Areas in North Cyprus

[Crystalarts]

Hi,

I am trying to find out about various places in North Cyprus as we are planning a trip over soon to look at potential places to buy a property. Unfortunately its extremely difficult to find out information about some places.

I am basically trying to understand what the area is like in terms of shops, restaurants, size (how populated and big), type of residents (mainly holiday, retired, working etc.), entertainment in the area, any improvement developments or projects happening in the area to make it more attractive/interesting, any nice beaches close by, etc.

The key areas i am interested in are :

Alsancak

Lapta

Ozankoy

Catalkoy

Esentrepe

Any help from anyone living or knowing about these areas would be much appreciated!

[tomsteel]

Esentepe. 30 kms east of Girne (Kyrenia). Improving facilities, new beach complex being developed, international 18 hole golf course, 5 kms from village. Has a Police Station with English speaking officers, a very friendly and helpful English speaking Muhtar, numerous shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, a clinic, 2 x banks, post office, hairdressers, garage, car hire, filling station, chemist a few kms west and schools, football team, sports facilities etc. There are larger super markets either side of Esentepe on the main coast road. Buses run 4/5 times daily to Girne. You'll need a car.

Entertainment is mostly confined to guest singers in restaurants or at the golf club. Arts and crafts, walking club close by (8 kms east).

Population mostly locals and retired expats of various nationalities. All get on well with a good community spirit. A major hotel, spa, leisure, casino, conference facility is nearing completion some 10 kms west and a similar site currently exists 5 kms further west. There is a site (Esentepe Community) on Meteor. Hope this helps, but well worth a visit to see for yourself. My property advice, rent - do NOT buy. I wish I had known the extent of the property scandal, else I would not be the subject of breach of contract, advocate fraud and governmental connivance.

[mikelapta]

Lapta(and adjoining Alsançak)......about 20mins. car to Girne,but local buses(dolmus) every few mınutes.Lapta is split in two,the lively Strip,full of restaurants,bars,beaches.But quarter mile inland the 'old'town,mainly local Cypriots and a smattering of foreigners(ınc.me!!!!),other Brits,Germans and Russians.And a little further inland the impressive Kyrenia mountain range.And if you want to garden,access via a well to the mountain water.available all year.As Tom says,come and rent first.!!!! I have lived in Lapta 10 years,and love it.Please ask me any specific questions.Lapta has a few supermarkets,and neighbouring Alsançak a few more(even a pork shop).

[Crystalarts]

Wow, thanks a lot for the input! We will definitely check out both areas.

We are not looking to relocate to North Cyprus but rather buy an apartment that we can spend a couple of weeks at every couple of months. Bring friends with us on the odd occasion and potentially let out at some point or during height of summer. We would be looking to buy around the 60k pounds mark (probably a new build on a complex somewhere).

Would you still recommend NOT to buy? and in which case, why? you mention property scandal, breach of contract, advocate fraud and fovernmental connivance etc. could you elaborate?

[tomsteel]

The fundamental flaw is that land owners, developers, builders, estate agents, advocates, banks, judiciary and government personnel are all inter-related and there is no law here requiring title deeds to be released if the holder chooses not to. Even with a breach of contract ruling in your favour, the judge cannot enforce the exchange of title deeds and the developer will then claim he has no money to reimburse you. I suggest you look at the British Residents Society site and read the myriad of horror stories. Do NOT buy is my advice. Even if you bought on a complex you'll have to pay maintenance fees. Other owners fail or refuse to pay so either the estate looks like a tip or those prepared to pay are charged higher fees by the maintenance contractor. Please, please research. Look at the North Cyprus Free Press site, look at the Homeowners Pressure Group site, ask others what scams, how many are involved etc.

[CatalkoyChris]

Don't buy off plan and don't buy a build on a complex. Buy an actual house, even if it needs a bit of doing up. That way you will only have tom pay the local bills. Make sure the vendors have the kocan. It will take two years to transfer it if all goes well.

Best advice - get the best lawyer/solicitor you can afford!!!!

[PoshinDevon]

Hi

We live just outside Catalkoy and bought just over four years ago. We have bought on a small complex with shared pool. Yes some on the complex do not pay and itaint easy convincing them, but if they are by the pool they are soon identified and shamed into paying. The relatively small complex we live on is well maintained and fortunately it is a mixed community with local turkish cypriots, ex pats, mainland turkish and other foreign residents....so even in the winter there are people around. Yes you have to pay an annual maintenance fee, but our charges are very very reasonable.

What I will say is that whilst buying your own place not on a complex is fine, however if you are not living out here then the place will soon look tired and run down due to grass growing, weeds etc....plus if ypu have a pool it will need maintaining. So there is extra expense.

