Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to move out to the TRNC in a few months, but have a few questions:

Can i realistically live on my Pension of 1,000 GBP (nett) a month (including renting a room, or possibly a small apartment) - I don't smoke or drink and live fairly modestly.

What monthly outgoings would i be looking at?

Lastly - i've just hit 60 and have read that Brits that are 60 "don't need a visa" - so when i land and get my 90 days stay stamped in my passport - is that it ? - or do i have to apply for at least 1 year extension and don't need to renew it...

Any helpful comments greatly received.

Lets try this:

Firstly it is still the law (unless they have changed it before you read this) that everybody, regardless of age, should apply for an "Initial residency stamp" if they intend to stay here for more than 90 days! Read this carefully please: http://www.brstrnc.com/index.php/lifest ... june-2017-

Secondly, because it is simple, I have picked at random a letting agency - some will be more expensive and some others will be cheaper. I picked Famagusta as an area at random because I do not know the area but it can give you an indication of cost, you can change the area as you look through them all - again read the information carefully please: https://www.101evler.com/north-cyprus/p ... 2=&max_m2=

Thirdly, the exchange rate at the current time is 6.86tl to the £1.00 you should expect to get 6.75tl to the £1.00 at any money changer. That would give you 6750tl per £1,000.00. This rate can go up or down by the second and you need to be very careful how you manage your income. These figures are all pre-Brexit of course, the outcome of which nobody knows, but always err on the down side to ensure you are not suddenly without sufficient funds to survive.
The "Minimum" wage here in August last year was 2620tl but I understand it is now around 3215-ish so check that as well. Roughly, you would be on twice minimum wage as things stand at the moment.

Lastly, can you "realistically" live on your pension? How long is a piece of string? Would you have a vehicle? Would you need internet/mobile phone? What are you going to do when you are here? Will you eat out? Will you watch TV? Do you intend to ship belongings here or purchase what you need when you arrive? Will you have sufficient savings to deal with a medical emergency? In truth it is an impossible question to answer. Some people will tell you it is easily possible and that they live on the UK state pension here - they probably don't rent but maybe they do, these are the people who can best answer this question for you.

Hope this helps a little but the only real way to find out is to come here and rent for 6 months first to find out all the information you need.

cranfield wrote:Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to move out to the TRNC in a few months, but have a few questions:

Can i realistically live on my Pension of 1,000 GBP (nett) a month (including renting a room, or possibly a small apartment) - I don't smoke or drink and live fairly modestly.

What monthly outgoings would i be looking at?

Lastly - i've just hit 60 and have read that Brits that are 60 "don't need a visa" - so when i land and get my 90 days stay stamped in my passport - is that it ? - or do i have to apply for at least 1 year extension and don't need to renew it...

Any helpful comments greatly received.

Re outgoings its a bit like how longs a bit of string. Rent i'd guess at around 300.
Actually smoking is very cheap here, it would be more economic to take up smoking and give up electricity. Electricity is expensive. Buying a cheap car isn't cheap. That old banger that you could buy for five hundred will cost three grand here.

I would say you could survive but inflation here will outstrip any cost of living rises to your pension so how long term you could live here with that budget I wouldn't like to say. When you don't have a lot of fat in your budget inflation will kick into your disposable income pretty quick. Also the volatility of the currency can make your situation change very quickly. There isn't any NHS here so ill health can be very expensive.

If you do have any savings you can get more interest here so that might be an income stream but again read the forums. The high rates are for TL but that is high risk as the currency is volatile.

Re "don't need a visa" read the forums on here. There are two schools of thought on it. Personally I'd always get one as relying on a nod and a wink makes me too nervous but many will argue you don't need one.

What has been said already is correct. Life can be challenging in TRNC especially if you don’t have any family support on hand. Personally I’d seriously look at Benidorm in Spain having seen the documentary programmes on TV where there are whole communities of Brits ‘living the dream’ very cheaply on caravan parks with social clubs with bar and nightly entertainment , communal swimming pools, events, support and community spirit. What is unclear though is what may happen on Brexit. I’d go now and get registered in Spain.

