Hi Braymond5,



I will agree with everything you stated. I too have to let my wife go out on her own if I know that what we need is going to incur the "yabanci tax" (I like that). It's a shame because I do want to get involved in everyday life but sometimes it's better for the bank that I stay in doors.



I do also think however that it does depend on where you live in Izmir as to whether YT is added or not. Sometimes the price is automatically higher depending on the amount of people (Turk or not) that can afford to live there. Thats not a dig at the zengin areas of Izmir it's just the Turks don't miss a trick.



Hi Kara,



Maybe we should have a funny true stories page set up. Obviously you have a few. I really thought they were actual Turkish jokes.



Holy

I should also point out though, this stuff doesn't (didn't) just happen in Izmir. I actually think Izmir is pretty neat, I like it.



I know that I am gonna like it a lot more in the summer.



As far as the Tourist Tax thing goes, I expected that to a certain degree. I have experienced that everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I have experienced that in the USA, England and so on. It is just the luck of the draw.



However, I would not be honest if I said that Turkey has been no worse than the other places I have lived or visited. Turkey is a lot worse, and there seems to be an attitude of "if you don't like what I have done, screw you! The cops will believe me! I am Turkish". I find that sad. Really, this is a shame. Turkey could be so much more than it is, and the only thing really letting it down is SOME (not all) of the people....although that some is a damn sight more than all of the other countries I have visited put together.



I just got my electricity bill....over $200 for two weeks! Acording to my landlord!



The exhausting part through all of this is knowing that this will never end, and regardless of which shop I go into or what person I deal with (concerning $), it will always be this way.



I will just have to get used to it the same as everyone else, as I am here for three years.....or should I say 2 years and 9 months and around 5 days and I will count the minutes later.



:-)

By the way, can anyone let me know what approx rates are for electricity, through the three levels and what times they kick in through the day and night?



Cheers in advance.

$200 for 2 weeks of electric seems high to me as on average ours is about $50 YTL a month.You can find out the rates for electricity here but it is in turkish.



http:\www,tedas.gov.tr/1.html

Prices as of November 2005



Utilities

Prices are inclusive of taxes.



Electricity 1st tariff - 7am - 5pm

kw/h 0.14 Tl



Electricity 2nd Tariff - 5pm - 10pm

kw/h 0.24 Tl



Electricity 3rd Tariff - 10pm - 7am

kw/h 0.08 Tl

Kara_Kurtis, unfortunately it seems as if you didn't read your electricity meter when you moved in to ensure the meter reading. This is an old problem - regardless how it happens or when, you end up paying for prior usage if you don't verify the meter reading. This also goes for water meters.

Azra..thank you.



Ronald, I have to confess you are correct. I had someone in my employment read it for me, who now turns out to be on the take from my property manager.



I guess I shall just roll with it for this month and keep a close eye on it from now on.....lol



Turkey leason 10014 learned. Hardway....tick!



Onto leason 10015...lol



I get my water for free (not sure how) apparently.



...................................................................



Regarding other issues. My property manager keeps sending workmen to my house without notice or appointment. Is this normal here? I have never come across this before, and regardless of how many times I instruct him to make an appointment, he just keeps sending them out. He sent them on Christmas Eve, New Years day and alternating days before and after.



In fact, he has sent them so often that one of the workers seems to now have my husbands cell, our home and my mobile phone number and seems to think there is a reason to call me.....which I find discomforting.



Thanks guys and girls.

Quote: Originally posted by Saida on 14.09.2005

---

Hello to all of you,



my name is Saida i am German.

At first sorry for may bad language. I thing the last time i had to write in english was at school.

My husband and me (and also my little son Max) are planning to move to Izmir in 2006/03.

Last week we spent some time in Izmir to look for a house.

I dind't thought it would become so difficult.

Do you really have to pay 1500 EUR per mounth for a house??????????

I would like to know were all the other Expats are living.

I thing it would become easy to get in contact if other Expats are living next door.

Thank you Saida

---

Hi my name is Nathalie, I am from Australia and live in Alsancak. The nice thing about Alsancak is being able to walk by the sea but I have not had much luck finding other expats. 1500 Euros per month is too much!!!! If you look in Summer you might have more chance as demand drops as everyone goes to Cesme etc.

Best of luck with your hosue hunting!

Nathalie

Hi Saida,



I am a native who lived in Germany and moved back to Izmir a few weeks ago. I had no problem finding a really nice place in a good neighborhood for less than € 400!! No kidding.. Don't get ripped off.. I would be glad to help (auch auf Deutsch) if you let me know of your preferences as to where in Izmir you would like to live and how big of a place you are looking for.. € 1500 is a lot, well reasonable for a mansion if that is what you are looking for..

Gruss,



Levent

Note: Last thing fýrst. I haven’t written at Mymerhaba quite for sometime. So, this will be one in a long while. Also, some parts of my message will annoy my people, yet I will be telling the truth FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. I am Turkish, married to a foreigner, living in Ankara. Below, there are some excerpts from people in this forum and my responses after them. I hope it will be helpful rather than complaining.



Kara_Kurtis: Is driving in Turkey really as bad as I read in Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and various web sites?



Corsa:

Driving is HELL in Turkey! You will see better or worse areas, when compared to each other. But in general, it is sth that you will never be able to understand.



As a Turk born in this country (proud to be one of them, but not a foolish one!), I have never been able to understand the logic behind my people’s thinking when driving. BUT, let me tell you this. There is NO thinking when they drive! This is the exact point that you should keep in mind. Unless you forget that the Turkish drivers do not really think about what is wrong or right, you will survive. It is how it is. To me? I care about not getting involved in the accident, letting some fools pass when its green to me (vs. Being hit from sides), and appreciate every single day with no accident.



