What if beachfront living didn’t require a multimillion-dollar budget?
For Dan and Kathleen, a couple from Raleigh, North Carolina, the idea of retiring by the sea once seemed out of reach. High coastal property prices pushed them to think beyond familiar options… and eventually led them to Northern Cyprus.
Rethinking The Cost Of Coastal Living
“We started looking around the U.S., but it’s very expensive to live near the beach here,” Dan says. “So, we thought we should look at every beach everywhere.”
Through a Live And Invest Overseas webinar, they were introduced to Northern Cyprus.
Kathleen recalls being struck by what she saw. “We just couldn’t believe the beauty of the region or the beauty of the project that we invested in. It was beyond our wildest dreams.”
Dan adds, “We knew what we wanted, and what we could get for our budget was unbelievable. When people see the place they’ll fall in love with it.”
Note: Homes are still available at the development that Dan and Kathleen invested in starting at $101k. We’re hosting a webinar on May 6 to go over the options. Click here to register.
They decided to visit in person. During their trip, they toured the development featured in the webinar, met the local team, and spent time exploring the area.
“The people were great. We loved the property,” says Kathleen. “There are other buildings already established, and people are already living there—Americans, Canadians, and Swedes…”
They also found it easy to navigate everyday life. “Most people speak English. We haven’t had any problems ordering meals or getting hotels or transportation,” she adds.
They’ve now made three visits to Northern Cyprus, including two extended visits where they rented a car and experienced what day-to-day life is like there.
A Lifestyle Upgrade
The development they chose offers existing amenities and plans for future expansion.
“The location is beautiful, and there are plans for continued growth… including a private yacht pier, a health clinic, a shopping center, etc.,” says Kathleen. “It also has amenities that are already available—spas and indoor and outdoor pools.”
Their specific property is a penthouse with a roof terrace. “We have a great architect who’s putting in a pool, a spa, and a kitchen up on the terrace,” Kathleen says.
For Dan, part of the appeal was the newness of it all. “For once in my life, I’ll be living in something that’s brand new,” he says. “All the appliances will match. It’s a dream; it really is.”
The Purchase Process
Buying property in Northern Cyprus is straightforward. “Live And Invest Overseas’s local contact bent over backwards for us as we arranged our finances,” says Dan. “I couldn’t say anything better about the developer.”
The support doesn’t end when the purchase is complete. Kathleen notes the ongoing communication. “They’ve introduced us to a superior legal team, and they’ve been very communicative. We can WhatsApp them, and they’ll get right back to us.
While the experience has been mostly positive, there were some challenges…
“The least fun part of the adventure was making the international wire transfers,” says Dan.
“You kind of launch the money into the webosphere, and if you didn’t get those numbers absolutely correct, your money’s going someplace and you’re never going to find it. That didn’t happen to us, but it’s something that people need to be aware of.”
Planning The Move
The finishing touches are now being put on Dan and Kathleen’s beachfront penthouse, and they’re planning on making the move to Northern Cyprus this summer.
They’re currently working out the logistics of moving home. They plan to ship a standard 20-foot international container to Cyprus to move their household goods, although they’re also downsizing in the meantime.
They already have visions for how they’ll spend their free time in their new home. Through their property contacts, they’ve met a massive local family who has “adopted” them as honorary members…
Dan has already identified the Rotary Club he wants to join. Kathleen is looking forward to regional travel, including trips to Istanbul and elsewhere in Europe. “We like this area, and it’s easy to travel regionally,” she says.
Advice For Other Considering The Move
Kathleen emphasizes the practical steps. “First of all, get in contact with Live And Invest Overseas’ local contact on the ground. Second, do your own research from reliable sources and don’t listen to naysayers.”
She also recommends visiting in person. “The last thing I would say is go visit. Once you see the place, you’ll fall in love.”
Retiring overseas isn’t for everyone… but it certainly makes sense for Dan and Kathleen.
Who else could it make sense for? “Retired military like us—people who have traveled and are resourceful,” they say. “It could also make sense for self-employed entrepreneurs, people who are independent and open-minded…”
Looking Ahead
Dan and Kathleen’s new home is situated on the west coast, a rapidly developing area of Northern Cyprus. They look forward to watching the area grow while they settle into their new home by the Mediterranean. “I’m a fanatic for watching construction projects,” says Dan.
They envision a quiet lifestyle. They’ll spend their days sitting on their balcony looking out over the Mediterranean… reading, relaxing on the beach, and going for walks…
Dan has plans to write a book, and Kathleen is bringing paint and other art supplies over from home. “I can sit on the beach all day long, so I’m not worried about running out of things to do,” says Dan. “And we love to travel.”
For Kathleen, the appeal is simpler. “I love the water,” she says. “We’re going to be surrounded by pools and spas and the Mediterranean.”
To smooth travels and successful property buys,
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Property Alert