Karyn - thanks for that - it is exactly the sort of thing I want to know. We are retired now - although occasionally I miss working -, and on a very small budget. We have been to Turkey many times, but always on holiday, and I understand now, if I didn't before - that permanent living is completely different. The politics in Cyprus are difficult, and there is always hanging over us the prospect of The Problem. Also, as you say, it is an unstable society, with almost everyone, business wise, out to Fleece The Brits (no, not paranoia, but actual fact) though the "ordinary" TCs are usually very nice people, like their mainland cousins.
I would like to talk more with you, if you have time, and by all means email if it is easier: I'd like to give you my email, but the site will not permit me to! Let me say my name is kimig1, and I use google's mail service, gmail. Maybe this will get through!