Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi everyone - we are looking to move to TRNC (currently in Sinai Egypt & have been here last 6 years). Would appreciate any help and advice to facts we are trying to find out about regarding living as an expat in TRNC. You guys have been through the system so have a wealth of knowledge and therefore useful tips that may help us - we would be so very grateful for help and advice. My list of help questions are:-

What is a reasonable monthly sum to live per month in TRNC for 60 year old couple who want to rent?. What are average rental costs for 2 bed bungalow/villa/house?. Average utility costs electric gas water etc?. Could we live, say on approx. 1000UKP a month as an example?

Where's the best place to find long term rental accommodation?. Have looked at property agents and signed up for their news bulletins. Are agents much more costly than trying to find a property privately?. If there are other ways of finding a nice property not overpriced or subject to problems - where is it best to look?.

Is it easy to get temp-permanent residency visa's?. Is it true that the government there allow 60+ people stay indefinitely (read this on another forum site but not sure if it's fact or wishful fiction).

What's the chances of my husband finding work as a Master Scuba Diving Instructor?.

How easy or difficult is it to get work permissions?.

How easy is it to bring a dog in from Egypt to TRNC (I could probably get all the requirements that EU pet movement ask for by my local vet - such as chip, vaccination records, clean bill of health etc)?.

Whether it's financially better to ship our furniture/possessions from Egypt to TRNC or sell all and start again once in TRNC?.

Opening a bank account are the banks safe?.

Healthcare costs?

Is life good in TRNC or are there problems we should consider before making a firm committment.

Sorry my 1st posting is long - have read previous other threads but would appreciate any advice from anyone based on current views

Hi. I think you could do worse than start by reading the thread below "Are expats leaving the country in large numbers?"

I think it demonstrates that attitude and reasons for coming here are vital in whether or not you can settle here happily, and I also suggest you learn the current political (non-recognition) of the country and read up the history to understand the reasons behind it and the "mindset" of the people.



The thread probably also addresses your question about health, and that it is probably the single most practical consideration to be addressed.

A lot is said in the thread about people who expect it to be like England - that is presumably not likely to apply to you but other unreasonable expectations - ie.that the cost of living and housing is so cheap you can afford luxury accommmodation, facilities, cars etc. - have also lead to disappointment and bitterness.

I will leave your other questions to those who have come here more recently and have more up to date info of the regulations, but as far as the "over 60's is concerned, I think it is more of an attitude of the authorities rrather than a regulations you can rely on, and anyway you need residence to get a driving licence!!!.

Hi I will leave others to answer your other questions as I am busy today but I know for a fact that you can bring pets from Egypt as we know someone who brought several in batches via Larnaca.
As to earning money here - if you do it will be a bonus but do not come if you are relying on it.
Good luck

Thanks Rambling Rose & Ozankoys. Have started reading the threads "are expats leaving ....." already. But there are so many different views and some I am sure are genuine, but some I suspect may be from people disillusioned due to wrong expectations or because they are not willing to blend with the local culture. I certainly do not want to be living like I was in England or I would not have moved out from the UK years ago because I was so fed up with all the problems living in the UK. I want to live where there is genuine friendship amongst all the people and we will be made to feel welcome in their community. Where we will be treated fairly and not 'ripped off' at every opportunity. Where the cost of living is not extortionate and you can have a decent quality of life within a reasonable budget in a beautiful countryside where there is some social activity or nice things to do with our time.

We moved to Egypt and lived here for 6 years but feel we the need to move. Things are deteriorating here and there is absolutely nothing to do socially in our region of the country. We have struggled to get even basic things like good food and some decent quality items in the shops (it's all mostly chinese 3rd quality goods here). Now there is insecurity during the transition after the uprising where law and order is low. Even the FCO just recently issued warning bulletins for tourists and expats living here due to factions who target tourists & expats or think they can act lawlessly. We do not want to be 'jumping out of the frying pan & into the fire".

Having read in other expat sites I am aware of the 'shunning and non-recognition' the people of TRNC have had to endure which has caused them hardship and a feeling of isolation. But still, I hear the local people are apparently so welcoming and friendly to outsiders so wish to know how the mingling of people really is there. Is there beaurocratic bullying by officials who deliberately make things difficult for the 'visitors' living in their community or is this just bah humbug by people who always have something to moan about or are their complaints genuine. That is why we wrote our thread so we could gleen from you guys who have done the move and experienced living in TRNC so we can get a feel of what it would be like to live there. Anyone who can answer our questions we would love to hear from you and thanks Ozonkoys for providing the answer about our dog, just need to find out the cost factor now.

