Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
General Topics => The Debating Chamber => Topic started by: Anne on August 27, 2014, 19:08:16 PM
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For the past year I have become increasingly uneasy about owning our place in Calis.
I wonder where and when all this change will end, and if PM Erdogan gets his way will we be left with a worthless apartment?
By worthless I mean unable to sell it or if we do keep it for a bit longer, be forced to sell at a much reduced rate.
I'd be interested to hear other owners views on this
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Yes..I am, hopefully leaving with my apartment sold. :-[
It,s a bit scarey how quickly things can change here. Like you I don,t want to wait to find out We have left it too late to rebuild our lives back home.
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I have just had this conversation with my husband we have had our apartment for 9 years but lately like you Anne I have been feeling very uneasy with the way things seem to be heading :-\
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Hang on and enjoy the ride. It's only money!
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Yes..I am, hopefully leaving with my apartment sold. :-[
I don't mean (or want) to be rude, but in the grand scheme of things you've only been here five minutes, didn't do your research properly (as far as I can see from here) and now decided you don't like it. Which is allowed, and I hope things work out for you when you go back.
Anne - you need to remember that this is Turkey and things can turn on their head in the space of a weekend. The next year or so will be interesting and whatever the outcome there will still be a tourist industry in the south and south west of the country - way too much money invested by folks with influence and positions of power (irrespective of governing party) for it to disappear.
The demographics of the tourists may change, but places like Fethiye, Alanya, Altinkum etc will probably not change that much to the casual visitor. I call it the Fethiye bubble effect, doesn't matter what happens in Istanbul, Ankara or the Borsa, main topic is the price of Efes or who does the best fillet steak - ok, that's maybe an over generalisation but its not a million miles away from many folks attitude.
Even if there is a massive shift to tourists from the east, GBP and EUR tourists still bring much needed (hard) foreign currency into the country, as do all the airline and package operators. They couldn't plug the gap that with USD's from Iran, Kuwait etc.
That's a short term (sort of) prognosis and purely my opinion.
Longer term... who knows. Folks complain (myself included) about AK party, but hey, the CHP have a whole different viewpoint regarding foreigners and if they managed to get into a position of power who knows what they would do. We don't have a strong army now who used to be relied on to keep extremists in check. Some say the solution is another coalition but that's what put TR in the sh1t economic position it was in during the eighties and nineties - nobody could agree so phuck all got done.
I do think if you're in it for the long haul then its a case of sitting tight and just letting the politicians get on with it. My better half lived and worked in Istanbul through two coup's, and the only real issue for foreigners was the rampant inflation - mind you, the government wasn't quite as overtly pious in those days!
However, if you think that at some point in the near future you may want to sell a property, and are reliant on getting a good price for it for pension pot or whatever, then I'd be paying plenty of attention to whats going on politically and financially in Ankara - and keeping an eye on the local property market.
Personally, we've sold up bar our place in Karagözler and moved the bulk of our money out of TL. But in some respects we're also in it for the long haul with that property, I like it too much as do our girls to consider selling just now. Fethiye would have to be dry and the girls hijabed up before we'd consider bailing!
Bottom line is that only you can decide when to stick, twist or fold...
JF
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No offence taken I agree with what you have said John. :)
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I'm not going anywhere unless I really really have to!
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We are looking into leaving. As a matter of fact, this winter we will be doing a "trial run" in a different country to see whether we could live there.
We're not leaving because of financial reasons but because we don't believe in the new Turkey of 2023. Last week 7.000 school principals were fired and are being replaced by RTE's puppets. We don't want out daughter learning that she is not allowed to laugh in public or that she should be at home, looking after her husband.
If we decide to leave, we will sell our property. I don't expect any problems with that since it is a typical "Turkish" house. Not a holiday home.
I don't agree with Slikmrs saying that it is scary how things can change quickly. To me it is the opposite...it is scary how things are NOT changing. The direction in which Turkey is moving has been going on for a while. Every time I thought or actually hoped that the process would be stopped. RTE being elected as president and the new Turkey of 2023 made us decide to look into moving. I have been here 17 years and used to love this country but that is changing unfortunately.
