Cost of living - how much?

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
05/12/2007 14:25

Hi,



Have read what I can on the subject and taking the approach that nothing is as good as it first appears, is it really so cheap in comparison to the UK to live there in NC?



More to the point, could a couple with only the normal utility expenses live comfortably there on say £1000 a month for example? By comfortable I mean dining out two or maybe three times a week at a local restaurant, play golf a few times a month and pursue other leisure activities such as sailing and run a car.



Thoughts appreciated as always.



Kind regards Tony

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
05/12/2007 16:55

The minimum wage in the TRNC is about 950YTL p.m. and that is equal to £380. I guess that some people must exist on that so £1,000 sounds a lot.



£1,000 p.m. net should be more than adequate for you to live on and run a car.



Not sure though about a few games of golf each month and other leisure activities, I think you would probably be hard pushed to include these things, no doubt others will comment.

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
05/12/2007 20:34

I agree with lovingcyprus. If you live on local produce and don't want a too lavish lifestyle then it should be feasible to live on £1k per month.

I believe that golf is quite an expensive hobby out here unless you go over to Guzzleguts to play and the cost of eating out has become quite expensive. When you first move over you seem to be paying out all of the time for one thing and another ie. satelite television, internet, cost of purchasing a car, so all of that needs to be factored in.

Karen

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
05/12/2007 22:19

hi tonyh

once you have bought the main things, cost of living depending how you approach it will be less than a £1000, firstly running a car i.e petrol is half the price to the u.k, electric bills for a couple between £25-£75 a month depending in what you are running, water bills £15-£40 a month, then all thats left is internet- telephone bill- dont get subsciption sat tv get a system where you pay one payment then thats it, ok down to the shoping for food when you go shopping you can keep the bills down by buying turkish brands rather than the brands you are used to in the u.k because if you buy these products they can be quite expensive i.e ulker tomato ketchup 2.50ytl compared to heinz ketchup 7ytl, pantene shampo 8ytl - ipek shampoo 3ytl and the list goes on and the things that are essential to have british products you can always bring loads of it from the u.k when we moved over we brought over 2000 british tea bags and loads of other stuff that we cant get or its too expensive over there

resturants wise it depends what cuisine you want if you go for if you eat at turkish resturants where locals eat you wont be paying a lot

so that leaves your golf hobby this can be quite a expensive hobby but if you only go a couple of times a month this wont break the bank,the only thing that you have a bottomless pocket for will be the sailing hobby



me and the other half live on about 1250ytl a month thats running a car and a moped (petrol), paying for electric and water, internet, telephone bill (dont use it mobiles is cheaper) going out for a meal once a week, and for a drink twice a week, and shopping but winter months a bit more because we pay for diseal for the central heating

hope this helps

regards

ukturk



p.s exactly what like lovingcyprus is saying remember the average wage for a cypriot is between 750ytl to 1250ytl and they live quite comfortable, your best bet is to start thinking like a local and not to compare things to how much it costs in the u.k because you will be living in cyprus and not the u.k

pussycatuk


Joined: 26/11/2007
Posts: 315

Message Posted:
05/12/2007 22:54

We will be moving out in jan so we will probably be using quite a bit of Gas. Could anyone tell me what the average usage is and what about cost of logs too for the fire?

BILLY


Joined: 15/01/2007
Posts: 141

Message Posted:
05/12/2007 23:42

A bottle of gas is 20ytl.

A load of logs to last the winter for one fire only is around 600ytl.

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 07:55

Thank you all.



Fortunatly sailing is the wife's hobby not mine, so that can go maybe she will settle for a rowing boat which will keep her fit.



Great advice re the local brands, we enjoy the taverna style food rather than 'fancy' restaurants.



Will ensure the good lady packs plenty of her care products which cost an arm and a leg in the UK so who knows what they will cost in NC.



Really looking forward to our initial 'recce', hope we both love the place and decide it's where we will grow old (older) together.



