Turkish Living Forums - View Single Post - living the dream ? or killing the dream ?

A very interesting topic Dave and moving abroad is certainly not something that should be taken lightly. You see couples on these 'Place in the Sun' and 'Re-location' programmes contemplating moves to places they have never even been to [:0] Something that i just can't understand.

For oursleves, living abroad is something both of us have always wanted to do, both independantly before we met and now together as we share the same dream. It has only been our careers and pension schemes that have held us back but, all being well, our dream is now less than 18 months away

It was only recently that we decided upon Turkey, having visited on numerous occasions over a number of years and made many Turkish friends. For us, it was not so much about the place but more the people, culture and values etc. which we know will suit us and that we will be able to fit in with.

I think a big thing many people miss are their family, friends and a social life. It must be difficult to move to a country knowing no-one, lacking the language skills etc. and I can impagine would be a very lonely existance.

When we decided upon Turkey being our future home, we visited in the winter months (we have done so twice now) and also visted a bigger city to experience the people in another area of Turkey i.e. not just a holiday resort. We were reassured on both counts and in fact surprised ourselves by loving the place more in the winter than in summer i.e. we loved the tranquility, different pace of life and being able to spend quality time with people. By doing this we have also experienced the worst of the weather i.e. torrential rain for 6 out of 7 days and this still didn't put us off.

I would advise anyone to do the same, as there is a stark difference to a place in and out of season. We also don't want to move to 'little England' as so many ex pats seem to want to do. Whilst having some English friends and neighbours will be OK - we predominately want to mix with Turkish people and integrate ourselves into the culture etc. - when in Rome .... or in this case Turkey [8D]

21st May 2005, 23:38	#6
Lindy Senior Member	A very interesting topic Dave and moving abroad is certainly not something that should be taken lightly. You see couples on these 'Place in the Sun' and 'Re-location' programmes contemplating moves to places they have never even been to [:0] Something that i just can't understand. For oursleves, living abroad is something both of us have always wanted to do, both independantly before we met and now together as we share the same dream. It has only been our careers and pension schemes that have held us back but, all being well, our dream is now less than 18 months away It was only recently that we decided upon Turkey, having visited on numerous occasions over a number of years and made many Turkish friends. For us, it was not so much about the place but more the people, culture and values etc. which we know will suit us and that we will be able to fit in with. I think a big thing many people miss are their family, friends and a social life. It must be difficult to move to a country knowing no-one, lacking the language skills etc. and I can impagine would be a very lonely existance. When we decided upon Turkey being our future home, we visited in the winter months (we have done so twice now) and also visted a bigger city to experience the people in another area of Turkey i.e. not just a holiday resort. We were reassured on both counts and in fact surprised ourselves by loving the place more in the winter than in summer i.e. we loved the tranquility, different pace of life and being able to spend quality time with people. By doing this we have also experienced the worst of the weather i.e. torrential rain for 6 out of 7 days and this still didn't put us off. I would advise anyone to do the same, as there is a stark difference to a place in and out of season. We also don't want to move to 'little England' as so many ex pats seem to want to do. Whilst having some English friends and neighbours will be OK - we predominately want to mix with Turkish people and integrate ourselves into the culture etc. - when in Rome .... or in this case Turkey [8D]