Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

The cost of electronics and some others goods is higher in Cyprus. Bring your computer, digital camera, camcorder etc with you! But things like doctors, lawyers and other services are much lower here. If you live here and you are not just a tourist the cost of life is much lower than NYC.

[Svetlana]

Hi Joanna

Cyprus is REALLY cheaper than NYC, plus much safer; not sure if it is friendlier - New Yorkers seem very outgoing people.

Of course, you find a language barrier here; they use 'English' English, so some words will be different. Apart from the pace of life and cost etc, the biggest difference will be in the shopping - or lack of it! After Macey's, Bloomingdale's, Sak's etc you will find shopping here very different. Sorry to mention it, but because you do not have a white skin, some people will assume you are a Maid or servant, as most people of colour (color!) in Cyprus fulfill those roles.

Nicosia will be as hot as NY in the Summer (ie awful) but a lot warmer in the Winter; I was in NY in January as it never got as 'hot' as Freezing; great if you are a tourist being driven round Central Park in a horse drawn carriage, looking at the skaters - but not so nice if you are commuting to work!

Whatever, welcome to our Forum!

Lana

[Leonidas]

I guess I missed the part that you will make the same salary and get a housing allowance. That is awesome.

Different story then. Pay in Cyprus sucks also, that's why it makes cost of living worse.

And there is nothing wrong in VT. You get used to the temps.

Good luck and enjouy your stay in CY.

[Mikros]

Just a small correction. We have 240V ac here with 50Hz, if I'm right you have 110V 60Hz? For all youre electronic appliances you will need a transformer for each unless they are of those units that have a built-in transformer. As the guys above said, food can be a lot cheaper, rent etc, but buying electrical appliances will be a lot more expensive. But as you said your salaries will be quite high (at least 50,000CYP or 100,000USD) then just forget about bringing anything here. Just buy new ones! As for housing, I do not prefer buysell as their prices are a bit inflated for their own reasons. The best way is to come down here, stay in a hotel for a few days and do a local search through papers, agents etc.

Good Luck!

[davidp]

In Cyprus drivers use ALL the road, pavements too given the opportunity.

[Leonidas]

In Cyprus drivers use ALL the road, pavements too given the opportunity.

That will be nothing new for them.
NY City and Montreal and JUST as bad if not worse than Cyprus.
Only difference the roads are wider. LOL

[pantheman]

Leonidas - remember what the lady said, family before money right ?

Anyway, welcome to the forum and soon to cyprus jclo69. I hope you find your stay very welcome. I have a question though.

From what you are saying, i assume you are being relocated by a company ?? ie work for the same firm but in cyprus ?

Because you should also know that, the salaries in cyprus would be much much lower than they would be in NYC. If you are coming over on the same salaries, you will live like a queen - never mind what Leonidas said - relatively speaking although he is correct in some respects.

If you are coming over to find a job, and expect the same level of salary, i'm sorry to say but forget it. The beauty of cyprus however, is its all relative, you earn less, but you need less to live. You cannot compare oranges to apples and so you cannot compare salaries in NYC to cyprus.

Further, cyprus is quite a small place, as you probably know, so you don't have to live in Nicosia even though you may wrok there. You could live in a village outside and travel. Trust me going from a to b in cyprus is really quite quick. From that you will be able to have a much better place to stay for less, not to mention getting away from town living, since this is the reason (not only) for coming in the first place.

I hope this helps

Pantheman

[jclo69]

Lana - I've heard that I may be mistaken for a housekeeper. Not to worry, its happened to me before when I was posted in Lebanon. I would actually be interested in looking for some household help. What does one normally pay a housekeeper/maid?

A friend filled me in on the shopping situation in Cyprus. I plan on doing some shopping here in NY prior to leaving for Nicosia. Let me know if you need anything...

Hi Joanna

Cyprus is REALLY cheaper than NYC, plus much safer; not sure if it is friendlier - New Yorkers seem very outgoing people.

Of course, you find a language barrier here; they use 'English' English, so some words will be different. Apart from the pace of life and cost etc, the biggest difference will be in the shopping - or lack of it! After Macey's, Bloomingdale's, Sak's etc you will find shopping here very different. Sorry to mention it, but because you do not have a white skin, some people will assume you are a Maid or servant, as most people of colour (color!) in Cyprus fulfill those roles.

Nicosia will be as hot as NY in the Summer (ie awful) but a lot warmer in the Winter; I was in NY in January as it never got as 'hot' as Freezing; great if you are a tourist being driven round Central Park in a horse drawn carriage, looking at the skaters - but not so nice if you are commuting to work!

Whatever, welcome to our Forum!

Lana

[Svetlana]

Hi Joanna

You will get a live in maid for £150 per month plus keep; they will probably be Sri Lankan or Filipino; most speak sufficient English and Greek.

Because of our entry into the EU, Immigration will make it more and more difficult to get staff from these countries and will force people to employ EU Nationals, who may not be prepared to work for such wages, in the future.

Lana

[jclo69]

Panthe-
Thanks so much for the warm welcome. As for our salary, our company will be paying the same salary that we are receiving in NYC. Having a family, I don't think I could relocate without first have a secure job. Maybe if I were 15 years younger, I would probably do it!!!!

As far as living in Nicosia, I would rather live close to work. I really don't enjoy commuting every day back and forth to work. Right now, we either drive into the city or take the bike. Either way, we're commuting about 20 - 40 minutes each way depending on traffic. It really sucks.
How far are the other cities - say the coastal areas from Nicosia?

Leonidas - remember what the lady said, family before money right ?

Anyway, welcome to the forum and soon to cyprus jclo69. I hope you find your stay very welcome. I have a question though.

From what you are saying, i assume you are being relocated by a company ?? ie work for the same firm but in cyprus ?

Because you should also know that, the salaries in cyprus would be much much lower than they would be in NYC. If you are coming over on the same salaries, you will live like a queen - never mind what Leonidas said - relatively speaking although he is correct in some respects.

If you are coming over to find a job, and expect the same level of salary, i'm sorry to say but forget it. The beauty of cyprus however, is its all relative, you earn less, but you need less to live. You cannot compare oranges to apples and so you cannot compare salaries in NYC to cyprus.

Further, cyprus is quite a small place, as you probably know, so you don't have to live in Nicosia even though you may wrok there. You could live in a village outside and travel. Trust me going from a to b in cyprus is really quite quick. From that you will be able to have a much better place to stay for less, not to mention getting away from town living, since this is the reason (not only) for coming in the first place.

I hope this helps

Pantheman