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[halil]

The Realities of Retiring to North Cyprus.

Until a few short years ago the only expats living in North Cyprus were a tiny, close-knit community of people who had lived through the 1974 troubles or who had ties and links to the island following the division of Cyprus. They understood the politics, appreciated the people, revelled in the fact that they had beautiful North Cyprus practically to themselves and lived with the day to day problems the local people had to endure such as power cuts and water shortages.

And then came investment to the island, a raising of awareness of the delights of North Cyprus, Cyprus’s entry into the European Union and a slow but steady increase in the number of expatriates moving to North Cyprus to set up home.

This has had a number of knock on effects – both positive and negative!

On the positive side of things it has brought investment into infrastructure so that road and air access has vastly improved, there are far fewer power cuts, and even the water shortage problems are being addressed. Additionally, there are expatriate communities along the coast from Tatlisu and Esentepe in the East to Karsiyaka and Lapta in the West. There are pubs and clubs, organised activities and many events which expats and locals alike all get involved with – and so those moving to live in North Cyprus today can have as active and varied a social life as they choose.

On the negative side of things property prices have been pushed up, there are the inevitable ‘British pubs’ serving all day breakfasts now to be found in corners of Northern Cyprus and the shops, banks, roads and even flights to and from the island are far busier!

In terms of the realities of retiring to Northern Cyprus there are many facts and aspects to consider.

First things first, property in TRNC may have gone up in value but it is still for sale at a fraction of the price it is in the UK or in south Cyprus for example. Having said that, not all property in North Cyprus is well built and a great deal of due diligence has to be done by the purchaser before they sign any contract on a property. If you’re buying off plan ensure you’re buying from a developer with a proven track record. If buying anything at all ensure there is no mortgage on the land you’re buying on and make sure that the vendor has the clear right to sell. Also, appraise yourself of the different types of title deeds available for real estate and make sure you have water tight build guarantees written in to your contract. I.e., get a good lawyer!

Next up, if you’re going to be living in North Cyprus year round, get central heating put in to your villa or apartment. Don’t argue – just do it! Temperatures dropped so low in Cyprus sometimes that earlier this month snow fell in lower lying areas and elsewhere there were hail storms and horrible howling winds. For a short period of the year, the weather in Cyprus is horrible, you will want and need central heating and you will regret it if you do not have it.

Next up – the cost of day to day living in TRNC can be more than affordable. However – if you insist on being a heavy consumer of electricity and petrol you will find your expenses soon add up each month. Also, if you insist on shopping in Tempo and Lemar for English brand products rather than buying in season fruit and vegetables and whatever is more readily available on the day from the butcher, you will again see your living expenses stack up! Simply put, if you shop like the locals do and think about what you consume you will enjoy an affordable cost of living.

The good news for those who like eating out and going to the pub to socialise sometimes is that there are so many pubs and cafes and restaurants and the vast majority of them are affordable if not cheap, so you will be able to enjoy a varied and enjoyable social side of life for less when living in TRNC.

As a British retiree or someone retiring to the island who holds an EU passport, you can take up residency in Northern Cyprus easily. You have to begin the residency process within three months of arrival on the island – DO NOT leave it longer as you will be fined for each day over three months that you stay! You go to the main police station in Kyrenia, Famagusta or Nicosia with your passport, you then have to have a brief medical test at an authorised clinic, provide proof of your address and that you have the means to support yourself, get what’s called your ‘in and out certificate’ from the main police station in Nicosia, (this is a piece of paper showing how many times you have entered and left the country prior to applying for residency), and then you take all the paper work to the immigration department in Nicosia and sit back and wait for a stamp to appear in your passport! It sounds complicated but it really isn’t – however, because it does require you to put in a few hour’s leg work running between all the official offices, you can employ a runner to do all the hard work for you.

To find a runner contact the British Residents’ Society, visit the Friday market at the Pegasus pub which is in Karaoglanoglu, or ask round the local pub for some help! It really is that informal and easy. You need to renew your residency every year for five years and then you can apply for permanent residency. The rules change all the time though, so just ask at the police station when you go there for advice about the current rules.