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Very astute summary from start to finish JF :-)
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You beat me to it Ian.
Thanks for the informative response John.
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Its only my (sometimes extremely) uninformed opinion. We made a conscious decision a few years ago NOT to live here full time - for a variety of reasons - so full time residents may have a different perspective on some of the points i made. It'd be interesting to hear them.
JF
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7,000 school principals getting fired is not things changing quickly? :-[
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7,000 school principals getting fired is not things changing quickly? :-[
No, not a quick change. Just part of a process that has been going on for several years. The next step after the closing of the so called dershanes.
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Not to mention all the policemen, judges, etc who have been replaced.
Fetullahs people out, RTE's people in.
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7,000 school principals getting fired is not things changing quickly? :-[
No, not when taken in context of this being Turkey and how its related to events over the past year or so.
JF
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We are just heading on our way to Turkey, having made the decision to take early retirement, and I'm sure having only holiday'ed we are wearing our rose tinted goggles to some extent, I am still looking forward to our adventure, and I just want to live near the sea, which has been a lifelong ambition, which I would never achieve in the UK, and when you look at the majority of english seaside resorts I wouldnt touch them with a bargepole.
The UK these days is not the place I grew up in and I worry about the future our subsequent generations will have to struggle with, and struggle they will.
So, we will still roll with it and (hopefully) embrace and enjoy!
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good post angela. agree with all ur reasons. been here now 6 years and as john f has pointed out its either stick. twist or fold.
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I'm interested in the views of those with a holiday home more than those living there full time.
When we bought nine years ago the dream was to eventually sell our apartment and buy a villa and retire to Calis. This dream has long gone although we still love our place and planned to keep it for many more years and enjoy our holidays there. Recent changes have me, more so than Billy jittery about the whole owning thing. I don't want to, can't afford to lose the money invested in it.
I'm curious as to what your views are now a few years down the line. Will you ride the storm or sell up?
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Interesting posts, I still would like to spend more time in Calis when I retire soon, either almost all year ideally but only rentals.
I have been tempted many times to buy a property in Turkey, Cyprus, India but have not done so due to the potential instability, at least
if you rent you can leave without risking losing a lot of money.
I am looking at Turkey now and seeing a disturbing trend, a slow Dictatorship and religiously intolerant state!
JY
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We are not planning to sell but as a disinterested party , how do you arrive at a selling price and in which currency? Sterling or Lira?
If you bought when the exchange rate was 2.5 Lira to the Pound and it is now around 3.6 Lira to the pound. Can you use this new exchange rate and potentially dissuade many buyers?
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I have never been a lover of Reg or the AKP. but as a foreigner living in Turkey - in an owned property - I have not heard anything from either Reg or the AKP that has directly 'threatened' me in my living here, or indeed the many others like me. I am happy for someone to disabuse me of this conclusion, but as it stands I can't think of anything that Reg or the AKP has done that has made me feel unwelcome. Mind you that does not mean that they have done anything to make me feel welcome either!
However, in the last couple of years or so, as Reg and the AKP has become increasingly more powerful, there have been a number of changes they have introduced in Turkey that have made me concerned about the direction Reg and Co. are taking Turkey towards, in terms of its politics, economy, international relations, religion, and social affairs. If I can put it this way, five years ago Turkey was trying to become a European-like state with a pluralist democracy, now it is heading towards becoming an increasingly centralised autocratic state, with all the potential to become a theocracy. A number of these changes do not even effect me, either directly or indirectly, but they do make me a increasingly uncomfortable about living here.
At this moment in time I do not feel so uncomfortable that I want to leave, either now or in the near future, but I think I can understand why some may be thinking about leaving or becoming more able to leave at short(er) notice by, for example, selling their current property and renting in the future.
I will conclude by saying that there is no perfect place to live in the world. There is good, bad and indifferent to be found wherever you live, and that includes the UK, including its weather! Nevertheless, this part of Turkey has still got a lot going for it - albeit operating in a bubble separate from the rest of Turkey as John rightly points out - and so I am happy to enjoy it for as long as I can, but I am alive to change and maybe one day the balance will tip towards leaving, rather than staying.
