Cost of living in North Cyprus

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 8:05 am

Have been to North Cyprus lived there for over 6 months, this was a few years ago.
My Question is, could I live on 10.000 TRY a month, We come from Australia have lived in Turkey and Spain but found that Kyrenia was one of the better options, the Cypriots were lovely, and it was just a nice place to live.
We moved back to Australia to a place called Macleay Island in Queensland, Bought a house but I have never been in such a hot climate, have a pool but the weather just gets you down, the heat just goes on and on, 4 months now and not 1 day of cool weather, I'm now winging but I can't wait for winter.
We lived in DoyenCoy not too far from Kyrenia, and I must admit I do miss North Cyprus, we kept looking for a better destination but so far there has only been the 1 place that ticks all the boxes and that's North Cyprus, an easy and stress free life.
Sorry for the long winded post but I really would like to get feedback on the cost of living,
Thankyou everyone and have a lovely day.
Robert

Welldigger · Post by **Welldigger** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 9:12 am

Hi, yes you could easily live on TL10k per month, obviously depends on your life-style and living accommodation. Come and enjoy!
All the best, Kerim

Post by **Soner** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 9:32 am

Going back a few years, but here is some useful info: http://www.kibkomnorthcyprusforum.com/v ... RNC#p17683

Belfast Belle · Post by **Belfast Belle** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 9:37 am

OMG 10,000 Lira a month you can live like a king on that.

Bridgett · Post by **Bridgett** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 11:49 am

Goodness! I wouldn't mind being a lira behind you every month....joking aside, that's a lovely sum to live off, and you'll do it easily. Best of luck.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 4:11 pm

Thanks all for getting back to me, it's just that 10,000lira in Australia would be very hard to live off, very expensive over here,

Robert

Reyntj · Post by **Reyntj** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 4:37 pm

You can live on that at the moment .! But if the lira keeps its current trajectory and inflation does then it wont be too long before thats not enough! The price of electric has just gone up 25 % and that is going to have a knock on effect on what business charge as all their bills go up some medicines have doubled or more in the last month . Everything in the supermarkets has been going up abd by 10 to 30 % . Petrols going up . Ive noticed restaurant prives going up every year by 15 % on average

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 4:52 pm

Reyntj thanks for the info it's good to get feedback that is very informative, the Australian dollar is high at the moment around 2.84lira but it can change very fast, again thanks

Robert

Reyntj · Post by **Reyntj** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 5:07 pm

I would spend to close to the figure you are talking about if i had to pay rent . We spend c 2000 tl per month on food and groceries . My electric bill is 740 tl this month its always at leat 250 tl but thats gone up by 25 % now so id. Say aberage 500 tl per month . We dont go crazy on electric amd dont have a pool i have 4 bed flat . Baby stuff is 700 tl nappies milk doctor etc. other bills water net maitenance mobile phone digiturk 700 tl . Every few days i put 50 tl in car probably 500 tl per month . Insurance for car house 200 tl per months . If we paid rent it would be 2500 tl . A decent apartment or an ok villa will cost this in kyrenia or dogankoy. Eating out is 75 tl per head with a couple of drinks in a decent restaurant breakfast or cheap meal 25 tl . If you eat out twice a week or takeaway you can easy spend 1000 tl thats acheap and expensive meal for two and a takeaway . So bills 1200 tl petrol 500 tl insurance 200 tl groceries 2000 tl rent 2500 tl eating out 1000 tl total 7700. Thats honestly the basics what we spend then theres the wife spening in ikea amd shops presents ho.idays new kitchens decorating new bathrooms new boilers monthly 25 euro greek insurance holidays flights etc etc etc

mrsgee · Post by **mrsgee** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 5:22 pm

Well, all I can say is two of us do not spend anywhere near 10,000 tl per month. We eat out 3 or four times a week, we don't worry about bills, we have a pool, and our electric is on average 200tl per month, although, yes, it has gone up recently. We have gas central heating...bit pricey but only use it for a couple of months in the winter. Water bills, negligible compared to costs in UK, as is the equivalent of council tax, peanuts. Don't put anywhere near the amount that Reyntj does in the car, but at the end of the day, it all depends on your lifestyle, whether or not you have to travel to work each day, etc. Obviously depends if you have children, and all the costs involved around that, schooling etc.....we do not find the cost of doctors is too bad at all, but we are in quite good health.....its horses for courses, but all I can say is there is no way we could have the same standard of living in UK, and certainly not in Australia, which I understand is very expensive, having friends who live there.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 5:41 pm

