ok so my take is a little different as i am from the Uk and obvs not a local. also I'm almost 40 which means I'm probably fairly out of touch with a 20-something reality.

i can make a few statements though.

to start with jobs, i think the job situation is probably fairly shit unless you can start your own business or get a decent job in the capital.

i make money online and have done for over a decade basically and i don't make a ton, maybe 1200-1300 pounds, sometimes more, sometimes less (I've had times where i have lost a client and half my income for a few months).

for me, working a 9-6 is not going to happen as i value the freedom i have more than the money.

there are a lot of EU companies that open offices in Bulgaria to save costs yes, Bulgaria is quite strong at IT so that is a popular choice in the capital. also, international call centers are a thing in Sofia so people that have language combos like Bulgairan + dutch or french etc can get jobs doing that.

taxes are low (10%) but rent has gone up quite a bit since the ukraine war and end of covid, i think this is a global thing tho

food costs actually arent that cheap, unless it's cigs and booze, which are very cheap lol eating out is very affordable though. if you live in a village, you can buy eggs from neighbours, natural honey and there's usually other things like raw milk and stuff sold by local farmers and whatnot.

if you can make, say, 2000 euros per month, outside of the capital, you can have a very high standard of living, as long as you're not into drugs and hookers