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I reflect what you are feeling Anne. We bought knowing we may not get a full return on our investment. reason we only purchased a 2 bed apartment. Over the years we have enjoyed frequent holidays there and we have enriched our lives with the lovely people both locals and expats we have meet over the years, but lately now I am getting older I worry not only about the present political climate I also consider the consequences of one of us becoming seriously ill or worse passing away and dread the outcome if this were to happen although we have made each other POA but not made a will knowing it would be worthless.
So I question myself would it be best to sell up knowing we will probably lose a considerable amount on our property but at least we may salvage something for our pension pot :-\
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If I owned a property and was nervous i would rent it out rather than sell.
So many people looking for rental properties currently and very little available.
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Also foreign people are not the only people that buy property; more and more Turkish people from the cities are buying second homes and often migrate when they retire. It's just about where you choose to market it and may need a bit more thought than popping it on with the estate agent down the road.
As for staying or going, I'm not going anywhere. If I have to live under a corrupt regime I'd rather live in this one than the one in the UK!
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I like your comment Nichola and have read all the comments with great interest referring to more political aspects of Turkey and change. Kayakebab you also make a valid point about renting and at least you get something back from your investment, especially if it is a holiday home. Something we have been reluctant to do in the past as I have been to attached to our apartment.
Anne in relation to your post, we brought our apartment with a view to have quality holiday time with what would have been our teenage boys 8 years ago and as an investment. Our boys prefer England. We have been thinking about selling our apartment, but cannot seem to make a final decision. One because we feel that we would have to sell it at a loss and because of the issue around bereavement and the hassle of this. To some extent, the political aspects will also influence our decision over time. For now though, we will hold on a little longer.
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If I owned a property and was nervous i would rent it out rather than sell.
So many people looking for rental properties currently and very little available.
I see were you are coming from and we have looked into long term rental but the income is not worth the hassle and in our case defeats the object of having a holiday home it may work for some but not for us not being able to visit the apartment freely for a break.
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We are assuming the tourist industry in Turkey is of no value then?
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We rent out already for a few weeks through the summer although only via word of mouth and to people we know. It barely covers our fees which are expensive by Calis standards, so to rent it out long term would more than likely see us out of pocket. Unfortunately that is not an option for us.
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We are assuming the tourist industry in Turkey is of no value then?
It pays to read the whole topic sometimes Tiggsy
The next year or so will be interesting and whatever the outcome there will still be a tourist industry in the south and south west of the country - way too much money invested by folks with influence and positions of power (irrespective of governing party) for it to disappear.
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As for staying or going, I'm not going anywhere. If I have to live under a corrupt regime I'd rather live in this one than the one in the UK!
Oh good. However your facebook page may take on a whole different (covered) complexion :)
JF
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As for staying or going, I'm not going anywhere. If I have to live under a corrupt regime I'd rather live in this one than the one in the UK!
Oh good. However your facebook page may take on a whole different (covered) complexion :)
JF
Sorry all, my fault. Thanks Scunner, your right I didnt read the whole topic.
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We are assuming the tourist industry in Turkey is of no value then?
It pays to read the whole topic sometimes Tiggsy
The next year or so will be interesting and whatever the outcome there will still be a tourist industry in the south and south west of the country - way too much money invested by folks with influence and positions of power (irrespective of governing party) for it to disappear.
Or quite figured out the reply with quote facility ;) :D :o
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Going back to the UK , and the way the UK is fast changing, with mass uncontrolled immigration and the speed of islamification worries in the UK, and other european countries... ( example....Mohammod is now the most popular of new born boys christian names in the UK and not just in the London area ) you might be better off staying put in the touristy south western areas of Turkey , as was mentioned in an above post .. less of the islamification .
I just feel sorry for my children and grandchildren .. having to grow up and live in a fast changing UK that is no longer the country I loved for most of my life ... for them there is no escape from the changes that are fast happening :-[
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Very confusing if "Mohammod" is the most popular Christian name. It is
political correctness interfaith dialogue gone mad!
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We are assuming the tourist industry in Turkey is of no value then?