That was a good read, will only go to ( whisky joe's love the place and people that work there, they will not remember us ) for a meal and drink not into top restaurants, don't want to rent a villa, only an apartment this time, will not buy a villa or apartment no need to, I will not buy a car, no nappies, no insurance for car or household items, we enjoy traveling so would make North Cyprus our base and do Europe again.
Have relations in UK, Italy, and Spain Benidorm, must admit I liked Benidorm but I would think after a while the place would get on one's nerve.
I really enjoyed North Cyprus and our time we spent there, last time we rented a villa in dogankoy cost us 600pounds a month, not this time apartment will do us just fine, where we live at the moment I have a pool pay for maintenance, pay for grass to be cut, so we will sell up or rent the place out, had an agent look at the house today, so have signed with him, I have an American 5th wheeler and a GMC 4 door Ute, so we will travel back to Perth W.A see the kids and grandkids, my son wants the 5th wheeler as he would like to travel around Australia, which we done for 5 years, loved it but getting to the stage where I'm just too old for that type of travel.
thanks again most interesting reply from you.

Robert

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 5:48 pm

Thanks mrsgee what a good reply, just what I needed, made my day,

Thanks again

Robert

Reyntj · Post by **Reyntj** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 6:18 pm

Yes your money is goint to be fine 101evler is the best site for remting a flat dogankoy 1 to 2 bed flat in around kyrenia are £300 to £400

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Thu 02 Feb 2017 6:34 pm

I am surprised no one has mentioned the cost of health care. Particularly as there is a post on here rather vividly demonstrating what can happen. I don't know what happens in Australia but here there is no NationalHealth Scheme (or rather very limited for citizens only) and the British NHS does not recognise expats. So we have to fund our own health care. Most of it is cheaper than the UK but if you are unfortunate enough to get something serious you either need a private insurance or considerable savings in addition to a good income. Indeed private health care may soon be a prerequisite of residence. And medicine (sometimes life preserving) are becoming more expensive. One always thinks "it could not happen to me" but sometimes it does¬

Also I don't know what time of year you came to Cyprus, but many of us feel just like you do about the heat by mid August! And conversely it is very very cold this time of year.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Fri 03 Feb 2017 12:39 am

Thank you Ragged Robin, another cost that can be expensive, I being 71 and wife 69 this cost is fundamental to us living in North Cyprus, we have to have medical cover, about the heat here it's the humidity that's the killer always around the 85, 90, and the heat just goes on and on. winters are cooler but they don't last long, and air conditioning is on quite a lot. But your point about Health care has been duly noted and I thank you for that.

Robert

MoBry · Post by **MoBry** » Fri 03 Feb 2017 3:52 pm

We are both Australians who have lived in Queensland and moved here five years ago. Far cheaper than Australia, people are very friendly and helpful, slower pace of life, but be aware that July and August can be just as hot as Qld, and also humid at times. We have survived okay, with air-conditioning the heat is tolerable and the rest of the year is pretty good (can get nippy in Dec. and Feb.). Yes, health costs are a problem but if you're keen to get out of Qld (as we were) this is a lovely place to settle. I'm 69 and my husband's 80.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Fri 03 Feb 2017 4:04 pm

Robert, being on the cusp of 70 years, my annual medical cover ceases as the insurers will not cover over 70s. I would suggest independent research on this topic. I too am going down this route, so will offer my findings to you. However, I am advised cover is expensive and was quoted, from another company, £5K annually, or more depending upon pre-existing conditions.

pedmoreapollo · Post by **pedmoreapollo** » Sat 04 Feb 2017 10:43 am

I will probably be shouted down for this but Aussie have you ever considered Tenerife? The climate is lovely. At present it averages 70 degrees and the summer is hot but not unbearable. The cost of living is low and if you are a UK citizen health care is free and excellent. The North of the Island is very scenic, like Wales with sun.
We have lived in both TRNC and here and 2 years ago we decided as retirees this was the better place to be.
Everything works and the Island is generally clean and tidy. I know the Southern resorts have a brash reputation but away from these the Island is spectacular. We have never regretted our decision.
By the way to those who are based in the UK we can get flights to and from Manchester for less than £50. We have a flight to Manchester next week at a social hour for £10.99

