moving there

[Christelle1967]

Hello
I am considering taking a job in north Nicosia but I am worried about my husband. Is there an English speaking community in the area? Are they easily accessible? He doesn't drive so is the public transport easy to use/reliable? Neither of us speak Turkish and I will be at work all day. I am concerned that he will be miserable without anything to do or anyone to speak to. He is 50. Advice would be really appreciated
Thanks

[the butlers wife]

Hi,

I would suggest that you rent in Kyrenia (Girne) and travel on the dolmus bus to work each day.
Public transport is cheap and so is rental property. There are lots of expat communities in and around
Kyrenia but I don't know of any in Nicosia, although there could be. If your husband is 50 he will soon
find friends as most English people here are retired although some have retired early. Best of luck with
your job and new life in Northern Cyprus.

The butlers wife

[frontalman]

I would imagine rental prices in Lefkosa are fairly cheap, though swimming pools are few and far between. It does get very hot in the Summer months though, always a few degrees higher than coastal areas. If you are both up for learning the language, and 50 is almost a teenager here, then crack on and grab the bull by the horns. Lefkosa is a wonderful place, especially the old town. I'm sure you will be made welcome if you make the effort to integrate.

[waddo]

With luck you will be flooded with information but you will also be inundated with questions! What Nationality are you and your husband - if you are EU citizens it makes a difference because then you can go to the RoC as well. Nicosia is a big place - which area of it will you be working in? That makes a difference on where you live as well because you may have to take more than one dolmus to complete a trip to work and the same coming back if you are not going to drive yourself. Don't rent a place that is out in the sticks - the dolmus system may only operate twice a day and your husband may have to spend hours waiting for a return trip home. The summer temp in Nicosia is much higher than that in the coastal areas so also consider that when you look for a place to rent.

Really, you need to come here for a couple of weeks and look around - all that glitters is not gold - If your husband is looking for lots of English speaking venues to visit then to the West of Kyrenia (Girne) is the place to be. Its a great place to live but it takes getting used to for sure. Keep asking questions no matter how silly you think they are - the people on this forum rarely find anything that can not be answered.

[sophie]

I'm assuming from your post that you mean Lefkosa rather than "north Nicosia" or do you mean Northern Cyprus? Perhaps if we knew where about your work place is roughly so that public transport (which only means Dolmus) can be advised. As to your husband being 50, believe me he will be a virtual teenager here if you mix with the ex-pats as a whole!! It was once likened to Gods Waiting Room, which I thought was a bit cruel. I thought that was just Frinton-on-Sea?

[Welldigger]

Come and enjoy your new life here, you will both love it, even if you don't speak Turkish.
I was born in London and am Turkish Cypriot by birth right, although I do not speak Turkish! I have lots of family here and have never had an issue with language throughout all the time I've been coming here, which dates back to pre-1974. I now live in Bellapais but I travel to Lefkosa (Nicosia) almost once a week on business, it's a great city and very interesting to visit and stay in.
I too am 50 years old and I think your husband will find lots of things to do and make new friends very easily. Tell him to look me up when you come, I'll have an Efes with him to get him started.
People will have their own preferences with regard to location, personally, I would love to live in Lefkosa but due to schooling, we live in Bellapais, we prefer the East of Girne (Kyrenia) but many other ex-pats prefer the west of Girne but you have to find out these things for yourself.
Good luck with your new job and enjoy.

[Keithcaley]

If your husband is not a Turkish Cypriot, he will need to provide proof that he has sufficient funds / private income to support him, otherwise he will not be granted a visa for longer than 90 days. It may be that you are intending to both live on your earned income alone, if so you will need to have had a work permit arranged for you by your new employer before you arrive here. Note that if your employment ends for any reason, you would both have to leave the country!

[Christelle1967]

Thanks for the replies so far, they are really helpful. My salary will support both of us, will this allow my husband to stay for longer than 90 days? We do also have savings. The employer arranges the work permit and is also supplying accommodation. I am willing to live further afield if it would be a better environment for us however.

[the butlers wife]

Why don't you come over and take advantage of the accommodation on offer and see how it goes for a few months.
Lots of Turkish Cypriots do speak some English and I am sure you will make friends through work, as the locals are a very
friendly and helpful lot. If you find you are too isolated then think of moving closer to the coast when you have had the
chance to look around and decide where you want to live.

The butlers wife

[JoandJelly]

Your working does not affect your husband. He will still have to renew every 90 days.

[Keithcaley]

Your working does not affect your husband. He will still have to renew every 90 days.

...Or apply for 'Residency' (Annually renewable 'Visitor' status)?