Help and advice with 'buffer' please

Hi.  If you wish to buy in norther cyprus they are turkish speaking not Greece speaking.  Think you will need to decide if you wish to live in the North or south firstly.  Do some research on the areas.

Phil

Thanks Phil, am of the mindset that North Cyprus is a lot cheaper (in respect to property) than south? 

Am not adverse to learning Turkish either

It is a lot cheaper than the South, there are a few issues in the North.  There are a lot of street dogs so dependant upon the area the dogs can keep you up most or even every night.  You will need to check on residency to see if you meet the criteria.  All goods come from Turkey so at times you can get shortages of food.  We get power cuts and the drains can be a problem and there isn't a massive amount to do over here.  There is a bus service and cars are expensive to buy if you want a decent one.  Saying that I do enjoy living in the North.

Unsure if I am allowed to do this. This is my email address.

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As you are coming on your own I would seriously think about Southern Cyprus for a number of reasons but I have never lived there.  I live in Paphos areas and have Irish passport so less issues.Residency: Everything is more challenging since Brexit but there are guides on line with advise such as https://stylianou.law/brexit-and-reside … -cyprusYou can goggle more. Important documents:  The two most important documents in Cyprus are phone number and electric bill,  with those you can do anything. Easy to get a pay as you go phone number.  Bank Account: You open a bank account on line with both Cyprus and Hellenic Bank and then go it to have paperwork checked.https://www.b2bpay.co/how-open-bank-account-cyprusUK bank accounts: Open accounts with Monzo/ Revolut/Wise orStarling  Check which is best to use abroad - some say Starling but I am very happy with Monzo.  Don't close bank accounts in UK - have pensions paid there and transfer money with wise or XE.  Keep credit cards too.  Open an account to transfer money with such as XE.  If I need money quickly, I move it to my Monzo and pay with that.Renting/buying When deciding where to stay, check bus routes.  You can do this on line.  Even if you plan to buy a car it is a good idea to be close to a bus route. Some of the villages have a reasonable service,  if you are prepared to plan your trips.  There are many areas around Paphos and Polis where British people live and as well as meeting people you can talk to there are events going on which you can attend or get involved with while learning Greek. You will need people you can ask for information on where to go for things and how to get stuff done.  if you have €300,000 to invest in a house that helps with residency. They are getting better about issuing deeds but some houses still don't have them.  Buying a flat - how well is the complex managed? Lots of land for sale too, if you are adventurous enough to build.  House prices are all over the place in some areas, so don't be taken by high prices advertised.  There is a house on our complex which has been on the market for years as they are asking too much.  Flats around 150k, 2 bedroom houses around 250k and brand new 3 bed with pool 300k in Tala, which is a good area to live. If you don't know the area I would try a holiday first around the island.

I own a property in the South that is long term rented, the South is that expensive that I have actually moved to the North the rent I receive for renting in the South pays all my bills living in the North including my rental accommodation.

I was in the South 2 weeks ago visiting my sister and couldn't believe the cost for meals, okay it was in the tourist areas but even so it's out of control.

Thank you all so much for your input - much appreciated!

Has given me a lot to chew over.....

@lshill .  Many thanks for your valued info.

Are you able to confirm how much I need to deposit into a Greek bank account and also how long it's required to remain there please?  I've read on Internet that an expat needs to deposit £30k and has to stay there for 7 years?  However, my contact over there informs this rule has been abolished and only need to deposit £7k and can withdraw once I've received permanent residency.  Am querying this because she also told me that I am not allowed to buy property in Northern Cyprus.  This doubles the confusion because she advised that Famagusta was situated in the South East and I'm slowly discovering it's actually in the North.

Please excuse my ignorance (blonde bimbo) .

Also, do you know of anyone I can use who will assist me that's helpful, trustworthy and knowledgeable?

Thanks again

@habergham .  Appreciate all your time and effort in responding.  Comforting to know there are folk who are willing to advise......

I know you sent me your email address which has been removed - perhaps we can liaise over a PM?

Regards, Cay

Remember also If you decide to go north there can be issues with money transfers for the purchase.. I believe the transfers have to go from source bank to mainland turkey then to TRNC.... Maybe others can clarify if that is the case for you

I know my ozzie/ kiwi friend who was resident here in South Cyprus had issues and couldn't transfer cash direct to TRNC...

I believe Famagusta district spans both TRNC and Cyprus..  so be sure of administering district. When buying

@Toon , Thank you, that's good to know

@Incognito2411

Who ever this person is take absolutely no notice of them  yiu can buy property in the North, don't need that much in the bank and you won't get permanent residency in TRNC.

So how much do I need to deposit. However, you're saying  I WON'T get permanent residency in TRNC??

You are charges an admin fee by the Government for your residency so they don't want to lose that there are different rules for different age groups I get 2 years residency and that is fine.  In the south you can get a golden visa but you have to spend a lot on a property to get that.  My 2 year residency I complete on line and it takes me about 10 mins to complete.

There are some issues with dome of the processes to get your residency but they are trying to fix that, some parts of the system are akin to just above that of a 3rd world country.