we know someone who we class as a friend now. he has been so helpful since we got apartments last year. he arranged solicitors/translator for us and our friends.he charges £40 each way (per car ).he can organise cleaning and does maintenance in winter for people. he holds a key to our and friends apartments. he has been able to help us with doctors and almost everything.
Also, when we booked our tickets last september, we were able to get transfers from the airline for £10.00 inclusive there and back.if you want to know anymore let me know.

Hi Franny

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

Can you help with any of the following-
Where to get good insurance from and if you know roughly how much it would cost for a 2 bed apartment.
Also can you give me more info about the man that helped you and also the name of the bar that you meet up in.
Do you rent your apartment/villa out and if so is it a good idea or more troble than it's worth.
Do you bank in turkey or is it better to bank from home?
How do you pay water and electricity charges?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Mary S

The name of our friend is Billy. he runs the Toy Bar and is also in partnership with a builder now. The bar is on the main beach front.Also if anyone is interested we contacted a transfer company called Lovetours who are a turkish company that do transfers. It costs £30 each way (for each car full- 4people).you can log on to their company on the internet by putting lovetours/altinkum and book from england. hopefully the more brits that use the company the more transport they put on. they also have coaches to pick up passengers if there are enough people, but send a car if not.
The insurance cost us about £120 for a three bedroomed apartment. this included earthquake cover (a must have),building and contents.The insurance office is on the main altinkum/didim road and his name is Enver Yucel at the A-Agency.,
We opened a bank account at the Ish Bank at Didim.If you go upstairs and queue you are seen by english speaking cashiers who do the necessary. In england we can transfer money into the account and use this although we also got a nationwide building society visa card and use that to draw money from the hole in the wall, with no problem. Our builder is seeing to the paying of our bills at the moment but we hope to set up some standing order.will finish this note soon but son wants the phone urgently.,as usual.

looking to furnish a 4 bed villa same as you and also a 2 bed appartment can you please give us the name and location of the shops you used also where did you go for insurance for your villa/appartment going out on 1st may a quick reply would be appreciated also looking for shutters/railings for security any ideas thank you

can any one recommend a good curtain shop been quoted £1.700 just for sun nets for a 4 bedroomed villa think this is a bit pricey? a quick reply would be appreciated if you don't know the name the directions will do thank you

Mary, look on page 1 of this topic. i posted on it name of curtain makers. they were very affordable. also we just had nets as we had metal shutters put up outside so did not need heavy drapes to keep the sun out. the shades and patterns of the nets were numerous and look lovely.our builder took us to the shop and since, our friends bought theirs from there.i also mention electrical shop, air con shop, satellite etc. to helop anyone.
You mentioned lettings earlier. as we are on a site that is still being developed we won't be letting our apartment out only to friends and family.also, at the moment air flights aren't that cheap. someone could still get a cheaper holiday in a hotel than paying air fare, transfers and accommodation. hopefully things will change with the airlines when they see the demand from people who have bought in turkey. we know people who get a cheap holiday in altinkum and ditch the hotel. that way they get to their apartment (transfers included) cheaper than a flight they have booked themselves.

you say you have furnished a 4 bed property for under £3,000 can you please give me some names of shops where you purchased your goods white goods, furniture, curtains and did you get insurance for your property going out on the 1st may from manchester plse get back a.s.a.p.

can you plse contact me a.s.a.p. if possible my e mail address is

**edmail address removed as per the terms and conditions of the site - please use the pm facility - Kath HT Admin**

Mary S

If you move your cursor to the bottom of the page you will see we are on page 2. click your cursor onto page 1. you will see all the messages from people and me about costs of white goods, curtains, etc. there are also web sites people have put up with furniture companies to get hold of. you will have no problem going to shop for your things in Didim town. let me know if you get to page 1.

Hi franny,

Coming over to Altinkum next week hoping to buy property. Have been advised best way to pay deposit is to open bank account in Turkey. Read your information on opening bank account in Ish Bank in Didim. Can you tell me the best currency with which to open an account, i.e. GBP Euro or Turkish Lira and is a specific amount required.

We purchased a four bed penthouse duplex last year at 3rd Beach Altinkum, Oracle do transfers for 25 pounds each way for 2 people and 7.50 for any add. passengers.
All our furniture, white goods etc were purchased from Didim, curtains 1,700 is very expensive we had emb. vole with satin linings and cost no where near that price, we have sinece been told we should have gone to Izmir for furniture would have cost half the price we paid and they deliver for a small charge.

just been over to altink in may bought most of furniture from a place called polis between gimma and migros supermarkets suite which goes into a double bed and chair go into single beds cost £500 dinning suite and 6 chairs £162 beds double £80 - 85 single £ 60-65 fridge/freezer £165 washer £175 shutters for a 4 bedrromed villa approx £800 garden furniture £60 table 4 chairs 2 sunloungers and cushions take over a old mobile phone and buy a simm card over there a lot cheaper nearly all the restaurants will pick you up if you give them a ring and drop you back off later also got insurance £200 (we have a pool) again near migros if you are looking for good quality furniture try crystal on the road to the market on the same road on the corner there is a electrical shop for light fitting we paid approx £22 for fan/lights to have 4 fitted cost £13.00 get towels on market paid £2 for hand towels cheapest supermarket is tansas like our lidl/aldi have tel no for security shutter man if any one wants it directions to it go up the road on the right hand side on migros till you come to a road turn right on the right there is some new shops built large glass doors his name is murat can recommend him

sorry mistake on directions to shutter mans shop when you have gone up the road on the right hand side of migros up to the road.take a left not right and his shop is on the right also when you book your flights ask the agent if they do transfers i have just paid £15.00 return going out on the 27th june paid £166 didn't think that was to bad the cost of all my furniture inc shutters and ins £2000.00

We have just bought a two bedroom duplex in Side, will be going back over soon to furnish, any advice please