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Sat 04 Feb 2017 2:06 pm

tomsteel that's quite an amount of money for medical insurance, my goodness two of us and both in need of insurance, this is one area I will have to look at when we come over, Mobry I remember when you arrived in North Cyprus, so you still find it's suitable as a destination to retire. This year has been the hottest I can remember and we have been in Australia since 1976, there is talk in the media that it will reach up to 50deg tomorrow here in Queensland, a bit further in from the coast, I just cant believe it, Australia is a great country and you can have a lovely life here, but the cost of living is astronomical, go to a cafe and a coffee can cost around 15 to 17 lira and they ask if you want it in a cup or a mug off course a mug will cost you more, just an ordinary pub meal would cost around 60 lira each, a small beer 20 lira, they have to charge this because the rents are so high. My son rents a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom flat it cost him just over 1,560 lira a week, We are not leaving Australia because of the high cost of living, we want to leave because we enjoy Europe and having lived in North Cyprus we found that it was more or less a stress free environment, and being over 60 made it easier for us. We looked at Benidorm in Spain as another contender that is quite reasonable for living costs, but it gets inundated with tourists over the summer season, and can be very crowded, thanks to everyone who replied to my inquiry, I really find it invaluable to our coming over to live in N/C.

Robert

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Mon 06 Feb 2017 3:55 am

pedmoreapollo thanks for the reply, yes we both had a look at Spain, as I said in my last post I did have a look at Benidorm and it is still on the list, I know it gets very crowded during the season and we had a months holiday there a few years ago, everything was vastly cheaper than here in Qld Australia, and we could fly to any part of Europe. Also thought about Tenerife but didn't have enough info on the place, I still like North Cyprus we met some of the most lovely people while living there, but as tomsteel pointed out the ( cost of medical ). we both have OZ passports I also have a UK passport and my wife has a NZ passport, we lived in MT Maunganui NZ for a few years lovely place but not for us so we moved to Melbourne, and have since lived in various parts of OZ since 1976, pedmoreapollo I will look at Tenerife again, thanks for the interesting post

Robert

oneillbox · Post by **oneillbox** » Mon 06 Feb 2017 12:14 pm

drive a cheap car
eat healthily and sensibly
solarise your pool pump
own your own home so no rent

easy to live on 3.5k TL per month

niceone · Post by **niceone** » Mon 06 Feb 2017 3:16 pm

[quote="pedmoreapollo"a The cost of living is low and if you are a UK citizen health care is free and excellent.

It is free for all EU citizens but what happens after Brexit?

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Mon 06 Feb 2017 4:20 pm

oneillbox thanks for your input, we thought about buying but have gone off the idea, so will rent for the foreseeable future, the only problem I can find is the cost of health insurance for the two of us, we left the UK in 1976 we were married there, my wife comes from N/Z, we are Australian Citizens but I still think we would be OK in N/Cyprus even if it cost a few thousand lira a month over the 10,000.

thanks again
Robert

Gozoa · Post by **Gozoa** » Tue 07 Feb 2017 10:00 am

You can live on 2000try a month here and many, many do.

fatouche · Post by **fatouche** » Tue 07 Feb 2017 3:03 pm

Living on 2000TL is very, very difficult. We did it, but we're vegetarian, don't drink or smoke, and didn't much care for going out, and we owned our property.
However we saw the writing on the wall, sold up and moved to France. Looks like we did the right thing when I see what's happening with electricity and water prices. Food is cheaper here too.

Mollie the cat · Post by **Mollie the cat** » Tue 07 Feb 2017 6:31 pm

Lucky you.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Tue 07 Feb 2017 7:02 pm

pedmoreapollo again thank you for your input, can you give me an idea of cost of living in Tenerife, ( ie food, rent, transport, climate, and what it would cost monthly to live a reasonable and comfortable life there ) could you live on 3,000 euro a month, I would be renting a flat don't think I would buy a car, and what would be the best part of the island to live. We both like to go out have a meal and a drink at least 3 or 4 times a week, I am just curious about life in Tenerife, as I have heard so much about the place, but that was only from people that were on holiday and not living there.