Intimidation? Yes, respond with intimidation, if you dare to get your of the car and have your sticks ready to fight. I am not talking about fictional scenarios. I am talking REAL! It happened to me, Twice! One alone and the other with my wife. As the other drive was drunk and very much scared of my stick in my hand (in second time), he had to just apologize to me and walk away kindly. And I will not tell how I responded to him. Didn’t I make a mistake by letting him go? Definitely. You just cannot assess the situation very much correctly sometime, especially if it happens to you. Also note that I am talking about traffic in Ankara.



Kara_Kurtis: As for your comment on the Aston, would a BMW 330I be ok? My hubby is a bit worried about that.



Corsa: BMW 330I is Ok, but be prepared for higher prices when you intend to go some places, or go shopping. People will determine “your” price based on what kinda “car” you drive around. (Not ALL people are like that of course. There are real professionals indeed. YET, we are talking about the majority. Therefore, be prepared for the majority. Not noting this would be an insult, also, for myself, as being a Turk. Yet, even in my case, I tell my wife, who is foreign, to be quiet when we go shopping especially in some touristic areas. Then, go figure how much your BMW is ok).



As a hint for your safety, keep in mind that you are not driving ONLY your car. You should also “be driving” the car on your right, left, back and front (makes 5 cars including yours eh?). If you get confuse, use your danger lights, it’ll confuse them and will buy you time. Strange? Well, it works for me, especially when I’m around an unknown neighborhood.



See the next message for the rest of my reply.

Don’t get intimidated by Taxis. They will slide towards you while they drive on your left/right. Also, they will imitate not realizing your presence there. Make them realize! Stay On your lane, don’t try avoiding him, because it might put you into a difficult situation if there is anything on your other side (pedestrians, children, a temporarily parked car etc.) Believe me, cab drivers love their cars as much as you love yours. Each time you stay firm on your position, they will compromise (even get unexpectedly surprised and stare at you, - being p.ssed off-).



Kara_Kurtis: I have to say though, I am shocked. I have lived all over the world, and visited some dumps in my time (Honduras being one of them). But nothing prepares you for this place.



Corsa: Well, every place will have its own problems, especially if you are stepping into a new culture. I stayed almost 3,5 months in Italy, and I almost took me that long till I used to the structure there. Italy, being really famous with their constructions, was little different and it made me feel different enough to go through some problems.



My first 3 months in the US was completely shock, since I wasn’t used to different environment, structure, people, traffic and whatever you can name. It is ALWAYS hard to get used to it in the beginning. However,



My point here is: We have some serious problems in dealing with issues/people. Anyone, as a Turk, who disagrees with this idea should remember what kinda difficulties they had to go trough when finding/renting a place and/or dealing with real estate people every once in a while in their lives. I guess, it is out of question. YET, you are living in a relatively better area. Especially Urla should be a moderate place when compared to Ankara’s absolute chaos in many things. Nothing prepares you for this place. You see this place by yourself, and prepare yourself, bitter bu true.



Another point that I want to make here is: EU membership process is complex enough, that cannot be tied only to your bad experience with people and other stuff. There are worse places (of course, not all of it) that are preparing to enjoy the EU membership soon (Romania, Bulgaria if you name a few). The EU membership process seems hard, not only because of your points, but also some many other that would take too long to discuss here. I agree with you, yet you cover only partially, which -in turn- turns into being perceived hating this country (and maybe even people). I guess that is the main reason that many of them disagreed with you in this thread in that regard.



And you are right about your “convo’s” (conversations). I am not denying it.



Hint: When you are in Rome, do as Romans do (if you want to survive).



See the next one for part III :)

AzraCansel: Are you sure you are living in Turkey? I can't believe you live in Turkey as I live in Izmir (Gaziemir to be exact) and I have NEVER encountered anything like this.The treatment I have received from all Turks so far is one of honesty, helpfulness and sincerity.Turks are willing to give you the shirt off their backs if you need it and I have never been or felt like I have been taken advantage of in any way by any Turk.And I don't mean just in Izmir as I have travel all over the western half of Turkey with the same treatment where ever I went.    

                         

Corsa: Really? Really really? Are you living on the moon Azra. HolyJoeMuttley made an exact point about me, being a Turk and complaining about the same thing exactly. He’s right. You must be the luckiest person then, no offense. We are such a nation that gives half of our bread even to our enemies when we fought (see memoirs regarding Canakkale Straits in the history), YET sell you sth “little” overpirced we come to understanding that you are foreigner in this country (assuming that you are making good money – which is absolutely irrelevant!).



Another point is that you state that you were never treated like that before. I assume that you are Turkish like me and did not pick this Turkish name as a nickname :) Of course, it won’t happen to you most probably, because you are not foreigner. The potensial issue starts when people realize that you are foreigner. As another detail, travelling in western Turkey is not enough. Experience the East as well! :)))



NOTE: Of course, everybody makes the same point which I agree with. Not all Turks are like that, trying to overprice the same thing for a foreigner, or trick you (which happened to me in Italy when visiting Pisa Tower). That is absolutely out of question. Yet, I do not understand how we CANNOT convey our potential into something much better.

Car crime, its the same where ever you go in the world, but saying that iv never seen a car sitting by the side of the road with its window smashed for the radio,



But i would always say, Dont let anyone see what you have in the car, what they cant see that cant take, or be tempted to take,



Drivers, God will protct them, or so they think, i always give plenty of room to the drive in front, and if some wally drives up my bum he soon learns that my break lights work and i slow down, followed by the paddinton bear look in the mirror, steady and slowly is the way forward in Turkey, Expect the un-expectable!



And stay away from anything with a back number plate, your not covered if you in an accedent, even if its there fault, so make sure you have your own insurance, FULL!