Kind regards Tony

AbbyG


Joined: 26/11/2007
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 11:08

TonyH:

Oh dear, you make me laugh. I bet you'll get a slap around the head for the comment "maybe she will settle for a rowing boat which will keep her fit" and you can't expect the 'good lady' to go without her beauty products, even if they do cost an arm and a leg ..... lol

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 11:21

i agree with tony

i had to get all my beauty products from the u.k cos its cheaper like my cleanser, exfoliating scrub and my day and night moisturiser so why should the women be any different LOL

regards

ukturk

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 11:51

Abby........one can be very brave on here

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 12:32

ukturk im sure you dont need it , you being a natural !!!!!!!!!

have a good day simbas

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 14:17

thank you simbas

but getting on a bit now the wrinkels and laughter lines are starting to show!!

LOL

you to have a good day

regards

ukturk

AbbyG


Joined: 26/11/2007
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 14:30

TonyH:

Yes, it's easier to be 'brave' from a distance. Something tells me that the 'good lady' keeps you on the straight and narrow though, ha ha ...

Ukturk:

You're still a baby, you shouldn't be needing those beauty products yet!! Also, I HATE a man who spends more time in front of the mirror than me, it's just not 'normal', but maybe I'm being a bit old fashioned. lol



Well, thankfully it's the end of the work week for me so I'm off home now. It's been a loooooooooooong week .... Have a good weekend everyone.

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 15:13

enjoy your weekend Abby and yes, UKturk (Ercan) is a tart



Kind regards Tony



P.S. There is no doubt who wears the trousers in our household................it isn't me LOL

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 15:57

hi tony lol

ok if you say im a tart, like all good quality finely tuned machines they need a good oiling and thats what i am LOL

you see if got the brains and the looks so i have to look after these things before it goes pop!!!! lol

im only kidding about pampering myself in front of the mirror, i dont use all them products i just exfolliate and moisture lol

take care mate

and abby have a good weekend i suppose working in arab country has its advantages in having a 3 day weekend lol

regards

erk the uk tart turk

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 17:33

TonyH



Why don't you buy your wife a canoe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 17:42

I have considered it Peter, but having done a fair bit of sea canoeing myself and seen the effect it has on the upper body, it wouldn't be a pretty sight on a lady, plus she would definately be the boss then



Windsurfer could be an option.............but would she learn how to tac and return to shore?.......I will give that one some thought..........

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
06/12/2007 19:27

hi tony

ive come up with a solution for you why dont you buy her a pedalow and that way she can build up her lower body rather than upper body lol

take care

erkan the tart turk

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
07/12/2007 13:21

I like your humour Ercan and new siggy block



erkan the tart turk

dy1259


Joined: 10/08/2007
Posts: 357

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 03:06

Bump it up.

AbbyG


Joined: 26/11/2007
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 15:14

ukturk:

'EXFOLIATE'!!!!!! Oh My God ............... do men exfoliate nowadays? A REAL MAN wouldn't dream of putting that muck on his face (only joking, I bet you're a pretty little thing really). At least I didn't go as far as calling you a 'tart'. That wasn't very nice of TonyH. Bet he's just jealous!!! BTW I do not get a 3 day weekend (I wish), only Friday and Saturday, back in work on Sunday. Even after 9 months I can't get my head around the fact that I'm in my office by 07.30 on a Sunday morning.

TonyH:

You make me chuckle. It's just as well you're far away in Baghdad, I bet the 'good lady' would have a really good upper body workout giving you a good bashing if she had to put up with you every day!!! Ha ha ha

dy1259:

What does 'bump it up' mean???????

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 16:17

hi abby

hope you are having a good day at work!!!!!! LOL

people do say i am a bit of a pretty boy and i dont look my age except for a few grey i mean white hairs but that makes me look distinguished lol

tony is jealous plus he is a chelsea fan where im a spurs fan so theres a bit of competion aint there mate even thou you are in cornwall with all the country pumkins i can just imagine you running thru the fields with your cider just like that bird on little house on a parrie lol

what dy1259 says by bump it up it means put this subject up to the top of the list of subjects

regards

ukturk

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 16:35

Ercan...............Chelski?...Cornwall? not I sir,



istanbulda biz besh defa kupa kazandik

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 16:41

oh yeah sorry mate

wrong tony lol its the scouser or is it the butcher from bagdad lol

im glad you still remember wot i taught you, you also got it as you webpage well done

erkan

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 16:46

also tony im not sure if you took a look at the post i posted on football thread there is a link on message 14 take a look at it i know you are football supporter tell me what you think mate is very funny

regards

erkan

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/show-message.asp?messageID=970

dy1259


Joined: 10/08/2007
Posts: 357

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 17:00

Hi AbbyG,

Just saw your question to me which UkTurk has answered. I'm trying to hide a thread I'd started, it's a nothing thread really-totally insignificant. But you can't delete threads on here so I was bumping up other threads-some of the very good ones were on previous pages-so worthwhile being bumped up.



