Job Discussion Forums

Alan13446 · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Still in Canada

Any word of decent opportunities there? It's small but peaceful (relaxing) place...not crowded, not touristy like Marmaris or Bodrum (yes please, come, look at my menu,)...

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

I know of one British teacher working in Ayvalik, she's set up her own school on a small scale. In the past another teacher worked at the local lise/ilk ogretim school, a recent applicant to the same school from the UK was not welcomed with open arms.

Opportunities seem to be limited.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Is it still small and untouristy? I haven't been there in years but if it is anything like the Bay of Edremit just up the coast. It will have changed drastically.

I'm going back about 12 years. But I remember going to Ayvalik from Akcay to speak to the head of some school about setting up lessons there at the school. Nothing happened about it. But when I was there I met this American guy who worked,I think, at a meslek place. He lived on an island with no running water or electricity. He had a little rowing boat to get to and from work. quite eccentic but admirable.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Small and relatively untouristy, I would say.

Nearby Sarimsakli has a lot of hotels because of its beach but Ayvalik really only has the old Kaptan Hotel and an increasing number of pansiyons. Quite a lot of the old houses have been bought by foreigners who either live there all year round (minority) or visit a few times a year for extended stays.

In the season, the town is heaving with a mix of Stamboulis, Izmirlis and foreign visitors and there are quite a few (noisy) day trip boats, but nothing like what you get in Bodrum or Marmaris. The ferry from Lesbos brings both Greeks and tourists, the Greeks do their shopping in the Ayvalik market winter and summer.

Generally speaking it is quiet, with the main evening activity being dining not clubbing!

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

I'd be interested in meeting them. My house is very nearly finished. Whereabouts are theirs?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

As i've said it's been years since I've been down there so I'm not sure. All I know is they are old buildings that are/were renovated.

tararu · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 494

FGT, how expensive has it been do restore your Rum evi? I fell in love with the place when l visited last year and would love to buy an old house down there and do it up. I don't want to make the place brand spanking new inside and out. I would just want to focus on anything structural and a bit of cosmetic work.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Mine needed new roof, floors, interior walls etc. I also dug down to increase ceiling height so it was a major job. Including central heating, double glazing, garden, new balcony etc etc we're talking about 50k ytl, using local workmen. Luckily I bought it for a tiny fraction of that!

Alan13446 · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Still in Canada

FGT, was it on the mainland, or Ali Bey Adasi?

I went for a walk among the old greek homes up from where the local bus stops and loops around, by the abandoned church, and aside from being mobbed by 30 cats at one point, the old stone streets, and semi-run down homes had amazing character...
Ayvalik has a weird charm to it...the scenery, non-commercial, non-touristy atmosphere...felt good, very home-like...

tararu · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 494

I have been looking at Sahibinden.com. There is a three storey 210mt detached house in Ayvalik up on l think the first hill for 65,000ytl. It looks a bit unloved, but nothing a few thousand won't fix. That is unless it is only being held up by termites. Did you find the tradesmen reliable?

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Mine is central Ayvalik, inland (and up the hill, a bit) from the PTT.

Tradesmen reliable (I trust)!