interfering family

[angela]

Oh agreed, a pair of very respectable looking young men tried to steal our rucksack in Barcelona a couple of years ago, which really spoilt it for us, yet we don't ever worry in Turkey. We are planning on moving out next year, and of course I'll miss my grandchildren, but I hope their lives will be improved by coming to stay. I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my days saying  'If only I had' 

[Menthol]

I'm pretty sure your family are genuinely worried for you. And they'll miss you too. So try not to be too harsh on them.

Also, not everyone has a sense of adventure. I often look at people who have a very 'set' life - same job for last 20 years, same house, same street as other family members, same set of friends they go out with every Friday night to the same 2 pubs. She is immensely houseproud and always does her ironing on Monday evenings. He spends 3 hours every Sunday washing and polishing his car.  She collects her pot pigs/frogs/cats and he has created his own hand drawn spreadsheets with all the winning lottery numbers for the last 11 years on it.

By and large these people are very happy. And I have a sneaking admiration for those that are happy with their lot.

Others, of which I include myself, want to experience a different kind of life, take a few chances and not have their remaining years carefully plotted out. And I would like to include as much of my family and friends in that adventure as possible too.

So true - Life is not a rehearsal. Make the absolute most of it and Scunner is so right, you definitely regret most the things you DON'T do.

[WordBird]

We know there is trouble in every country and you have to be on your guard wherever you live , watch your house and bags when you go out  , be sensible , don't live with your holiday head all the time and trust only yourself .

Agreed.

Mr WB's mum is horrified that we want to move to Turkey, also citing the trouble on the Syrian border and all the crime.
We asked her if she'd advise people not to come to the UK because of the riots last year and she told us not to be silly..... We pointed out that all that happened a lot closer to our present home than what's gone on in Turkey.
We're effectively moving to the Turkish equivalent of Whitby! 

Yes, there is crime and trouble and some people who aren't very nice....the same as you get everywhere. Nowhere is perfect.
I agree with Menthol that your family will be worried for you, but at the end of the day you have to do what you believe is right for you and reassure them as best you can.

I'm all for living life. One of the things that made our decision was attending the funeral of a business contact who was diagnosed with cancer and died within a year. He was 63 and looking forward to retirement with his second wife, a lovely lady who is the same age as him.

His widow said she felt cheated. That they'd worked their backsides off all their lives and were just starting to wind down and prepare for retirement, planning all the things they'd always been too busy to do. Now, it won't happen.

Carpe diem, I say. If you know what you want and it's within your power to do it, make it happen.

[burnham]

Started a new life in Turkey when I was 80.The UK is so different from the country I knew when I was younger.I had to get out of the EU--I was too politically incorrect.

[Menthol]

Burnham, you are an inspiration. Much admiration for your attitude.

WordBird, this forum is full of inspiring people and full of joie de vivre! It genuinely provides a balanced illustration of life as an incomer to Turkey. (Sorry not fond of the connotations expat as a word evokes)

[Scunner]

I think there is a real difference between the people you describe on here Menthol and the "expats" we are all aware of. Most living the Groundhog Day expat existence don't share their experiences on forums. Maybe because they don't have any.

The most important thing about living abroad is to embrace it, the second thing about it is to find something worthwhile to do.

[Lotty]

I'd rather be scared than bored! Go for it, it's YOUR life and so much shorter than we think. . . I hate tight routine and love freedom and acting on impulse, always been the same. Life is for living and the choices are yours. No need to hurt anyone, just make the most of it.   

[angela]

you are so right Lotty, we (Kevin and I)  feel that we are being strangled by the routine of work,  It is the thing we do most of in our lives sadly. Enough is enough I say, can't wait to jump off the treadmill and go for it.

[WordBird]

you are so right Lotty, we (Kevin and I)  feel that we are being strangled by the routine of work,  It is the thing we do most of in our lives sadly. Enough is enough I say, can't wait to jump off the treadmill and go for it.

With you completely.

We finally asked ourselves why we're working all the hours God sends to maintain a lifestyle that we don't have the time to enjoy or actually want anyway.

Time to enjoy some true quality of life.  

[Menthol]

We've been accused today of running away. Not in an unkind way, but I was asked why we're planning to live in Turkey and what we are running away from.

I said we are doing less running away and more running to .....