Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Sotiria** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:37 pm

Hello to everyone, I'm new in this forum

I am from Thessaloniki originally, however I have now lived in the UK for more than 14 years. I do not have a British passport. I have my own business at the moment, and have been in retail for more than 6 years, and me and my husband are looking to move to Cyprus in a year or so.

We're not expecting it to be easy, however we are after a lifestyle that we miss at the moment, the weather is particularly affecting us (causing symptoms of SAD etc).

We are looking to move to the Paphos area, and I was wondering are there any others out there in a similar position, or that have moved recently? I'd be grateful for any guidance of info at all, as i'm pretty confused as to where to begin from really.

Sotiria.

by **DrCyprus** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:53 pm

check Mandria.

by **GreekIslandGirl** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:28 pm

Hello Sotiria

Paphos is a wonderful area to consider.

[Kurupetos is joking about Tseri (near Nicosia).]

Have you been to the island of Cyprus before?

Ask about anything specific you want to know.

Do you have children? Are you going to continue your retail business?

by **Sotiria** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:00 am

GreekIslandGirl wrote:Hello Sotiria

Paphos is a wonderful area to consider. [Kurupetos is joking about Tseri (near Nicosia).]

Have you been to the island of Cyprus before?

Ask about anything specific you want to know.

Do you have children? Are you going to continue your retail business?

Hello!

My mother has been before, and my husband, and they always said how beautiful it is, with the people, the food and the general way of life. I have seen job posts about the average monthly wage, so we're more informed than we were say a month ago, and i'm trying to learn bits and bobs as I go in this 1 or 2 years before we move.

I'm trying to get my head around the health system now, am I right to think that we're better off getting some kind of family medical insurance to cover most of or full costs of medical care? I have family in thessaloniki and my grandma pays around 50-60 euros each time she goes for a check up so im wondering if it's the same. We don't have any current medications we're on, so I didnt work any of those costs out.

Also, I've read in posts about the rising costs of electricity- is it mainly the air conditioning that is quite expensive?

I dont have any kids at the moment, but im 14 weeks pregnant, so I need to also have a look at nurseries around the area! But here in the UK, we're talking about 42 pounds for the whole day or 38 for half a day, and astronomical costs when it comes to full time nursery placements, this is another reason why we're thinking of moving.

We're planning to visit soon for about a week as i cant shut the shop for a long time, but wondering what time in the year is best to visit. We cant seem to find any flights here for before May, it seems to be seasonal.

Also im wondering are neighborhoods 'warm' and you know get to know one another, we have been here for so long, and I seem to be getting more indifferent towards the neighborhood way of life- im not really like that, and i want to get back to another way of life really.

x

by **GreekIslandGirl** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 12:30 pm

Sotiria wrote:
GreekIslandGirl wrote:Hello Sotiria

Paphos is a wonderful area to consider. [Kurupetos is joking about Tseri (near Nicosia).]

Have you been to the island of Cyprus before?

Ask about anything specific you want to know.

Do you have children? Are you going to continue your retail business?

Hello!

My mother has been before, and my husband, and they always said how beautiful it is, with the people, the food and the general way of life. I have seen job posts about the average monthly wage, so we're more informed than we were say a month ago, and i'm trying to learn bits and bobs as I go in this 1 or 2 years before we move.

I'm trying to get my head around the health system now, am I right to think that we're better off getting some kind of family medical insurance to cover most of or full costs of medical care? I have family in thessaloniki and my grandma pays around 50-60 euros each time she goes for a check up so im wondering if it's the same. We don't have any current medications we're on, so I didnt work any of those costs out.

Also, I've read in posts about the rising costs of electricity- is it mainly the air conditioning that is quite expensive?

I dont have any kids at the moment, but im 14 weeks pregnant, so I need to also have a look at nurseries around the area! But here in the UK, we're talking about 42 pounds for the whole day or 38 for half a day, and astronomical costs when it comes to full time nursery placements, this is another reason why we're thinking of moving.

We're planning to visit soon for about a week as i cant shut the shop for a long time, but wondering what time in the year is best to visit. We cant seem to find any flights here for before May, it seems to be seasonal.

Also im wondering are neighborhoods 'warm' and you know get to know one another, we have been here for so long, and I seem to be getting more indifferent towards the neighborhood way of life- im not really like that, and i want to get back to another way of life really.

x

Hello Sotiria

You probably shouldn't fly out whilst you're pregnant. That's just my opinion on the safety side of things (increased radiation and low cabin pressure, poor air quality etc). The state hospitals are really good (although only used them twice, and there was no waiting). Your EHIC will be OK (although no one asks to see it) until you sort yourselves out with a local GP.

When you do manage to visit - anytime of year will give you a good idea, you should consider looking at traditional villages if you want the really old fashioned habits where neighbours pop in for a chat whenever you leave your door open.

I always leave my doors and windows open as we don't have air conditioning because we all hate it - causes high spore counts, wasteful of energy, etc. But yes, the electricity costs are high but then you won't need it for heating water (use solar). Maybe, for the best of both worlds (oldy-worldy but well-provided-for) you could consider a village near a big town, like Polis.

