If You Could????

[Retired]

I'm with you Elizabeth.

[Hedge-fund]

Tongue in cheek question to topten.

If you hate TRNC so much and have left never to return---------- What are you doing on a TRNC forum?

Joined long before you and I still have some good friends out there, And anyway what the bloody hell as it got to do with you?

Look up the concept of tongue in cheek and then wind your neck in.

Keeping in touch with friends is great.

Arguing with strangers about a place you hate isn't

[Retired]

Sensible discussion on this subject is acceptable, however if the thread deteriorates into keyboard abuse .....who knows what the mods will do to you (haha).

[topten]

Tongue in cheek question to topten.

If you hate TRNC so much and have left never to return---------- What are you doing on a TRNC forum?

Joined long before you and I still have some good friends out there, And anyway what the bloody hell as it got to do with you?

Look up the concept of tongue in cheek and then wind your neck in.

Keeping in touch with friends is great.

Arguing with strangers about a place you hate isn't

I know at the start of the thread I said started to hate the place but this was said "tongue in cheek" but alright joking apart I don't hate the place I don't hate anything or anyone, if you read further, in one of my other posts I stated I loved my time there, as for arguing I was just stating facts.

[Hedge-fund]

I know at the start of the thread I said started to hate the place but this was said "tongue in cheek" but alright joking apart I don't hate the place I don't hate anything or anyone, if you read further, in one of my other posts I stated I loved my time there, as for arguing I was just stating facts.

Yep that's fair enough.

I'm just about to embark on a lifestyle of 3 months UK, 3 months TRNC, 3 months UK & 3 months TRNC.

I think the key, as someone said, is not to treat it as holiday time but real life.

[surfmeetseast]

Popcorn out! Here goes the old 44 haha!

Why is it always a contest as to who has been here longest and who has ended up the most miserable. Wherever you are you take yourself with you. I am never bored here, or anywhere, because I have interests and imagination.

[jazzdolly]

'Exclusive Club' eh?!!!!! Very funny!!! No one said this forum was only for TRNC folks....but surely for those positive people who try to look on the bright side of this glorious existence ..... NOW THAT IS AN EXCLUSIVE CLUB that I'm proud to be part of!

Be happy in the UK.
I'm surely very happy here!!!

No discussion required?...Is there?!!

[turtle]

[/quote]I'm just about to embark on a lifestyle of 3 months UK, 3 months TRNC, 3 months UK & 3 months TRNC.

I think the key, as someone said, is not to treat it as holiday time but real life.[/quote]


This is exactly whats on my mind however I don't think my pension fund will be as big as yours Hedge Fund so a few more years yet for me.
Hope it works for you

[elizabeth]

'Exclusive Club' eh?!!!!! Very funny!!! No one said this forum was only for TRNC folks....but surely for those positive people who try to look on the bright side of this glorious existence ..... NOW THAT IS AN EXCLUSIVE CLUB that I'm proud to be part of!

Be happy in the UK.
I'm surely very happy here!!!

No discussion required?...Is there?!!

I suppose it all depends on personal circumstances/experiences as to how you feel about any place, you know what they say, one man's meat is another man's poison, I love it here but perfect it is not.

[Groucho]

To me the bottom line is - if you didn't come for the island, its people, its way-of-life and its weather - and the wish to leave behind some of the trappings of UK life - then your reasons for coming in the first place were flawed... Those considering moving here should bear these things in mind. Don't regard moving here as 'perma-holiday' either... that's a disaster waiting to happen.

If you want what the UK has to offer don't move away in the first place...

Rocket science it's not.

Why is it that all your replies seem to deem everybody as morons if they don't fall in with your idea of life in Cyprus....

If you read it that way you are missing the point.. I was not referring to you or any specific individual but to those people (and there are some) who make the mistake of coming here when most of the things they love/like are in the UK. Don't move here if the things you treasure are not here.

If you move back to the UK enjoy it for what it is... if you don't - then make the best of things here.

It's got nothing to do with thinking you are a moron, it was an open statement for the consumption of anyone wanting to know my take on it - you and anybody else is free to take it for what it is nothing more than that and I think your response could be construed as an attempt to shut-up anyone who holds views not agreeing with your position.... the very thing you accuse me of....

I am all in favour of those who don't like it here moving away but it would be better if they hadn't moved here in the first place don't you think?

