Serbia and Bulgaria: Unexpected Differences Between Two Close Countries

First Impressions from a Temporary Stay in Serbia

Initially, comparing Serbia and Bulgaria didn't seem entirely appropriate, as a temporary stay is one thing, and living in one's own home is quite another. In Serbia, the status of a temporary guest who will soon leave creates one perception, whereas in Bulgaria, where there is a home, the feelings are completely different. Nevertheless, even a short visit allows one to form a definite opinion.

The trip to Serbia was undertaken to resolve personal matters related to emigration. The stay in the country lasted about two and a half weeks, and during this time, I had the chance to live in different conditions. At first, it was a modern apartment in the very center of Niš, just a two-minute walk from the main promenade with its restaurants and nightlife.

A Change of Scenery: From the City Center to a Residential Area

After the lease on the central apartment, booked through Booking.com, ended, I had to find new accommodation. The choice fell on a more affordable option, not in the center, but in a picturesque and beautiful location. The new place is the ground floor of a private house with direct access to the garden, while the owners live on the second and third floors. Although this place is within the city, it's only about an 8-minute drive from the previous apartment in the center.

The only problem was the heat, as there was no air conditioning in the apartment, which was an oversight during booking. However, according to the forecast, a cool down is on its way, and the temperature will drop to a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the place was perfect: beautiful private architecture and an abundance of flowers all around.

A General View of the Country: European Culture and the Language Barrier

Serbia gives the impression of a very beautiful, clean, and well-maintained country. There are flowers everywhere, tidy squares and parks, which speaks to the caring attitude of local residents towards their surroundings. There's a palpable European culture, and subjectively, it feels even more pronounced here than in some other places.

Despite the cultural proximity, the language barrier turned out to be surprisingly strong. While in Bulgaria it's easy for a Russian speaker to understand signs and spoken language, this is not the case in Serbia—it's almost impossible to understand spoken Serbian. The locals, in turn, also don't understand Russian. Far fewer Serbs speak Russian compared to Bulgarians, among whom people over 50 often know the language. On the other hand, more people in Serbia speak English.

Daily Life: From Roads to Shops

In daily life, Serbia and Bulgaria also show noticeable differences. For example, the driving culture in Serbia is much more intense. Here, drivers have clear priority over pedestrians, and even at crosswalks, cars don't always stop. Parking on sidewalks is a widespread phenomenon.

The architecture in residential areas of Serbia differs from that of Bulgaria. Two-, three-, and sometimes even four-story houses predominate here, whereas in Bulgaria, single-story houses are more common. The car fleet also has its peculiarities: there are many Range Rovers and large Audi models on the streets, but almost no Land Cruisers. You can also find old Yugoslavian cars, such as the Yugo brand.

The selection in grocery stores, even within the same chain like Lidl, is drastically different. In Serbia, the choice of cheeses, cold cuts, and dairy products is noticeably smaller than in Bulgaria. There are also fewer vegetables and a very limited assortment of wines. At the same time, the local cuisine has its own characteristics, although it is similar to Bulgarian, consisting mainly of grilled meat.