Living in Turkey.... Costs.... - Page 2

merlin · 18th June 2005, 23:49

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by blossom

really great info Merlin, have you thought about writing a book with all of your info in[?] sure it would be a bestseller[8D]
Whilst we have a wood burner, is it possible to get one that you can open from the front to put your wood into and also to empty[?] it,s just that we have a lovely big fireplace and would like to set the stove into it.

Blossom thanks,

a book? I have been here nearly 6 years and still learning the "ways".

I would personally forget the front loader idea, been there and enquired myself for aesthetic purposes. But it will cost you a small fortune and will not provide the same output you would get from a top loading woodburner.

One thing I have learnt in winter is not to be worried about how your house/apartment looks, design it best to suit the people that are living there.

No disrespect, but us Brits do worry so much about neighbours turning up and casting an opinion.

All Turkish who have "any" sense do the same. Small room, nicely carpeted, small Turkish eating table on the floor, television and a nice warm top loading woodburner.

I would recommend you bring over a smoke detector(s) as they are around 10 pounds here and pretty rubbish.

Merv!

merlin · 19th June 2005, 00:12

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by KDofCarlsbad
<br>Nice article Merv![^] We hope to retire in Turkey in 2-3 years and live there semi-permanently. You give an insightful persective. We were thinking we'd just hangout for our 1st year over there and then settle somewhere. Probably we'd find a niche of our own. Good tips on saving money, I'll use them. Thanks, Umit

I still maintain its better to rent for a 3-6 month period in your selected area and use that time to see whether its really the "ideal" location to invest in a property.

In another post I made, we rented on a site where unbeknown to us before we signed, the mains water was sea water and as the site had little money there would be little chance in getting it changed to pure water for many years. Had we bought, how gutted would we have been?

In Turkey, theres so many suprises and more often than not I hear stories of peril rather than stories of glee and happiness.

Stick with this forum and you will not go far wrong!

Merv!

petenic · 19th June 2005, 01:32

What an excellent article Merv. Just purchased a couple of apartments in Altinkum and will be looking to live over there in a couple of years a true insight from a Brit who lives there is a godsend. Well done!

Pete and Nicki

merlin · 19th June 2005, 01:34

Hey thanks Pete!

Merv!

teresa · 19th June 2005, 01:53

I must admit I find myself saying to my husband "Merv said...."
keep up the good work.

Teresa

merlin · 19th June 2005, 02:06

I better keep my distance from Fethiye then!

Merv!

blossom · 19th June 2005, 02:13

Understand what your saying Merv about appreances, but not really to worried about that, so long as we are nice and warm that is what is most important, but having fought tooth and nail to keep the fireplace in tact, it would be nicer if we could find a stove to fit in it, rather then having the stove half way into the room.

I have the same problem Theresa

merlin · 19th June 2005, 02:19

Then in my opinion you really must buy from somewhere like Izmir as it is likely that in the tourist areas no shop will know what on earth you are talking about and even if they do manage to offer a brochure where you can order it is even more unlikely that anyone will be qualified to install.

Please consider the health and safety aspects because in Turkey, everyone will claim to be an expert if theres money involved and the chimmney systems here are really only designed for the odd B-B-Q.

We have a very nice fireplace but have put a design of dried flowers inside and then perspex covered it.

If you do go down the alternative route, I would be happy to oversee the planning for you.

Merv!