Local knowledge

Menace


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 12:28

This is a request for anyone that lives in,around or knows the following areas well enough to help with advice.

Areas are Alsencak,Lapta,Dogankoy,Ozankoy,Catalkoy and Karaoglanoglu.

As I have mentioned before,in a couple of posts,we dont drive.Now we like not driving but it does mean we have to be more carefull about where we look for a home.We need a place with at least some shops,places to eat etc and preferably close enough to somewhere bigger,either to walk to or bus to.

The above places have been mentioned to us as possibles but some real local knowledge would br great.

So anyone out there want to comment,good or bad,the more the better.Then maybe we will have fewer places to look at which will be better in lots of ways.

Thanks a lot,in advance.

John

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 12:33

dogankoy would be closest to girne.



we have friends there who are car-less at present , they seem to manage.



i would also say check out karakum, close to girne and has a supermarket(lemar)

fatboy



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 244

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 12:35

find Astro supermarket in girne.Anywhere within a square mile you will have all the ameneties you require 10 mins in a taxi to anywhere

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 15:59

silly but important questions



1] How are you at walking (distance in very hoyt and relative cold?



2] On steep walks up or down hill.



3] Will you want to go to places like Girne for the church and other activities frequently



4] What is your preference local or Expat neighbours.

Menace


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 17:11

Firestarter,thanks for Karakum suggestion,looks good.

Flightholiday,1.No problem with walking,in fact would prefer.

2.Prefer flatish,if possible.

3.Not too often,just for a change of scenery.

4.Dont mind,live in Greece at the moment and have all greek neighbours.

John

BigBen


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 150

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 17:51

Menace,

Honestly, all will do. There are a few supermarkets, at both East & West . Small markets, restaurants, cafes are evrywhere.

If you buy a property and markets & restaurants are not with in walking distance, you can use a DOLMUS (shared taxi). They run on the hour evry hour.



West side Lapta, Alsancak & Karsiyaka has a lower humidity then the villages on the east. In particular Karsiyaka has the lowest humidity in the island.



You should take a holiday for a week or two, firstly visit all villages you mentioned, deceide on the village and than start looking for a property.



Regarding the propery you will be buying, please be advised:

1) If you are using an Estate Agent, make sure that you use an agent that is a member of the TRNC Estate Agents Association.

2) Make sure that the property you are buying is been build by a developer, that is a member of the TRNC Property Developers Association.



There are a lot of Cowboys around, be carefull.

Peeky



Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 100

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 23:52

We live in Alsancak about 200 metres from the main Girne/Lapta road, and manage fine without a car. Far enough away not to be bothered by the main road noise, near enough to have 2 supermarkets, 2 minutes and 4 minutes walk away. Cafes, restuarants, Diy shop, computer shop, Alsancak village shops, post office, cafes, etc all a few minutes walk away. The Dolmus service to Girne is about every 10 minutes, sometimes better, and we haven't found any shops in Girne that cannot be equalled or bettered on the main road stretch from Alsancal to Girne. Fare to Girne is 3 Ytl. It's even possible to carry large items like ironing boards, clothes horses, etc on the Dolmus so you don't have to hire a Taxi for transporting these purchases. (But don't try this in the rush hour) Before we decided on this location, even though the Agents concerned knew we would be car-less they took us to view properties up mountainsides, miles from a busroute, and in some cases with only 2 buses a day. Unbelievable.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 09:00

ben

karsiyaka has the lowest humidity?

here in the mountain we don't have humidity at all !!!!!!

(anywhere near the coast has humidity)

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 09:07

fire starter



did not know you were on this side !!



Nice up in the village where are you?

Menace


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 09:12

Peeky,thanks for information,thats exactly the sort of local knowledge we were looking for,lots of help.

Britvic,thanks but we live in Greece and have done for the last 6 years.Came here with 2 suitcases and will be leaving with 3!Everything else is going to the local animal welfare for sale.

Not too bothered by humidity,we have become more than used to it here.

Anybody out there in any of the other places?

John

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 09:32

Hi John,I'm in Lapta,holiday home for 5 years,now living here for 2 months.Love the greenery,I have a rented car,but Dolmus every few minutes to Girne.All local shops Chemist,Butchers,Mini markets within 100m.Where I am mainly Turkish Cypriots..lovely friendly place

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 09:41

nige

how comes you thought i was from the other side?

i'm not from the dark side.lol.

our paths have just crossed there before!

i'm from the mad side, otherside of the mountian to girne, in pinarbasi.

you have to be crazy to live here!

p.s we don't have humidity ask a cypriot.