It pays to read the whole topic sometimes Tiggsy
The next year or so will be interesting and whatever the outcome there will still be a tourist industry in the south and south west of the country - way too much money invested by folks with influence and positions of power (irrespective of governing party) for it to disappear.
Or quite figured out the reply with quote facility ;) :D :o
: :) I have now, thanks Nichola. ;)
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Neither Mohammed or Muhammed are in the top ten. You been reading the Daily Hate Mail Sleuth ;)
http://www.ukbabynames.com/boys/top
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And here was I thinking it was Lance. ;D
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Nichola... I dont have to read it in the papers to see whats happening in the UK ... the internet is full of informative forums on the subject. Most are truthful and quite shocking. Just for starters google PAUL WESTON or better is to check him out on `you tube` and view and listen to his honest intelligent comments and predictions for the UK ( particularly ` I am not racist` video ) then tell me I am mis informed.
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Nichola... I dont have to read it in the papers to see whats happening in the UK ... the internet is full of informative forums on the subject. Most are truthful and quite shocking. Just for starters google PAUL WESTON or better is to check him out on `you tube` and view and listen to his honest intelligent comments and predictions for the UK ( particularly ` I am not racist` video ) then tell me I am mis informed.
But at least admit you were wrong! It's nowhere near the top name for boys.
As to where the UK is going - I don't see how that affects whether people sell up in Turkey or not. Especially if it's a holiday home they own. For those who live there then there are plenty of other countries they can live in that don't involve coming back here - if they want out that is.
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I've absolutely no science to back this statement up, but based on conversations we have with close friends and many of the ex-pats we speak with on a day to day basis, I wouldn't think more than 1% have "selling up and leaving" at the forefront of their minds.
For the first two years here, I (maybe naively) made a conscious effort to avoid what was going on politically, what's that saying about Ignorance is bliss? Of late and mainly because of the terrorism happening in Syria and Iraq, I wanted to understand more about Turkey's attitude to I.S. but in the process, I've become a little more aware of the complicated agenda of one RTE.
The conclusion is my life hasn't changed one bit since becoming aware of RTE, surely he was active lets say five years ago. Maybe he's taken a recent dramatic turn towards eradicating the secular culture and installing a purely Islamist agenda? But hey, many Brits live happily in countries that are far less liberal than here, their wives or daughters are not required to wear scarves or the hijab and believe me, good friends of mine who work in the construction industry in countries where alcohol is banned, easily circumvent prohibition.
I don't think any country is perfect, I know the UK is far from from perfect. I could live in Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, China or Canada where we have friends and family and as I'm not a prisoner here, I may exercise one of those options in the future, but in the meantime we intend to carry on enjoying what one contributor described very eloquently as the 'Fethiye Bubble'
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But at least admit you were wrong! It's nowhere near the top name for boys.
What? Make an apology? This is Sleuth you are talking about here - Mr "I am not a racist, but ...". I'll have to break off here. I've got to see how we are doing in turning the village church spire into a minaret. I'm fed up with getting the call to prayer via phone.
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excellent post rims. totally agree. until such times it effects us lets get on with it and enjoy OUR love of turkey.
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I've absolutely no science to back this statement up, but based on conversations we have with close friends and many of the ex-pats we speak with on a day to day basis, I wouldn't think more than 1% have "selling up and leaving" at the forefront of their minds.
For the first two years here, I (maybe naively) made a conscious effort to avoid what was going on politically, what's that saying about Ignorance is bliss? Of late and mainly because of the terrorism happening in Syria and Iraq, I wanted to understand more about Turkey's attitude to I.S. but in the process, I've become a little more aware of the complicated agenda of one RTE.
The conclusion is my life hasn't changed one bit since becoming aware of RTE, surely he was active lets say five years ago. Maybe he's taken a recent dramatic turn towards eradicating the secular culture and installing a purely Islamist agenda? But hey, many Brits live happily in countries that are far less liberal than here, their wives or daughters are not required to wear scarves or the hijab and believe me, good friends of mine who work in the construction industry in countries where alcohol is banned, easily circumvent prohibition.
