Is it time to sell up?

[lissa]

I thought of relocating to N Cyprus a few years ago. I have visited there a number of times but decided in the end, it was not for me. I have a number of friends in N Cyprus and know many of them choose to come to Turkey for medical care. Fine if you have the time to do so and also the money to do this. To be honest this was not what put me off N Cyprus. I just felt that the parameters of an island, and certainly those of a small part of that island, did not suit me. I know you can go through to the southern part of the island and have been there myself from the north, but this does not change the feeling of the island, to me,it  just reinforces the feeling of a divided island. Saying that, I would certainly recommend a visit there, certainly to go to Bellapais Abbey and that area.  And I will go there this winter, though just for a visit, not to move to! Just a pity there are no flights directly from Dalaman to N Cyprus now.

[Scunner]

I read that Northern Cyprus had become the new 'Costa del Crime' since Spain isn't the safe haven it once was. TRNC not being recognised by most countries means no extradition - does anyone know if that is true?

[kayakebab]

I heard this too, was chatting to a friend while over there recently and he said he knows some big drug dealer guy who cant leave the country as will be arrested but can stay in TRNC and no one can touch him.

[Rimms]

It certainly worked for Azil Nazir before he gave himself up. 

[WordBird]

Are you asking that out of personal interest, Scunner?
What have you been up to?
 

[Scunner]

A valid (and I assume tongue in cheek) question Wordy. I am banned for life from Turkey and also England so this may be good. No not really

I've done the living abroad thing, I am now absolutely at peace with the UK and appreciate it all the more. The reason for asking was that I note people moving on to Plan B from Turkey and it seems those who go to TRNC seem to find it more laid back, better social scene, less red tape - it sounds like Turkey+

One thing I do know is that paradise always comes at a price, and maybe being surrounded by some of Europe's most wanted criminals might well be that price in Northern Cyprus.

[nichola]

The Turkish press reported a 20% decrease in property sales in July 2014.

This article makes for interesting reading raising a number of issues worthy of thought.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/arabs-buy-turkey-property.html#

[WordBird]

I never doubted you for a moment, Scunner. 

Being serious and back on topic (more or less) I am increasingly convinced that we did the right thing in renting.
The original plan was to rent for two years and then look to buy somewhere but we may actually stick with how things are, assuming we don't fall out of love with our new home in that time.

I will be watching with interest to see how things move/change over the next two years; I don't think now is the right time to buy for newbies like us, but I also intend to cling on by my fingernails to stay in the place where my heart tells me I need to be.

[kevin3]

Is that Kaya or the area generally.?

Follow your dreams.

[WordBird]

Both.
I love the area as a whole, of course, but Kaya is my Utopia.
I know I haven't done a full winter yet but I was here for quite a bit of it last/this year so it shouldn't change my mind....Don't know about the other two though!