I think moving here with the intention of moving back is a bit like getting married knowing at some stage you will want a divorce - an expensive mistake.

[Ragged Robin]

If you dont have personal resources and rely on entertainment being provided , you will get bored anywhere. Perhaps in some cases, not meaning anyone specifically, it is retirement that it the problem.

For the active there is plenty to do, swimming and exploring the beaches in summer , cycling , walking etc. in winter. For the richer there are golf clubs, water sports etc. Then there is taking an interest in the history and culture of the country, sketching, photography etc If you want to meet people thereare lots of charities that arrange events, and need volunteers. If you cannot afford eating out, go local and spend time enjoying the outdoors and chatting over a cup of coffee!

You can always develop a new hobby or interest:| learning a language (preferably Turkish!) for instance.

I used to love exploring the country and revisiting favourite spots and seeing things I missed the first time. Being more restricted now, I still get pleasure out of things I pass regularly:olive groves, flocks of sheep and goats,the almond trees in Spring and the first view of the sea, and the fact that all my neighbours and many shopkeepers greet me. I just pray there wont be more damage to the views by building

[jofra]

A personal view - we (OH, son and self) first came to TRNC on fortnight's holiday four years ago and have come each year since. The first two times, stayed at a (TC) friend's apartment in central Girne; subsequently, a nice but smallish apartment in a quiet complex in Karsiyaka. From the start we loved the place, and have continually considered buying at this complex - we could manage it, and it would not cripple us if we lost it, although there shouldn't be any problems - all paperwork and legalities seem to be settled now, complex has been up several years. However, if we did, we would probably be like Hedgefund - three here, three there, etc. (as long as we could manage it!).
Why here, then there? Because I live only about a mile from where I was born, but my OH is now about eight miles from where she was born and lived until we married - guess where "home" is to her? Similarly, while I could consider a place in TRNC as home, England would still always be my (birth) home - I could never say it wasn't my home.
Although many probably do not realise or will not admit it, "home" is not necessarily just a place but is also a sentiment - it's rather like marriages/partnerships - as time passes, you discover the failings and faults - sometimes this leads to divorce and moving on/away, while in other cases, you think, "Ah well, there are one or two things, but it's much better staying as we are.."
Our TC friends would be very happy if we bought over there, but nevertheless have warned us of the pitfalls, have suggested renting before buying, have asked whether it is financially worth it against time spent there - more or less trying to discourage us from acting "rashly"! - I suspect they also have the "Home" feeling. They have lived in England for almost twenty years (children born here) but they still go "home" frequently....
My oldest and now departed friend was Jamaican; came to England when he was 19 - but went back home to JA when he retired at 65....
Why do they say "Home is where the heart is" - and not where the head is....?

By the way - I'm on this forum (and others) and view various other sites because, as said, "we loved the place"....

(and if/when we win the Euro lottery, we will definitely buy a place, and our own private jet, so we don't have to depend on airlines, and... )

[elkiton]

Jofra Said:.........

Although many probably do not realise or will not admit it, "home" is not necessarily just a place but is also a sentiment - it's rather like marriages/partnerships - as time passes, you discover the failings and faults - sometimes this leads to divorce and moving on/away, while in other cases, you think, "Ah well, there are one or two things, but it's much better staying as we are.."

Absolutely true and I could not put it better, should be the mantra of all people claiming to be ex-pats.

Home is where you make it, if and when you have had enough, and the ability, then move on.

[Ragged Robin]

And if you really want to keep busy - adopt a dog , or two or three. Training, exercising, grooming , feeding will keep you occupied and amused, and the Vets Bills will keep you broke

[Barney]

I wish I had the choice, I'm British born and mainly bred, but I have a Greek Surname (grandfather's) so although I would like to live in what was to be my retirement home in Islele/Trikomo I can't. Someone else lives in my house and there's nothing I can do about it. I don't consider myself to be Greek or speak the language but my name bars me from living in the part of Cyprus where I built a house. I have sympathy for all Cypriots who lost their homes, in 1974 mine was only a holiday home but I do feel some resentment towards those foreigners who now occupy the property of Cypriots, on both sides, due to the misfortune of others.

[jazzdolly]

Off Topic Barney.....Let's not get into that shall we?!!!!!

[Barney]

Off Topic Barney.....Let's not get into that shall we?!!!!!

