7 Things I Love About Bansko

by Louise Cottrell

I’m generally a very happy person, and usually full of love for the people I meet and the places I go.

So of course Bansko is no exception.

Upon returning from travels back to my “base” here in the Bulgarian mountains the other day, I have been reflecting on my feelings for this town and all it offers.

Here are just a few reasons why I’m crazy about Bansko:

The valley.

Bansko not only has a sweet mountain playground for both winter and summer fun, but it’s also perfectly positioned in the most beautiful valley ringed by several mountain ranges. All you have to do is climb up a hill — then do a 360º and notice the gorgeous landscape that surrounds you. Bansko is not tucked away; despite being at the base of one of the tallest mountains in the country, it’s also positioned in a wide-open area with big skies and beautiful sunsets. Europe has plenty of nice mountainous regions but none quite compare, IMHO.

Food options - or rather, lack thereof.

Last night I went to Opa with my new friend and newcomer Josh, and we were reflecting on what we liked about this place (he arrived only a week ago yet he certainly has his finger on the pulse). We agreed that despite not having an insane amount of food offerings outside of season, this is actually preferable. We don’t have fear of missing out like you might in a big city with too many options, and we are content to rotate between a few super high-quality, cheap and tasty restaurants that we have near the coworking space. The variety of tasty num-nums amongst such a small amount of locales is quite impressive, and the fact that there isn’t a plethora of restaurant options actually makes life simpler and reduces decision fatigue.

Having less options makes life easier.

This brings me to another point about the “simple life” of a small town. Running my online business, I could live in any city in the world. So why do I choose to spend so much time in a Bulgarian mountain town with ~10,000 residents? Simplification. Options for entertainment, activities and social events can be a great thing, but without too much more going on than what we organize at the space, there is a bigger opportunity for focus, getting traction in my business and reflecting on what I want out of life. Being back home the last few days I’ve noticed how quiet and peaceful this town is, and I love that. Over my recent 5 week trip I can’t remember being anywhere with such a beautiful silence, which is highly conducive to going within and getting grounded. Silence FTW!

View from my room.

And speaking of home, another reason why I love living in Bansko is because of the insane views from my room, upstairs in the coliving space. For the convenience of living in the same building as the coworking space and having this kick-ass view, I pay slightly more than the average (€250 in summer) for my room at the top floor of the building. I wake up to this:

And then I get to sit back with a glass of wine and take in the evening sunlight over the town. Good views improve quality of life both at work and at home, and no matter how good or bad I’m doing, starting and ending the day with this backdrop has me feeling like a million bucks.

Hikes.

Nature is also good for the soul, and here there is plenty of it. My second day back in town I went straight to the forest, leading my friends (some old and some new) on a 3-hour hike that led us up and over a forested hill to the lower area of the mountain’s ski road. We walked straight from the town, but there is also the option to take the gondola up higher and do longer treks, even camping in huts on the mountain that are only accessible by foot. We are truly spoiled by so much beautiful scenery, wildflowers and clean air!

Friends.

Being in a nomad hub, it’s true that there are many people only passing through to have a look and take a rest from a packed travel schedule. People are coming and going and goodbyes are a bit frequent for my liking. That being said, the people that Bansko attracts tend to be special folks, and even when good friends move on to their next destination, more cool people seem to arrive to take their place. That’s just the magic of this town and its coworking community.

Comfort.

Yes we are in Eastern Europe. No, not many people speak English fluently. Life here is more basic, lacking some amenities that certain high-maintenance people require for their lifestyle. And yet, life here — as a newcomer or a return guest — is 100% PLUG AND PLAY. Thanks to Uwe, Matthias and the Coworking Bansko team, life here is surprisingly easy to slide into and get comfortable. We always laugh when new arrivals post anxiously in the Facebook group about finding a flat, getting transport and asking about food and shopping options in town. With Bansko, there is not much pre-planning required and it’s best to just show up, strike up a conversation in our social space, and get all your needs met and your questions answered. You may not believe me, but you’ll see for yourself when you get here. Trust!

About the author:
Louise is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but has been living the expat nomad lifestyle since 2008. To support her adventures she works in Pinterest marketing and in blockchain space. She travels the world, enjoying life and spreading cheer to all who cross her path.