Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Lalee** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:31 pm

I would be moving to Cyprus a year before my hubby due to work commitments. Wondering how people who need help manage? I would need some kind of support and Im thinking the best option would be to have a live in maid for the first year or so. What are the rules and regulations, are there agencies? If I was to bring over the lady I had in the UAE would that work?

Would an au pair be better?

Thanks

(spare me any judgment please :mrgreen:

)

by **GreekIslandGirl** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:56 pm

Just a thought, but, it would probably be more useful to you if you hired somebody once you are in Cyprus - If you can afford it (since you allude to wealth), then perhaps hire a Cypriot woman who can speak Greek (prepare to pay) and knows her way around and then you would get all the advice and extra assistance required whilst settling in a foreign country.

Bringing someone from Saudi might cause you more work. You would end up helping them settle, find shops and get used to moving around without speaking Greek (or maybe even English properly).

by **B25** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:03 pm

Lalee wrote:I would be moving to Cyprus a year before my hubby due to work commitments. Wondering how people who need help manage? I would need some kind of support and Im thinking the best option would be to have a live in maid for the first year or so. What are the rules and regulations, are there agencies? If I was to bring over the lady I had in the UAE would that work?

Would an au pair be better?

Thanks

(spare me any judgment please )

If your UAE home helper in non EU, she will need a visa, and woukd probably not be allowed to work.
There are agencies on the island that provide house maids and carers.
You could either have a live in or out your choice.
Sri lankans, vietnamese, and other asians available.

by **GreekIslandGirl** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:05 pm

B25 wrote:Sri lankans, vietnamese, and other asians available.

Yes, but that would be like the blind leading the blind. Best if she pays good money and hires a real local who knows her way around properly.

by **Lalee** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:38 pm

Thanks everyone!

Wish I had GOOD money

I allude to wealth? I wish it was true! Please, in the UAE its normal to have a live in helper, no need to be rich. I miss the girl we had and she would love to come be with us too!
I have two kids and need to be practical, alone in a new country with no support, what if I get sick? For sure need to have someone during the first year or first few months. Would it be very expensive to hire locally? I don't care about them speaking greek, just english!

A man would be fine, but not if he wears a maids uniform! :/

by **Paphitis** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:01 pm

Lalee wrote:Thanks everyone!

Wish I had GOOD money I allude to wealth? I wish it was true! Please, in the UAE its normal to have a live in helper, no need to be rich. I miss the girl we had and she would love to come be with us too!
I have two kids and need to be practical, alone in a new country with no support, what if I get sick? For sure need to have someone during the first year or first few months. Would it be very expensive to hire locally? I don't care about them speaking greek, just english!

A man would be fine, but not if he wears a maids uniform! :/

Yes it would be very expensive. Most of the locals hire Asian or Russian or other East European Girls.

There are agencies in Cyprus that can help you.

by **GreekIslandGirl** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:13 pm

Lalee wrote:Thanks everyone!

Wish I had GOOD money I allude to wealth? I wish it was true! Please, in the UAE its normal to have a live in helper, no need to be rich. I miss the girl we had and she would love to come be with us too!
I have two kids and need to be practical, alone in a new country with no support, what if I get sick? For sure need to have someone during the first year or first few months. Would it be very expensive to hire locally? I don't care about them speaking greek, just english!

A man would be fine, but not if he wears a maids uniform! :/

From my (second-hand) knowledge, if you hire one of the many (and cheaper) foreign migrants who have come to Cyprus looking for a job, you will spend months teaching them where things are and how the system operates. This is easy for native Greek women or even ex-pat British women who have lived in Cyprus long enough to learn where everything they are likely to use, or need help with, can be accessed - they can spend some time teaching the (for example) Sri Lankan girl where to get everything and how and who to contact (e.g. doctors/dentists/schools etc).

However, it sounds like you need someone well-acquainted with Cyprus that can actually help YOU and the kids to settle down and find your way around. Most Greek girls will speak English too so you will have the fullest support - a foreign worker might know only the rudiments of Greek (which won't help you as much).

That being the case, and you can afford to spend a little more, try and find a local/native girl (or guy if you must - but however cute, men are useless in a crisis or multitasking :wink: