Newbie

[JACQUIE]

Hi everyone
like most of you i too am considering a move to cyprus actually Northerncyprus. Originally my first choice was Crete but the property prices etc is a very big draw as you get so much more for your money plus i get to live with both greeks and turks.

Before i make my decision im trying to get as much info as possible about the North pros and cons. I am currently living in cornwall so looking at cheapest method of removal companies and secondly my children are looking at coming out there as well. I have 2 girls of working age a grandson age 4 1/2 and y son who is currently in the RAF but worryingly at this time in afghan. He too is considering at some point joining us in the future so will b looking at work options for them all. What is cost of living like out there basics please. Phone systems in your home etc and what are the local schools like as private schooling may not be an option.

What are the people like for integration with foreigners as in crete they are very much family orientated and dont seem to play with other children only family
sorry so many questions but i hope you can give me an insight to some of my questions from your own experiences of living in the north of cyprus.

[synthia]

Welcome to expatforum, Jacquie. You can get lots of useful information here, especially if you post in the Cyprus forum, down in the Expat Forums by Country section. Glad to have you here!

[JACQUIE]

many thanks synthia for your warm wishes and my silly mistake of posting in the wrong area, you can tell im a newbie!!

Question to the moderator could my thread be redirected to Cyprus to save me re writing it all again?
warm regards all

[synthia]

I don't have redirect privileges yet - I've only been a moderator for three days. I'll ask someone else or get instructions. You could try copying and pasting, I guess. I'll see what I can do.

[Pam n Dave]

Hi Jacquie,

I think that most people will advise you against moving to Northern Cyprus, you may find that land and property prices are a little cheaper but it's certainly more risky purchasing on that part of the island as the government is only recognized by Turkey.

The southern part of the island is in the EU. If you are considering moving out there permanently I would advise that you rent for a year just to make sure that everything is okay for you. There are a lot of empty properties so it could take a while to sell if you do decide to come back to the UK.

We are in the process of selling our house in the UK and moving to Cyprus, we've been going to Cyprus for several years now so we know the area that we want to move to and we have managed to find a rental for a year.

Dave.

[flouri1971]

I think Dave is absolutely correct in saying most people should advise you of NOT moving to northern cyprus for several reasons. First, is politics, this is an OCCUPIED country, only recognised in law by Turkey. A lot of development that is going on is actually illegal ( as the developers are building on land that is not theirs and is owned by Greeks in the south)and you could loose every penny of your hard earned money (some people have lost their homes as it goes through the EU courts now), bargain or not. Sorry to be so blunt, but any lawyer even in this country will tell you the same. You can get advice from the British High Commission on moving to Northern Cyprus. There are no direct flights to the North as it is not a recognised country, you either fly into Larnaca and drive over or fly to turkey and then catch another flight to the occupied area. I would find it unlikely that there are any reputable English speaking schools for your Grandson to attend, unlike the many in the south, which are excellent. There are certainly more benefits to moving to the Republic side of Cyprus (the south), you will enjoy all the same benefits and protection of being an EU citizen, rents are cheap, jobs are more plentiful and better paid and the political situation and economy are more stable. I think integration in the South is much more likely to be a smooth one too. Good luck with what you decide.
Ali

[JACQUIE]

many thanks to all that responded to me obviously i would have to think very carefully now on what i decide to do. Interesting thing though is that i keep being told if the land is TRNC owned then all the legal stuff has been sorted out with ownership by the government and therefore if you purchase a property on this type of land then it is yours, legally. I understand that over the past couple of years the government has been sorting these issues out on land ownership and moving forward. Is there anyone out there living in Northern Cyprus and encountered any problems or has it gone smoothly?

[Pam n Dave]

Jacquie,

There was a case all over the papers a while ago. Have a look at this link. The Orams Case and Property in North Cyprus

The article claims that they won the case but I don't think that it's strictly true as I believe that it's a technical win only.

Either way I wouldn't chance it as the south is recognised as a country in its own right, unlike the north which is only recognised by Turkey. Unless you fancy a challenge of course.

Dave.