Here is an article from the voice paper in Altinkum Turkey.lt looks like l was right all along after all these years of shouting out how we are being used only without of the proper protective justice in place to help and aid the foriegner.


FOREIGN residents are leaving Didim and other coastal areas of Turkey for pastures new due to falling interest rates squeezing investments, the rising cost of living and the lack of legalised work opportunities.

Didim has been witnessing an ‘expat drain’ from a trickle in early 2010, but it now has gotten to levels where remaining expats know of at least one or two couples or families having quit the resort.

But the rush to leave the resort is also being replicated up and down the coast from Kusadasi down to Fethiye and Antalya, with many citing the same reasons.

Many cite different reasons but the one common bond is that they have lost faith or trust in the country which they called home.

One of the main reasons for quitting has been the massive drop in interest rates on savings from the levels of five years ago – at about 22 per cent – down to the present seven per cent. Turkey was seen as a lucrative place to stay permanently as foreigners were receiving small fortunes every month to spend or save.

Now they are complaining that the rates have dropped so much that their monthly return on savings is not matching the rate at which the cost of living has escalated in the last three years, particularly the residence permit costs, food and fuel costs, electricity prices and general living costs.

There is also concern about the relative high cost of health costs which could have serious implications on couples’ savings.

Many have decided to leave Turkey and return to the UK, or have upped sticks and moved to other European countries, such as Bulgaira, where the living is cheaper. Others who stay in Turkey for six to eight months are opting to stay for shorter periods – all having an impact on the local economies.

Foreign residents also cite the ongoing problems of working legally without the daily threat of fines and deportation, as well as the persistent problems related to property laws, as other reason for deciding to look for new roots.

In talking to many who are quitting, or have quit, Voices has found that most residents seem to have to lived in the resort for between four to five years before deciding to leave,. In Didim, they state that the lack of activities, infrastructure and positive developments in the resort are major factors.

Pat and Andy Orchard Webb said the main reason was economical. The Webbs first came to Didim 5 years ago on holiday and then settled here 2 years ago.

They said: “It is mainly for economical reasons that the expats leave Didim. What’s more, the British citizens cannot work here.

“Retired people put their money in the bank on high interest rate and live on that. But the interest rates have fallen considerably.

“The visas are also a factor since they keep going back to UK every year. So now they prefer EU countries like Bulgaria, because they can work there and they don’t have to worry about a visa. The houses are cheaper there, too. We have some friends who have left for these reasons.

“But this is not only affecting Didim, but also in Kuşadası and Bodrum”

Didim Vice Mayor Ahmet Karaoğlu said: “There are people who return though not the majority. The global financial crisis and the mortgage crisis in the UK put off people from buying a holiday home. We had big demand especially in 2003 and 2004 and their sales were a positive force in the market.”

Karaoğlu said, “But now some people who have already paid their deposits have backed off from buying a house. We know that it is not only in Didim, but in Bodrum and Kuşadası as well.

“Instead, they go to cheaper places like Bulgaria and Greece.”

Karaoğlu said that this would also affect tourism, since these people came on planes and booked hotels even though they did not stay at them, and the Ministry had to do something about it.

Didim Tourism Association Chairman Deniz Atabay said: “We need to discuss the reasons behind the leaving of these people as much as discussing why they came in the first place.

“There are retired people who have no monetary expectance but come here for the climate and a cheaper life and then there are those who have a more active life;
they put their money in interest and buy property to benefit from the process of Turkey going in EU.

“There is one thing for sure, those who assessed this process good and bought and sold property made a profit.”

Atabay said that the British returning home would hurt the money circulation in the district: “These people provided hot money in the district.”

Didim Chamber of Merchants and Artisans Chairman Yaşar Pektaşoğlu said their leaving would hurt businesses: “Our district needs a change but that means spending money. The merchants should undergo changes in all sectors.

“There should not be different price tags for Turkish and British. The swindling should stop. I think the British are leaving because they lost their trust. We need to sort ourselves. Some are prepared to sell their house for the price of 5 years ago”

snail - We are leaving here after 4 years for various reasons. The main reason being is the cost of living here especially if you are a Brit, Visas are especially expensive and have risen steeply during our stay here. The Germans, French and Italians have a much cheaper Visa than us and the cost has made it expensive for retired Brits living here. Brits coming back from the UK have often mentioned that food in the UK is cheaper than in Turkey, beef and lamb is the most expensive in Europe, lots of Turks only eat meat a few times a month as a result of the cost involved. We have bought groceries for our Turkish neighbours in the winter because they had no food. Electricity is also expensive, gas bottles are now the equivalent of 60 Lira for 19 litres, beef 35 Lira a kilo and lamb the same price as beef. Lots of Brits have also lost their life savings with property scams and are also looking to leave Turkey.