In terms of getting your pension income when you live in Northern Cyprus – the best way is to retain your UK bank account, get the money paid into that and either access the cash with a hole in the wall card as and when you need money, or open an account in the TRNC and pay a cheque from your UK account into it each month. If you do an international transfer it will cost you a fortune, but if you pay a British cheque into your account it costs little or nothing – however, it can take a month to clear!

As you will be resident in Northern Cyprus you can de-register for tax in your previous nation by contacting the tax authority there and telling them that you have moved abroad. When they accept that you are no longer tax resident you become liable for income tax on your pension in Northern Cyprus. However, this is only on the money you remit to the country and you should take advice on how to handle your financial affairs from a tax adviser or accountant. There are many Brits living on the island who keep all of their money in an account external to the nation and therefore pay little or no tax. Whether this is legal or advisable for you depends on your own personal circumstances – again, we reiterate that you must take advice and this article does NOT constitute advice!

Finally – in terms of considering Northern Cyprus as an attractive retirement destination it does have a great deal in its favour. It is beautiful, for the majority of the year it has a fabulous climate, property is affordable, the cost of living can be cheap, the standard of living can be on a par with that you would enjoy in the UK, you can legally move to the island and potentially even reduce your tax bill. Health care is affordable and readily available – although retiring expats should consider a private health insurance policy. If you look at health insurance make sure you’re covered in North Cyprus and also think about what you would do if you needed long term care – there are not the same facilities in Northern Cyprus as there are in the UK for example.

As a potential nation for retirement abroad, Northern Cyprus is certainly a strong contender.

[Oracle]

What the British Press really think about northern Cyprus .....

Today, in the north at least, it's more associated with ex-cons.

[halil]

Living and Working in North Cyprus


If you are a citizen of Turkey or of an EU member state or from Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway you can travel to Northern Cyprus without the need for a visa but with your valid passport (or national identity card if it has a picture of you) according to the TRNC government’s website. You can remain for up to 90 days before you need to apply for temporary residence or leave the island .
http://www.trncgov.com/
Living in North Cyprus

Expatriates living in the TRNC generally enjoy an excellent quality of life. The climate in North Cyprus is mild and beautifully temperate for most of the winter with the occasional cold snap and then it goes from being warm and balmy in the spring to beautifully hot in the long summer before cooling down again in the Autumn.

Although the cost of living in North Cyprus rose by 0.2% in July it remains low with the only significantly expensive items being imported wines, spirits, specialist foodstuffs and cars. Property in Northern Cyprus is incredibly good value for money and the cheapest in the Mediterranean region by far.

There are many social clubs for expatriates living in the North and they are suitable for all ages, there are mums and toddlers groups, rugby and football for men and women, bridge, badminton and church groups as well for example and the local weekly and daily papers list details of all events.

Neither education nor health care in North Cyprus need be a concern if you’re thinking of moving to the island. There are many local schools available which teach through the medium of the Turkish language and there are also a growing number of private English and International schools in TRNC available. Health care is affordable and of a high standard and it is not usual for expats in North Cyprus to bother with health care as their policy excess is usually far more than they pay for standard treatment anyway.
Working in North Cyprus
As the average age of the TRNC expatriate drops dramatically as more and more young people and families move to the island so the requirement for work opportunities and jobs on the island intensifies.

According to the TRNC government website a work permit must be secured before a worker moves to the island. In practice it is possible to move to Northern Cyprus before either securing a job or a work permit...but if in doubt contact the government to check. On their site they state that a work permit is only granted on a temporary basis where a job offer has been made and there are no TRNC citizens available or qualified for the post.

In terms of the work available - because of the boom in property development on the island there are specialist jobs available in the construction industry from civil engineers to plumbers and electricians. Vacancies for estate agents often come up as well. Furthermore as the number and size of schools on the island grows so the demand for internationally qualified teachers intensifies. There are also vacancies arising in the tourism industry from travel reps to bar and waiting staff for example.