Are you planning to come permanently or to be a "swallow" with a permanent base in your home country. Do you have substantial saving in additon to pension income>? If the answer is"no" you almost certainly will not be able to manage. There is no NHS here and while private medicine is cheaper than the UK (and arguably better, cetainly you can get appointments quicker ) it is still not cheap. You may be perfectly healthy now but who knows what the future holds and if you are permanently baseed here you will not be able quickly and easily, if at all, to get treatment inn the UK> If you plan frequent visits to the UK you need to factor in the cost of travel.

In any case if you have not aready done so, do read up on the history of the TRNC. If you have read this forum you will see that there are a lot of quirks that can be difficult to handle and knowing the background helps to understand the mindset of th Government and people. Also be aware that although this is a secular country and MOST Turkish Cypriots are very relaxed about religion, Islam is the main religion.

I also agree with Hector above that life can be difficult here for singletons, and it is also helpful to have family and friends in the uk who will help with communications and hard to find items of shopping.


Also if you have not already done so, rea

I won't (but could) add to what has been said, other than lease take heed of the health costs. When my husband moved over here 14 years ago, he was aged 69 and fit and very healthy for his age. 14 years later the private hospitals etc have eaten away into our savings big time and the days of luxury are getting less and less. Those people here, who legally or illegally receive NHS treatment are financially far better off. Having said that of course, we can choose to have an Op. at a date and time of our choosing more or less!!

Much better off going to Spain far cheaper to live and better infrastructure bars restaurants and everything else all within close proximity unless you choose somewhere remote, in NC you could miles from anything and would be reliant on the Dolmus or car this place is not set up for tourism and a lot of it is still third world and there is rubbish virtually everywhere you look, dont put all of your eggs in one basket rent a place for 6 months and have a good look around if you are a single person life could get very lonely dont think oh i will pop down the pub and maybe get chatting to a few people could take you 30 mins just to get down to the dolmus

Ragged Robin wrote:Are you planning to come permanently or to be a "swallow" with a permanent base in your home country. Do you have substantial saving in additon to pension income>? If the answer is"no" you almost certainly will not be able to manage. There is no NHS here and while private medicine is cheaper than the UK (and arguably better, cetainly you can get appointments quicker ) it is still not cheap. You may be perfectly healthy now but who knows what the future holds and if you are permanently baseed here you will not be able quickly and easily, if at all, to get treatment inn the UK> If you plan frequent visits to the UK you need to factor in the cost of travel.

In any case if you have not aready done so, do read up on the history of the TRNC. If you have read this forum you will see that there are a lot of quirks that can be difficult to handle and knowing the background helps to understand the mindset of th Government and people. Also be aware that although this is a secular country and MOST Turkish Cypriots are very relaxed about religion, Islam is the main religion.

I also agree with Hector above that life can be difficult here for singletons, and it is also helpful to have family and friends in the uk who will help with communications and hard to find items of shopping.


Also if you have not already done so, rea

I don't have enought money to live in the uk and TRNC...

Have a small council flat in England, which i will give up and head out to the TRNC.....

Yes i'm single and 60 - is it hard to make friends over there....?

A figure of 300 quid has been posted as the kind of cost to rent a small appartment, which lives me 700 left - can i live on thet ?

My plan on the medical front, was to stay with my uk gp - so (god forbid), if i'm seriusly ill..i can fly back to the UK for FRee NHS trreatment....

Someone mentioned Electric is "expensive" - what monthly amount an i looking at ?

What about a typical meal out ?

Appreciate your help.....

