Turkey |
|
|
|
IRM (international retirement migration)
|
1. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 09:29 am |
International Retirement Migration (IRM)
The transitions between each stage in the life course have become much more complex, for example, in England over the last two decades the duration and concept of ‘working life’ has changed. Significant numbers of men and women nowadays retire before the state pension age as well as they can retire later than the date the state implemented for them. This retired population generally prefer to move rural areas3 or abroad4 as alternative lining places. This second migration movement generally takes place in direction from north to the south.5 The European people and retired citizens mostly prefer the destinations, typically in Mediterranean coastal regions like Spain, Greece, Italy and Turkey, nowadays. A noteworthy work of Irene Hardill et al. in a paper titled “Retirement migration” issues English speaking migrants who retire to Spain. They concluded that in northern European countries like Britain, the older adults approach legal retirement age in England, the more expectations for further lives. One half of men and one third of women now retire before the state pension age. They became desperate as a result of this insipid situation. Migration to Spain has been perceived to offer value for money because property is cheaper than in the UK, and the life costs are less. This is coupled with the warm climate to make it a popular destination but this is only part of the story as some older people currently living in Spain, who have lived there for some considerable length of time, are unable to address their own needs, either as a result of health problems or lack of finance. Dwyer’s study, employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, is another influential work in the field. The study was conducted in the coastal region of Costa Blanca in Spain. Scandinavians in the area were interviewed and asked to fill in a questionnaire. This study shows that the main motives for Scandinavians migrating south following retirement are the climate, economic issues, health reasons and life cycle issues. After careful consideration, the elders decide to move to the other countries for various reasons rather than just one. The study also shows that two main factors drive the market for housing for migrants from northern Europe in the Mediterranean coasts: the rise in international retirement migration (IRM) and a rising demand from older people who already live in the area. This study has also shown that coincidence affects many of the choices and decisions about migration. Dwyer identifies two different groups of retired European Union migrants: the ‘post-retirement migrants’ and the ‘returnees’. The first group are those who migrate to a second country following retirement. The second group is nationals of one state who had migrated to another state and then return to their country of origin. The returnees group can itself be further differentiated into two subgroups: ‘returning workers’ and ‘returning retirees’. All in all, taking benefiting from a better climate and enjoying the sunshine as one element of a healthier, happier lifestyle appear to be the main reasons behind the motives of IRM’s from northern and Western Europe preferred to settle in Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. 9 Still, it should be kept in mind that these people can not be considered as homogeneous group. IRM’s with different ages have different desires and needs and their feeling about the host country significantly differs across the general group. When it comes to the IRM’s in Turkey, studies on the subject remain insufficient. For this reason, taking the similarities between Turkey and the other countries of the Mediterranean coast into consideration, the findings of the studies, conducted in those countries were used to gain insight. What is more, the reason for moving to these Mediterranean countries resembles, the studies on those countries are helpful for the academic research and work in Turkey.
Demographic Information about the IRM’s in Turkey One needs to have demographic information of the settled foreigners to conduct a research on this group. Yet gaining an insight regarding the issue is not always an easy task to achieve. First of all, the settled foreigners do not acquire a residence permit. They can choose to stay in the country having just a tourist visa and it is easy to extend the duration of this visa. Since they are not registered in as official residents; it is very hard to follow their traces from bill accounts since they do not have accounts as well as a result of their unregistered position. National police records were used to shed some light on the subject in this regard. According to the National Police Records on 1st March 2007 there were 202,085 foreign holders of residence permits in Turkey who can be grouped under different headings for example in terms of the places they live in, the highest number of foreign residents in any one place is the 106,156 in Istanbul; followed by Bursa with 16,772; Antalya with 13,832 and Ankara with 12,157. In terms of reason to stay they can vary for work and study, according to their origin from the total number of residence permit holders 93,724 were from EU countries. Bulgaria has the highest representation with 51,787; next comes Germany with 9,902 and thirdly Britain with 7,940. As a matter of interest the EU country with the least residence permit holders in Turkey is Luxembourg, which has a mere 3 citizens holding permits.
Reasons for Settling in Turkey Mild climate, sea, sun and low cost of living appear to be the main reasons to settle in Turkey for those IRM’s coming from western and northern Europe states. There are now significant numbers of British, Dutch, German and Scandinavian citizens settled along Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts; many of these migrants having originally discovered Turkey as a holiday destination. For long years, ‘settled tourism’ is considered as limited to Spain, Greece and Italy. Interest in Turkey is relatively new when considered in this context. After Turkey discovered its potential at the beginning of 1990s, it became one of the primary destinations for the older citizens of “colder European countries”. Retired people can enjoy a healthy, comfortable, better life on the shores of Turkey. Turkey, making significant progress in the accession process of EU membership, seems to have become more attractive not only for settled foreigners but also for tourists. 11 All in all, main reasons for settling in Turkey can be listed as below: For its climate, sun and sea (generally foreigners who come from northern European countries) For close personal relations To set up a business For employment For its cheaper prices (for example, with the pension, a retired person can live better in Turkey than in England, Germany, etc.) Subsidies of European Countries (For example United Kingdom encourage its retired citizens to move to another country because of the cost of living in United Kingdom. Retiring means getting older and health care costs increase when people get older. So, in countries where health care is very expensive, government instigate elder people to move to cheaper countries.)
