taz60-annie62

Hi We are UK couple in early 60's who emigrated to Sinai Egypt 6 yrs ago - now deciding to relocate to Cyprus. Problem is where to go. We have the following that affects our decision. Wife has a UK pension active. Husband wants to continue his work as MSDT (Dive Instructor). We want a nice house to rent. Can we live on apprx. 1000UKP pm (excludes any income Mr may get from work). Do we ship our furniture from Egypt via ferry to Cyprus or sell up again. At present South Cyprus sells because it's in the EU (so good for NHS medical for pensioner, double tax agreement UK-Cyprus + Mr can work without the work permission fiascos) - however the possible financial mess = possible EU bailout, higher rent costs & cost of living worries us. The North sells because it's cheaper rent and cost of living wise, it's actively being developed and prospects seem to be on the 'up'. The downside are the loss of benefits as this is not recognised as EU (so there goes all the 'perks'). Work permissions are needed and we have just had all that s**t in Egypt.

We have read so much that we are totally confused as to the best option. What is the truth about the best and worse of both sides of Cyprus?. So we ask for any help and advice anyone could offer us. We moved once across the globe. Now we feel for security and quality of life as we enter our 'golden age' we will have to move again so must get this right. Please help us with your invaluable input

EsuriJohn

The north is well behind the south but generally cheaper and if you are not buying property then might be the place to go. The area around Kyrinia is beautiful and up in the pan handle there are some really nice places. DO NOT BUY A HOUSE IN THE NORTH.

taz60-annie62

Been doing a lot of on-line property hunting in Kyrenia & seen some lovely properties. Heard it's more behind the south but also heard it's on the 'up' as the Turkish PM, I believe, is looking to seriously invest in the infrastructure in TRNC. Lets hope he does not spoil the natural beauty of the region. I don't think I would even think about buying a house in the south at present either as things seem a bit rocky down there. So at present weighing up all the options as to where to think about going to - any other advice please feel free to pass it on (always grateful)

taz60-annie62

Sorry one other thing John & Cath, can you advise how much cash a month a couple of old fuddies like us would need to live reasonably comfortably up in TRNC. Thanks for your help

EsuriJohn

Just ask!

EsuriJohn

We are in Spain so no clue really but lots of discussion on this on the Spanish thread and I would think in TNRC 1000 euro a month with great care will allow you to test the water. You could always live north and work south the border is now cross able.

willb

Could have a problem with the Visa though. They might get a bit p*****d off with you crossing the border every day.

Jack999

i have just returned from Nth Cyprus and travelled extensively in the central and eastern region. My experience is that very few locals speak english compared to the south and that includes hotel and service workers.Females between age 5 and 35 are rarely to be seen just male youths in small groups and older people .. this includes cities like Nicocia. My 19 yr old daughter found this situation uncomfortable .. a bit "wierd".Other differences are that you will have to pay for hearth treatment in the north (and hope the Dr. speaks English and your state pension will not be index linked as its outside the EU. You are subject to islamic law .

Jack999

Just a quick comment on Willb's comment. crossing the border was easy but you need to purchase additional car insurance. And who can say when the situation might deteriorate and the border is closed or restricted to one crossing point at certain times. That would certainly impact a living in the north and working in the south situation.Additionally everywhere I went there were lots of vacant and half finished properties .. and I do mean a lot!some properties could be subject to future claim from previous Greek owners.

taz60-annie62

Very grateful for the info Jack999. Already live in an Islamic country so have got used to their ways, though it can be testing a bit sometimes. As I live in Egypt my pensions are already not index linked. Recently found out as well that the 'tightwads' in UK won't even pay the Christmas 12UKP bonus to us out here (must think us British pensioners don't celebrate Christmas because of where we live). They begrudgingly only pay pensioners in the EU and "a number of other countries" because a EU court forced them to. Because we are outside the EU powers they can get away with double standards for pensioners by not paying pensioners like me Christmas and fuel allowance & index linking our pensions.

I will not buy a property if I go to the North due to all the undecided problems regarding land and property rights. The comment on the border crossing is a very valid point and definitely a thing to consider.

I would be grateful for your views as to the difference in cost of living for basics like food, utilities and general day-to-day costs between the north and south of Cyprus. If you have any views please let me know as I need to weigh up pro's & con's of both sides of Cyprus. Again many thanks

ukturk

hi taz60
are you talking about living on £1000 after rent or before in the north because you have to consider a apartment in the kyrenia area will cost you between £300-£400 a month so having around £600 to spend on bills, shopping, petrol and socialising you will be ok but one of you will have to work or if you do have a bit of a nestegg you can deposit your money into a high intrest account and you earn about 16% after tax which is always a bonus, if you do decide to live in the north you are allowed to use the health service in the south as your a british/e.u citizen, buying in the north can be rocky but as a rulethumb always buy turkish or british deeds then no one can dispute like exchanged deeds being owned by roc citizens, obviously in the villiages in the mountains you will it hard people speaking english but around the major towns and surounding areas every1 speak english and there are many expats in and around the kyrenia region, as to living in a muslim country it is not even close to like living in egypt yes most people go the mosque and fast and some buinsess and banks closes on religious holidays but people still drink alcahol openly, eat pork and sell pork, gamble as their is a casino on every corner so dont be to concerned about that
hope this helps and if you need any other info please dont hesitate in asking me

A.KS

[QUOTE=ukturk;10412597]hi taz60
if you do have a bit of a nestegg you can deposit your money into a high interest account and you earn about 16% after tax which is always a bonus.

Hi ukturk please let me know about this account?

taz60-annie62

Hi UKTurk & AK's. Currently in Bulgaria checking out property banks etc. Would also be very interested in which bank gives this good %. Could you send me details please.

After 10 days I fly back to Egypt on the 8th & will be looking to get out of that country ASAP due to recent political unrest & developments that don't look too good!

ukturk

hi a.ks
most banks offer this kind of intrest rate but you have to have the money in lira as they only offer about 4-5% for sterling high savings account, banks like hsbc,turkish bank which have branches in the u.k which gives u peace of mind but also banks like asbank,sekerbank,creditwest,garanti bank,ziraat bankasi these are all turkish banks so u know ur money is safe not like sum of the cyprus private banks that can go out of buisness and take ur money which happend in the 90's, word of advice just go to these banks and ask them what they can offer and dont be affraid to say u went to another bank and they offered you this % cos most banks will compete for ur buisness especially if you going to deposit a substantial amount of money hope this help and if u need anything further please dont hesitate :-)

ukturk

hi taz where abouts in bulgaria r u looking as my other half is bulgarian and been all over the country and if u need any info ill be happy to help, the above post i have mentioned the banks :-)