For those considering re-locating to a warmer climate, understanding more about life in the area can be of enormous help, not only when making the final decision to buy your dream home but also in helping you and your family settle in and become one of the locals.

To help you decide whether Alanya is the right place for you, we've gathered the most commonly asked questions about life in the town as well as some questions about Turkey in general :

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• How do Turkish locals feel about foreign residents ?

You'll find that the majority of Turkish locals are happy to have foreign people living in their midst and enjoy the cosmopolitan air that has settled over the town.

When speaking to ex-pats who have settled in Alanya, almost all say that the Turkish locals have been very kind and hospitable towards them and have made lots of friends, both Turkish and foreign, in their new neighbourhoods.

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• Can I take my pets when I re-locate ?

Turkish law states that 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 bird and 10 aquarium fish may be taken into the country. However, before being allowed entry they will need :

1) A 'certificate of origin' that includes the health record of the animal, and

2) A 'certificate of health' issued no more than 15 days before the animal's entry into the country. This certificate must state that the animal is in good health and has been vaccinated against rabies.

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• Can we have our furniture shipped to Turkey ?

Yes, several companies can arrange this for you with prices based on square metres.

However, unless your furniture is particularly valuable to you, it probably wouldn't be worthwhile as an average sized property can be furnished to show home standard for between £5,000 - £10,000.

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• What is the level of medical care like ?

Medical and dental care in Alanya is extremely good. Several English speaking GPs and purpose-built private hospitals can be found in the region.

It's advisable that ex-patriots take out private medical insurance to cover the cost of bills although this isn't an absolute must.

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• Is there any danger of earthquakes ?

Turkey has 5 areas of earthquake definition ranging from area 1, where there's the greatest likelihood of an earthquake occurring, to area 5 where there is very little likelihood. Alanya is situated in area 4. This means that there is some chance of an earthquake occurring in the area but that the chance is minimal.

However, property owners in Alanya and surrounding areas are obliged to have seismic damage covered by their insurance.

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• Are there any English speaking schools in the area ?

There are two private schools in Alanya, both of which offer a high level of education with some lessons in English.

Both schools have pupils from a variety of European countries including Holland, Russia, Denmark, Finland and the UK.

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• Is the Turkish language difficult to learn ?

This is a difficult question to answer as no two people are alike. However, the majority of those who have re-located to Turkey say that it's relatively easy to pick up enough of the spoken language to be understood in villages where English isn't generally spoken but that the written language can be more difficult to master.

Children, especially, are very adaptable and learn the language quickly. It isn't unusual to see foreign and Turkish children playing together in a very natural and relaxed manner with banter being quickly and eloquently exchanged, even though the foreign child hasn't lived in Alanya for more than a year or so.

As English is widely spoken in Alanya and the smaller, surrounding towns, language is rarely a problem although joining a class will not only help you learn, it's also a good way of meeting others in the same situation as yourself.

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• Should I use a Turkish bank or keep my UK/Irish bank account open ?

It's advisable to open a Turkish bank account for your day-to-day banking needs but it may be wise to keep your UK/Irish bank account open as loans are extremely expensive when taken through Turkish banks. Luckily, most banks have an Internet service that makes long-distance banking easy to manage.

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• Is there much crime in Alanya ?

No more so than in any other large town and less than in many comparable places.

Any crime that takes place in Alanya is most likely to be of the petty variety. In other words, theft from the person (handbag snatching, pick-pocketing etc), burglary and car theft. However, most major towns in the UK tend to experience a higher rate of crime than Alanya so for those re-locating to the town, the problems associated with crime will generally be lower than what they're used to 'back home'.

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• What's the work situation like for foreign nationals in Alanya ?

That depends entirely on the type of work you'd like.

Numerous full-time foreign residents have chosen to retire as they're able to manage on a much smaller income in Turkey than would have been in the case in their home country. However, ex-pats can often be an asset to the Alanya's tourist industry and many have started their own very successful businesses.

Work permits can be obtained from the 'Ministry of Labour and Social Security' (Calisma ve Sosyal Guvenlik Bakanligi).

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• How long are foreign nationals allowed to legally stay in Turkey ?

You'll initially be issued with a 3-month tourist visa on arrival after which you'll need to either apply for a resident's permit or leave the country for at least 24 hours.

If you choose to leave for 24 hours, a trip to Northern Cyprus, only 3 hours away by ferry, is a popular choice amongst ex-patriots.

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• There's a half-built property close to the one I'd like. How long will I have to live near a 'building site' ?

Firstly, as one of the only Mediterranean countries to take the needs of holiday makers into consideration, Turkish law prohibits building work to take place in tourist areas during the peak tourist season (May - September). Anybody who has ever had their holiday disturbed by the noise and dust from a building site will appreciate just what a difference this law makes to the average tourist looking for a relaxing week or two in the sun.

Secondly, due to high interest rates on loans, Turkish families will generally need to build their homes in stages. By that we mean that they build a part of the home and then leave it while they save for the next part. It's important to remember that although property is very reasonably priced for those on a typical British income, for native Turkish people, building a house can be a financial struggle.

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We hope that you've found this information valuable. Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll do our best to find the answers for you.