Try the British Residents Society web site. info@brstrnc.com It has been off line recently but I believe its problems have been solved! there is quite a lot of advice on that.

Peronally, we moved here nearly 6 years ago, both well over 60, love it - ok we've had our problems, but then there are few of us who havent!! Like you we had lived in other countries and were already sympathetic to other cultures and ways of doing things - which i think makes it easier!!
Renting through an agency doesnt cost you more, just the renter who doesnt get the first rent!
As far as living goes, it has gone up - but it is not too hard to live on a reasonable budget, but electricity, gas and water are expensive relatively speaking - but then there is no huge council Tax as in UK!! Household expenses basically remain slightly less than my weekly UK shop (dont know Egyptian prices!) and I try not to over use the car as petrol is pricey!!

Thank you mamachina - I am so pleased to hear that you both have settled happily into your life there. I agree that being sympathetic to other cultures is a big factor of being happy in an adopted country. We have many good friends here, both Egyptian and Bedouin who have shown us such warmth, support and help. If we leave we will sorely miss them. I can walk here and be invited by complete local strangers to have a cup of tea or share their meal. Bearing in mind how poor some of them are it shows what good people they are.

I have noted the web site for the BRS and will make inquiries with them.

Rent here is about 250UKP a month for a big house although you can get smaller tattier houses for about 100UKP a month. Food can be expensive and poor quality as we live in arid desert/mountainous area. Food has to be transported about 1000 kilometers from Cairo, so after a long journey in non-fridged lorries in the blazing summer heat the goods are not too good and also higher prices. A lot of the shops will try to charge a higher rate to foreigners until they know we live amongst them and we get accepted when the overcharging is reduced a bit!!. Gas is bottled and costs us 0.90 UKP and electric is about 15UKP a month in the summer with A/C in use, so those costs are good. Water for cooking is about 0.75UKP. I have a scooter and to fill the tank which lasts me about 3 weeks it costs all of.0,75UKP. So about 700-800UKP is our monthly outgoings (without entertainment or activities)

Look after yourself and thanks again

i think rents here average about 350£ to 500£ per month, gaz is 38tl per bottle, electric is 38krs per unit plus daily charge plus KDV (VAT) up to about 280 units a month based on the amount of days in the month it then goes up to 40krs and so on in bands, i think petrol is 3.20tl water 19lt size are about 4.50/5.00tl

Hi Andrew - thanks for taking the time to send me some data (very useful).

For a couple who just want a quiet life living in a 2 bed bungalow/house/villa, not being extravagant (maybe me having the odd bottle of wine - my hubby is t-total as he's a diving instructor but makes up for that by smoking Golden Virginia rollups!!) - some half decent food & maybe the odd meal out - running a scooter and cross bike would you recommend that is achievable on say a budget of approx. 1000UKP?. If not what figure a month would you recommend

Hi Annanirvanna

For help with pets arriving we are using Ann Bosley been in TRNC for 11 yrs

Her e mail is janbosley@yahoo.co.uk Tel 0533 8760715 she is also on Skype

Very competent and helpful

She can meet you at Larnaca or Ercan airports

Good luck

Hi Gemini39. Noted and many thanks for the help. Already, as a newby I think what lovely people there are in this forum willing to help us - I hope my plans work out & I get to live the life there in TRNC X

being a hand roller myself a pack of Golden is 10 tl. Unfortunately papers are dear around 1 tl per pack (in the uk I paid £8 a box of 100) likewise if you use filters they are 2tl a pack of 150 rizla filters

We are just coming up to our 1yr aniversary and love the place. When you get here you will find so many helpful people not just ex pats but natives too. They are so willing to assist

good luck

Mick and Carol

I think compared with what you ae getting you will be pleased with our food. Fruit and veg locally produced or imported from Turkey and fresh if you accept seasonal and I assume Halal meat wont worry you. There are increasingly sophisticated supermarkets where you can get a lot of imported foods (loads of choices of cornflakes and breakfast cereals for instance) - but beware eating "English" can raise you grocery bills considerably. You might find the climate trying - heat to match yours but we are an Island and a maritime climate and have very high humidity particularly around this time of year. Jan and Feb can be pretty wet and windy - rather like an English March.


Have you actually visited NOrth Cyprus? If not, suggest a holiday, and hire a villa (in a local areas if you can rather than one of the expat enclaves) or at least self catering so youcan test the prices for yourselves. Have you any idea what part. Most of the expats in the Kyrenia areas but with better roads , some people prefer to be further afield.

