Our neighbour here in Turkey considered similar renting to students and concluded that he would earn almost the same at 8% in the bank as he would after agents fees / breakages / insurance etc
Why not downsize in the UK and rent out here first for 6-months?
A lot of people I know that have bought and live here say they would rent if they could turn the clock back.
We have just finished our first 6-months in our apartment to learn some lessons and we want more of it but:
1. We really like it but do not want to be here more than 3 months without "nipping home" to see families.
2. August was unbearable - half of July as bad - too hot
3. We can live much cheaper than I thought and I am a cheapskate - admittedly we do not drink / smoke or own a car here
4. Our conclusion that keeps us both happy - we will come out Mar - April - May - go home June - July - Aug back Sept - Oct - Nov then home for Dec - Jan - Feb
We will do some temp work when we go home and those periods are good for temping. Those periods also work well with residency or not!!
We never thought that would be our conclusion 6-months ago but the flights our now booked for next year
So why not
dip your toe first before jumping in is my advice - you could even rent your house for a 6 months so you have the same base to go back to just in case
but either way YES do it!!
Ian
Ps Just had my haircut and washed for 5 lira - in internet Cafe (1 lira) with a lovely coffee - cost 50 kurus - give me more