I have been having a nosy around the web today. Trying to read other peoples blogs for buying property in Turkey and reviewing some forums. The reason I am espically reviewing property buying forums is because I can not help wondering if they are a good thing or a bad thing.
A first time buyer who has been searching in Google can come across one of these forums and experience one of two things. A hive of information that equips them for the buying process and living in Turkey or stories that will scare them off buying for life. One thread on a forum was named "A town built on lies and deceptions". It was focused on the resort of Altinkum and it seemed that everyone posting was experiencing doom and gloom.
As someone that lives in Altinkum all the time, it was quite depressing to read some of the posts. So the next question is are they portraying a realistic picture?. That really is not for me to say as I was not there when the experiences that they are posting about happened. I do know however that your house can be broken into where every you live in the world. I have not experienced being double charged in shops and restaurants just because I am a foreigner. I have experienced being sold dodgy goods, this is no different to the dodgy goods we used to buy from the local Delboy back in the Uk.
Do not buy a house in Altinkum thinking you are buying into some kind of Utopia. If it was then the whole world would be living here. Whether you choose to use the property as a holiday home or live here permanently there will be days when you will wish you didn't get out of bed. The local man in the shop short changing you is no different to the checkout girl in Tesco's doing it. If you think that you are being overcharged in a bar or restaurant then question the price the same you would do as in the UK. When it comes to items that do not display any prices like furniture or gold, the reason is not because they want to charge you more than the locals. The reason there is no price is, because bartering and haggling on these items is expected. If you do not haggle and end up paying the full price then it is your own fault for not learning the local customs.
If you end up joining one of these forums as well, then be prepared for the negative comments and know that negative people thrive on each other. Read the forums, take what good advice you can from it but remember that when it comes to peoples stories of day to day life in Altinkum. There is three truths. Your truth, my truth and the truth.
A first time buyer who has been searching in Google can come across one of these forums and experience one of two things. A hive of information that equips them for the buying process and living in Turkey or stories that will scare them off buying for life. One thread on a forum was named "A town built on lies and deceptions". It was focused on the resort of Altinkum and it seemed that everyone posting was experiencing doom and gloom.
As someone that lives in Altinkum all the time, it was quite depressing to read some of the posts. So the next question is are they portraying a realistic picture?. That really is not for me to say as I was not there when the experiences that they are posting about happened. I do know however that your house can be broken into where every you live in the world. I have not experienced being double charged in shops and restaurants just because I am a foreigner. I have experienced being sold dodgy goods, this is no different to the dodgy goods we used to buy from the local Delboy back in the Uk.
Do not buy a house in Altinkum thinking you are buying into some kind of Utopia. If it was then the whole world would be living here. Whether you choose to use the property as a holiday home or live here permanently there will be days when you will wish you didn't get out of bed. The local man in the shop short changing you is no different to the checkout girl in Tesco's doing it. If you think that you are being overcharged in a bar or restaurant then question the price the same you would do as in the UK. When it comes to items that do not display any prices like furniture or gold, the reason is not because they want to charge you more than the locals. The reason there is no price is, because bartering and haggling on these items is expected. If you do not haggle and end up paying the full price then it is your own fault for not learning the local customs.
If you end up joining one of these forums as well, then be prepared for the negative comments and know that negative people thrive on each other. Read the forums, take what good advice you can from it but remember that when it comes to peoples stories of day to day life in Altinkum. There is three truths. Your truth, my truth and the truth.
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