David wrote:Much better off going to Spain far cheaper to live and better infrastructure bars restaurants and everything else all within close proximity unless you choose somewhere remote, in NC you could miles from anything and would be reliant on the Dolmus or car this place is not set up for tourism and a lot of it is still third world and there is rubbish virtually everywhere you look, dont put all of your eggs in one basket rent a place for 6 months and have a good look around if you are a single person life could get very lonely dont think oh i will pop down the pub and maybe get chatting to a few people could take you 30 mins just to get down to the dolmus

mmm interesting....

spain cheaper than trnc ?

where in trnc would you guys suggest looking at for fair rental prices and not too far from socialising with the expats......?

My plan on the medical front, was to stay with my uk gp - so (god forbid), if i'm seriusly ill..i can fly back to the UK for FRee NHS trreatment....

Be aware if you are classed as a non-UK resident (ie six months out of the UK) you are ineligible for NHS treatment. Staying on your GP's roll is not permitted once you have left that practice area - I know to my personal cost and you may not be permitted to fly if you are seriously ill. Come and visit for an extended period (90 days maximum on your visa stamp), keeping your council flat as a fallback and staying on your GP's roll. You can then check out locations, facilities, health care here etc in the expat populated areas. I seriously suggest you do some deep research the whole concept you are planning.

Don't forget tomsteel, a GP practice is actually breaking the UK rules if they allow a patient to stay on their role if the patient has left the country, and the practice is find accordingly. I know MANY people who go back and attend their GP once a year, just to have, say, their BP tested. It then shows on their computer and hence on the NHS records that they are still a regular patient. That way they can obtain 6 months prescription FOC and all other benefits. We, like you caught two very expensive "colds" by belonging to an observant practice and also fell foul of a NHS spot check which they do from time to time. Its my understanding that we have been deleted from the NHS records and will have to live for period of 6 months continually in the same address, showing our name on utility bills etc in order to reapply. And for numerous reasons that will never happen.

I live quite well on my state pension own a car but own my house so no rent to pay. I dont smoke or drink very much. I have paid out for medical stuff but all in all I am happy here.

Cranfield
Have you ever visited North Cyprus? What has brought you to considering moving here?
Giving up a secure council flat at your age and finances in order to move hoping for a better life in another (non EU) country would be extremely unwise.

Was it Jackie Mason who came up with the line; "I've got enough money to last me the rest of my life as long as I die on Tuesday"

I agree with Tom Steele (message 10) but first Do DO check you can leave your Council flat for90 days without Penalty. Do not burn your boats!

Also bear in mind that local Hospitals, private or public (the latter only admit non citizens in emergencies) do not employ nurses as the British think of them. Their "nurses" are medical technicians and do not provide personal care the family are expected to that which can make it very unpleasant for singletons.

Hector wrote:Cranfield
Have you ever visited North Cyprus? What has brought you to considering moving here?
Giving up a secure council flat at your age and finances in order to move hoping for a better life in another (non EU) country would be extremely unwise.

Yes came on holiday for a week about 10 years ago....

Yes i would have to give up my flat - but i don't have enough money to come over to the TRNC 4 or 5 times a year - its a case of throwing caution to the wind i'm afraid - as being banged up in a small flat with no one to talk to for weeks on end, isn't how i want to live the remainder of my life..

What is everyone's opinion as the best part of the TRNC to live ?

"its a case of throwing caution to the wind i'm afraid - as being banged up in a small flat with no one to talk to for weeks on end, isn't how i want to live the remainder of my life.."

And what brings you to think that life would be any different for you in the TRNC?

Hector wrote:"its a case of throwing caution to the wind i'm afraid - as being banged up in a small flat with no one to talk to for weeks on end, isn't how i want to live the remainder of my life.."

And what brings you to think that life would be any different for you in the TRNC?

Hi Cranfield - I would have to advise caution here and agree with Hector.

Life is what you make of it, no matter where you live in the world.
If you move to TRNC and it is no better for you .. it could actually be worse.

