Moving to North Cyprus

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
05/08/2010 00:30

Hello everyone. I was first in Cyprus 22 years ago, in the republic, though I also visited the north then. I am now considering moving/retiring to Cyprus, but am aware the republic as I first knew it has changed dramatically. I spoke to ex-pats there recently and received very mixed feedback. I know someone here who has just purchased a holiday appartment in the north and am keen to get some ex-pat feedback from people who have moved there. Any comments welcome.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
05/08/2010 00:36

Hi Orlaith and welcome to the forum...there is a good thread going on at the moment that might help you if you read Keep scoaling down the page and you should find it..Otherwise we all keep repeating the same...rent first..just come over and find a place to rent..Where do you live at the moment..Good Luck.





Spider X

judgejolly


Joined: 05/07/2008
Posts: 25

Message Posted:
07/08/2010 00:21

My wife and myself did exactly as Spider suggested, over four years ago, and rented in the Alsancak area and in and around Ozankoy for about fifteen months. loved the lifestyle and made some really nice friends, ex pats and locals. When it came to actually parting with money to buy, common sense and a long hard look at the risks involved, we decided not to get involved. That was one of the best decisions we have made. Reading all the posts on this board have confirmed that it was the right thing for us to do. I don't deny that it would have been lovely to wake up to the views and weather , but it wasn't to be for us. Good luck to everyone who has made the move to Northern Cyprus , and to people who are thinking about following their dream, but, just beware, that that dream doesn't turn into a nightmare.

geronimo


Joined: 30/08/2009
Posts: 296

Message Posted:
07/08/2010 12:27

I think if we had to do it all again we would buy property WITH kocan (deeds) - we are fortunate to have both our land and house kocan now, with the help of a great Cypriot friend, don't quite know how we would have done it otherwise. It is just as, if not more, difficult in the south. We are delighted to be here and love every moment of being here - Good luck to you. Our kids are delighted that they have somewhere to come on holiday and that we are having a "social" life after years of slog back in the UK.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
07/08/2010 13:16

Just rent and you will have no regrets. Houses are not selling, so if in the future you decided to move on, you might find yourself stuck. Then there is the problem of buying and ending up paying in full for your property but not actually ever owning it. This is a common scenario in the TRNC. More and more people are now coming forward having recently discovered there are memorandums, injunctions and mortgages on their fully paid up properties.



Unfortunately many were criticising others as doom and gloom merchants and blaming them for not doing their home work and claiming that even though they did not have their deeds they were safe because it was simply the "Cyprus way" How they have changed their tune now!



There are now at least 30 sites known to have memorandums on their properties and as I say more are coming to light each week.



Its just not worth the risk. Renting is cheap and safe and undoubtedly the best option.

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
09/08/2010 07:04

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice. Very helpful indeed to get direct and honest feedback. I was aware of some of the issues regarding buying property in the north, but was led to believe as long as you used a reputable agent it would be OK as they would check everything out. It looks though like there may be all manner of subtle barriers, no matter how straightforward things seem on the surface. Renting would seem to be the way to go, but we would be happier to do that temporarily if we knew for sure that buying would be an option in the longer term. But it seems that wouldn't be necessarily the case. I'm living in the north of Scotland at the moment, Spider. The acquaintance I referred to in my first post has bought an appartment there to use as a holiday home initially. It is in a development known as Chelsea Village. She was very confident that this was a safe bet as the land for the development was purchased by he owner of Chelsea Football Club. Anyone know anything?

jimmyG


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 900

Message Posted:
09/08/2010 18:48

Abramovich, Branson both investing & direct flights starting next year - avoid any 'reputable' agent telling you this.

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
09/08/2010 20:36

Orlaith...msg 6



It's actually called Chelsey Village , not Chelsea.



And unless I'm mistaken,the tenuous connection between Chelsea Football Club and this development is just a rumour.....one of many that abound in North Cyprus.



Do as you have stated....rent long term.

Do NOT consider buying until the TRNC changes its laws so that protection is offered to buyers ( this may be many years hence ! )

dekski


Joined: 08/11/2008
Posts: 142

Message Posted:
09/08/2010 21:34

Hi Orlaith

We're from the NE of Scotland and have bought here. Nae bather. Our friends have just bought a villa and are moving over in about a month. My pal has a bungalow at the back of us and yet to come over but will once he retires. We have other Scottish friends who have a apartment for sale and want to buy a house for full time living as soon as their property chain sorts it's self out in the UK. We also have another set of friends from the Balloch area who have a lovely villa in Lapta and come over for about half the year. We have golfing friends and the couple next to us both have a bungalow here and stay as often as they can. Our two sets of neighbours have bungalows very close by and are really friendly, helpful and happy with their houses. All great sensible canny folk. Can they all be wrong buying here? We have all joined in with the lifestyle here and are as busy as we want to be socially and have a far better lifestyle than we did in Buckie!

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
10/08/2010 23:24

Thanks for that, dekski. May I ask how long you your friends there have had your properties? I mentioned Chelsey Village in an earlier post, and know that some Scots on the forum here posted to say they had bought property there early in 2008. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has since moved into that village.

I'm seeing mixed messages here, and understand that people will no doubt have had different experiences and be aware of different experiences of others. I was certainly cautious at the idea of investing my future "retirement fund" into something that may fall flat, and that caution was based on things I have read in the UK press. I am continuing to weigh up different people's experiences and advice though, hence joining this forum. I'm aware that people can have disastrous house purchase/building experiences even here in the UK were the law is much different. And I have seen a fair few re-sales advertised in North Cyprus, and wondered why. I'm still listening....