Hi again Rambling Rose.

Food sounds good there - we have wilting overpriced salad & veg here and most times it only arrives twice a week and gets snapped up whilst being unloaded. Very little choice of food on all other types. I make my own marmalade and that is in great demand here by the expats and locals alike. We are happy with local cuisine and as long as it's fresh varied and reasonably priced we'll be happy.

As you say we're used to the heat, we're just getting over 6 months of 40 degree temperatures. Not had any rain to mention of since we arrived 6 years ago. We had 2 minutes of slight rain in March and all us silly expats were out in the street dancing with our faces up to the sky feeling rain drop on us (no wonder the locals think we're all barking mad). We get very strong winds here with the moon cycle. In summer it's a hot wind which adds to the heat problem and in winter it's bitterly cold - now it's very refreshing and a bonus as we can turn the A/C off and save some money on the 'lecky bill.

Seriously thinking of popping over to sample the life there as you suggest. I will have to come alone though as some-one, (hubby), needs to be here for our dog and my 16 cockatiels that I have in an avary in my garden that need looking after. Also house security here at present is a problem with many house break-ins occurring and the local police seemingly doing nothing to catch these little s**ts.

Not restricted to a particular area in TRNC - would like to be near both the local community and ex-pats plus all amenities as we're not thinking of buying a car (we may bring my scooter and my hubbies trials bike if it's easy enough to do and not too expensive and tied up in red tape). Do you know if my hubby stands a chance of finding work as a Scuba Diving Instructor and are foreigners allowed to work in this field- I ask this because that would be a factor as to where we would live.

Wishing you a lovely evening & hope we get to 'chat' again

Warm regards

Anne & Taz

annanirvanna wrote:

Rent here is about 250UKP a month for a big house although you can get smaller tattier houses for about 100UKP a month. Gas is bottled and costs us 0.90 UKP and electric is about 15UKP a month in the summer with A/C in use, so those costs are good. Water for cooking is about 0.75UKP. I have a scooter and to fill the tank which lasts me about 3 weeks it costs all of.0,75UKP. So about 700-800UKP is our monthly outgoings (without entertainment or activities)

Long term rents are definitely higher here than in Egypt. I doubt if you'd find anything worth renting at £250 per month & certainly not a 'big' house.

From what you have said then the main major difference in expense will be your energy bills & especially electricity which is dearer here than in the UK. especially if you are running an A/c unit. We have lived here 10 yrs & only have A/c in the bedroom, but our last bill for August 9th to September 8th was 335 TL, which at the current exchange rate (very high at 2.89 TL/£1) works out at £116. This is probably the hottest month of the year, but our annual electricity bill for this year is likely to be £1355 in total, using the last 4 months of last year & the 8 months of this year, to date. The cheapest bill this year (no A/c or heating) was April 8th to May 8th at £88. There is a service charge of about £6 per month + KDV (Vat) at 10% included in those totals. However we do have a pool pump so if you are unlikely to have a swimming pool then your electricity bills will be lower. The Pool pump probably costs about £18 per month to run in the winter & up to £30 per month in summer.

I keep a strict record of what I spend here each month & each year. I use a local credit card for nearly everything & therefore can do this accurately. This covers all aspects of life here. All the bills, electric, water & council bills, mobiles & landline, including temp. residency, 1 car (road tax, insurance, maintenance & petrol), food & drink (eating in & out, once or twice a week), doctors & dentist & chemists for medications. No clothing purchases included though. Year from August 2011 to July 2012 = total cost for 2 over 60s was £12753. Winter heating is primarily with paraffin (last winter was £400) but this was for an exceptionally long & colder than normal winter IMO. Winter 2010 was £146.

So yes, you can just about manage on £1000 a month depending on your lifestyle, but no rent is included in this figure.

That's just day to day living here. No one off major expenses or holidays or trips to the UK. included in that though which many overlook when they recount what they spend in a year.

Hi Scruff - again another good reply and very informative. Many thanks for taking time out to send me this. Will add the info to all the rest and then we'll probably pop over to check the region out for a week or a month. I knew the house rents would be higher, but I would rather pay more and have some quality than having to wade through rubbish, camels, goats and sheep that are always in the roads here (small price to pay I say).