I don't think any country is perfect, I know the UK is far from from perfect. I could live in Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, China or Canada where we have friends and family and as I'm not a prisoner here, I may exercise one of those options in the future, but in the meantime we intend to carry on enjoying what one contributor described very eloquently as the 'Fethiye Bubble'
A good, measured response.
The Fethiye bubble isn't such a bad thing you know. As I said in a previous post "I do think if you're in it for the long haul then its a case of sitting tight and just letting the politicians get on with it." And for most folks who live/visit the Fethiye area they wont see a tremendous difference to their lives as it is a tourist area, and unless there is a radical change of attitude, its likely to stay that way.
JF
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We are assuming the tourist industry in Turkey is of no value then?
The Tourist Industry is very small Beer (if allowed to speak of Alchohol) as a percentage of the whole Turkish Economy and religious
zealots never care, they know that if they force every one to pray 5 times a day and dress their female family members like Guiness Bottles and implement every hateful extremist fundamentalist principle they will go to Heaven and be given 72 Virgins!
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Lot's of food for thought. Thanks everyone who has taken the time to respond
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The Tourist Industry is very small Beer (if allowed to speak of Alchohol) as a percentage of the whole Turkish Economy
Do you have any facts to back that up John? Ok, let me provide some.
In 2008, the number of visitors rose to 30,929,192, who contributed $21.9 billion to Turkey's revenues. For 2011, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) reported 34,654,000 arrivals and US$25 billion in receipts for Turkey. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, in 2012 travel and tourism made a total contribution of 10.9% to Turkish GDP and supported 8.3% of all jobs in the country.
Quite large beer then.
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in 2012 travel and tourism made a total contribution of 10.9% to Turkish GDP and supported 8.3% of all jobs in the country.
But, perhaps more importantly, what percentage has tourism contributed to the construction boom (e.g. hotel building) from which Erdogan and his chums seem to have done so well - allegedly.
Quite large beer then.
Thanks very much!
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Now im back from russia my next job is selling up it just aint the same anymore . :)
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What do you mean Lance? What is not the same?
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Very confusing if "Mohammod" is the most popular Christian name. It is political correctness interfaith dialogue gone mad!
Neither Mohammed or Muhammed are in the top ten. You been reading the Daily Hate Mail Sleuth ;)
http://www.ukbabynames.com/boys/top (http://www.ukbabynames.com/boys/top)
Actually, Muhammad (and its various associated spelling) is the second most common forename in England and Wales. The reason it isn't listed as that is because the Office of National Statistics lists names by exact spelling. Given that Muhammed and Mohammed are essentially the same name, albeit spelled slightly differently, it would be pedantic to suggest it is not the second most popular forename (whoops... nearly said christian name!) for boys in England and Wales.
Interestly, the statistics for Scotland show that neither make the top twenty.
Top 50 boys' baby names England & Wales 2013
(http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/baby-names--england-and-wales/2013/info-boys-names-2013.html)
The most popular first forenames in Scotland, 2013
(http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/popular-forenames/2013/babies-first-names-2013.pdf)
JF
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Very confusing if "Mohammod" is the most popular Christian name. It is political correctness interfaith dialogue gone mad!
Neither Mohammed or Muhammed are in the top ten. You been reading the Daily Hate Mail Sleuth ;)
http://www.ukbabynames.com/boys/top (http://www.ukbabynames.com/boys/top)
Actually, Muhammad (and its various associated spelling) is the second most common forename in England and Wales. The reason it isn't listed as that is because the Office of National Statistics lists names by exact spelling. Given that Muhammed and Mohammed are essentially the same name, albeit spelled slightly differently, it would be pedantic to suggest it is not the second most popular forename (whoops... nearly said christian name!) for boys in England and Wales.
Interestly, the statistics for Scotland show that neither make the top twenty.
Top 50 boys' baby names England & Wales 2013
(http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/baby-names--england-and-wales/2013/info-boys-names-2013.html)
The most popular first forenames in Scotland, 2013
(http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/popular-forenames/2013/babies-first-names-2013.pdf)
JF
And this relates to 'Time To Sell Up' ?