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 00:30

Orlaith if dekski has not responded to you post soon I will speak to him and get him to post you ,Follow your dream if you have one, because you may well always regret never trying..That thinking is why we moved here. Life is much too short to always wonder what if..and if you want to move just rent first and get your feet on the ground..We had not even been here on holiday and just sold up..came with 8 cases 1 cat and a dog..booked into a hotel for the first two weeks some people i know have stayed in a hotel a while longer..Live every day as if its your last..be kind and honest you get back what you give out..you will soon make new found friends who will help you along the way..



Best wishes whatever you do.



Spider,X

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 02:08

Hi Spider, and thank you for that. I tried to e-mail you, but apparently I don't have enough posts yet to see another member's e-mail address. Your thinking is kind of like my thinking, but things are not always quite so straightforward as you would like, as I'm certain you know. Please mail me if you don't mind, and I'll be able to explain a bit more by return;things might make more sense then. My e-mail address is lynn_956@hotmail.com

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 07:03

Hello Orlaith,



There are plenty of Scots in Kibris to keep you company, so you won't feel alone, if you don't mind Fifers like me.



We've just started our phased move to Kibris, having bought an apartment in Alsancak. My wife & kids moved there last week, and I'm heading there today, with my daughter, to join them, but just for a holiday. I've been working overseas for a while, and have become used to not being in Scotland.



I'm planning to sell my house in Scotland, and buy a re-sale villa here, probably sooner than I had earlier intended, as the signs are that the property market in Kibris is recovering, as confidence grows that a more certain political and economic environment is not too far away.



Kibris won't ever rival Scotland's natural beauty (just as no other place in the world ever could, in my opinion), but it is a place that I will be content to live out my days in, once I've retired.



I'd suggest that it's well woth another visit, to see for yourself.



Eddie

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 16:47

Thanks for that, Eddie. It's a long time since I was in North Cyprus - 1988 to be precise, and it was a quick tour round rather than a lengthy visit. I've found recently the south has changed dramatically, and am sure the north will also have changed. The fact the north is less "touristy" is an attraction to me. Also the fact that properties are so much cheaper in the north. But I'm also aware there are potential pitfalls in buying property, as has been verified by some users here. First hand information based on actual experience is always useful of course, so I'm visiting this forum regularly to pick up as much information and vibes as I can.There's more I need to know about than just buying property.

Scotland's natural beauty is indeed excellent....unfortunately, it's natural weather isn't so desirable (as I sit here looking out at grey skies and rain pouring down in a temperature of 15 C)

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 02:29

Another question regarding property sales in North Cyprus. Some of the problems regarding property buying there seem to be to do with mortgages? I read a post from someone who said they didn't own their property and never would. So what is the situation if someone wants to make a cash purchase? If you don't have a mortgage, does it become easier? Or do the problems still apply?

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 05:22

Lynn please contact me. mariavic@live.com









Spider,X

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 09:18

Orlaith....msg 15



I think you are getting confused in respect to mortgages.



The mortgages that have caused all the problems for people who've bought in the TRNC are NOT mortgages that they himself took out to buy the property , but mortgages taken out by the original landowner/builder ( without the buyers knowledge or permission ) on the property that they have paid for in full !.



Hope this is clearer !

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 02:16

Sent you an e-mail, Spider......not sure if it reached you?



Cronos, thanks for reply. So, if I paid out in cash for a property, I could still be in that situation, couldn't I? If there was an earlier mortgage on it I knew nothing about. Jeez, it's all a bit of a tangled web, isn't it?

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 02:24

Orlaith



A belated welcome to the forum.



Please take note of all advice you are given - both positive and negative.



You will get a lot of very useful information from this site - both good and bad/positive and negative, but (and take a fool's advice, here) listen and weigh up the pros and cons.



Good luck



Jean

cyprusman3



Joined: 09/06/2009
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 11:04

let me give a positive post !! don't buy just rent hee hee it is positive because you won't lose your money !!!

Bertie


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 11:04

Do listen to what is being said take nothing for granted here unlike the UK your lawyer! has no duty of care for you in contracting to buy a house and will very often be in the pocket of the builder.Handing over any amount of money no matter how large does not mean you will at the end of the day be found to be the rightful owner of any property you thought you have purchased.On no account buy off plan the chances are any money handed over will be used for other things and as money gets tighter in the construction industry the situation will get worse.On a new build there are no guarantees that you will have electricity or water and believe me there are a lot of people living here who have had to manage with tanker water and builders electric for years and the costs will eat into any savings income you may have not to mention the constant agravation of trying to get these things sorted.

Yes life here is very pleasant here BUT AND ITS A BIG BUT

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 11:20

Bertie Big But. Well said



Vicki

mishmash


Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 11:52

We moved here 3 years ago and bought our villa, on a small site in Alsancak - no problems all the other villas had been purchased by uk ex pats who had done their homework and some had lived on the site for 2 years before we purchased. This gave us a sense of security about the site - advice - buy a re sale all the problems that come with a new property are more than likely to have been solved and the property has had a test run. Look at who else has bought on the site, how long have they been there etc? Sometimes that can tell you more than what any agent can.

Good luck

Orlaith


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
14/08/2010 22:01

Thank you so much everyone. Believe me, I am weighing everything up as I listen to advice in this thread. I have also had a read of other threads here just for information, and also the Cyprus Free Press that I found throug a link here. I would see no point in getting carried away with the idea of a move without taking on board a lot of advice first and carrying out a few reality checks.This forum has been an interesting find as it's giving me a chance to read about all sorts of other things that may present difficulties quite apart from housing. Out of interest, anyone there have school age children? If so, do they attend a Turkish speaking school and become bi-lingual? Or are there any English speaking schools there?