Cyprus-Forum.com

[loving it]

Hi all

My story goes like this. We made a terrible mistake of returning to the UK after living in Cyprus for 4 years.


Our reasons for returning to the UK were that we felt tired of things like, as mentioned before the two tier system (One rule for Cypriots and another for everybody else). This is evidently true.

However, it is nothing compared to the two tier system we now have in the UK. Unfortunately not in the British man's favour. The British people seem to be the last on the list of our Government's priorities. At least the Cypriots look after their own.

Many people talk about the road safety (or lack of) in Cyprus. I personally think you are more likely to be injured in the UK then in Cyprus. Just 2 weeks ago in Orpington, Kent, one of my friends had a knife held to his throat because (this is the honest truth) the driver at the lights claimed that my friend gave him a dirty look. My friend said that he did gave him a bit of a look because of the reckless way he was driving. But does that justify his behaviour?

I've never know in all the time I was in Cyprus for anyone to jump out of their car and want trouble.

The Cyprus weather is often too hot. However in the UK mostly too cold.


The people are friendlier and more approachable in Cyprus. I suppose due to the weather, people do have more time for each other. They are not hurrying to get home in the warm. The streets are not ruled my yobs who beat people senseless just for the fun of it.


Healthy fresh food. This is definitely a Cyprus plus. We used to eat mostly locally grown food and it was so cheap.


There were always things to do and places to see. You are never too far from anywhere in Cyprus and there's always somewhere new to explore.


Jobs in Cyprus. Well, this was really one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back to the UK. The jobs are so few and far between that there were even Post-Graduates working in dead-end jobs and for peanuts.

However, having said that. Now we are working in the UK were jobs are quiet easy to find and the wages are a lot better, the cost of living is well over double of what is was in Cyprus and the Tax Man takes about 30% of my wages. By the time I've paid my fares to work (can't drive to work because the traffic and the parking are a complete nightmare), paid my bills, etc I was actually financially better off with my pittance of a wage in Cyprus.

The other day I heard someone mention that now that Cyprus is using Euros her pension will go nowhere. I would have thought that with the money that she is saving in Council Tax, Car Insurance/Tax, Petrol, and the general cheaper cost of living that she would still be winning. If she moved back to the UK her outlay would take most of her pension anyway.

Personally, I would advise anyone who is thinking of returning to the UK would be to forget the idea. Take a step back and look at the lifestyle you have there.


Well, that's my bit said.

Tina

X

[tessintrnc]

So sorry to hear that Tina, is there no chance of coming back?
Tess

[Niki]

Human nature means that the grass is always greener!!!

What a shame you made the effort and expense of moving to the UK only to find out what it's really like. You couldn't have truly known unless you lived there again.

Are you planning to move back Tina?

[miltiades]

I know of quite a few Brits returning back to the UK , but all are Cypriots or UK born Cypriots that some how have difficulty in adjusting to Cyprus life . Still the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned , but I would say that wouldn't I !!

The Cypriot weather coupled with the majority of Cypriots attitude to life is terrific , but exclude toffee nose peasants with a few quid in their pocket and young idiots driving their cars to show off . Plonkers !

As far as personal safety , well there simply isn't any comparison , Cyprus IS one of the safest places on earth.

[Sega]

Hi all

My story goes like this. We made a terrible mistake of returning to the UK after living in Cyprus for 4 years.


Our reasons for returning to the UK were that we felt tired of things like, as mentioned before the two tier system (One rule for Cypriots and another for everybody else). This is evidently true.

However, it is nothing compared to the two tier system we now have in the UK. Unfortunately not in the British man's favour. The British people seem to be the last on the list of our Government's priorities. At least the Cypriots look after their own.

Many people talk about the road safety (or lack of) in Cyprus. I personally think you are more likely to be injured in the UK then in Cyprus. Just 2 weeks ago in Orpington, Kent, one of my friends had a knife held to his throat because (this is the honest truth) the driver at the lights claimed that my friend gave him a dirty look. My friend said that he did gave him a bit of a look because of the reckless way he was driving. But does that justify his behaviour?

I've never know in all the time I was in Cyprus for anyone to jump out of their car and want trouble.

The Cyprus weather is often too hot. However in the UK mostly too cold.


The people are friendlier and more approachable in Cyprus. I suppose due to the weather, people do have more time for each other. They are not hurrying to get home in the warm. The streets are not ruled my yobs who beat people senseless just for the fun of it.


Healthy fresh food. This is definitely a Cyprus plus. We used to eat mostly locally grown food and it was so cheap.


There were always things to do and places to see. You are never too far from anywhere in Cyprus and there's always somewhere new to explore.


Jobs in Cyprus. Well, this was really one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back to the UK. The jobs are so few and far between that there were even Post-Graduates working in dead-end jobs and for peanuts.

However, having said that. Now we are working in the UK were jobs are quiet easy to find and the wages are a lot better, the cost of living is well over double of what is was in Cyprus and the Tax Man takes about 30% of my wages. By the time I've paid my fares to work (can't drive to work because the traffic and the parking are a complete nightmare), paid my bills, etc I was actually financially better off with my pittance of a wage in Cyprus.