Please at least try renting for a month or two before fully committing.
Lots of things change in 10 years

cranfield wrote:

Hector wrote:Cranfield
Have you ever visited North Cyprus? What has brought you to considering moving here?
Giving up a secure council flat at your age and finances in order to move hoping for a better life in another (non EU) country would be extremely unwise.

Yes came on holiday for a week about 10 years ago....

Lot can change in 10 years. Before we moved out here to live we had holidayed here twice a year for around 8 years. Living here is different. I've no regrets and would do it again but I'd try before you buy so to speak. The problem is if you go all and realise it isn't for you you might not be as comfortable as you were when you go back.

This is not the place for a single person in my opinion but if you do the move make sure you are near some amenities and bars otherwise you will be as lonely as you are in the UK there are far better places that might suit you better where there are lots of people to chat to and lots to do NC could be a bad move for you.

Whether you can make friends depends on you, your personality and likes and dislikes and your tolerance.

But to make friends you have to meet people: the best way to do this is either to get a dog and/or to volunteer for one of the many Charities. Both cost money and both require transport. And there is no guarantee that the friendly acquaintances you meet will be true friends if you break your ankle and need someone to walk the dog or just to get your food. Blood is thicker than water and it it surprising how many other commitments people claim on their time when it comes down to it. And there is no social services or National Health service to fall back on.

Anything you can do here to make friends you can do easier and cheaper in the UK: Take up a hobby, join a club, learn a language, go to evening classes. You can be lonelier in a crowd than on your own if you lack resources.

North Cyprus has changed a lot in the last 10 years and is beginning to be - as someone described it - a Rich Mans club and the cost of living continues to increase at a greater rate than the UK. Your pension just will not keep up. You may be able to manage now, but what about in 10 or 15 years' time. Some of us still love it (most of the time anyway) but there are a lot of disappointed people stuck here because they have run out of money and have nothing to go back to.

Ragged Robin wrote:Whether you can make friends depends on you, your personality and likes and dislikes and your tolerance.

But to make friends you have to meet people: the best way to do this is either to get a dog and/or to volunteer for one of the many Charities. Both cost money and both require transport. And there is no guarantee that the friendly acquaintances you meet will be true friends if you break your ankle and need someone to walk the dog or just to get your food. Blood is thicker than water and it it surprising how many other commitments people claim on their time when it comes down to it. And there is no social services or National Health service to fall back on.

Anything you can do here to make friends you can do easier and cheaper in the UK: Take up a hobby, join a club, learn a language, go to evening classes. You can be lonelier in a crowd than on your own if you lack resources.

North Cyprus has changed a lot in the last 10 years and is beginning to be - as someone described it - a Rich Mans club and the cost of living continues to increase at a greater rate than the UK. Your pension just will not keep up. You may be able to manage now, but what about in 10 or 15 years' time. Some of us still love it (most of the time anyway) but there are a lot of disappointed people stuck here because they have run out of money and have nothing to go back to.

i was hoping because of the minimum wage out there - the cost of living wouldn't rise that much - am i deluding myself ??

I travel to many different countries on a regular basis. The price of things go up everywhere. It’s just the way of the world.

I think the recent fall in the lira has accelerated the cost of living in North Cyprus vastly recently, but it is still a lot cheaper to live than most places, depending on your circumstances.

Like others have said, I think it would be unwise to give everything up to come and live here because if you don’t like it and want to return, you will not have a house to return to.

If it was me, I would save up enough cash for a return flight and a 3/6 month rental and come to North Cyprus and try it for a while. That way you can make an informed decision. You can listen to advice from others all day long but at the end of the day, it has to be your choice.

Good luck with your decision.

think the recent fall in the lira has accelerated the cost of living in North Cyprus vastly recently, but it is still a lot cheaper to live than most places, depending on your circumstances.

I do not know about other places, but whenever the exchange rate goes up so does the cost of goods in the shops - by more than the saving in the exchange rate and it never goes down. Do bear in mind the TRNC is under embargos. The cost of local produce may be cheap, but most of modern necessities are imported and include the cost of transport and exchance rates for the country of originn.