All the very best from Anne & Taz

My response would be to say come and visit for a month, socialise talk to expats, and get a feel for the place, be realistic and decide if this is where you want to live, we came for a week and decided we wanted to buy roughly 10 years ago, bought our property and visited 4 times a year, have been here permanent now about 4 1/2 years and would not dream of moving, but are in a position where we don't need to work, and have not ties, so try before you buy and if you do buy I am sure you won't regret, good luck with your future.

I have lived here full time for 12 months now.
Overall I think it is far cheaper than the UK here as long as you live like a local.
The huge cost is electricity=about3 times the cost of the UK,but then I am careless and deserve the big bills I get.
I own my own place here but I think you can rent for £250 per month for an ok place.
Most of all though, I am far happier than I was in the UK-so as far as I am concerned that is the main thing .
There is not much crime that I know of,and the Peeps are nice.
Give it a go on a rental basis would be my recommendation.
Hope this helps

Barbieb & Philoz - thanks both of you - as stated before so many kind people on this site willing to help the uninitiated. Definitely looking to try & get over for a 'taster' of your island life. I am sure I will like it there as we have no 'airs and graces' and we are more than willing to blend with the locals, as we have been accepted here in Sinai with the local Bedouins and also Egyptians who live here too. Cannot believe how expensive electric is in the TRNC though, never thought the UK would come 2nd to any other country with regards to utility costs!!. If we get over there maybe we will invest in solar panels -- or a genny -- or lots of candles!!.

Work permissions are distinctly tricky. Work as an MSDT may be available in the summer but the dive season is very lean outside the summer months.

We have a rubbish problem here too - perhaps not as bad as yours but it upsets the Little Brits. Also a lot of stray dogs and cats. We also have sheep and goats - but no longer any camels as far as i know. A few years ago you had to watch out for the occasional donkey rider but the increase in the number of cars seems to have driven them away.

Water and electric have been scarce and were subject to frequent cuts for a long time after the Island was divided. Following the Anan plan and the increase in the number of expats demanding individual swimming pools and full house air con. etc. considerable steps have been made to increase supply with consdequent price hikes which have hit the more restrained consumer very hard. Most houses have solar panels for water heating (which will probably provide sufficient hot water for a couple for 8 to l0 months of the year). It is surprising more use hasnt been made of solar energy.

If you are strong enough to lift the **** bottles (there is no mains gas , it all comes in cylinders) gas fires are cheaper way than electricity to heat) but even those are subject to spiralling inflation. Log fires are also common - logs are expensive and if you have social conscience you may worry about where they come from, but the winter beaches are full of drift wood!

Anyone recently had solar panels fitted .

If so how many and cost would help

I recntly had a solar panel replaced by Mr pipe at a cost of 600tl. They made a good job of it too

gemini39 wrote:Anyone recently had solar panels fitted .

If so how many and cost would help

You need to specify whether you are interested in Hot water or photovoltaic - I imagine that the 600TL job was 'hot water'...

Hi Keithcaley

What is photovoltic and is it more economical than for hot water ?

Or can you have both? Solar ignorant me

Photovoltaic are the type of panels now on roofs all over England. They produce electricity even when there is lower pight than in Cyprus. Apparently they perform better when it isn't too hot, so maybe that is the downside for Cyprus??

The panels here are very low tec in comparison & just provide hot water (when the sun shines)

Photovoltaic panels are used to produce electricity, not hot water.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics

Solar panels, which appear to be fitted to many houses in the TRNC, heat water by using the sun to heat water piped through the panel.

I think that scruff has said it all really...

The ones that produce electricity (P-V)are being heavily promoted in UK due to a Government subsidy on self-generated electricity, but they are extremely expensive here in comparison, due to high import duties.

You would never use P-V to heat water, it's far more efficient to use the heat of the sun to warm the water directly.

The only situation where I would think it worthwhile in Cyprus to use P-V is if you were miles away from the nearest point of the electricity supply grid, and it was a choice of P-V, generator, or no electricity at all

I see that while I've been typing, magalan has posted some good info, but what the heck, I've typed it, I might as well post it!

memo to self - TYPE FASTER!

Thanks to everyone who have posted since yesterday and am eternally grateful. Nice my little comment on solar panels sparked, (no pun intended!!!), such interest - but hey info shared is knowledge good for all.

Will read all posts again later to fully digest the contents, but at present priority No.1 is watching BBC news due to the problems here at present because of that extremely stupid guy in the USA!!!!. What a furor and backlash he has dropped on all expats throughout the eastern globe.

Have you considered a 2 or 3 bed apartment on a small complex to rent? Costs will generally be much lower than a villa.