The best places to search for jobs are in the local papers like ‘Cyprus Today’ and ‘Cyprus Weekly’

[Oracle]

Taken From Turkish Daily News 10 Jan 2008

The pillar of the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus’ economy, tourism, is on shaky ground. In recent months 24 hotels have closed down and 2,000 people have been let off. Around 50 hotels will close down after New Year’s Eve. Northern Cyprus Hoteliers Association Chairman Turhan Beydağlı says an immediate strategy should be adopted in order to create an image of Cyprus as a country of universities and tourism

İSMAİL YANMAZ
ISTANBUL - Referans


Investments in new hotels, which have been booming in Turkish Cyprus for the last three years in the hope that the United Nations mediated plan to find a lasting peace on the divided island will be accepted, are facing serious trouble.

The tourism sector in Turkish Cyprus is in serious crisis with 24 hotels closed and 50 more on the brink of shutting down. The rejection by the Greek Cypriots of the U.N. mediated peace plan is not the only reason behind the optimistic expectations for the tourism sector not materializing. The continuation of the isolation of the island despite promises from the European Union that sanctions will be eased, coupled with insufficient marketing are also considered reasons for the crisis.

Around 2,000 people were laid off, as occupancy rates did not even reach 30 percent, last summer. “Tourism suffered a lot due to many mistakes made one after another. And the sector will collapse unless a new strategy is developed leaving aside gambling,” said Turhan Beydağlı, chairman of northern Cyprus Hoteliers Association. Gambling is legal in northern Cyprus.

When Turkish Cyprus voted in favor of the United Nation's plan called the Annan Plan the construction and tourism sectors experienced a boom. Yet, they have been going through troubled times lately. The buildings initially planned for sale to the British remain unsold. The hopes for direct flights between Ercan Airport and destinations in the U.K. have faded away. Although the total number of beds rose sharply, the occupancy rate is only 44 percent for hotels with casinos and 30 percent for those without.

Beydağlı said problems in the construction sector also affected the tourism sector. “Tourism regions are filled with incomplete hotel constructions. Such a sight does not befit a tourism center. The south of the island receives three million tourists annually and the average accommodation period is 11 days. We receive 300,000 people, who visit only the casinos on weekends. There are new facilities. But they shared a piece of the current pie in the market rather than creating a new market.”

Beydağlı also criticized the fact that the hotels appear in the tabloid press. “It was thought that having some artists over at the hotels as a promotion would help the business. We became a derogatory topic in the tabloid press. Mafia settling in the casinos badly hit another source of income – the universities – as well as tourism. Families do not send their children because of the bad image and costliness. Even the universities now lack students.”

Gamblers instead of tourists:

Turkish Cyprus Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hasan İnce said the worst mistake was made in the marketing strategy. Unqualified staff were used in expensive and poor quality services. İnce said instead of normal tourists the marketing strategy had gamblers as a target audience, adding, “a normal tourist cannot get a one-week reservation. Weekdays are not sold, because gamblers book for the weekends. This led to a bad image. Gambling is not a priority for Cyprus tourism. It is time we started marketing Cypriot history, nature and culture. We can hold promotion campaigns in Turkey's busiest airports on the Aegean and Mediterranean coastline for foreign tourists. The primary obstacle before tourism is transport which should be subsidized by the state.”

Gosh ... it's really a sorry "state" of affairs .....

[denizaksulu]

Well, I look forward to my visit to the North! They hopefully, will be more 'genuine' than the GC'S! They pretend to welcome Brits, but they are a bunch of lying potato pickers!

I'm sure a sick bitch would fit in quite nicely among all the criminals there...

You should be more selective with youre acquaintances GR. There are plenty decent people in the North whatever you will call them.

[halil]

Northern Cyprus Weather
The climate across the Mediterranean region is widely regarded as one of the most temperate and pleasant in the world and one conducive of good health and long life, and it’s why so many people dream of starting a new life on the Med.



As North Cyprus lies in the southern Mediterranean it has an even friendlier climate and Northern Cyprus weather is boosted by warm winds and high temperatures from its neighbours in Egypt, Syria and Israel.

If you’re thinking of living in North Cyprus you’ll be happy to know that winter is short and it fluctuates between beautiful warm and clear blue days and days when it rains hard for a few hours before brightening up again. Average temperatures in the winter are between 16 and 19 degrees centigrade though they have ever been known to drop below the teens and you’ll not see Cypriot people leave their houses in such extreme weather! Winter begins in mid November and continues until the end of February and it is the time of year when the reservoirs and lakes fill up ready for the rest of the year.

