Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
General Topics => The Debating Chamber => Topic started by: Highlander on October 18, 2012, 13:08:20 PM
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I thought that might attract your attention.
For the record I am most certainly not fed up with living in the UK.
It may have its’ faults, but the UK is still a great country to live in.
What I am thoroughly fed up with is people who have decided to emigrate, slagging it off from afar.
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Just watched news at one the troubles and woes unfortunately world wide. China, India, Greece, most of Europe. Finance, Banking, Trade and all the social problems, immigration problems, some of which the UK has never seen. Our country embraces all, doing so has its problems. Without so many legal immigrants, European or Asian and others our NHS and others would be very much worse off or in some cases not exist. The illegal is another problem shared throughout the world including Turkey.
Hope you don't mind Highlander but your words describe our feelings too.
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I thought that might attract your attention.
For the record I am most certainly not fed up with living in the UK.
It may have its’ faults, but the UK is still a great country to live in.
What I am thoroughly fed up with is people who have decided to emigrate, slagging it off from afar.
We have lived here over 4 years, one of the things that annoys me most is listening to expats and holidaymakers moaning about the UK, the ones lucky enough to live here like us have only done it because we had good jobs and the chance.
We love living here but to me Derbyshire will always be my home.
Mark
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For most people, moving to live in a foreign country is a big decision. Once you begin your new life - perhaps especially when you still have some absurd notion that where you have gone is "a little piece of paradise" - you may find that there are things wrong with your new country. What do you you do? Just get on with it? Think about going back to the UK (and maybe admit, if only to yourself, that you made a mistake)? Or portray the UK in such negative terms that your present location looks more attractive in contrast? I guess this last group need the psychological support of slagging off the UK to make them feel better. They probably say "I'll never go back to that awful place". Until they fall to some serious illness and discover the merits of the NHS and "reluctantly" decide to return. What is the betting that, once back in the UK they tell anyone who will listen that "That [other] country is not what it used to be, it has gone downhill terribly. nobody [expats] wants to live there now, it's full of foreigners"?. Perhaps we should pity them? Or regard Scunner's favourite expats - the ones who constantly slag off the UK AND Turkey - as even worse.
I'm not sure that this post is really in the spirit of the GOM section. Sorry.
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the ones lucky enough to live here like us have only done it because we had good jobs and the chance.
We love living here but to me Derbyshire will always be my home.
Mark
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Couldn't agree more - Too many people, in my opinion. who emigrate seem to forget which country allowed them the opportunity to do so
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I'm not sure that this post is really in the spirit of the GOM section. Sorry.
I had thought of posting in the "All things that have nothing to do with Turkey" section.
And again, couldn't agree more with your splendid post.
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ex-pats slagging off the UK? sorry but you don't need any help from us you are doing a fine job of it yourselves! :)
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Ouch! Anyone seen a Pit Bull wandering about? Answers to the name of Tinxs.
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I don't live in the UK any more but I will continue to comment on whatever I want about the UK and any where else in the world that I want to. I see myself as a citizen of the world, I have friends and family who live in the UK and all around the world and what goes on everywhere affects all of us and as an educated person who takes an interest in what goes on globally it it is my right to comment on anything I choose too.
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I love the UK but decided I wanted to live somewhere else
I love Turkey but decided I wanted to live somewhere else
Such is the adventure known as life :)
But like Nichola, having experienced and lived in both I'll be posting about both, good and bad ;)
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(http://s10.postimage.org/cyojb0h45/slap_on_the_wrist.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)
Ouch ;D
"I will continue to comment on whatever I want about the UK" as indeed you have a perfect right to nichola.
It's people who can only slag off the UK without any reference to the good things about it that upset me.
