Cyprus-Forum.com

[Get Real!]

If you had one piece of advice...

Put your savings in the local Co-Op bank instead of the big fancy ones.

Don't take financial advice from Get Real...

How many co-ops will be left standing?

So what if they're closing some branches to reduce overheads?

[Get Real!]

So what if they're closing some branches to reduce overheads?

Btw, our local Co-Op's building is currently having major renovations done! Where did that money come from?

[Jerry]

Don't trust any lawyer, politician, policeman, government employee or indeed any "professional" person unless you are related to them - I'm not joking.

[Demonax]

If you could give us one piece of advice, what would that be?

Learn to barbecue! Local pork and chicken are cheap, plentiful and delicious. Not like the battery-farmed meat you get in England!

Buy the local seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Check out the beaches/coves around Kapparis. There is a nice taverna in Kapparis on the main thoroughfare which does an excellent fish meze. Think it's called Karas Taverna.

[Paphitis]

So what if they're closing some branches to reduce overheads?

Btw, our local Co-Op's building is currently having major renovations done! Where did that money come from?

I will give you some advice!

Don't put your money in Greek or Cypriot Banks/Co-Ops.

Find a foreign bank like HSBC, or CitiBank.

[miltiades]

Hi guys,
In spite of all the financial problems currently affecting Cyprus, it is still the greatest nation on earth.The weather its the biggest attraction, perfect summers, springs autumns and winters, each season brings along its own character, those magnificent sun rises and sun sets, rain, thunder and lightening are so vibrant, one could say full of "life" and vigour.

Although born in Cyprus I still live mostly in the UK,since 1961, unable to disentangle my self from age long commitments here in the UK.

My late English wife was passionately in love with Cyprus where she spent months on end staying with our daughter, a resident of Cyprus, she adored the island loved the people, T/Cs, G/Cs and all Cypriots. Not once did she encounter any animosity towards her for being English, although we were together for 46 years she never learned Greek, everyone almost speaks English and besides Greek is a very hard language to learn.

It was her dream to retire and live in Cyprus, alas she never made it whilst alive but she is now resting in Limassol, what she wanted.

Not everything is "utopia" in Cyprus but on balance the greatest place to live.

I have just one advice to you both. NEVER get involved in local politics, keep your thoughts to your selves, smile at people and be as British as you want.Never refer to the occupied parts of Cyprus as North Cyprus, learn one only Greek word.
KATEHOMENA, occupied.

The very best of luck, you have made a wise decision, be happy and fall in love with the scenery, the people the weather and the whole wonderful island.

[Baggieboy]

Thanks again all. Yes - the financial crisis was a factor - for about 5 minutes! Our banking plan will be to transfer money periodically into a local bank from elsewhere. Costs about £25 each transaction but unfortunately I just couldn't trust the Cyprus banks with all our savings at the moment (we almost got ruined by the Iceland bank problem a few years ago).

I have found a barbecue master in Paralimni to learn from! I agree - learning to barbecue properly is essential. I could probably live on chicken souvla.

Good tip re. lawyers/politicians etc. Fortunately my life in England has taught me very much the same. Noted.

Thanks also for the taverna tip. We have already found a great taverna in Paralimni called Ttapis, and another great one in Sotira called Mousikos - although these will be monthly treats rather than daily ones. We need to appreciate we're not on an extended holiday - it will be our home.

Still amazes me when I see ex-pats buying imported goods. Local produce is tastier and cheaper (by the way - have you ever tried English tomatoes compared to Cyprus ones?!! I even intend to grow some of my own stuff - particularly chillies!

And thank you Miltiades - Excellent points. No place is a Utopia, but when you love someone or something it's because of its faults, not in spite of them. I have studied Cyprus history for some years now - particularly post war, so I've learned a lot, but I agree, keep one's counsel on this delicate matter. Thanks also for the word tip.

At the end of the day I know your country is having a tough time at the moment, but we both know in our hearts that Cyprus is where we belong, and if we can do our bit by spending our money there, well, it's a win win situation! Cyprus has recovered from worse in the past - it will do again.

[supporttheunderdog]

If you had one piece of advice...

Put your savings in the local Co-Op bank instead of the big fancy ones.

Don't take financial advice from Get Real...

How many co-ops will be left standing?

So what if they're closing some branches to reduce overheads?

They will not be closing branches. They will be closing entire co-ops, that is to say the entire legal entity. It is important to understand that each co-op is a separate legal entity and only some of the larger co-ops have more than one branch. Most only have one buiding. The plan is to chop the number of entities, possibly to one, probably leaving many of the buildings simply as branches as with the big fancy banks.

[Oceanside50]

Hi all,

Right - I'm leaving myself open to all sorts of answers here (remember the wedding etiquette question?), but here goes:

We will be moving to Paralimni in possibly 4 months time. If you could give us one piece of advice, what would that be?

Learn Greek is the obvious one - and we have started on that, and we're renting rather than buying, but the floor is yours ladies and gentlemen...

what part of the world are you in now?

[GreekIslandGirl]

Good tip re. lawyers/politicians etc. Fortunately my life in England has taught me very much the same. Noted.

Do we have to get to a certain age to learn that people are the same the whole world over?