I came here, after a couple of bereavements, for reasons similar to your so I understand where you are coming from,
but I also had an occupational pension and a few savings. Even so , I have to live very simply and worry that I will outlive my savings.yp

I dont want to sound unwelcoming, or depress you, but I think you would be taking a terrible risk, and as I undrstand it if you gave up you Council Flat you would not be eligible for another.

A weeks holiday is just not long enough tojudge anywhere,and North Cyprus has changed very much in the last ten years.

"am i deluding myself ??"

Yes, I believe that you are.

Hector wrote:"am i deluding myself ??"

Yes, I believe that you are.

Inflation here could easily outstrip that of the UK by a factor of ten. So your pension goes up say 2% and is used to pay for prices that are rising 20%. Now you may make up some of that by the pound strengthening against the lire but that's a hell of a gamble. Now if you have some give in your thousand pounds you'll be ok otherwise every year you have to cut your standard of living and within two or three years you can't manage even a basic lifestyle. TBH if it is that tight maybe looking at Thailand or further afield might be more do-able.

EnjoyingTheSun wrote:

Hector wrote:"am i deluding myself ??"

Yes, I believe that you are.

Inflation here could easily outstrip that of the UK by a factor of ten. So your pension goes up say 2% and is used to pay for prices that are rising 20%. Now you may make up some of that by the pound strengthening against the lire but that's a hell of a gamble. Now if you have some give in your thousand pounds you'll be ok otherwise every year you have to cut your standard of living and within two or three years you can't manage even a basic lifestyle. TBH if it is that tight maybe looking at Thailand or further afield might be more do-able.

Can you (or anyone else) give me some examples of what things cost out there ?

Give us a list and I am sure someone will fill in figures for you.

Why not look for somewhere with a cheaper cost of living and better infrastructure ?

cranfield wrote:
Can you (or anyone else) give me some examples of what things cost out there ?

It's really how long is a bit of string. Electricity for example. Hopefully you read the thread on that as it's the sort of research you need to do.
I can't calculate how much your electricity bill will be or is but I can tell you the cost of electricity is higher than UK and has gone up considerably.

Do you plan to run a car out here. What car do you have now? I'm sure someone is probably running that car here and can tell you how much it cost them, tax, insurance etc.

Go back and read the threads on the prices going up last summer and how the prices changed.

People are very helpful on here and can answer most questions if you know the question but if you aren't willing to put in some work yourself you will get a "I'll google that for you."

EnjoyingTheSun wrote:

Hector wrote:"am i deluding myself ??"

Yes, I believe that you are.

Inflation here could easily outstrip that of the UK by a factor of ten. So your pension goes up say 2% and is used to pay for prices that are rising 20%. Now you may make up some of that by the pound strengthening against the lire but that's a hell of a gamble. Now if you have some give in your thousand pounds you'll be ok otherwise every year you have to cut your standard of living and within two or three years you can't manage even a basic lifestyle. TBH if it is that tight maybe looking at Thailand or further afield might be more do-able.

Personally think Thailand has caught up with the rest of the world in terms of prices now. Been there 3 times in the last 3 years and each time, it has become more expensive.

Cambodia is probably the new Thailand.

EnjoyingTheSun wrote:

cranfield wrote:
Can you (or anyone else) give me some examples of what things cost out there ?

It's really how long is a bit of string. Electricity for example. Hopefully you read the thread on that as it's the sort of research you need to do.
I can't calculate how much your electricity bill will be or is but I can tell you the cost of electricity is higher than UK and has gone up considerably.

Do you plan to run a car out here. What car do you have now? I'm sure someone is probably running that car here and can tell you how much it cost them, tax, insurance etc.

Go back and read the threads on the prices going up last summer and how the prices changed.