Thanks again
Robert

pedmoreapollo · Post by **pedmoreapollo** » Tue 07 Feb 2017 11:40 pm

Aussie Jock I have sent you a p.m but not sure whether it went. PM me if you do not receive it

Gozoa · Post by **Gozoa** » Thu 09 Feb 2017 8:37 pm

fatouche wrote:Living on 2000TL is very, very difficult. We did it, but we're vegetarian, don't drink or smoke, and didn't much care for going out, and we owned our property.
However we saw the writing on the wall, sold up and moved to France. Looks like we did the right thing when I see what's happening with electricity and water prices. Food is cheaper here too.

The cost of living in France is cheaper than the TRNC? I'm sorry but I could never believe that.

I did a quick search just to double check and it isn't even a close call:-

"Cost of living in France is 87.07% higher than in Turkey"

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/c ... try=France

"Rent in France is 131.51% higher than in Turkey (average data for all cities)."

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/c ... try=France

"The cost of living in France is high..."

http://www.expatarrivals.com/france/cos ... -in-france

"Cost of living in Paris is 93% more expensive than in Istanbul"

http://www.expatarrivals.com/france/cos ... -in-france

I can't find for TRNC but Turkey is similar...... honestly, how could you think France is cheaper than the TRNC?

davedee · Post by **davedee** » Thu 09 Feb 2017 9:20 pm

Remember Gozoa..veggies,no drink,no smoke,and stay in be cheap anywhere

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Thu 09 Feb 2017 9:23 pm

fatouche wrote:Living on 2000TL is very, very difficult. We did it, but we're vegetarian, don't drink or smoke, and didn't much care for going out, and we owned our property.
However we saw the writing on the wall, sold up and moved to France. Looks like we did the right thing when I see what's happening with electricity and water prices. Food is cheaper here too.

Fatouche they are planning to live on 10,000 Lira not 2,000...

I find it very hard to believe that France is cheaper than the TRNC... Of course you will find some things which are cheaper as you can find things in many countries that are but taken in the round, (rates taxes local charges etc.) the TRNC is by far the cheapest place to live we have found in Europe by quite some margin... add to that the advantageous exchange rate for those getting an income from outside the TRNC I'd hazard that it's actually got cheaper in real terms since we moved here in 2005.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Fri 10 Feb 2017 4:09 am

Thanks groucho for your input re cost of living in North Cyprus, you have lived there for quite a number of years now, do you still enjoy living there, we lived there for over 6 months moved back to Australia, but I think it was the wrong decision, bought a place in Macleay Island Queensland, but we just don't like it, nothing here, you have the bowling club, 1 pub, 2 small supermarkets, owned by the same Pakistan owner and very expensive, and that's it, we thought it would be lovely for our retirement, it's just not the case. we have not had 1 cool day in over 4 1/2 months temperature is around 35deg every day. If we want to go ashore to the mainland and do some shopping it's a trip on the ferry then a trip by bus to get to the shopping centre, a novelty at first, but we just don't go over anymore, I miss just walking down the road and within a short time you can pop into the pubs and restaurants, that's the beauty of N/C a very easy going life.
Robert

Hector · Post by **Hector** » Fri 10 Feb 2017 7:18 pm

Two issues that affects older people (and causes them to leave) I think are

1. The lack of longer term support in the TRNC with regards health. By that I mean if you are in hospital, apart from the medical bills your partner/family is expected to look after you, not the nursing staff. If you need home care that is difficult to obtain (I stand to be corrected on that). I don't think there are the facilities you'd want if you or your other half needed to go into a home. If your family lives a long way away abroad i.e. Australia so you don't have their support.
2. Not seeing the family especially grandchildren.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Sat 11 Feb 2017 5:38 am

Thanks Hector this is quite an issue regarding older people, I am now 71 wife 69 and I will really need to think this out. We live on an island just off the Queensland coast, house is up for sale, all our family live over in Perth Western Australia, I loved our time in N/C but as you have pointed out at our age would it be worth retiring to Cyprus, I bought an American 5th wheeler and GMC ute a while ago, so we could travel a bit around Australia, spent 5 years traveling Australia with a Motor Home and had a great time, that was when the kids were younger, I enjoy Europe and found that all the places we visited were full of lovely people and the history was fantastic, we miss traveling, and thought N/C would make a great base, I get a UK pension every 3 months and we both get full Australian Pensions, plus the sale of our house, we have a few dollars in the bank, so we would be ok living overseas, I wouldn't buy property only rent, but your message is a good one and would need a lot of thought.