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But take the cold weather allowance, nip back for operations and get their prescriptions sent over ;)
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If I ever move back to the UK H it will be to Scotland that I return... but will it still be part of the UK I wonder? Referendum in 2014 I believe :)
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Scotland will still be part of the UK, and very nice it is here too :)
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Lovely people too ;D
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Dont get cold weather payment. Have Turkısh Medical ins so get my ops/treatment cheap and my medıcatıon ıs maınly free. Chose to live here and because of savıngs ,pensıons ect am able to do so. UK is still lovely but i needed sun and warmth and I know I am lucky to have the choice to be able live here. All I hear from holıdays makers are moans about UK be ıt weather, government,health, educatıon ,wages, imigration,ect ect. Nice to hear there are some that stıll love living in the UK.
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I had to think long and hard about a reply - and I am still lost for words.
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As a citizen of the UK one of the great things we enjoy is the RIGHT to compliment, criticise, comment, publish, laugh at, joke about, verbally snipe at whatever we damn well like, at just about whoever we damn well like including, but not restricted to, politicians, leaders, royal family, 'im or 'er down the road, shopkeepers, family members, television presenters, Clarkson, civil servants, bankers, utility companies, over officious and pompous people serving us, airlines (in particular Ryan Air - but I'll keep booking), Richard Branson, train companies, contemporary pop stars in particular boy bands, hypocritical aged pop stars like Bryan May who haven't produced anything new for years but seem to pop up every time there is something to celebrate, footballers (overpaid variety), aged hypocritical pop stars with something to say about things they feel strongly e.g May again with his Mr Badger Campaign, Prince Charles now don't get me started on him cos we will be here all night :o .... now I'm sure I've missed quite a few, but the important thing is we enjoy the right to say, within the bounds of reason and decency, whatever we like about any of them.
Yes it might make us a nation of moany old men and women, but if we didn't have that, what else would we have to moan about!! ;D ;D
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Brian Mays ok by me :)
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good to hear the task force hasn't got you Badge : :)
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Perhaps the best post I have read on here for quite some time Mr Bus Tickets . LOve it !
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If I didn't moan about things I doubt I'd speak much at all
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Yeah me too lol
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.... now I'm sure I've missed quite a few,
Yes UBT, Simon bl***y Cowell !! >:( - Great post though ! ;) :) :)
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I must admit that since we moved to Cyprus my eyes have been opened somewhat with regards to just how good the UK really is. Our time here is just 48hrs away from the end of our adventure, our choice to go as we were very secure job wise. I will be taking up a new role with the same company back home that will compliment what we do here.
Cyprus the good things; Weather - very little road traffic - park wherever you want - easy to navigate the island - lots of family time together - beautiful views.
Cyprus the bad things; Really expensive - Cypriots are rude and dislike the British with a passion - seriously corrupt - animal cruelty is of the highest level - nothing and I mean nothing in the way of facilities for special needs - medical services are very hit and miss although they are reasonable financially - very surprised at the limited cuisine on offer - contrary to belief there is a lot of crime here - too many snakes and tarantulas - schooling for the British seems to be of a low standard - internet max is 8mb and you get nowhere near that in reality for your 72 euro's a month - good old British tv
Now, these are only my views of the part of Cyprus we live in and I am sure not all of the island will be the same. We were lucky that our youngest son was enlisted into the forces school in Episkopi, albeit at the cost of £11k per annum but it was the non-existance of special needs facilities that led to our decision to go home. Michelle found herself with Carlton 24-7 and he is lacking social interaction with other kids his own age. We have been here now for nearly 2 years and it was a difficult decision to make but on the face of it the UK is a better place for us to live as a family.
We have enjoyed our life here and the experience and often wonder how other Brits afford to live here? Even on a wage of over £150k per annum we live a very simple lifestyle yet the money just seems to drift through our fingers like water.
In truth we have missed the UK and it was always our intention to return home at some point but this little experience has certainly made us appreciate just how great our country is. I promise not to moan about the cold wet weather when I return, well not for a week or two anyway! ;)
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I find it hard to comprehend that a salary of £150k could only provide "a very simple lifestyle" in Cyprus. Was it the cost of special needs / additional care that made the difference?