Winter gives way very sharply to Spring and Springtime in Cyprus is the most beautiful time of the year. You have to see the abundance of wild flowers to believe it, though the picture above should give you an idea of just how lush North Cyprus becomes. Temperatures quickly rise to the late teens and early twenties (degrees centigrade) and the rainfall tails off.

In the Spring you can enjoy the wild flowers, blossoming trees and long, thick and lush grass and go for long walks in the mountains or along the coast without getting too hot. The intensity of the sun is just enough to have you walking in t-shirts and jeans but not hot enough to have you desperate for the shade.

As the weather in Northern Cyprus begins to heat up and we approach the long summer period the shorts come out and the siestas get longer. You can eat out almost year round but Cypriots save their first barbeques for May when they can while away the evening and night in the balmy summer temperatures. Summer officially begins in May though tourists have been seen sunbathing in March! Summer lasts until the end of September although high temperatures tend to last until mid October.

During July and August the temperatures are searing and all manual work ceases at least between the hours of 11am and 3pm. The tourists bake on the beaches and the nights are given up to long lazy dining, people watching on Kyrenia harbour and sipping cool cocktails or glasses of wine on the terrace of your villa in North Cyprus whilst listening to the chorus of cicadas in nearby olive or carob trees.

By the time October arrives the thought of some rain is welcome! Between June and September you’ll be lucky to see a drop and all the trees take on a very dusty hue! The build up to the first day of rain in October can last a week and when it does finally fall all the drains overflow because they are full of the summer dust! If you’re moving to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus remember that you will quickly acclimatise to Northern Cyprus weather - so if the thought of winter lows of 16 degrees centigrade has you laughingly packing off your coats and jumpers to the nearest charity shop stop and bring them with you! 16 degrees centigrade can seem far cooler when you get used to summer highs in excess of 40 degrees!

To convert centigrade to Fahrenheit simply multiply a temperature by 1.8 and add 32.

[Get Real!]

Northern Cyprus Weather

How informative! And how many hours difference between " North" and "South"?

[denizaksulu]

Northern Cyprus Weather

How informative! And how many hours difference between " North" and "South"?

Thanks Halil.

GR!!! The athmospheric weather on the north facing Pentacaktylos range, can be different from the south facing range. If you have issues with this, consult your 'official' weather forecast and NOTE different temperatures and other conditions on other parts of the island. Funny that they dont say Cyprus 32 deg Celsius, and sunny.

Give it a rest, GR. Stupid remarks like this does not do you any credit. Especially when such remarks are towards your pal Halil. when all he is doing is being helpful.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Get Real!]

Northern Cyprus Weather

How informative! And how many hours difference between " North" and "South"?

Thanks Halil.

GR!!! The athmospheric weather on the north facing Pentacaktylos range, can be different from the south facing range. If you have issues with this, consult your 'official' weather forecast and NOTE different temperatures and other conditions on other parts of the island. Funny that they dont say Cyprus 32 deg Celsius, and sunny.

Give it a rest, GR. Stupid remarks like this does not do you any credit. Especially when such remarks are towards your pal Halil. when all he is doing is being helpful.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Well how am I suppose to know if I should pack my winter clothes when I cross the roadblock ha?

[denizaksulu]

Northern Cyprus Weather

How informative! And how many hours difference between " North" and "South"?

Thanks Halil.

GR!!! The athmospheric weather on the north facing Pentacaktylos range, can be different from the south facing range. If you have issues with this, consult your 'official' weather forecast and NOTE different temperatures and other conditions on other parts of the island. Funny that they dont say Cyprus 32 deg Celsius, and sunny.

Give it a rest, GR. Stupid remarks like this does not do you any credit. Especially when such remarks are towards your pal Halil. when all he is doing is being helpful.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Well how am I suppose to know if I should pack my winter clothes when I cross the roadblock ha?

Take note of Halils Weather Bulletin. Silly.


Lately you are using a lot of the 'Ha' word. I was taught it was rude/impolite. The reply to a 'Ha' was often a 'Haksilos'. What does that mean GR. Not that I am saying 'haksilos' to you.