Discrimination is one of the biggest factors in Turkey against the foriegners that bring millions of pounds in the country.
To have a different is residenct permit and lawyer fees etc are all classed as discrimination.
Can you imagine if the immigrants were treated axeactly the same way in England.There will be riots and anarchy from the immigrants.
So it look s like one rule for them and one rule for the foriegner's that has never been a burden on their society but more of a saviour towards enriching their economy.And this is the way they treat us back.

The authorities known about this for years because just look at the many mayors involved in these scams and have so many court cases against them that have been dropped,while the victima are treated as the criminal by chasing and paying out more money to the lawyer and other charges that turns up out of no where.

The voice paper has spoken for the people,and yet there are still some out there that will not except the scale of what is happening here.This angers me so much,that even if you show them all the evidence in front of them,they will still side with the swindler.

Some of the discrimination you mention also applies to Bulgaria depending where you live so don't get it into your mind that Bulgaria is a fair place everywhere

snail wrote:

Discrimination is one of the biggest factors in Turkey against the foriegners that bring millions of pounds in the country.
To have a different is residenct permit and lawyer fees etc are all classed as discrimination.
Can you imagine if the immigrants were treated axeactly the same way in England.There will be riots and anarchy from the immigrants.
So it look s like one rule for them and one rule for the foriegner's that has never been a burden on their society but more of a saviour towards enriching their economy.And this is the way they treat us back.

The authorities known about this for years because just look at the many mayors involved in these scams and have so many court cases against them that have been dropped,while the victima are treated as the criminal by chasing and paying out more money to the lawyer and other charges that turns up out of no where.

The voice paper has spoken for the people,and yet there are still some out there that will not except the scale of what is happening here.This angers me so much,that even if you show them all the evidence in front of them,they will still side with the swindler.

cheekychops wrote:

Some of the discrimination you mention also applies to Bulgaria depending where you live so don't get it into your mind that Bulgaria is a fair place everywhere

Cheekychops is perfectly right - there is plenty of discrimination in BG as well. This is mainly against Gypsies and Turks, but by no means excludes Brits and Russians.

Why, I'd like to know are visas more expensive for Brits than Germans, for example?? I don't see that. Both are EU immigrants, so there should be no difference.

Snail's point about swindlers is largely true of BG as well, but that is changing slowly.

Why is meat so expensive? Surely the standard of living in Turkey is not that high? I believe salaries/wages are still quite low?

Regards, George.

I don't think that it is just Turkey that has suffered the exodus bug.

It has been happening here in BG as well, with many of the younger Brits going back to the UK because of the low exchange rate and the low wages that are here. Many have found that setting up a business is not easy either with all the rules and red tape . Hence maybe why some have tried to rely on work required from other Brits. Problem there is that we are all in the same boat with a low exchange rate. Therefore we go back to using BG labour as it is cheaper. Becomes a bit of a merry go round.

Before anyone goes abroad to live they must consider whether they have an income to live off, or they have a skill which is required in their new home Country which can pay enough to support their needs. Living off savings for a while until a job can be found is not a good idea, as it does not last for long. Then when people are all spent up they have nothing to go back to, no job, no home. Always think very carefully before you leap into the unknown.

Quite right, Tony about the exodus and good advice about leaping into the unknown. I would like to find out how many Brits have actually left - definitely affecting my businesses adversely however many it might be. Would be interesting to get some accurate figures on the exodus, but I don't think you can in Bulgaria.

living off savings is not a good idea unless you have a hell of a lot of them

coriolanus wrote:

Quite right, Tony about the exodus and good advice about leaping into the unknown. I would like to find out how many Brits have actually left - definitely affecting my businesses adversely however many it might be. Would be interesting to get some accurate figures on the exodus, but I don't think you can in Bulgaria.

living off savings is not a good idea unless you have a hell of a lot of them

Although we do, we try not to listen to the local gossip of who has done this and that.

But in the Yambol area there have been a few that have gone back. But as you say you will never get an accurate figure. :: As for your business being affected just keep competitive and the punters will come in.

cheekychops wrote:

Some of the discrimination you mention also applies to Bulgaria depending where you live so don't get it into your mind that Bulgaria is a fair place everywhere

Cheekychops is perfectly right - there is plenty of discrimination in BG as well. This is mainly against Gypsies and Turks, but by no means excludes Brits and Russians.

Why, I'd like to know are visas more expensive for Brits than Germans, for example?? I don't see that. Both are EU immigrants, so there should be no difference.

Snail's point about swindlers is largely true of BG as well, but that is changing slowly.

Why is meat so expensive? Surely the standard of living in Turkey is not that high? I believe salaries/wages are still quite low?

Regards, George.