Our apartment is a 3 bed 2 bath with plenty of room and uninterrupted views and we could quite happily live here 24/7 (its not for rent btw )

We have a communal pool and a good gym, so things to consider if renting this type of property are you would not have to pay for running and maintenance, whereas, most villas tend to have fairly small pools yet running costs can still be quite high when you add it all up. We have a massive pool on our site and there are times when we have it entirely to ourselves.

I don't know exact costs of maintaing a private pool with a villa but am thinking approx £60 per month to maintain and then you have the electric bills for running the pool pumps as well so if you are on a tight budget these things can all add up.

Usually the owner of any property on a complex will pay the communal maintenance charges not the renter. Just something to consider.

We are at Esentepe which is 20 mins east of Kyrenia and much prefer the peace and tranquility of where we are.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thanks everyone for your help, so long term it would be economical letting sun heat water than spending on electricity

which I presume can go up annually

Hi Guru - never thought about complex's because in our mind you always have people above/below you creating noise all times of the day. We also like privacy - however if we had 'like-minded people around us then yes, definitely worth considering.

However, as my hubby is also a D.J. and has all his own decks, speakers, lasers, (all the DJ paraphernalia) etc, we may decide to bring this equipment with us as he can then 'rent his DJ services' to the community and business's in TRNC. Maybe neighbours in any apartment we rent may want to lynch my hubby after about half an hour of his practice sessions!!. Do you guys need a UK DJ who can caters for all ages and gendre's of music from 'oldies; to 'rave'?

Gemini - In the summer here in Sinai the sun is so hot that it's warms the cold water stored in our concrete storage tank underground in the garden, thru our plastic pipes to our house. We don't use the boiler at all as the water coming out the shower is very warm (sometimes hot). So water heating costs are economical for us 6 months of the year - unfortunately we 'burn' the saved electric on A/C instead , but hey we have comfort!!

annanirvanna, it is very difficult (and expensive) to get a permit to do any kind of 'paid' business/work here in TRNC.

For details of a scheme to allow foreign 'performers' to work see here

Guru: May I ask please what sort of people do live in complexes? Locals or expats, permanent or are a lot "Swallows". ?
I lived in a block of flats in the UK at one time, and the arguments about standards of service, costs etc. were very trying - from what I have seen on other forums you could multiply that in spades for here!!!!! Do you have problems, and if no were you just lucky or did you do a lot of research to find the right place? You say renters dont pay service charges but the owner does. Presumably the service charge is taken into account in fixing the rent?

So presumably the rent could rise unexpectedly if it were necessary to increase the service charge.

Are dogs permitted?

Anne : You might be able to save a bit on rent if you could find a property WITHOUT a pool. Personally I think the number of private pools in this country is a big mistake - it places too heavy on strain on theinfrastructure, particularly water, and is partly responsible for the big hykes in electricity (improvements have to be made to meet demand and the cost s passed on to all consumers causing hardship to ordinary people). For the cost of running a pool you can eat a simple lunch at a hotel or holiday village and use their Pool or simply swim in the sea several times a week.

It might help Anne (and me since I am vaguely thinking of downsizing as I get older) if people who lived away from the Girne area (eg Esentepe and the Karpas) could give an idea of the transport implications without a car. Are there buses/dolmuses to Girne and Famagusta? Are there problems getting to Doctor/dentist/vet/chemist/post office / banks, etc. Ann might also like to note that is an English Church and English language library in Girne, and Car Boot sales/farmers markets where one can buy clothes (new and second hand), books, CDs and DVDs, home cooked English pies etc.) in the villages around Girne(Kyrenia) and in Girne itself there is a large open air market with rows and rows and fruit and vegetables .

Hi Keith - will check it out - but in essence a DJ doing a gig or two will need a permit? Thanks for the tip.

Hi Rambling Rose - I quite agree that the price of rent water and electric costs will be substantially more with a pool. I am not too bothered about having one. It might be a nice status symbol to have a G & T by your own pool, but I would rather use the money elsewhere and do my bit to preserve the weak infrastructure. Apart from that there is the maintenance costs plus all the hard work keeping a pool clean. For me I would rather utitise my time and go out and explore the pools with a meal thrown in (not literally in the pool) or go into the sea as after all I am a scuba diver and love to snorkel too.