Nonsense. The topic is about where you prefer to live, some have no choice for financial reasons, others for health reasons, mine is for racial and political reasons. I'm as British as you are but I have no choice but to live in the UK.

[karmels]

Barney.
If you built the house why is someone else living in it.
When you built the house they would have known you had a Greek name.
So why are you winging about it now, we have Greeks living in the North, why can't you???

[Retired]

I, for one, am very interested to hear your story Barney. I also wondered why a Greek name would prohibit you from living in TRNC. I have spent time with Greek Cypriots living in Karpas on my visits there. You are allowed to come here for 3 months as a European passport holder no doubt.

[turtle]

I would also like to hear Barney's views and why he can't live in the North, I also think it would be good to get some South living people on here both Greek Cypriot or otherwise to get some debate going.

Just my view

[Barney]

I, for one, am very interested to hear your story Barney. I also wondered why a Greek name would prohibit you from living in TRNC. I have spent time with Greek Cypriots living in Karpas on my visits there. You are allowed to come here for 3 months as a European passport holder no doubt.

I was in the UK in in July 1974. I was told that “Greeks” could not go to the north after the the invasion but later found out from the UN that as a British citizen with a British passport I could go. I crossed at Ledra Palace (the only crossing in those days) on foot and filled in a visa. A policeman showed me to a taxi and told the driver to keep an eye on me. I got on well with the driver who spoke good english - he told me what the policeman had said. I knew I’d be in trouble if I tried to get into my house if someone was in it so we just drove by. Some years later my brother saw it up for sale for £150k
I can live in the north as a visitor/tourist, I doubt I could get a resident's permit. The Greek Cypriots in the Karpass, so I'm told, have been there since before 1974. Why should I have to buy or rent a place when I already own a house there. I'm British but my house has been taken simply because I have Greek name.

[Retired]

Have you tried to go further with this Barney? Is someone registered at your house? I am sure there are people on this forum who could advise you how to go further with this - hopefully, initially, without getting lawyers involved.
I can understand now that this is not straightforward.

[turtle]

I suppose your only route is through the IPC ?

At least that way you should get some money to buy again.

[Barney]

Have you tried to go further with this Barney? Is someone registered at your house? I am sure there are people on this forum who could advise you how to go further with this - hopefully, initially, without getting lawyers involved.
I can understand now that this is not straightforward.

I have little doubt that the person who now lives there has so-called deeds from the land registry in the north, I think they call it exchange property but there isn't enough Turkish land in the south to exchange. The house has been improved and modernised as far as I can see. I don't see any point in involving the authorities or lawyers, as far as I'm concerned most of them both north and south are crooks. I've been told that my name means that I'm as Greek as anyone else who lost their property in the same circumstances.

[Barney]

I suppose your only route is through the IPC ?

At least that way you should get some money to buy again.

I've looked at the commission, they take years to pay up and many applications are refused for lack of proof of ownership. My first problem would be to get my Greek deeds since I lost all the paperwork in 1974.

[Groucho]

Barney don't give-up at the first hurdle - go to the land registry in the south they will have a copy of a title deed in your name if it existed in 1974 it must still be there. Tell them you want to sue for restitution of your rights - that will get their attention they do love a 'good cause' especially someone with a Greek surname. NB there are accusations of wrong doing in the land registry whereby land owned by one person magically becomes registered in another's name - hopefully this won't have happened in your case as your Greek surname should have provided some reticence to risk this dodge.

Many displaced persons north and south have faced this problem and it is resolvable. As for there not being enough TC land in the south, I think you'll find that it's a very much closer run thing than the south want the rest of the world to think.

Population numbers should not be confused with acreage. Farmers (proportionately higher numbers of TC's were farmers in the years leading up to 1974) tend to have larger land holdings than other occupations. So although the percentage of population may have been 20 -22%, land may have in fact been closer to 30% - something the south's Government have let slip themselves much to the annoyance of the propaganda merchants who want the world to believe that they are the only victims with ancestral refugee status here.... Even though the ECHR have told them de-facto that this can not be the case. If you have never lived on the land you can not be a refugee from it even if your father owned it.

[Retired]

Go for it Barney. Maybe with some help from a kind person or two on this forum, who is knowledgeable in this sort of thing, you could go further with your search. We all need a helping hand at times and it sounds as though you are ground down with the whole situation right now. Stay away from the lawyers..unless its pro bono! I wish you success, or at least some closure on this.