As far as the Visas go pricewise, we Brits would like to know why we have to pay more, but of course the French and the Germans are Turkeys main opponent to join the EU and maybe that is the reason, a little incentive maybe!!! Cyprus has to be sorted out first of course. Why meat is so expensive here is not known, except most meat is exported to Russia and the Turks seem to like Russia. Brits also cannot work here and so unless you are retired or have a large lump of money in the bank Turkey is not your "
Place in the Sun"
. Didim is a tourist resort and that is another reason for the high prices, there is a two tier price system running for the Turks and the Brits, no prices on anything for sale, hassling to get the price down tends to be tedious. The Turkish people suffer all the high prices of food as well and they really earn low wages.

Can anyone tell us why so many Brits are moving out of the Yambol region.

itchyfeet wrote:

As far as the Visas go pricewise, we Brits would like to know why we have to pay more, but of course the French and the Germans are Turkeys main opponent to join the EU and maybe that is the reason, a little incentive maybe!!! Cyprus has to be sorted out first of course. Why meat is so expensive here is not known, except most meat is exported to Russia and the Turks seem to like Russia. Brits also cannot work here and so unless you are retired or have a large lump of money in the bank Turkey is not your "
Place in the Sun"
. Didim is a tourist resort and that is another reason for the high prices, there is a two tier price system running for the Turks and the Brits, no prices on anything for sale, hassling to get the price down tends to be tedious. The Turkish people suffer all the high prices of food as well and they really earn low wages.

Can anyone tell us why so many Brits are moving out of the Yambol region.

Aren't Brits opposed to Turkey entering the EU as well?

The Turks like Russia because a lot of Russians used to come over to do "
suitcase business"
ie buy suitcases full of stuff in Turkey to sell in Russia. Although that seems like chicken-feed, it did amount to quite a lot because of the numbers of Russians that were doing it. Also, Russian "
girls"
have traditionally been a big hit in Turkey, which is why a prostitute is quite often called a "
Natasha"
As far as I know, it is still a visa issued on the border for about USD 10 for anyone with a Russian passport?

Does the "
no-work"
rule apply to other nationalities or only Brits? If only Brits, that is hardly fair.

I didn't know a lot of Brits were moving out of the Yambol region, but if they are, I would also like to know why.

Regards, George.

coriolanus wrote:

itchyfeet wrote:

As far as the Visas go pricewise, we Brits would like to know why we have to pay more, but of course the French and the Germans are Turkeys main opponent to join the EU and maybe that is the reason, a little incentive maybe!!! Cyprus has to be sorted out first of course. Why meat is so expensive here is not known, except most meat is exported to Russia and the Turks seem to like Russia. Brits also cannot work here and so unless you are retired or have a large lump of money in the bank Turkey is not your "
Place in the Sun"
. Didim is a tourist resort and that is another reason for the high prices, there is a two tier price system running for the Turks and the Brits, no prices on anything for sale, hassling to get the price down tends to be tedious. The Turkish people suffer all the high prices of food as well and they really earn low wages.

Can anyone tell us why so many Brits are moving out of the Yambol region.

Aren't Brits opposed to Turkey entering the EU as well?

The Turks like Russia because a lot of Russians used to come over to do "
suitcase business"
ie buy suitcases full of stuff in Turkey to sell in Russia. Although that seems like chicken-feed, it did amount to quite a lot because of the numbers of Russians that were doing it. Also, Russian "
girls"
have traditionally been a big hit in Turkey, which is why a prostitute is quite often called a "
Natasha"
As far as I know, it is still a visa issued on the border for about USD 10 for anyone with a Russian passport?

Does the "
no-work"
rule apply to other nationalities or only Brits? If only Brits, that is hardly fair.

I didn't know a lot of Brits were moving out of the Yambol region, but if they are, I would also like to know why.

Regards, George.

Well, a lot of Russian girls come here in the summer to do various occupations, one of the occupations is the oldest profession in the world!!! We really don't know if Russians or other nationalities have a work visa, Brits can apply for a work visa, but in reality they never get one. Foreigners can buy a stamp for 10 pounds at the point of entry into Turkey and this is stuck in your passport, it only allows the user to a 90 day stay, the Turkish government are going to change that this year but nobody knows what they are putting in it's place. Turkey is a republic and they can do what they like, not so in the UK or Bulgaria.

Sorry itchyfeet I may have misled you. I only mentioned Yambol as it is the one place I know about. But Brits are leaving other areas in BG as well.

Quote :

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Why are they leaving.ls there something l should know about.And where are they going.

I don't think that this is a trend that is just for BG. From what we see in the news reports about Brits living abroad, who have to rely on an income from a job or a business are finding the economic down turn very hard.

Living in any Country where you have to find employment is always going to be difficult due to language barriers etc. Unless you can read and write your adopted Countries lingo. Plus the levels of pay are so much smaller than other Countries in the EU such as the UK France Germany etc. So many Bulgarians go to Greece and other EU Countries in order to earn more money.

We left Turkey in October after four years and our main reason was Boredom and missing the family, ok a few other niggles but these were the main ones but never say never and we shall be revisiting Didim and exploring Bulgaria in the future cos we do get a tad bored here as well, maybe time to think of going back to work part time??? :