People are very helpful on here and can answer most questions if you know the question but if you aren't willing to put in some work yourself you will get a "I'll google that for you."

Currently have a bus pass and a s/h mountain bike - in TRNC, if finances allow, was looking to buy a s/h scooter.

Trigger wrote:

EnjoyingTheSun wrote:

Hector wrote:"am i deluding myself ??"

Yes, I believe that you are.

Inflation here could easily outstrip that of the UK by a factor of ten. So your pension goes up say 2% and is used to pay for prices that are rising 20%. Now you may make up some of that by the pound strengthening against the lire but that's a hell of a gamble. Now if you have some give in your thousand pounds you'll be ok otherwise every year you have to cut your standard of living and within two or three years you can't manage even a basic lifestyle. TBH if it is that tight maybe looking at Thailand or further afield might be more do-able.

Personally think Thailand has caught up with the rest of the world in terms of prices now. Been there 3 times in the last 3 years and each time, it has become more expensive.

Cambodia is probably the new Thailand.

i have a friend who goes over to Thailand for 3 months every year (to miss the UK winters) - He tells me its as cheap as chips, compared to the UK.

Never fancied it myself though..

David wrote:Why not look for somewhere with a cheaper cost of living and better infrastructure ?

I was looking at the TRNC cos i assumed it was relatively cheap and had a decent infrastructure - or have i missed something ??

In my opinion wrong on both accounts i'm afraid to say

cranfield wrote:

David wrote:Why not look for somewhere with a cheaper cost of living and better infrastructure ?

I was looking at the TRNC cos i assumed it was relatively cheap and had a decent infrastructure - or have i missed something ??

Its cheaper than the UK generally but is getting more expensive all the time. The infrastructure isn't as good as the UK but is probably better than the cheaper Afghanistan for example. The problem is what they think is improving the infrastructure isn't and is simply destroying the charm.

Infrastructure is fine unless you live up a mountain. I live in Ilgaz and people from the village regularly start walking to the road and people always pick them up. If you get an apt in town or in say Alsancak or Karakum the Dolmus is cheap to use to get around. I have a 3 bed apartment currently rented at £400 per month so I think you should be able to get a flat for £200. If you stay clear of imports fruit and veg is cheap, meat is more expensive but a pack of chicken breasts which will make about 4-5 portions will cost about 27tl about £4. Beef is about £8 per kilo which will be 4 good portions. You can extend these by putting lots of veg in your stews, curries etc. Tins of Tomatoes and beans are about 60-60p. My electric is a little over 300tl £45 per month in winter without the pool running, I cook a lot and use the eclectic oven a lot. Beer in the shops id 5.50 is per can 80 p a bottle of imported gin can be as cheap as £4.50 and you can get a 5l bag in box wine for a little over £10, a beer in a bar will set you back 10tl ish, about £1.50. I am sure there are some cheap places to live in Spain but the folks I know there think it is cheaper here other mans grass etc. A friend of mine has a heart attack here and had 3 stents fitted at the public hospital in Lefkosa. It cost about £600 in total and he was quite happy with the care there. UK medical can still be available to you if you play your cards right.

Eating out is a big spectrum. A good Sunday lunch will be about 80 to 100tl for 2 courses or you can go out and have pizza and a beer for about 40tl.
Good internet will cost about £30 per month and with a £4 per month VPN you can watch all the UKtv you want.

I have been here about 12 years and not looked back, the climate is great though it can be cool in the winter, the crime is very low and generally the locals are good to live among. It is not impossible to make friends either!

It’s safe to say every one can cut their budget according to what they have to spend in way of rent, or purchase,
utilities food etc.. one can survive.

However one must hold a strong emergency fund account because of the need to pay for any health needs.
Any one can fall ill at any time in their life so a prime factor to be considered.
X by the number of dependents.

