Cyprus-Forum.com

[ALISON]

hi
My husband and I are relocating to Cyprus in April 08 I am finding it really difficult to secure any work as a psychotherapist/counsellor as we intend to rent and not buy we would be interested to hear for anyone who has made the move we thought if employment opportunities were unavailable my husband runs a a laminate/harwood floor company from home we may think of investing in a business, or do something different altogether.
Any thoughts we would appreciate the help.
Thanks

[Niki]

Hello Alison and congratulations on the decision to move here!

Counselling/Psychotherapy work may be limited unless you speak Greek. Most medical professionals here speak very good English so a purely english speaking client base may be hard to find.

You can set up a business which would be preferable to working for a builder or such like as the wages are appalling.

I would suggest you make sure you have enough money to last for up to a year without having to earn. Opportunities are more likely to come up when you are here. I see people have ended up multi-tasking to keep the options open even more.

You will not be able to earn what you can in the UK and you have to accept that but cost of living is generally lower and of course quality of life makes up for it.

Renting is a good idea and this is what we are doing. No ties and you can look around for the area that suits you best.

Good luck!

[mountainman]

Hi Alison and welcome to the forum.

Niki is correct in that you will need to be fluent in Greek to stand any chance of using your professional expertise.
Your salary for that expertise is likely to fall into the category of 'your having a laugh surely'.

I tried working for a few companies but quickly decided that i'd rather do nothing than work for nothing.
It took two years for my business to become anything like worthwhile but now life is sweet.
All the best for your new life over here.
MM

[Sega]

Mountainman do you have any advise for starting a company, as you seem to have made it.

[Niki]

It's not difficult, just find the right accountant/lawyer and they will do this for you - for a fee. As Cyprus is in the EU there are no restrictions.

Set up a company bank account, get the company incorporated, get your marketing right and away you go! There are always people to help.

[mountainman]

Mountainman do you have any advise for starting a company, as you seem to have made it.

The only way I have succeeded in my business is to be trustworthy, truthful ,reliable and fair to my customers. (notice i never said 'the cheapest')

It may take longer to get there but your customers will always come back and more importantly recommend you to their friends.

Here endeth this lesson!
MM

[Tim Drayton]

It's not difficult, just find the right accountant/lawyer and they will do this for you - for a fee. As Cyprus is in the EU there are no restrictions.

Set up a company bank account, get the company incorporated, get your marketing right and away you go! There are always people to help.

Well, I am British set myself up as self-employed in Cyprus without any professional assistance. It just took about two weeks of running back and forth to get the right papers, but it didn't cost me anything. Of course, setting up a company is another matter, and perhaps you need to consider professional advice for this.

[ALISON]

Thanks for all the help it's great to feel that others have taken the leap we have a good friend we have known for 11 years he is a businessman in Ayia Napa and as others do he appears to own a lot of everything restaurants, shops bars, a couple of hotels and yes his name is George!! We contacted him yesterday and he spoke to Geoff (hubby) for ages on the phone and has given us a no to ring a friend of his for long term rental. He seems really nice and like i said earlier we have known him a long time but only as spending tourists! We have had many a late night with George and he often keeps the free brandy sours coming (jelly legs) my hubby thinks we should run with it there is only one slight problem whenever we mention him to other locals they pull strange faces and back off a little my fantasy is he's a bit dodgy he seems to know everyone or everyone knows him morelike. Am I just being daft who knows, maybe it's an instinct Geoff thinks we should let him sort out accomodation through this new friend cos it might be better to have local help. He is ringing us with some prices for 1yr rental 2/3 bed house? What are your thoughts on my ramblings?

[Niki]

Thanks for all the help it's great to feel that others have taken the leap we have a good friend we have known for 11 years he is a businessman in Ayia Napa and as others do he appears to own a lot of everything restaurants, shops bars, a couple of hotels and yes his name is George!! We contacted him yesterday and he spoke to Geoff (hubby) for ages on the phone and has given us a no to ring a friend of his for long term rental. He seems really nice and like i said earlier we have known him a long time but only as spending tourists! We have had many a late night with George and he often keeps the free brandy sours coming (jelly legs) my hubby thinks we should run with it there is only one slight problem whenever we mention him to other locals they pull strange faces and back off a little my fantasy is he's a bit dodgy he seems to know everyone or everyone knows him morelike. Am I just being daft who knows, maybe it's an instinct Geoff thinks we should let him sort out accomodation through this new friend cos it might be better to have local help. He is ringing us with some prices for 1yr rental 2/3 bed house? What are your thoughts on my ramblings?

Does he say "my friend" a lot? If so he's definitely dodgy!

Seriously though you must be careful. We had a similar situation with a 'friend' who we realised was trying to exploit our situation. This doesn't mean he's a bad person as this is quite normal but please keep your options open. Don't just rely on his contact for rentals, do your own research. For example you can get the Cyprus Weekly sent to the UK which has many rental properties advertised.

[ALISON]

your right he does say 'my friend' womens intuition i guess! my husband thinks he's onto a winner maybe he's a bit wet behind the ears we now have a Sambos on the seen too who has rang us I am searching myself too over the net and am sure something will turn up. We would have liked an old traditional property. thanks