started looking at what was available and took the leap on a doer-upper property.
“It was always meant to be a holiday home,” Amy said.
“It was £7k – the price of what you’d pay for a holiday. Then we had no intention of emigrating.”
However, as the family started to reflect on their life in the UK, they began to explore how easy a move might be.
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Amy was frustrated by the state of the UK, the judgment on parenting, and the rising cost of living and property prices. “We weren’t living.
We were surviving,” she said. “I just feel the UK had become this rat race. It was like Groundhog Day for me.”
Amy loves that her children can be “free” and play outside in their new home country.
“In the UK we see eight-year-olds walking around with iPhones,” she said.
Everything is so simple and relaxed. It’s like going back in time
Amy Smerdon
“We wanted to escape all of that. Here they can scream and shout.
“They can do whatever without someone twitching at the window or knocking and asking for the kids to be quiet. That’s really important for me.”
Amy says the cost of living is also much cheaper.
She used to pay £1,300 in rent a month, and her bills cost £670 in Britain. Now, their bills are only £198.50 a month.
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Amy admits it hasn’t been “easy” and they still don’t feel “settled,” but they have no regrets. “It’s been our saviour,” she said.
“Everything is so simple and relaxed. It’s like going back in time.
“There is no limit – if you want to do something you’re able to achieve anything you want. No one can tell you that you can’t.”
10 DIY hacks for under £1 each
These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money
Homemade Air Freshener:
Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh.
Upcycled Tin Can Planters:
Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants.
Custom Phone Stand:
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint.
DIY Lip Scrub:
Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container.
Personalised Bookmarks:
Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders.
Easy Cable Organiser:
Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape.
Magnetic Spice Jars:
Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage.
Handmade Coasters:
Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home.