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I tell you what gets on my nerves, those people who have a go at expats returning to the UK for medical treatment. I worked for 42 years, apart from family allowance, never took any benefit or support from the state, I have to pay full price for prescriptions and also pay for dental treatment, I was a higher rate tax payer so 40% of my earnings went to the government after earning the standard allowance. Like many others here, next March when I have been resident for a year I will pay the SGK medical insurance but as my pension is paid in the UK and taxed there accordingly, why the hell shouldn't I return home and use the NHS if I so wish?
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I find it hard to comprehend that a salary of £150k could only provide "a very simple lifestyle" in Cyprus. Was it the cost of special needs / additional care that made the difference?
We of course managed to save some money but not as much as you would expect, the idea for our life in Cyprus was to keep it as close to the one we had in England. I have just paid my 2 monthly electric bill and that came to 712 euro's, my internet connection for 8mb is 72 euro's and food can be something else! Tomato sauce is 5 euro's, a pack of 4 x small burgers 6 euro's......etc etc. Our lives have been kept as close to possible to the UK for the sake of the kids.
No money was spent on special needs provision as there is nothing here to spend money on, the Cypriots tend to hide any special needs away from the public as they see it as an embarrassment to their family and country, very sad indeed! :-(
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Can only say, if you have not done it, tried, then don;t knock it, one mans meat is another mans poison, life is too short, and if it makes you happy for however long, then go for it. everyone has their reasons both for and against, and for me , 1, I would miss the fambo
2, We could not afford it.
3, I love it where I am, warts and all.
Be Happy.x
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What we would like is the best of both worlds. So a few months a year in Turkey and time at home in Scotland as well. We used to think we would like to move permanently, but have decided we will just spend a lot more time in Calis when Phil retires.... Inshallah.
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I agree with Jackie, and I would miss my family too much to leave permanently. So maybe 3-4 months a year in Turkey would be perfect for us. The early and late months as we can't bear the oppressive heat of mid summer. I have to say though, we are always reluctant t leave even after the extended stays.
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I tell you what gets on my nerves, those people who have a go at expats returning to the UK for medical treatment. ~ why the hell shouldn't I return home and use the NHS if I so wish?
Because that's the law George. I agree with you that we all paid our fair share into the pot (or more than our fair share) and should be able to use the system for our lifetimes, but that isn't how it works. My point earlier was made not as someone who cares that much, but as someone who's role involves creating debate here ;)
As for the wider matter - living in the UK or moving abroad - the people who "get on my nerves" are those who knock it without trying it. That is twofold - those who knock living abroad, and those who knock the UK and give living abroad as some sort of Utopia that puts the UK to shame. To be clear, I do understand those people who don't want to move abroad, it isn't for everyone and I am not talking about them.
There are many great advantages to living abroad - and as I sit here with a cold I can think of one immediately - but I won't bore you by giving you a list of them. I recommend each and every person lives abroad for at least part of their life if they get the chance. Not because of the big list of advantages, but to finally realise that the UK isn't the pits, it hasn't gone to the dogs and actually does many things fantastically well. Had I not lived in Turkey, I would never have worked that out.
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So let me get this right?
Each month the UK Government takes 20% of my occupational pension, I pay council tax and water rates on the house I still own there and I also pay for a TV licence. I don't avail myself of the police, fire or ambulance service nor do I derive any benefit from subsidised public transport. But if I have. sore throat when I'm home visiting family I can't see a doctor ?
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Yes, that is correct. You live abroad and there is no reciprocal agreement with Turkey for healthcare.
In reality of course you would go to the doctor and say you are George McRimms, from 84 Acacia Avenue, Scousechester, Liverpoolshire, or whatever your house in the UK address is :)
But as I understand it, legally you do not have access to free NHS treatment.
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Right then, if that's the case, it's about time I started slagging off the UK
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So let me get this right?
Each month the UK Government takes 20% of my occupational pension, I pay council tax and water rates on the house I still own there and I also pay for a TV licence. I don't avail myself of the police, fire or ambulance service nor do I derive any benefit from subsidised public transport. But if I have. sore throat when I'm home visiting family I can't see a doctor ?
You would avail yourself of the police or fire service if required for your property even while you were in Turkey, likewise the council probably still maintain your roads, pavements and streetlights outside your property as and when required. (ok probably not the roads and pavements ;)).