thank you again
Robert

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 11 Feb 2017 10:27 am

The health thing is always a biggie no matter where you live and although we have no plans at all of going back to UK it remains a concern to us here as the years roll on. Tried to think logically about it all but everyone has a different problem regarding health and health care. If you retained property in the UK - we did not - and/or have close family ties - again our families are not what you would call "close" - then moving back due ill health may be your best option. For ourselves we have grave doubts about returning to the UK and joining the "system" once again. We hear nothing very good about care for the elderly and even if we owned property in the UK we notice that the system is setup to rapidly reduce your bank account and holdings to absolute zero before any other assistance is made available! Over the years I have watched the quality of care for the elderly in the UK decline, whilst the cost has risen, should either of us require home help or permanent care here (not nursing care) then a live in helper - let us say from the Philippines - "could" be a much better and cheaper option.
As for health care here, I can not fault it but you do have to pay for it, that cost needs to be factored into your living costs on an annual basis! We use a private hospital for annual health checks and should an emergency arise I think we would use the State hospital - as it is normal for the same doctor you see privately and pay for to be the same one you see in the State hospital and pay lots less for. Yes, the general living standards in the State are not as good as private but then we did not come here expecting this country to be the same as the UK! It is not the same and care is based around family support so you need some kind of backup plan as well. We are fortunate that we have very, very good TC friends who we can rely upon to assist us in times when assistance is needed.
Provided that your foreseeable income will be sufficient with all things, barring the unforeseen disaster, then I see no reason why not to move here into retirement - not into work!!!
Aussiejock, I see one major flaw in your plan. This is not the place to make a base from if you are looking for more travel. Move to Europe for that so that you have greater choice of flights/ferries/road travel. It can be difficult and expensive to travel around the world from here - depending where you want to visit - but then at your ages maybe, just maybe, a smaller amount of travel to and from a very safe and quiet land is the lure that makes you think of the TRNC?

oneillbox · Post by **oneillbox** » Sat 11 Feb 2017 2:05 pm

just a quickie....

lots of messages here concerned about healthcare as if the healthcare in UK is fantastic!!

I work for the NHS, i have a slight cardiac issue (occasional AF). i have a 7 month delay in my cardiologist appointment time on top of the couple of months i would expect. that makes 9-10 month delay. add to that the terrible communication issues within the nhs - ie no one telling me about the delay, confusement about my medications etc etc.

i know i could pay a few hundred euros/lira in trnc and be seen within a week.

so those of you that think the nhs is lines with gold..those days are long gone. dont be fooled by all the tv programmes focussing in on excellent neuro surgery etc. yes it does/can happen but its not the norm.

in reality you have no beds for patients in uk, old people dying in hospital corridors etc etc. it really is awful.

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Sat 11 Feb 2017 3:58 pm

Hector, oneillbox and waddo have made some really good comments about healthcare here in N/C. Waddo thank you for the in depth and detailed information, I will have to factor this into our decision whether to make N/C our home.

thank you
Robert

fxtrnc · Post by **fxtrnc** » Tue 14 Feb 2017 2:20 pm

you would have change as well

aussiejock · Post by **aussiejock** » Wed 15 Feb 2017 4:03 am

Looking at waddo's reply ( Aussiejock, I see one major flaw in your plan. This is not the place to make a base from if you are looking for more travel. Move to Europe for that so that you have greater choice of flights/ferries/road travel ) Had a look at Tenerife because a member of this forum lives in that part of the world, it looks a really nice place in which to retire, but again if we want to travel around Europe it would involve catching flights, looked at Benidorm and I am really interested in retiring to that part of Spain, cost of living is way below that of Australia, N/Cyprus is a great place but I have to go with waddo's advice and rethink where we want to retire, we both loved Europe lived in Turkey for 8 months ( twice ) and Bulgaria for 3 months, N/Cyprus just over 7 months, we enjoyed N/Cyprus and found the people were just lovely, so it really is a hard decision whether to make N/Cyprus our home, I have looked at both series of Bargain Brits in The Sun and I am not influenced by that TV series on Benidorm, only what I have searched on my own, and I find it could be the destination for our retirement. we will have a holiday in N/Cyprus if we retire to Spain. I thank everyone that has responded to my Cost of living in North Cyprus, all the posts have been very helpful, and I thank you all again.
Robert

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