Good questions you have raised on the 2nd thread about living away from Girne - I will watch for any replies you get on this post. I was thinking of bringing my scooter over as it's only 6 months old with only 1050 kilometers on the mileage clock. I have a dive crate on the back and get loads of shopping in the crate so it's good for a shop run as well as getting out and about. My hubby has a 2nd hand trials bike as well. Both use very little fuel and give loads of miles to the tank so don't cost a lot to run. So depending on the cost factor to transport them over plus any import tax's we may consider this and would like anyone's views on the feasibility of this or if anyone has done similar what's the best way to do this.

I love car boots and charity shopping and that has always been one thing I missed doing when I left the U.K. So from what I now hear I could start to 'rummage' again if I moved over - I might even set my own stall up as I make my own marmalade here in Egypt that both expats and the locals all love. Reading is another big thumbs up for me, luckily I have a clever husband who has taught me how to download off the internet and I have about 1000 e-books stored on an external hard drive (should keep me occupied for a year or two).

Good night to all you nice expats in TRNC from us here in Sinai

Ann: Yes, the idea of sitting with a cool drink by ones own pool does sound nice, and jumpiing in and cooling off after a hot day, but it seems to me people spend more time cleaning the d*** things than sitting by them. Also bear in mind most are "plunge pools" - not designed for serious swimming or exercise. But they have become so much a status symbol I wonder how many properties are available without pools - when you are nearer a decision I will make some enquiries.

Two warnings though - do listen to what others have said above and dont rely on being able to make money here. Work permits are difficult and expensive. I dont know much about Diving Instructors but I doubt there would be sufficient demand to cover the work permit and other costs, and as for DJ'ing, apart from the permit situation, there is an awful lot of competition in the music business both from professionals and expat volunteers. Generally it seems (understandably) the country wants people who ae financially independent to come here and spend money , not to make money out of the country (and sadly there are a few who take advantage of the non recognised status and comparative lack of regulation to "cut corners" and take advantage of locals and fellow expats alike, which I suspect is making them even more wary).

Also cost-wise you have to factor in routine medical, dental, optical costs etc as well as either private medical insurance or a large fund against a rainy day.

I can understand why you are worried about living in Egypt (hope you are keeping safe) but also remember that whilst North Cyprus has been remarkably free of all types of violence since "partition" , it is not exactly stable politically There are several directions in which the country could go , most of which could seriously disrupt the expat way of life.

Scooters and bikes sound good from a economic and convenience point of view. Remember though there are a lot of off large four wheel drive cars around which think they own the road and intimidate (and blind with headlights at night) small saloons, let alone two wheels. Also though the main roads have been improved there are a lot of poor quality single track potholed lanes and dirt tracks which become skid pads with mud in winter. You need to think about alternatives for illness and as we all do getting older.

Sorry to be downbeat, but best to be prepared.

Rose. A lot of what you are saying is very true, we thought long and hard about moving to NC three years ago, when we are there we say Yes we could live this life but on return to UK we say No we couldn't. Although we have no financial problem we thought about the medical side when we are not as mobile, the fact that we might not be able to get back to UK to see family and friends and couldn't expect them to drop everything to come to us when they are busy working, we have quite an active social life but no way could we be part of a clique, we have attended functions there and some people just don't want to know you even when you are from the UK, we find the locals are more friendly. There are a lot more factors but we decided we carry on at present having three holidays a year in Turkey and NC and enjoy every one of our visits.

From my own experience it is a totally different ball game when one has two homes and can choose. I think what our friends want to do is escape a situation with which they arenot happy' do not wish to return to U.K, so........

#I reckon coming here would be better fo rthem, and they could always then maybe move on elsewhere (such as Turkey???) if it doesn't work. You have to live in a place for at least a year, or even more,l before knowing how it suits. There are many problems here, and jy husband is facing some challenges with his mobility but he would be in the same position in U.K. Nothing can be done as it is 'age related'.

By the way, as to rents, I just heard of some people coming out who are going to pay £850 a month rent. Ouch! A clear indication of how prices are going, and one has to realise when you come here, it is will get more expensive with each year as it does everywhere. But live one day at a time, .......

I do think our friends need to come and put their feet in the water! and how about some peple posting who CAN manageon little money and are HAPPY with their lifestyle.

I am happy with my life here and I live on a uk state pension quite comfortably. I own my house run a car dont smoke but go out for meals occaisonaly. I have not been back to the uk for 9 years and hope I never have to.

thanks Deniz. I am sure that will help. and I am sure there plenty of others like you. It does sound as if our friends from Egypt are looking more for a life like yours, so I am sure they will manage nicely. But as I say, if they don't try, they won't know.