I do agree with you though I think you have a right to "legal" medical services.
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Also I think anyone is entitled to emergency treatment.
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Yes everybody is entitled to emergency medical treatment but those who live outside the UK and are not registered with a UK GP are supposed to pay for it
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I'm registered with a GP
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Yes but you don't live in the UK so you aren't allowed to use him :D
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Yes everybody is entitled to emergency medical treatment but those who live outside the UK and are not registered with a UK GP are supposed to pay for it
My understanding is that everyone in the UK is entitled to emergency treatment (e.g. in A&E). This applies to UK residents, EU residents and non-EU residents. For non-EU patients any follow-up treatment is chargeable. I can find nothing that says people have to pay for emergency treatment. Have I missed something?
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My understanding is the same as yours Colwyn.
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Sorry. This might help everybody
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nireland/healthcare_ni/healthcare_help_with_health_costs_e/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm
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OK, I'll pretend I'm an asylum seeker. Will that solve my problem ?
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Of course, they'll turf a Brit out of their bed for one of those :D
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Yes but make sure you have proof of your 10 kids so you can claim family allowance for them along with a nice new house and furnish it on our taxes! ;)
You only need 30 years NI contributions to claim a pension so why can't you claim free healthcare??? ;D
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I got turfed out of my bed because they had to treat some bloke with a rusty hook
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OK, I'll pretend I'm an asylum seeker. Will that solve my problem ?
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No, because you are not ;)
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Sorry, post has appeared twice
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Just do what they all do George and pretend you can't speak English ;)
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Just do what they all do George and pretend you can't speak English ;)
No Liverpool jokes please
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Sigh, came home from the Pub the other day and found wife in tears, I said "what's wrong?"
"I'm homesick" she said. I replied "this is your home"
"I know" she said, "and I'm sick of it!" ;D
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Yes but you don't live in the UK so you aren't allowed to use him :D
I am now, according to a newspaper report I read today, the government has ruled that all GPs must treat foreign tourists, visitors and illegal immigrants. Apparently this is in fear of contravening anyone's human rights !
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What! You mean my GP has to buy foreign tourists, visitors, and illegal immigrants a pint??? He hasnt
ever bought me one at the Old Boathouse! Oh, ahh not that sort of treat, right!
Well, if you read it in a newsspaper -- it must be tue ---------------------- :D :D :D :D :D
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I am now, according to a newspaper report I read today, the government has ruled that all GPs must treat foreign tourists, visitors and illegal immigrants. Apparently this is in fear of contravening anyone's human rights !
But you are not a foreign tourist or foreign visitor or illegal immigrant - so he still doesn't need to treat you ;)
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OK John, I see your point, my post was based on a report in a National Newspaper and your dismal was based on ?
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I am now, according to a newspaper report I read today, the government has ruled that all GPs must treat foreign tourists, visitors and illegal immigrants. Apparently this is in fear of contravening anyone's human rights !
But you are not a foreign tourist or foreign visitor or illegal immigrant - so he still doesn't need to treat you ;)
So what am I ? ( this could be hurtful )
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I'm just pulling your leg but technically you aren't actually any of the things you have mentioned :)
I guess you are a Legal Emigrant?
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I'm an Alien, an Illegal Alien, I'm an Englishmen in ... Wigan, Calis, Bangkok, Hong Kong ...... It's quite easy to understand the rules, apart from in the place with the world famous pier
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Aaaah, well many years ago,------------- I was young at the time and Victoria was on the Throne---------------, a music hall comedian appeared in Wigan where he was booed off the stage, (possibly George Formby senior ---he swore he would get even, and coined the term of Wigan Pier as a point of derision as compared to places like Southport, Blackpool etc. who had fine piers, Wigan had a Canal Boat wharf! Well, it has backfired on him, as it is now a tourist attracction and Wigan makes money from it!
I married the current Mrs. Meldrew in Wigan, very romantic spot the Registry Offfice, next to the Rugby Club (Union) in a wooden hut!