If you would like more information please feel free to send me an email or pm and I will gladly share.

[kerry 6138]

If you look on property websites they usually have a description of the area a property is in.
I live in Ozankoy nice old village feel, local shops and bars regular dolmus, in the summer the village square is used regularly ,open air bingo, festivals,weddings etc all locals turn out plenty of local traditional dancing, mix of expats Cypriot &Turks. There are some ottoman style apartments with pre 74 Turkish deeds for sale in you price range in the village. Buying can be minefield out here, if you dont want to rent I personally would only buy if deeds where in seller's name and all taxes paid, usually says on agents website has this is a good selling point.
Never buy off plan,

[tomsteel]

crystalarts, further to my post at msg 5 above. I note you want an apartment to live in for short periods throughout the year, plus a place friends can share and a rental opportunity. If I may take your last aspiration first. There are hundreds of properties for short-term holiday rental in the summer months. Should you manage to rent there is a, currently, 10% annual tax to pay to the TRNC Government and it pursues this tax vigorously and even monitors internet letting sites. Failure to pay results in harsh punishment.

Short-term holiday visits are a great idea as this will enable you to visit a number of areas from Guzelyert - Girne - Gazimagusa to get an idea of where you like. Each has its charm and downsides.

I hope this helps your thought process. I do reiterate, however, research to the power of ten and do NOT buy. Let the owner take the strain and stress. If I can assist further and you consider it personal, please PM me.

[suel5]

We chose Esentepe, although it was for us to live full time. No problems with our property as we were given priceless advice.

[lavender]

can you tell us what the priceless advice was?

[suel5]

It was from a wonderful lady called Marian Stokes who started off the home buyers pressure group of northern cyprus. She pointed out 4 main things we should look for, unfortunately I can not remember off the top of my head what they were, as we had that much information going on. Sure if you google the website the information will be there, We attended one of her free walk in meetings and she guided us from there. Hope it helps with your question.

[dekski1]

Hello,

I live in Alsancak, in a small development towards the mountains in a wonderful rural setting with great views of the coast and Merit hotels. We could catch a dolmush for the 20 minute or so ride into town but most things are on our doorstep. We rely on a car to access the village and all the local businesses but we could walk to them. We have : hairdressers and barbers, banks with auto tellers and close by a cash exchange shop. There are petrol stations and car wash places, loads of cafes and restaurants and the Achmenya does a 3 course Sunday roast for 25 Lira. In fact you can live quite comfortably in the Alsancak area without hardly ever leaving it!

There are 'pubs' close by with big screen TV's that show the international sports channels as well, but there are other activities you can take part in and the Black Olive hosts lots of quizes, theme dinners, art clubs,drama, and a fitness studio for the more mobile! You need not sit at home here if you don't want to. Living here is a breeze! I have many ''swallow'' friends who only live part of the year here and it is an enviable lifestyle, they come and go to suit the weather in many cases and live to come back in the main. I've lived here for almost 8 years and overall it's been a tremendous experience, however, if you do buy you MUST choose a place that has a Kocan to give you peace of mind. If it has a Kocan it shows it's pretty well clear of problems but do your homework. Properties are priced to sell but a bit of negotiation goes a long way. There is a large British contingent in the Girne area and English is widely understood, each area has it's pros and cons but Alsancak is quite desirable and just about as far away from the town center that we want to be. We have a selection of beaches we can use and the Merit hotels have fitness centres that you can use if you've got the time and money. It's all here!

Property problems is probably my greatest ''bugbear'' and spoils the magic of the place. I have seen a lot of changes for the better all around in the 8 years I've been here and do recommend trying out wherever you choose, but, think and look twice at any property and then get the Kocan in your hand and check that out and really consider why you want to buy as renting is a good alternative. Don't listen to any sales talk that promises the earth. There are lots of friends here you haven't met yet so come and give it a chance.

[lavender]

Thank you Sue15. Marion Stokes, a victim of the property problems herself, was a great support to those buying and those that had run into trouble too. She worked tirelessly to change the buying process so that buyers were safeguarded. Sadly despite all her efforts she never managed to do this as the Government and legal profession would not introduce the much needed legal changes. Sadly the information on the Home Buyers Pressure site has not been updated since 2012 so is now outdated although it contains lots of excellent information which any one considering buying should read.

[denali2007]

The general advice is always to rent first, though we bought off plan on a complex in Esentepe. We were very lucky and have been happily enjoying our holiday home for about 8 years. There are a few apartments here for sale and all just under the £60,000 mark.