Donna

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
09/12/2007 18:11

Good video clips mate, you are no longer a tart

AbbyG


Joined: 26/11/2007
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 08:20

dy1259:

Oh, now I get it.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 11:18

What video clips ? what is that naughty boy erkan up to now !

simbas

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 12:21

hi pat

dont worry im not being a naughty boy 'well not this time anyway!!!!! lol'

its video clips of football jokes concerning my team spurs

the way you started your post as if you was missing out on dirty video clips lol if you want ill send you some for your enjoyment if you ask me nicely!!!! LOL

regards

erkan

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 12:29

Wash your mouth out erkan ! your other half certainly has her work cut out ,you are such a handful

you be good now

regards pat

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 12:41

ok sorry pat

are you going to teach me a lesson and wash my mouth out with soap!!! lol

who told you im a handfull im more like two handfulls LOL

you are right my other half normally puts a leash on me when we got out especially if i had a few which god help us all i will do over the festive period the celebrating for us starts on the 20th dec (kurban bayram) till the 23rd then 24th- 25th -26th then new years eve and day my god im going to turn in to a monster by the end of it or i will need rehab LOL

take care

erkan

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 12:46

you are incorrigable erkan , you need your legs slapping .

regards pat

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
10/12/2007 12:57

yes i know pat

im a very mischievous boy and a big time practical joker!!!!

pat i would prefer my bum being slapped thou not my legs!!!! LOL

also congrats on your grandchild i hope you have a lovely time with all your family especially your grandchild there is nothinhg more special than seeing xmas thru a childs eyes and we see that thru our little niece who is with us in turkey this xmas, and im a big kid anyway and always enjoy xmas

regards

erkan

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
21/01/2008 12:24

ozzie see messages 3 and 4 it might help you

regards simbas

Ossie


Joined: 19/01/2008
Posts: 311

Message Posted:
21/01/2008 13:06

Thanks Simbas, now seen. I was just surprised that the figure of £1000 was mentioned. Admittedly the exchange rate has changed a lot in the past year and urturk figure of 1250 ytl may be a bit keen but not far off. As several of the replies have said it really is down to the style of living you want and as I've retired I have to adjust my living standard accordingly. All in all TonyH its cheaper here that the UK. Cheers all.

TonyH


Joined: 22/11/2007
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
22/01/2008 14:02

Thanks Ossie.



I chose £1000 as a nominal figure for respondents to say either 'no way near' or 'more than enough' to gauge average spending. some great responses and I thank you all. Tony

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
02/02/2008 18:03

mik100 see message 4

mik100


Joined: 02/02/2008
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
03/02/2008 12:53

Thanks for that info Simbas.

picks


Joined: 10/06/2007
Posts: 50

Message Posted:
03/02/2008 14:11

I know this has probably been mentioned before but please forgive me for asking,but what is the average wage per week/month in the building trade.Many thanks

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
04/02/2008 11:00

burnsy , see message 4 above

regards simbas

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
28/03/2010 14:01

We are now 2010 can anyone update the figures mentioned in post 4?

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
28/03/2010 15:11

We'd struggle to live on £1,000 a month now. More like £1200 per month now. The only way you could do this is to rarely go out. Please note that we've lived here since 2002 & then it was about £800 for 2. It's really so difficult to answer this question because it so much depends on your intended lifestyle.

Even back in 2007, our electricity bills were far higher than Uturk indicated at £760 for the year 2007. For the year ending 2009 our electricity bill was £1250 for 675 less units than in 2007.

The problem is when I see answers to questions like this, then I would suggest that people fail to factor in the annual bills & just concentrate on the monthly ones. Annual bills like Car & House Insurance, Road tax, Residency etc go through a lot of money. I have just spent nearly £500 having dental treatment too.

Many people seem to have regular trips back to the UK. & that doesn't come cheap either. I'm sure most people answering this question, leave a lot of once off expenditure out.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
28/03/2010 16:30

As money halves in value on average every 10 years, use this as a guide...