Catwoman

Hi,

This is the first time that I have registered on this site but I have viewed it several times and found some useful information. Earlier this I made two visits to Valencia, Spain with to moving there on a permanent basis, since I have a very good friend there. A friend was also going to make the move with me and we were hoping to teach English as a foreign language. However, my friend met a bloke in the UK and I could not afford to buy a house on my own.

Since I have spent many happy holidays in Turkey I have been doing some research but since I don't know anyone who lives there it's very difficult to get a feel for what life is like on a permanent basis there.

I would still like to teach English but my 18 year old son is concerned that he won't find work. He has only recently started a construction training course in the UK after being fed up of doing his A levels. He also loves Turkey but is concerned about finding work and making friends but keen to go all the same.

We have a dog, Jess, who is almost 11 yrs old now as well as to cats and they are our family! We are worried about bringing them to Turkey and it would be great to hear from people who are either my son's age or parents of teenagers around his age as well as people who have taken their pets to Turkey. I have been looking at areas around Altinkum such as Akbuk since this area suits my budget! I only have about £38,000 but I need a garden for us all!

Would love to hear from you!

Ms Who

Hi Catwoman,

Welcome to the forum.

All sounds a bit familier (apart from the animals!)

I came out last July with my 18 year old son bought a house and came back 2 weeks later to live in it. In those 2 weeks back in the UK, I managed to squeeze in a TEFL course with the intention of teaching out here. Never got round to it tho, ended up working in an Emlak (Estate Agents) as so many ex pats do. My son had not had too much trouble finding work and has had various jobs from bar work to cleaning. He now works in a clothes shop. However, to work legally out here you need a work permit and they are pretty hard to come by.

Its a big step but one I have never regretted taking.

(ps: I lived in Spain too for a year but couldnt afford to buy!)

Whatever your decision, I wish you lots of luck with it :-)

Pennie

Hi Catwoman and welcome to the forum.
A friend of mine used to teach English to the turkish students in Aydin and got a work permit for this as there is a shortage of qualified teachers in the area, but it is something you should research first.
We live just by Akbuk, that is me, my husband and daughters (16 & 18).
we have now got 5 dogs which we got here, but some friends bought their pets out with no problem. There is loads of info on here if you use the search facility on the subject.
You can still buy in Akbuk for that price, especially if you dont mind having to do some work on the property yourselves, so have a look around.
If I can be of any help, do not hesitate to ask, thats what we are here for.

Pennie xx

Lynda

You and your son can always return to UK if things do not work out but your animals can not. There are ways around this but they involve time spent with said animals in another country. Lewismark has personal experience of this so contact with him would be helpful. If your son wishes to continue with his education it is not that easy here.. he can get work illegally depends on what he wants out of life. Work on construction sites here is nearly impossible to come by, pays poorly and will not give any degrees.

puma

greetings catwoman and welcome hope you well in whatever you decide to do

Harem

Hi

I don't have a son, but I brought 3 cats with me when I moved here from England. I have since acquired three dogs and two further cats!! I don't work, either, but I know that it is near impossible to get a work permit.

Peaceplant

It is such a big step to take I think you need to come out and get a feel for the country. Is it possible to rent your home in the UK and rent a place in your desired area over here? Rents are cheap enough here in most areas especially if you pay up front for 6 months or a year (and you can haggle). Then if you both decide you love it you can use the time to leisurely search for a home and make arrangements to make the proper permanent move. Of course you will need to make arrangements for friends/family to look after you pets - until you know you are going to like it I would seriuosly consider leaving them behind just for a while.

Good luck though