Moving to Famagusta

[Susan]

Hi,
I am looking to buy a property near Mehmetcik and would love to know peoples experiences of living in northern Cyprus.
I used to live near Larnaca when I was a child and it has been my dream to move and live back in Cyprus.
Any info regarding work; I work as a T/A in schools and my husband has a wealth of experience in the fitness industry, window fitting, plumbing, P.E. in schools, and any info on life in northern Cyprus in general?
I would be extremely grateful of any information as we are travelling over mid April to view properties.
Thanks
Sue.

[ozankoys]

Please please do not rely on earning money here to be able to live. You will be extremely lucky to find any work unless you are qualified teachers.
Remember that you have to pay for medical care.
Saying this it is a beautiful place & loads of us would not want to be anywhere else so good luck with your move.

[wanderer]

Rent first don't buy rentals a cheap compared with the UK and note what the Ozankoys say on jobs and health care

[tomsteel]

Should be a beautiful place, but litter is dire However, heed the advice given above. Yabanci (foreigners) are fair game for rip-off at all levels of life here from government, judiciary to local shop. If you have children, have you considered their schooling/health/social needs? If you are non-TC and plan to work, you'll need a work permit (not cheap). Annual 'visitor' temporary residency will cost approx. 400 TL (£100+) per person and this increases annually. Driving Licences are required after 3 months (not cheap), car purchase is horrendously high and local driving standards are awful. Please, please research the cost of living here. All that said, I live here and would never consider returning to the UK.

[jazzdolly]

Hi!

Life here is so much easier going than in the UK! I feel truly blessed to live here.However IMHO the cost of living is the same.
Some things are much cheaper and others much more expensive.
If you don't have children of school age you may find the cost of living cheaper as you don't have to factor in school fees.

You will need a guaranteed income before you consider moving here.Without question.
Perhaps you have some savings or are selling your home?

I would always suggest renting a house. Preferably through an agency. I rented one from somebody on here who acts an agent and he is nothing short of marvellous! Rentals are really good value!

I would always suggest buying local food. Ready made food in the market that is hot and can be taken away is really good value compared to making it yourself.
Learn to cook and enjoy local foods! There are the best and great for the health!

You will need to be prepared if you have any health issues. Healthcare is good if you shop around.It is also a business. So be prepared to pay! But you will get what you pay for.

It is good to use a little Turkish in the shops, but you can get away with just English to start with until you get settled in.

Good Luck! I wish you all the best!

[Susan]

Thank you all so much for your advice. it has been very helpful.
We won't be bringing our children with us as they are all grown up but we will need to work as savings will be spent on property. Maybe we need to do some more research on the employment situation.
Thanks again.
Sue.

[PoshinDevon]

I have no idea whether it is possible, perphaps not but maybe you could work in the south and live in Famagusta? Larnaca would be approx 30 min drive away, with Nicosia and Limassol an hour and a bit. Not sure how this would be viewed by some employers in the south but pretty sure plenty of people do it.

I am sure other Kibkomers may have some sensible thoughts on this one.

North Cyprus is a lovely place, yes it is a bit scruffy in places and is 10years + behind the south. Nothing remains static and the north is changing but the people are friendly and it is a relaxing place to live.

We have lived in the south but much prefer the north, plus the border is easily crossed allowing the opportunity to explore the whole of this beautiful island.

Good luck - whatever you decide.

[Susan]

Thank you, still seriously thinking and researching. Might still come over to view and have a good look around.
Sue

[Marions]

Definitely you need to come over and take a look at places, property, work possibilities 9VERY minimalistic, and even if you get a job chances are it will be minimum wage of 1600tl a month, and a 10 to 12 hour day, six days a week, less any insurances etc. In many cases you are asked to pay for your own work permit (the law says otherwise, but, hey, this is northern Cyprus) and you may be required to put down a bond of something like 2000 euros, so it is a while before you have any money in your pocket. And that is IF you can get a job. If you can teach and have qualifications, then fine, or you could get a job with an estate agent maybe, or other jobs are on commission (tough one), so think VERY seriously before coming to live in Paradise.

Famagusta is probably a tougher cookie to crack unless town centre and c an get a job, but don't forget there are severalhundred students who are also in the job market and they are allowed to work 20hours a week. Reality is often quite different! Or of course get a job in the south, but that has problems of its own!

So do come over and look. Your dreams might become a reality or you could walk into a nightmare!!!!

Good luck.

[frontalman]

We were in Mehmetcik on Wednesday. The Mehmetcik/Yedikonuk/Buyukkonuk area is very beautiful with lots of lovely walks, but very rural and quiet. Northern Cyprus is a great place to retire to, but not to earn your fortune (not for foreigners, anyway). I would definitely come and take a look, rent for a while and see how you get on. Dreams and reality do not necessarily match.

[Susan]

Thanks all, appreciating all advice.
Sue.