Like Deniz I own my own house and run a small car, I do smoke but dont drink alcohol, and I eat out occasionally , but usually snack meals at lunchtime which is cheaper. I havent been back to the UK for 12 years and havent had a holiday for five - partly because I cant afford care for my dogs if I go away on top of the holiday. I have permanent residence which helps.

When I first came here I lived very basically on half a small (early retirement) occupational pension plus what I could earn (it was easier then) and saved half my pension and a small investment income and life was wonderful. When my state pension clicked in I was able to live more comfortably and make some improvements to my home and still continue saving. With increasing inflation, particularly basics such as electricity, more medical costs and the need for help in house and garden as I got older and less active, the ends have come closer together and now they only just meet. Although I still enjoy life here, it is less so over the last few years because I find the newcomers Less friendly (similar experiences to Woodspeckie with people not wanting to know and Cypriots much more friendly than expats) than my original friends many of whom have gone back to the UK and I worry whether I will have to start spending capital and not have enough money left at the end of my life rather than vice versa. Its all very welll saying live for today, but one needs to take some thought for the morrow as well.

We are already on that path, Ramblin gRose - spending capital to help out with unexpected expenses which income does not cover. But even though it is a conce,r it owuld be ten times worse elsewhere! Higher expenses and in effect a shrinking income. If only we knew ho wlong we were going to live, but we don't, so it is a quesitonof being realistic.

My situation and lifestyle echoes Deniz and Rambling Rose. Like Marion any unexpected especially healthcare expense has to come from capital.

Years ago a financial advisor was recommending investments with retirement in mind. Well am now retired and living thereafter, obviously hoping have enough for however many years ahead. So far the interest earned on capital has more or less covered healthcare.
None of us know what is round the corner, it could be something really good or whatever.

My! my! what a busy little site this has been since I left it this morning to go down into what passes for our shopping centre to try and find some half decent salad - that is salad fit for us to eat and not to get home to immediately throw out for the 4 legged rubbish eaters because its sooo bad and limp.

Marions; you have it dead on - no, we don't have a 2nd home to fall back on. We need to get outa dodge and find somewhere nice to lay our roots as it's non too good here and to be frank don't know how long it will take for things to improve. We live in a Red Sea resort (only designated as such because this bedouin fishing village now does diving, safaris & tours). Therefore it attracts tourists and expats and as such is a soft target for those 'naughty nasty people' intent on causing trouble. This happened several years ago here and people lost their lives. On top of that there is little to do, little variety of food and no social activity if you're not a diving group. Relocating is costly and stressful so we need to get this move right once and for all as we cannot keep 'globe' hopping'. I have based my research on using income I am guaranteed to receive each month, which is pensions and dividends from my saving plan in the bank. If hubby finds work well hey, that's a bonus, but it is not in my equation when deciding on a location to settle. I was so shocked to hear that someone is going to rent for 850UKP., (maybe they are to rent a mega villa)!!. But you are quite right the future is unknown and if rent costs etc., rise and rise where will that leave us poor folk trying to get by on a budget. Maybe we could all get together and buy a little hotel and turn it into a OAP home ha ha.

Deniz: pleased to hear that you are doing OK and managing on your SRP. Even if that does not include the index linked annual increases and the Fuel and Xmas bonus's that the UK and EU expats get, (now now annie, don't go there again!!. Yes it double standards and grossly unfair that the UK money pinchers won't pay some of us expat pensioners because of where we choose to retire to). I note you say you own your own house so you don't need to try and find rent each month. I would have to find rent but I do get superannuation pensions as well, so maybe that covers rent so we would be on a more 'even' playing field and be in a similar position. Good luck to you.

part 2 to follow as restricted characters

Part 2

RamblingRose: Thanks for the tip on roads over there and the 4x4 maniacs. I drive my scooter her despite the fact that the local council decided to rip up all the tarmac and all the roads at the same time just so they could lay a 6" water pipe dowm the endge of one side of the road. Now that is a good example of how they work and think out here, sod the road users and lets cause as much damage as possible to deal with such a little job. Anyway that was 8 months ago and I am still driving on sand, rocks and rubble. On top of that I have to compete with mad bedouins who think the roads are race tracks and go bombing about at full speed in their toyota pick-ups whilst having their mobile phone glued to their ears and oblivious of other road users. Then I have to compete with herds of 4 legged road users --- and then children as young as 8 - 10 years old driving cars & --lorries & -- articulated vehicles and earth moving vehicles. Honestly this is true, the tops of these little s**ts heads are just about visible above the steering wheel. THEN I also have to cope with the pedestrians who think that the roads are pavements, that they have total right of way whilst they dawdle down and across the road without even checking if a vehicle is approaching (obviously green X code never reached this neck of the world). So me with my little scooter packed with shopping in a diving crate will hopefully be OK (I hope) if I drove over there as less stressful than here.