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Tangentially, yes.
JF
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I was thinking about that suggested name popularity yesterday as it looked at first sight to be a significant result.
However, having thought about it I guess you need to put it into context. That is to say that, I am guessing, in the Muslim community Mohammed is a popular name due to its religious relationship and the importance of the religion to most Muslims.
Outside of this there is no similar name that would push the same kind of results, for White British People it could be John, Chantelle, Chardonnay, Fred, Emma etc etc and not Jesus, God(!), Mary etc. There is not a religious influence that pushes a single name above the rest and the desire to have a name influenced by religion does not, in my opinion, exist in the white communities.
So for that reason it suggest at first sight that it is the sheer numbers of Muslims (typical DM scare tactic) that drive the results whereas I suspect it is more linked to the preference for names in that community.
Just a thought
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Now im back from russia my next job is selling up it just aint the same anymore . :)
Good to see someone else thinks the same Lance, obviously not good to see you leave, but perhaps now people will get back on topic instead of talking about bloody names that have nothing to do with people that have lived here for years and now want to leave. ;) :)
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it is the sheer numbers of Muslims and that is the problem... Its not `Daily Mail scare tactics` they are just drawing our attention to the problem. The whole western hemisphere is under threat... sharia law is their objective.... that problem and the ever increasing immigration from Eastern Europe and Africa and illegal immigration is the biggest talking point and worry at this very moment with the majority of the British public.... the rest of the country`s problems pales into insignificance :(
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If Reg gets his way and has interest rates dropped to the low level he wants it to be at then that will see more people leaving.. Especially when his way will also put the TL up to way past its 3.60 and therefore inflation? Or have I got that wrong? I know a few people who had to leave when interest rates dropped by half from when they came to live here.. They had been relying on that income to live... I feel sorry for people who are trying to sell their properties at the moment and selling at sometimes huge losses... Turkish seem to be the main buyers and they are no renowned for parting with their cash
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Tangentially, yes.
JF
Rubbish John, nothing to do with it at all. ???
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So all this about Muslims in the Daily Mail is a reason for people to sell up and leave Turkey?
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The theme of change in the UK was introduced by a member warning that if you wanted to sell up in Turkey, and go to UK, you would find the UK undergoing more Islamification than that proposed by RTE. Suggesting you would be better staying in Turkey. So it could be seen as directly related to the topic. Well, if it was true it would be, but since it is utter tosh you may be right in considering it irrelevant.
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It must be true its in The Daily Mail.
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I think there are two very different thngs here:
1. Those who own holiday homes.
2. Those who live in Turkey.
For the first bunch it makes no difference what is happening in the UK. It's what's happening in Turkey that counts as far as they are concerned.
For us it's not bad enough for us to consider selling up yet but then again we didn't sink all our savings in - nor did we take a loan/mortgage out to buy our property (and it was pretty cheap by comparison to some).
For the second bunch - they have to decide if Turkey is going to remain a better option for them than going back to the UK. Everyone has their own opinion on this and I guess only time will tell.
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Now im back from russia my next job is selling up it just aint the same anymore . :)
Well we better meet up for a drinkie before you depart.
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I don't think that it is only The UK that people are moving too.... I know a few in Northern Cyprus, Bulgaria and Spain.....I also know at least 3 people who would leave if they could sell their properties...I remember Scunner saying that what was once quaint in Turkey when things go wrong eventually gets you down.. I must say that having heating, internet, constant hot water and electric that doesn't go off every other day is great as is not having to worry about healthcare etc../ Do I miss Fethiye and our lives out there? Absolutely.... Which is why we have been back 5 times in a year.... Are we sorry we sold up.. Absolutely not but it is great being a tourist....
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Tangentially, yes.
JF
Rubbish John, nothing to do with it at all. ???
You the "topic police" then?
JF
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Of course John, someone has to do it. ;) :) :)
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RTE's idea of zero interest rates will not encourage any investment on a small scale. i.e you and me with our "bit in the bank". Whether this is of any significance to the government coffers or not I don't know.
