The people in Sofia are generally the same as in New York — rude, selfish and alienated. I live in this flat for 12 years, still I am not sure how do all my neighbours look like. And the safety net - It's mainly due to larger families, and ties from the university... This has a negative connotation as well - corruption. You have to maintain some friendships in order not to bribe.
Anyway, I like the fact that you find Bulgaria amusing.