The other day I heard someone mention that now that Cyprus is using Euros her pension will go nowhere. I would have thought that with the money that she is saving in Council Tax, Car Insurance/Tax, Petrol, and the general cheaper cost of living that she would still be winning. If she moved back to the UK her outlay would take most of her pension anyway.

Personally, I would advise anyone who is thinking of returning to the UK would be to forget the idea. Take a step back and look at the lifestyle you have there.


Well, that's my bit said.

Tina

Each place has it's good and bad point. The trick is to use both places to your advantage.

I am sorry to hear of your move did not go as planned.

Consider moving to the countryside in England. I here it's safer there. Maybe a countryside which has a motorway nearby which has the route to your work place. You need to pay for decent areas.

You might also consider getting a economical vehicle, the VW Polo Bluemotion 2 does 74 mpg. Alternatively you can move to the city you work in and simply get a bus-pass or drive. You can also lease vehicles, it might work out cheaper if you least a vehicle for a 2 year period.

In the UK you have to pay for good food. There is not two ways about it. I can say that food it better in the UK if your willing to pay. The best selection of juices, meat and fish are at your disposal. Cyprus supermarkets have medium quality food, they don't sell bad quality, just medium. If you want to stay healthy in the UK pay for top-quality (it would still work out cheaper than Cypriot supermarkets though)



Live is about finding solutions to problems. Hope this helps you understand.

[GorillaGal]

for one thing, there are far more people in the UK than there are in CY. of course the crime rate will be higher where there are more people.

there are good and bad in all, people, places.... personally, i would rather have chilly or cold weather than hot. at least i can put nice soft warm clothes on and cuddle with the ones i love. if it's too hot, it's just too miserable. there is nothing like a new snow either. so pretty and clean, and fun to play in. i adore the change of seasons here in new york.

healthy fresh food you can get in any country. and if you miss the ways of the evil westerners, there is a KFC, McDonalds, or Starbucks nearby.

people may be friendlier in CY, but they are just gaining information that they can gossip to their neighbors about.

the medical care is better in the UK or the USA (IF you have the money to pay for it!).

if i had to have a run in with any police/legal systems, i sure would hope it would be in the USA and not in CY.

[Bill]

As to the dangers on UK streets ~I commented to my wife on our walk back from the sea front a couple of nights ago how refreshing to see youths wearing hoodies because it was cold and not to disguise their identity like in the UK .

We were passed by a couple of groups of young lads on our return home along the back roads and no fear was felt .

Unlike the area I lived in the UK where it would have meant danger 90% of the time.

I can't agree with sega's comments on the food comparison.

Bill

[purdey]

Tina,it is not easy to get that happy meduim we all crave.
I live in a part of the UK that is free from crime,and just as free of people.We have a good life but it comes with it's minus points.It is very expensive and I need to travel to get to any airport or the nearest town.
I spend four months of the year in Cyprus,working as well as relaxing,I hope to make a more permanent move in four years time.

[GorillaGal]

As to the dangers on UK streets ~I commented to my wife on our walk back from the sea front a couple of nights ago how refreshing to see youths wearing hoodies because it was cold and not to disguise their identity like in the UK .

We were passed by a couple of groups of young lads on our return home along the back roads and no fear was felt .

Unlike the area I lived in the UK where it would have meant danger 90% of the time.

I can't agree with sega's comments on the food comparison.

Bill

hmmmm, funny. i live very close to Manhattan, and go there often enough...i have never had a problem there, or didn't feel safe. but in my recent visit to CY, i had this creepy guy following me around in his car and trying to pick me up. it was really...creepy... i had memorised the plate number on the car and wanted to report him. funny i should feel safer in manhattan at 1am than on a street in CY at 2pm....

[Sega]

I know of quite a few Brits returning back to the UK , but all are Cypriots or UK born Cypriots that some how have difficulty in adjusting to Cyprus life . Still the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned , but I would say that wouldn't I !!

The Cypriot weather coupled with the majority of Cypriots attitude to life is terrific , but exclude toffee nose peasants with a few quid in their pocket and young idiots driving their cars to show off . Plonkers !

As far as personal safety , well there simply isn't any comparison , Cyprus IS one of the safest places on earth.

It's true, we do find it more difficult that others. But there is much to consider, low wages in the private sector, low opportunities and hardly any scope. Things are changing though. In Cyprus if you want opportunity you have to make it.

Working in the government is hardly an option for us (let's face it it's good if your working in that sector), and many Cypriots don't employ us because of being British-born Cypriots.

I went to one company, I speak perfect Greek by the way (you can hardly notice it, promise ), they read on my CV that I recently came over and all of a sudden they changed their tune. I think two companies did that to me. It makes me want to lie to them. One told me I am not hiring you because you don't know Greek, when spoke to him in Greek and also have Greek GCSE. I told him, then he said "ne alla xeries" = "yes but you know".

We have not been here all our lives and some see us as foreign. We are not foreign, we are the same as you. People are affraid of people they don't know (similar to racism), not sure how it is in Nicosia and Limassol. If some people understand your British-born Cypriot they say to you "why don't you go back to the UK", I am job hunting and this is all I here. The point is not to run at the slightest problem, life is for fighting.