There are a number of "housing estates" of white villas and town houses recently built all over the place. These are mostly inhabited by ex-pats and if you want the real Cyprus you are best not to live in these as the atmosphere will be completely different (not horrible or anything, just more orientated to retirements or maintaining Britishness or otherness). You will probably want a Greek school for your children anyway, unless you specifically want them to go down the British educational system; in which case there are many good English schools with fees similar to independent schools back in the UK ( just a bit cheaper, though). That's a long way down the line.

All the best and Congratulations - and ask away as there are many people here who have specific experiences but are a bit shy to answer right away.

by **supporttheunderdog** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:19 pm

The only point to consider is the current economic crises which is badly affecting Cyprus and where jobs generally are in short supply and retailing is in bother - this is a great pity for Cyprus and the Cypriots - if however you have the means to live then GIG's advice is probabaly as good as you are going to get. Otherwise think about the Limassol area - there are some pleasant villages not too far out - eg but not limited too - Pyrgos, Monagroulli. Fasoula, Spitalli or even possibly as far as Gerasa or Apsiou.

And yes, a doctor's visit is about 40 to 50 euros.

by **Sotiria** » Wed Feb 20, 2013 5:17 pm

GreekIslandGirl wrote:
Sotiria wrote:
GreekIslandGirl wrote:Hello Sotiria

Paphos is a wonderful area to consider. [Kurupetos is joking about Tseri (near Nicosia).]

Have you been to the island of Cyprus before?

Ask about anything specific you want to know.

Do you have children? Are you going to continue your retail business?

Hello!

My mother has been before, and my husband, and they always said how beautiful it is, with the people, the food and the general way of life. I have seen job posts about the average monthly wage, so we're more informed than we were say a month ago, and i'm trying to learn bits and bobs as I go in this 1 or 2 years before we move.

I'm trying to get my head around the health system now, am I right to think that we're better off getting some kind of family medical insurance to cover most of or full costs of medical care? I have family in thessaloniki and my grandma pays around 50-60 euros each time she goes for a check up so im wondering if it's the same. We don't have any current medications we're on, so I didnt work any of those costs out.

Also, I've read in posts about the rising costs of electricity- is it mainly the air conditioning that is quite expensive?

I dont have any kids at the moment, but im 14 weeks pregnant, so I need to also have a look at nurseries around the area! But here in the UK, we're talking about 42 pounds for the whole day or 38 for half a day, and astronomical costs when it comes to full time nursery placements, this is another reason why we're thinking of moving.

We're planning to visit soon for about a week as i cant shut the shop for a long time, but wondering what time in the year is best to visit. We cant seem to find any flights here for before May, it seems to be seasonal.

Also im wondering are neighborhoods 'warm' and you know get to know one another, we have been here for so long, and I seem to be getting more indifferent towards the neighborhood way of life- im not really like that, and i want to get back to another way of life really.

x

Hello Sotiria

You probably shouldn't fly out whilst you're pregnant. That's just my opinion on the safety side of things (increased radiation and low cabin pressure, poor air quality etc). The state hospitals are really good (although only used them twice, and there was no waiting). Your EHIC will be OK (although no one asks to see it) until you sort yourselves out with a local GP.

When you do manage to visit - anytime of year will give you a good idea, you should consider looking at traditional villages if you want the really old fashioned habits where neighbours pop in for a chat whenever you leave your door open. I always leave my doors and windows open as we don't have air conditioning because we all hate it - causes high spore counts, wasteful of energy, etc. But yes, the electricity costs are high but then you won't need it for heating water (use solar). Maybe, for the best of both worlds (oldy-worldy but well-provided-for) you could consider a village near a big town, like Polis.

There are a number of "housing estates" of white villas and town houses recently built all over the place. These are mostly inhabited by ex-pats and if you want the real Cyprus you are best not to live in these as the atmosphere will be completely different (not horrible or anything, just more orientated to retirements or maintaining Britishness or otherness). You will probably want a Greek school for your children anyway, unless you specifically want them to go down the British educational system; in which case there are many good English schools with fees similar to independent schools back in the UK ( just a bit cheaper, though). That's a long way down the line.

All the best and Congratulations - and ask away as there are many people here who have specific experiences but are a bit shy to answer right away.

Thank you for all the replies! No you're right, i made the mistake of travelling to Greece when i was about 8/9 weeks and there was a lot of turbulence on the plane- im surprised i made it out as i did really.

True, the economic crisis is not helping at the moment, however things in the UK are also bad to be honest. They are talking about entering a triple recession soon, and they're toying with the idea that this might not be a recession anymore for Britain, but a depression instead. The food sector is suffering the most here.

Where i am currently living (I cant afford at the moment to rent my own place, so we're living with my mum in a 2 bedroom flat), I would need around 600-650 pounds a month to rent, without the utilities, and the council tax etc. And this doesnt include a garden or anything else. It's pretty dire.

Sotiria X