Live in TRNC or stay in the UK?

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 15:59

We have been discussing moving to TRNC for the last few years, the move has been on and off more times than a whores draws but has now risen to the surface yet again.



We have had a place here for sometime but only ever holiday, the longest being 4 weeks. My questions to all that live here is whats it really like? Whats the best bits and whats the down side.



How easy is it to get a mail box, is there still a long waiting list or is there private companies offering this service now?



How difficult is it to get a work permit (kimilik card?) as I do not want to retire as I would be bored after a couple of months. I would like any work I did to be legal as I have no problem paying taxes.



Finally;

What are the little luxuries that people miss that simple are not available in TRNC?



Many thanks

Gary

Portia


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 31

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 20:50

hi

i have been doing the same for the last few years - have my own place in uk and TRNC. I visit TRNC approx every 6 weeks and have been considering moving to TRNC permanently.



I have returned back to the UK now. Whilst in TRNC i remeber lastweek when i was getting up in the morining and thinking - 'no clouds yet again', hav e to admit i did get fed up.



I am vegetarian so the positives were that there is such a good variety of vegetables and all seasonal or just buy frozen veg.



But everything is so laid back and there is no urgency. after 2 years i still have no landline and i have now given up. Although i am a qualified teacher i dont know what work i would do and i can only think of being self employed.



People lovely on whole though and try to learn a few words of Turkish - seems to go a long way.



Good luck

Portia

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 21:02

Hi Portia



How lucky are you to be able to visit every 6 weeks!

Sounds like you already have a perfect life balance to me



I would be interested to know how much an English run private school costs per year, our youngest daughter is 16 and about to start 6th form. Do they have such a thing in TRNC?



Thanks

Gary

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 02:00

Stay in the UK !!! TRNC has nothing to offer in the way of employment and property purchase is a nightmare. Running a business is almost impossible and anyway the locals have a job making ends meet themselves. I'm talking about the ordinary people - not shysters like property developers, estate agents, lawyers et al !!! And on top of all that you have thousands of Brits complaining about everything - much as these types do in the UK. Lovely for a holiday - but even that is becoming less so year on year - mainly because of the aforementioned.If you want to talk to someone sensible contact Libby at the 5 Fingers in Ozenkoy.

Teresa


Joined: 21/11/2007
Posts: 1018

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 07:47

Gary everyone will give you different advice but then again everyone is different. This is my 7th year of living here and no regrets about leaving UK.

Ok so you can get fed up of the constant heat but same as getting fed up with the constant rain in UK.

Cost of living has risen same as UK but it all depends on your personal lifestyle.

Work can be a problem but there are many many ex pats working full time out here with no problems so long as you have all the paperwork done. I am not so sure you would want a kimlik because then you are liable to be called to do national service unless you have an army record from UK.

Schooling is a bit different from UK as they do not leave main school at 16 here but there are so many universities all offering the same kind of courses as you would find in any uk college or uni.

Apart from family there is nothing i realy miss from UK.

Good luck with your decision

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 08:10

Gary I agree with Teresa we have been here full time now for 5 years and have only been back to the UK twice. It has its faults here but the benefits outweight them.

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 12:14

Thanks to all thast have replied so far.



I understand that TRNC is not for everyone, there will always be winners and losers in every scenario but I do think that an awful lot of people arrive in TRNC with unrealistic expectations.



We have visited enough times to realise that it is not utopia, hence my email. Teresa's reply is particulary interesting as we didnt know about the school leaving age so now we can investigate this, the same with the Kimilik card. I would welcome information on how best to set up a business in TRNC



Nursey,

Thats for your reply, its good to know that someone is happy in TRNC!



Regards

Gary

yorkie58


Joined: 16/09/2008
Posts: 245

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 12:43

Are you in a position to be able to try living here for 1 year before making a decision? Do you have to sell up in UK in order to move here permanently? I think there is as much for as against moving here, a very tough decision and I wish you the best.

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 13:19

Yorkie



Afraid I cannot take a year off to sample the delights of TRNC!



If we sold up we would still have another property in the UK so we would not be cutting all ties with the UK.



Do you live in TRNC and if so what day to day things (if any) do you miss from the UK?



Thanks

Gary

yorkie58


Joined: 16/09/2008
Posts: 245

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 14:02

Gary



I do live in TRNC and have done for a few years. We cut all ties with UK with the reasoning, if it doesn't work we can always sell and return!! Day to day things I miss? Nothing really, except the gym maybe, here it's far too expensive to join, maybe I miss the 4 seasons as hot hot hot can be too much. I miss the fact that no one is accountable for anything. You can go for months here with everything been ok then at times it becomes so very frustrating, even speaking the language doesn't always help.



Legal work? If you don't have to depend on earning a large income, winter months, can you occupy yourself and family from 4PM when it gets dark? Many people here can't, possibly why there are several AA meetings lol.

If you don't have to cut all ties, then you have nothing to loose by trying have you? Don't let anyone (including me) put you off trying, TRNC just might be for you. Good luck with your decision.



Good luck

chinaeyes


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 14:12

Gary,everyone has given good advice so far,most people we know have two if not three pensions to draw off each month,hence a good living with all the sunshine.Other friends made a decision to take the plunge before it's to late and live off any interest they have from the bank.If you wish to lead a simple life ,costs etc are managable,now and again dip into your sterling [residency,car tax and insurance and maybe a few house repairs ]

Rent first,loads for rent,could do a deal,do your homework with builders,advocates and where you would like to live.Cold in the mountains,noisy but fun in the villages and sea-side most are near military which is not a problem living near but when it comes to getting permissions to purchase can be a big problem.Hence living here first would help.

The sun shines everyday,blue sky,walking,beaches,turtle watch,orchid walks,loads of restuarants and bars ,fund raising for allsorts,quizes loads more.

Good luck,sureyou will get more info off this board.

chinaeyes


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
01/09/2009 14:21

Sorry forgot the most important thing,don't buy off plan and don't part with your money to any builders.These people will give you loads of info

http://www.hbpg-trnc.net

marian@ayza.net

sibellehodge@hotmail.com

Sit at your computor for the day and scroll all the sections above,you will be amazed at what you can learn from these.

Also a mail box is not a necessity the post office's are open,some villages even do delivery.Its all up to you .Get a book right it all down