See also: an executive report
|
|
2. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 11:37 am |
A very interesting article.
The migration of retirees to Spain is backfiring on occasions, with the massive fall in house prices due to the recession, therefore people wishing to repatriate to the UK are in effect stuck with worthless properties. Also illness in older age is a problem because there is no national health system like the one left behind in the UK. Also the laws on owning houses in Spain are much more complicated and they can be bulldosed by authorities if there are plans for new roads etc.
But thanks, very interesting!
|
|
3. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 11:43 am |
someone retire me now and send to spain. i need more sun.
|
|
4. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 04:23 pm |
Settling permanently in a luxury cruise liner when retirement comes is strongly recommended. The price may seem high at first, but consider some of the benefits.
1. No more gas or electricyr bills, internal telephones free of charge,
2. No more laundry bills, your room is tidied up by others,
3. Ship´s doctor is at your call, any time of the day,
4. Good food, elegantly served for all meals, free booze included,
5. Healthy environment, plenty of fresh air.
6. Interesting people to meet, no permanent committments,
7. Constantly changing view, new excitements at every new port,
8. Very active social life, balls, parties, bingo, bridge every night,
Are you not convinced yet?
Edited (3/9/2009) by AlphaF
Edited (3/9/2009) by AlphaF
Edited (3/9/2009) by AlphaF
|
|
5. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 04:39 pm |
alpha, are you advertising your business or what?
Settling permanently in a luxury cruise liner when retirement comes is strongly recommended. The price may seem high at first, but consider some of the benefits.
1. No more gas or electricyr bills, internal telephones free of charge,
2. No more laundry bills, your room is tidied up by others,
3. Ship´s doctor is at your call, any time of the day,
4. Good food, elegantly served for all meals, free booze included,
5. Healthy environment, plenty of fresh air.
6. Interesting people to meet, no permanent committments,
7. Constantly changing view, new excitements at every new port,
8. Very active social life, balls, parties, bingo, bridge every night,
Are you not convinced yet?
|
|
6. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 04:41 pm |
Settling permanently in a luxury cruise liner when retirement comes is strongly recommended. The price may seem high at first, but consider some of the benefits.
1. No more gas or electricyr bills, internal telephones free of charge,
2. No more laundry bills, your room is tidied up by others,
3. Ship´s doctor is at your call, any time of the day,
4. Good food, elegantly served for all meals, free booze included,
5. Healthy environment, plenty of fresh air.
6. Interesting people to meet, no permanent committments,
7. Constantly changing view, new excitements at every new port,
8. Very active social life, balls, parties, bingo, bridge every night,
Are you not convinced yet?
What about sea sickness? And have you never had that feeling that you want to get off - just because you can´t!!
|
|
7. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 04:53 pm |
What about sea sickness? And have you never had that feeling that you want to get off - just because you can´t!!
no worries, alpha the dudu guru will comfort you anytime you feel sick
|
|
8. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 06:02 pm |
What about sea sickness? And have you never had that feeling that you want to get off - just because you can´t!!
See items 3 and 7.....need more explanation?
|
|
9. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 06:07 pm |
Settling permanently in a luxury cruise liner when retirement comes is strongly recommended. The price may seem high at first, but consider some of the benefits.
1. No more gas or electricyr bills, internal telephones free of charge,
2. No more laundry bills, your room is tidied up by others,
3. Ship´s doctor is at your call, any time of the day,
4. Good food, elegantly served for all meals, free booze included,
5. Healthy environment, plenty of fresh air.
6. Interesting people to meet, no permanent committments,
7. Constantly changing view, new excitements at every new port,
8. Very active social life, balls, parties, bingo, bridge every night,
Are you not convinced yet?
plus,
9. Free internet connection,
10. Permanent good weather (unless you have an idiot for a Captain)
11. Chance to kick aggressive, ungrateful, question asking, old ladies silently overboard......and get away with it
Edited (3/9/2009) by AlphaF
|
|
10. |
09 Mar 2009 Mon 08:06 pm |
alpha, are you advertising your business or what?
Dont be over enthusiastic...."balls" in Item 8 means big social gatherings.
|
|
|