Maxwell and Leah Jones didn’t want to be tied to a monthly payment for their home so looked abroad for a property
When buying a property it’s common practice to view it once and sometimes several times before signing on the dotted line. But one couple bought their family home in another country without setting foot inside it and it cost them just £8,000.
The abandoned house in Bulgaria seemed perfect for Maxwell and Leah Jones who were looking to buy somewhere but didn’t want a mortgage. They said they have always fancied a life of self-sufficiency and didn’t want to be tied to a monthly mortgage payment for the next 25 years.
Maxwell, 38, and Leah, 29, found the three bedroomed house in Popovo, Bulgara online and and bought it unseen.
Similar sized property in their hometown of Prestatyn, Wales sell for around the £300,000 mark.
The couple have flown out to view their new home since buying it and said that, although it requires renovations which will cost between £15,000 and £20,000, they will still be far better off there than here in the UK.
Joiner and landscaper Maxwell and partner Leah, who works in health and social care, plan to relocate their family of four, including Lorenzo, two, and nine year old Indy, over there by the end of this year, reports Wales Online.
The couple claimed that living on a “stringent budget” would only cost their family-of-four £300 a month in Bulgaria, while a “comfortable month” would set them back £680.
In the UK they pay £680 monthly rent, a weekly food shop costing up to £200, and £250 a month for electricity and gas.
Maxwell said: “It was exactly like it looked online. Now we’re mortgage-free. There is a lot to do – it’s a shell, but we’re up for a challenge.”
Maxwell and Leah began their property hunt in Bulgaria just before Christmas 2024, inspired by social media posts.
Maxwell explained: “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.”
The couple settled on a house they found online and secured the purchase by January, 2025 – a property that offers three bedrooms and a barn which Maxwell envisions will be his future live DJ streaming venue.
Maxwell and Leah said they preferred an “alternative” lifestyle and already homeschooled their two children. They eat organically and even make their own toothpaste but their dream of living self-sufficiently seemed unattainable in the UK due to high costs.
Maxwell plans to jet off in two months to undertake the re-wiring ahead of the family’s relocation later in the year, but with no rigid renovation budget or timetable, the couple are avoiding the pressure to create a “showhome” style to their Bulgarian purchase.
Maxwell said: “If the kids help out with painting and there are a few brush strokes on the skirting board – that’s OK. It will be an ongoing project – it might take years.”
The low cost of living in Bulgaria, the favourable climate and relaxed lifestyle significantly influenced their decision to choose the country, as well as the chance to become self-sufficient as much as possible, including growing fruits and vegetables and keeping livestock.
The couple have estimated the cost-of-living in both countries and the outcome helped them to decide to make the property purchase.
Estimated cost of Living per month – UK Vs Bulgaria
UK
Rent – £680
Electric and gas bill – £250
Food shop – £520 – £600
Council tax – £140
WiFi – £45
Water – £40 to £50
Bulgaria
Rent/Mortgage – £0
Electric and gas bill – £80
Food shop – £160 – £320
Council tax – £25 ANNUALLY
WiFi – £60 – £100 ANNUALLY
Water – £5
Maxwell said: “Our neighbour says he pays £15 to £20 a month for electric. We pay about £3,000 a year for electric and gas in the UK. Council tax is only £25 a year. We estimated you could get by on about £300 to £400 a month in Bulgaria – on a stringent budget. The cost of our rent – £680 – will be everything you need in Bulgaria for a comfortable month there.”
Maxwell admitted the couple were fortunate as they had the ability to work remotely, as he had recently launched a wellness supplement brand, which had assisted them in securing visas.
Maxwell added: “Breaking from the norm is as scary as it can be rewarding. But in Bulgaria the kids are playing out all day, in this country kids are striving for that next toy or app – it’s constant dopamine hits.
“We want to keep a creative space in our children.”
You can follow the family’s journey on TikTok @maxwellmydailys and @indandihomeed.
