Cyprus-Forum.com

[rachael]

I've heard the wages are not like those in the UK; however the cost of living is that much cheaper in Cyprus, so surely it doesn't matter too much about the low pay?

[Bill]

I've heard the wages are not like those in the UK; however the cost of living is that much cheaper in Cyprus, so surely it doesn't matter too much about the low pay?

It's getting more expensive every day to live in Cyprus ~~ for example electricity charges are almost on a par with the UK.

Long term rentals are still relatively cheap but still take a huge chunk out of a monthly salary.

Whilst there are so many Eastern Europeans willing to work for peanuts there will never be a substantial rise in salaries but the prices still keep going up ~ to say that salaries are not like the UK is a bit of a understatement.

Personally I wouldn't come to Cyprus to work and expect a similar life style to the UK.

It's certainly not the cheap and cheerful place it used to be .

I would make sure you have a job before moving over ~ having family in Cyprus would be a distinct advantage.

Think carefully before making the move although to be fair you could give it a try and if it doesn't work you could always return wiser for the experience.

Bill

[marty1978]

Hi Rachael , And just to say what bills saying is right,im english have only lived in cyprus 3 weeks and find that the cypriots dont really want you working here and are extremely rude to say the least im considering moving home or staying and maybe find work in english environment.

But also what bill says have a little money in the bank come over give it a go you may have more success than me anyway and theirs shed loads of bar,waiter/waitress jobs etc in ayia napa , and other resorts.

[rachael]

I've always had in mind joining the Royal Marines Band Service. I suppose one positive about working in Cyprus would be that i'd be leaving home and showing that I could look after myself etc.
Still unsure whether it would work. I'll be holidaying in June in Paphos so i'll be able to see what the island is like etc.

[souroul]

if you find a job in which your colleges dont want you there because you're english, then its most likely a shitty job and not worth it. if you choose to work for an uneducated villager that has no idea what the world outside his village/town is like, then you deserve what's coming.

its unfair to generalize people as rude, beause you;ll find rude people everywhere. the general mindset of cypriots is more than acceptable, if not desirable by uk immigrants. some exceptions may apply.


as for jobs, as a reference, secretaries start at 800-1000 euros/month (not at the average 3 manned family business)

[marty1978]

i understand what your saying soroul but its my personal experience people being not just rude but without any regard whatsoever for anyone and complete rudeness i agree it may be unfair to generalise and rachael should definately go for it! but i dont like covering up the truth then its a lie.

[juliesewell]

I've been here for 4yrs and have worked alongside all nationalities in a number of jobs and have not come across any Cypriots that are rude because they feel I shouldn't be working here.

It's not so easy to get a job before you get here though as they want to interview you first, like most employers do! If they like you and you interview well, some companies may want you to attend a 2nd interview (depends on what the position is really as to whether a 2nd interview is neccessary). If this is the case - then they won't usually discuss salary with you at the 1st interview stage.

The company I currently do some work for are presently looking for a Web Designer and the salary (depending on experience & qualifications) is offered between €1200 - €1800pm gross. You will have deductions of 6.3% which goes towards your Social Insurance contributions.

If you are coming to stay long term - then you need to have enough money put by to last you at least 6 months to survive on - without being dependent on an income. Finding the right job that goes with your place of residence isn't always so simple. A lot of companies require employees to work "split shifts" so you have to go home for 2 hours and come back to work later in the afternoon. The public transport is sadly lacking, unless you live on the main tourist roads so be prepared you may need to buy a vehicle of some sort too.

2nd hand cars are expensive in Cyprus - compared to UK car prices, that is..... But insurance, road tax & fuel are still cheaper than UK.

If you are coming from UK and have been paying Council Tax, then you will probably find the saving on that alone will pretty much pay for your other bills

Average office salary can vary from €850 and upwards but bar work or any work in the tourist side of the industry is poorly paid. Most jobs require you to work 40hrs a week too as there is little understanding of part-time work but that's mainly because of the way the Social Insurance is calculated. You will be required to pay Social Insurance whatever job you do, that's if you are employed "legally" but you don't pay any tax on your income unless you earn more than Cy£10,000pa (approx Gbp£12,000 or €17,000).

Food prices for shopping (basic foodstuffs) can be cheaper than UK prices but if you want to buy stuff like Heinz beans or Tate & Lyle sugar, then of course you will pay more for imported goods - as in any country.

We did our homework for several years before we came to live here.
We didn't come expecting to make our fortune either.
We came for a better work/life balance.
No stress as we no longer bring our work home with us every night on our shoulders.
No debt issues, no bank loans etc. We sold up, paid everything off and banked the rest. We rent our property so we have no mortgage and, should everything go tits up - we can move on without having the worries of trying to sell a property in a market that is already wildly saturated with new builds.

I would recommend you look at a number of other forums too - Cyprus AngloInfo is a good all rounder and covers the whole of Cyprus, Cyprus Living covers mainly Paphos, as does Paphos People, BFC Trading Post has a forum on its' website dedicated to Limassol living and there is also a Cyprus Eastern forum. You need to decide which is the best location for living and working as some locations are geared more towards tourism so are dead in the winter and if you are working in the tourist industry, you can expect to be laid off for either the whole or part of the winter season.

At the end of the day, if you don't like it - you can always move on, which incidentally - is what I wish some of the "doom & gloom" merchants would do. I refer to those people who continuously paint the country I've grown to love as black as possible.....

Hope that helps you just a bit.

[rachael]

Thankyou! Some useful info there