When we came here, 7 years ago, the exchange rate was about 2.5TL/£1 and interest rates were roughly 15 - 18%. Lots of people who relied on the interest to live had to either leave or tighten their belts significantly when that rate dropped.
Whether now is the time to sell up rather depends on how you use your property, we owned and sold and now rent, but still live here full time. When we sold we consider a move back to the UK, but decided that our quality of life was still better here than in the UK. In short we could afford to live well here for a lot less than in the UK. This is still the case.
At least having no property to consider, if the political situation becomes such that we feel uncomfortable here, then we can go somewhere else more easily.
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May I ask why you sold up? It might help other people thinking about buying.
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May I ask why you sold up? It might help other people thinking about buying.
You may Colwyn. We bought an apartment in a block of 6 with a pool. Three were English owned, two as holiday homes and us living there, the other three were Turkish owned but rented out to Turks. The English owners ended up paying for all the maintenance, but as soon as the pool was ready the Turkish renters would invite all their family to come and stay for the summer. We couldn't get near our pool and the place became a cross between a noisy creche and a rubbish tip. Added to that the builders' family lived in the basement illegally and walked around treating the place like they owned it all.
We got so fed up that we went and rented an apartment on a complex in Calis and off loaded it to a Turkish family from Mersin.
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Thank you. Seems similar in some ways to slikmrs story.
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Very much so Colwyn, none of which we knew when we bought in the winter. Lesson learned, with hindsight we should have bought a villa or semi with NO communal facilities. As things stand we are now in that position with our current rental and quite happy. But would not buy again for various reasons.
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I thought of relocating to N Cyprus a few years ago. I have visited there a number of times but decided in the end, it was not for me. I have a number of friends in N Cyprus and know many of them choose to come to Turkey for medical care. Fine if you have the time to do so and also the money to do this. To be honest this was not what put me off N Cyprus. I just felt that the parameters of an island, and certainly those of a small part of that island, did not suit me. I know you can go through to the southern part of the island and have been there myself from the north, but this does not change the feeling of the island, to me,it just reinforces the feeling of a divided island. Saying that, I would certainly recommend a visit there, certainly to go to Bellapais Abbey and that area. And I will go there this winter, though just for a visit, not to move to! Just a pity there are no flights directly from Dalaman to N Cyprus now.
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I read that Northern Cyprus had become the new 'Costa del Crime' since Spain isn't the safe haven it once was. TRNC not being recognised by most countries means no extradition - does anyone know if that is true?
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I heard this too, was chatting to a friend while over there recently and he said he knows some big drug dealer guy who cant leave the country as will be arrested but can stay in TRNC and no one can touch him.
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It certainly worked for Azil Nazir before he gave himself up.
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Are you asking that out of personal interest, Scunner?
What have you been up to?
;D
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A valid (and I assume tongue in cheek) question Wordy. I am banned for life from Turkey and also England so this may be good. No not really :D
I've done the living abroad thing, I am now absolutely at peace with the UK and appreciate it all the more. The reason for asking was that I note people moving on to Plan B from Turkey and it seems those who go to TRNC seem to find it more laid back, better social scene, less red tape - it sounds like Turkey+
One thing I do know is that paradise always comes at a price, and maybe being surrounded by some of Europe's most wanted criminals might well be that price in Northern Cyprus.
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The Turkish press reported a 20% decrease in property sales in July 2014.
This article makes for interesting reading raising a number of issues worthy of thought.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/arabs-buy-turkey-property.html#
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I never doubted you for a moment, Scunner. ;D
Being serious and back on topic (more or less) I am increasingly convinced that we did the right thing in renting.
The original plan was to rent for two years and then look to buy somewhere but we may actually stick with how things are, assuming we don't fall out of love with our new home in that time.
I will be watching with interest to see how things move/change over the next two years; I don't think now is the right time to buy for newbies like us, but I also intend to cling on by my fingernails to stay in the place where my heart tells me I need to be.
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Is that Kaya or the area generally.?
Follow your dreams.
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Both.
I love the area as a whole, of course, but Kaya is my Utopia.
I know I haven't done a full winter yet but I was here for quite a bit of it last/this year so it shouldn't change my mind....Don't know about the other two though!