cyprus or mallorca ?

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
27/07/2007 20:58

I have a friend looking to invest in a holiday home abroad. Having a villa in North Cyprus I have been able to recommend here as the ideal location, however getting to NC from Scotland is a problem just now due to fewer flights ( particularly through the winter) and nothing to Ercan which could put him off despite the fact that pound for pound he will get a lot more for his money here rather than there. Anyway as I don't know a thing about Mallorca I can't say NC is the better bet, for my own curiosity does anyone have any experience or opinions on which island would make the best holiday home destination??



Jim.

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
27/07/2007 22:15

wackyjim

You would certainly get a lot more for your money in N Cyprus, we looked at a two bedroom apartment in Palma Nova 2 years ago, it overlooked the sea and was in prime location, but.........300,000 euros. For that sort of money you could buy a large detatched villa in TRNC.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
27/07/2007 23:32

My parents had a bar in Mallorca so I have some fond memories of my time there. Although very commercialised in some parts, it also has some stunningly pretty sleepy mountain villages and scenary. Agree with Suntanman you don't get much for your money unless your prepared to renovate or live in a very rural area of the beaten track. Even 2 bed apartments were way above the price range I would pay for a holiday home. On the plus side flights are cheap and plentiful right throughout the year. It is also very easy to rent out your Spanish property as it continues to be one of the popular holiday destinations and has a ready made holiday industry. As with all of Spain holiday homes are not selling particularly well and it is a buyers market at the moment because it is hard to shift property. However does this mean that property prices might continue to fall? Obviously the infrastructure is much better than the TRNC and there are no worries with regards to title deeds. Personally despite all I would still chose the TRNC as I feel it could in the long term be a better investment whereas Mallorca has reached its peak. People in TRNC also seem much more friendly and more people speak English which is a big advantage. Not sure though if Mallorca would win if I had young children because it is definately more geared to kids. I think your friend will take one look at the property prices and be seduced by TRNC prices. You just get so much more for your money.In Ozankoy I saw some 3 bed villas, Turkish title deed with shared pool for £99000. Excellent design and build. Mallorcas equivalent will be a cramped 2 bed apartment.

lovelife


Joined: 07/07/2007
Posts: 231

Message Posted:
28/07/2007 14:42

We looked at the region of Murcia, as it is less 'developed', we only looked at villas and the price was 200,000 ++euros for a 3-4 bed villa and you get a lot less square metres for your money and they were built close together.

Murcia has caught on to the development side as I saw alot of building (we sawat least 4 golf course developments in the time we were there) and the feeling I had was that supply of properties would outstrip demand.

We prefered North cyprus so are now in the process of buying as the villa we will have will have more space and we have made alterations and added extras to the build for less than the cost of a Spanish villa.

McSteviet



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1089

Message Posted:
29/07/2007 04:04

Mallorca is very nice, can even speak a bit of the lingo, but value for money is the key here, plus I think the North of Cyprus is much nicer place to visit, maybe closer to the UK, but the whole Ambiance of NC is much nicer. (obviously in my opinion)



MC

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
29/07/2007 10:54

I agree with most of the opinions expressed however I can fully understand the doubts that are in the minds of those potential buyers that after falling for the place they then have to face up to the problems of expensive and non direct flights titles,water and power supply issues etc etc, which although most of us on this board have accepted and are "happy" enough to live with I can't help feeling that for everyone one of us there must be at least twice as many that have taken their money elsewhere. I know the politics of this Island will prohibit resolving a lot of the problems but as its major source of revenue comes from tourism and real estate which in turn finances the infrastructure then surely to goodness getting a government to further subsidise its airline to slash the cost of getting here must be a priority???? I don't suppose it will happen but I live in hope

only me


Joined: 18/06/2007
Posts: 15

Message Posted:
29/07/2007 11:19

Go for Mallorca, although it seems cheaper in N. Cyprus, after a few years of going backwards and forwards on expensive flights you will have spent the difference anyway!!!

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
29/07/2007 12:38

Hi Only me,

In terms of cost your probably right!!! My recent trip cost me a fortune for flights



Edinburgh - Birmingham ( flybe) 7 x £ 60 = £420 fybe delayed the flight for 3 hours at the last minute which resulted in me having to pay BMI an extra £980 to get our Birmingham connection to Ercan a total of £1400!!!!!!!!! that plus the flights from Birmingham to Ercan costing £2450 meant our flight cost to NC was a massive £3850 which equates to £550/person. OK it could be argued that I should have flown to Larnaca which from an economic point of view I shall have to consider but its not so easy getting 7 seats at short notice on charter flights from Scotland and besides does that not defeat the purpose and send the wrong message? I personally like the convenience of Ercan and as I have been carrying property documents recently felt it was safer. Anyhow I still love NC and have no regrets buying here.

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
29/08/2007 15:29

Hey!! Guess what? My mate has just returned from a trip to NC and has totally fallen in love with the place, Kyrenia harbour at night, the people, restaurants, etc etc etc the list goes on. He and his wife are going back out again this time with us at the beginning of Oct and the pair of them are seriously looking to get their perfect place in the Cyprus sun. I have to say I am surprised as he is such a fussy" Git " and would have put my money on him going for Mallorca, anyway lets wait and see.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
30/08/2007 15:55

Great news wackyjim, your friend has seen the light

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
30/08/2007 17:33

ilovecyprus



Lets hope so although there will be many who will think he is mad to even consider buying in NC. I know I was filled with doubt after I had made the commitment but as I have said in other postings once you get the first Efes under your belt everything is just fine. Have you got the keys to your property yet???



Jim.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
31/08/2007 12:08

Hi Wackyjim



I think you said in another posting 'that once you are in NC itself, all the fears about purchasing just fade away'. This is very true and yes the Efes certainly helps

Yes, I got my keys last week, although it only took me 2 hours to lose them. I put them in my pocket when I went for a swim and they fell out. Thankfully I found them after 30 minutes of hunting for them on the sea bed



NC is a great place. I hope we ejoy many lovely years there



Mark