On a serious note for a minute - I was checking out personal healthcare plans and after recovering from shock at some of the quotes I actually got a good one. I am 62 and my husband is 60 - for full package including in-out hospital care - medical cover of other sorts and optical dental even repatriation of your remains I got a quote of 3360EGP (about 350UKP each). This was for a plan EGYPT only but they did advise they did other plans Europe - US only - US & rest of the world. I might have this information stored on my laptop. The company I found is AXA which is based in UK but also does expat healthcare plans. You can Google it or alternatively I can send you the e-mail contact I got or e-mail and ask if they do a plan for TRNC. Before anyone asks or thinks, NO I am not on commission I believe in sharing something good that may help others.

Woodspeckie and everyone else - many thanks for your input. As far as those stuffy upper lipped, don't want to mingle folk that you say are there. Well hell, so what, that's what they want then that's their choice. At the end of the day they are the one's who will lose out on all the camaraderie, info exchange, help, support and general community spirit. There are enough like minded people about I am sure to make the rest of you feel part of a team.

Well gotta go as I have a curry to cook. Look forward to more replies.

Just a quickie! |It sounds as if you will be better off here, but I suspect the cost of pte medical insurance will be more like 350pounds per MONTH. Better leave the money in the bank and use if necessary. But that is just my opinion.
Rent@ Luxury villas now cost, but do not despair I am sure there is soemthing! come over and take a look!
You alreadyknow about diving jobs and DJ's but there is always a bit of charity work to do if you want to make sure you feel useful! there are lots of nice people here you can meet and make your own friends. Activities are on the iincrease. Eating out may be more than in Egypt, but there aare some O.K. places reaosnable.
a bit of a personal quesiton. do you have a bank ccount in U.K? Most of us do, and we still get our fuel allowances etc. Many people acknowledge that it costs to keep warm in the winter here too! also North Chypprus is not one of those countries where you cannot get increases. That is australia and (can't remember, but not here).
and as to health care in th south, I think you will find it is for emergencies ony! and the cost of lliving oveer there is way uup here, and this place still has a lot more charm than the south -
But really you just have to come over and see for yourself, and I kno there are enough people on Kibkom, including me that will help show you the ropes.

Just a quick correction, Marion. You get winter fuel allowance if you qualified for it when you livd in the UK. If you were too young for it when you left the UK you don't get it here - I tried. Now there's logic and fairness for you! I still feel the cold just as much.

Rambling Rose, yes that's right - if you left the UK before SRP became payable then the tightwads say you can't have it (or the Xmas Bonus). I subscribe to IExpats weekly newsletter and the one they e-mailed to me yesterday advised that the tightwads are planning to reduce winter fuel allowance by 50UKPl. So we poor folk who have been 'cheated' will have to suffer being cold or pay out of our own small income to get warm and those lucky enough to get it will receive less allowance.

Marions I will e-mail the AXA guy tomorrow to see if they do cover in TRNC and try to find out what that would cost me - then we can compare my Egypt quote to a quote for there - I will update you all once I hear further. Yes I have left my UK account open with a very small balance the last 6 years but it's live. One question back to you:- are you saying the SRP you guys get paid over there get the cost of living increase?. Do you get a little SRP prezzie in December for Santa as well?. Don't think I could afford a luxury villa. Me, I'll be happy with a little 2 bed property in a nice area hopefully with a little garden and nice neighbours.

One good, but selfish, thing I found today is the the XE for my lovely jubbly UKP to EGP is nearly at all time high of 10-1, so more EGP for me to spend on rubbish inedible food.

REally grateful for the offers of help, support and even if I don't decide to do "the move" I will definitely pop over for a stay and meet you all. However the more I hear and research, the more I want to pack up & take the plunge so watch this space .......

My pension does increase every year but I didnt qualify for the fuel allowance as I wasnt in the uk on the appropriate date to apply,so I will never get it maybe I was too honest when I filled in the form! I do have some money in the bank and as Marion says keep it there to gather interest then pay for medical care from that. After all you pay insurance for years and of you are lucky dont use it often soits money wasted imop.