Jonnie wrote:Infrastructure is fine unless you live up a mountain. I live in Ilgaz and people from the village regularly start walking to the road and people always pick them up. If you get an apt in town or in say Alsancak or Karakum the Dolmus is cheap to use to get around. I have a 3 bed apartment currently rented at £400 per month so I think you should be able to get a flat for £200. If you stay clear of imports fruit and veg is cheap, meat is more expensive but a pack of chicken breasts which will make about 4-5 portions will cost about 27tl about £4. Beef is about £8 per kilo which will be 4 good portions. You can extend these by putting lots of veg in your stews, curries etc. Tins of Tomatoes and beans are about 60-60p. My electric is a little over 300tl £45 per month in winter without the pool running, I cook a lot and use the eclectic oven a lot. Beer in the shops id 5.50 is per can 80 p a bottle of imported gin can be as cheap as £4.50 and you can get a 5l bag in box wine for a little over £10, a beer in a bar will set you back 10tl ish, about £1.50. I am sure there are some cheap places to live in Spain but the folks I know there think it is cheaper here other mans grass etc. A friend of mine has a heart attack here and had 3 stents fitted at the public hospital in Lefkosa. It cost about £600 in total and he was quite happy with the care there. UK medical can still be available to you if you play your cards right.

Eating out is a big spectrum. A good Sunday lunch will be about 80 to 100tl for 2 courses or you can go out and have pizza and a beer for about 40tl.
Good internet will cost about £30 per month and with a £4 per month VPN you can watch all the UKtv you want.

I have been here about 12 years and not looked back, the climate is great though it can be cool in the winter, the crime is very low and generally the locals are good to live among. It is not impossible to make friends either!

Wow - Some great info - Thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply..
.

cranfield wrote:

David wrote:Why not look for somewhere with a cheaper cost of living and better infrastructure ?

I was looking at the TRNC cos i assumed it was relatively cheap and had a decent infrastructure - or have i missed something ??

Have you checked out Turkey ? We spent 4 years there, then 4 years in TRNC, and now happily back in Turkey. It is cheaper than TRNC, except for alcohol and petrol, and if you go some where there is an expat community you will find lots of support and information. We moved to Fethiye and there seem to be a lot of single people happily getting on with their lives, getting involved in charity work and various clubs, plus the public transport is so cheap and frequent you can easily manage without transport. In the 4 years we were in TRNC it became so built up, and the roads could become pretty chaotic at times. Do your homework properly before deciding on your new home.
We also looked at Spain, but it was very expensive. Although we don't pay rent, as we bought our house, we manage very well on £850 per month.

suecheshireuk wrote:

cranfield wrote:

David wrote:Why not look for somewhere with a cheaper cost of living and better infrastructure ?

I was looking at the TRNC cos i assumed it was relatively cheap and had a decent infrastructure - or have i missed something ??

Have you checked out Turkey ? We spent 4 years there, then 4 years in TRNC, and now happily back in Turkey. It is cheaper than TRNC, except for alcohol and petrol, and if you go some where there is an expat community you will find lots of support and information. We moved to Fethiye and there seem to be a lot of single people happily getting on with their lives, getting involved in charity work and various clubs, plus the public transport is so cheap and frequent you can easily manage without transport. In the 4 years we were in TRNC it became so built up, and the roads could become pretty chaotic at times. Do your homework properly before deciding on your new home.
We also looked at Spain, but it was very expensive. Although we don't pay rent, as we bought our house, we manage very well on £850 per month.

Yes ! - i did 1 week in trnc and on the way back to the uk, did 3 days in Turkey (2 days in Antalya and 1 day in Istanbul)......

My opinion, was that TRNC felt like a quaint English colony - even driving on the left side of the road....

Turkey felt like another foreign country , with driving on the right.

Spain - have beed a couple of times - Fuengerola and mias - felt a bit like black pool, and a lot of things there for us Brits..... i think i could live there tbh ..... but didn't have the same feel as the TRNC though.....

.

So - To all you long termers.....

Like i said earlier - i came to the TRNC 10 years ago......

I liked it.....

What changes have you seen in that time ? - both good and bad ....

What do you like about life in the TRNC ? and what don't you like ?

Where do you see the place going in the next 5 years ??
.

Are you by any chance, writing a blog an article or conducting a survey, on say "Retiring Abroad on a budget" If you are then I suggest you come over here (as has been recommend) for a few months and see for yourself. As to your last question - perhaps if you could tell us where the UK is going in the next 5 years, we could reciprocate. Personally I couldn't tell you where the TRNC is going next week, let alone in five years. As "Visitors" we have no say in the matter in any case and just go with the flow or in some cases, leave.

It's not going anywhere in the next 5 years it's staying here

sophie wrote:Are you by any chance, writing a blog an article or conducting a survey, on say "Retiring Abroad on a budget"

I began to get that impression. They should either be upfront about their purpose or improve on their cover story.
I once did a day trip to Dover in 1985 and am thinking of totally uprooting my life to move there sounds fishy

EnjoyingTheSun wrote:

sophie wrote:Are you by any chance, writing a blog an article or conducting a survey, on say "Retiring Abroad on a budget"

I began to get that impression. They should either be upfront about their purpose or improve on their cover story.
I once did a day trip to Dover in 1985 and am thinking of totally uprooting my life to move there sounds fishy

Wow - Some nasty people on here - i had to ask my neighbour's son, who's computer i use, what a blog was !

im an old man with a very limited budget, hoping to get some info from my fellow Brits, as i don't have the finances to "nip over for 3 or 4 months" to decide if i like it.....i've got to decide if i'm going to jump in with both feet - Sophie and enjoying the sun - please don't post on this thread again - you're about as much help as Waterproof teabags ...

If you feel that you are an old man a 60 then NC is no place for you

cranfield wrote:

EnjoyingTheSun wrote:

sophie wrote:Are you by any chance, writing a blog an article or conducting a survey, on say "Retiring Abroad on a budget"

I began to get that impression. They should either be upfront about their purpose or improve on their cover story.
I once did a day trip to Dover in 1985 and am thinking of totally uprooting my life to move there sounds fishy

Wow - Some nasty people on here - i had to ask my neighbour's son, who's computer i use, what a blog was !

im an old man with a very limited budget, hoping to get some info from my fellow Brits, as i don't have the finances to "nip over for 3 or 4 months" to decide if i like it.....i've got to decide if i'm going to jump in with both feet - Sophie and enjoying the sun - please don't post on this thread again - you're about as much help as Waterproof teabags ...

“im an old man with very limited budget”...........then quite honestly the TRNC is not for you. What if you fall ill, would you be able to afford the costs or afford to take out Health Care Insurance. How lonely do you think it will be when your budget does not run to going to bars or restaurants or Events, especially when you make new friends who could be better off than you and you can’t keep up.

However, in your first post you say you have just turned 60, so assuming you will live another 20 years or more, then your money will have to stretch, as increases in the cost of living are not small but some things already this year have risen by another 30%.

Anyway good luck and here is an example of cost of living in Girne. Some people might dispute the prices.

https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-livi ... rrency=GBP

David has beat me to it with the same opinion, I dithered in posting

Health is what you need and as we have not found this crystal ball yet only you can make the decision.

Last year I ended up moving in and caring for one of my customers where all I did was the garden when he fell ill while his family arranged to get time off work and get here.
Two years before I was invited to his 80th and I believe there were 45 guests and only his gardener and his 'car maintenance friend' went the extra mile. Due to the fact I work it almost broke me , I screamed at people, all I am is his gardener, I could not find carers but I gather from the paper they now exist but at what cost who knows and in this case it would not of been a problem.

The problem was nobody wanted their life disrupted, especially after lunchtime, routine here quickly sets in and quite a few is around their social life in the bars. As they say true friends you can count on one hand