Paphos People

Good Afternoon PP,

Hope everyone is well!
Well, i don't know any of you that well just yet but i was just wondering if i could ask the very simple question of, Why did you move to Cyprus and what made you choose it????

( Sorry, i know you've all probably answered this question a thousand times but my curiosity got the better of me!)

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

We wanted to move to Crete. But thought that we would find work more easily in Cyprus. We didn't know Cyprus too well - only had two holidays here before, although we visited three or four times before we actually moved over, plus we asked loads of questions. It worked for us. Phil found work easily, and I get some work as a midwife with the forces.

I would prefer a Greek Island, as I find Cyprus more Arab than Greek, but it is working out well for us.

Don't know whether I want to spend my retirement years here though.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

Verity,
your a midwife! Explains why you know about Rhesus Disease then! Do you think you will stay in Cyprus now or move to Crete? What does Phil do? x

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Phil is an accountant.

We will stay in Cyprus until we retire, and then see what happens. Providing God gives us that many years, of course. If we can afford to buy a property in Crete and live off our pensions that is what we may do.

Although I have Italy in mind, as I also love the pavement cafe culture.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

sounds lovely, well at least your keeping your options open! x

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Hi Emma, I have not made move yet.But hubby was born there and a few school years RAF
He took me there many years ago than since 2000 we have had yearly holis Bought in 2004
use when we can and let out hope to move out soon.
Tricia.

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new me new life, , never forget my cyprus life and friends .

Hi Emma

We've not made the move yet but hope to in the next few years. Like Verity we love the Greek Islands but although we like to holiday there - a lot of them close up virtually for the winter so we felt it would be better to go somewhere where people live and work all year round rather than just a holiday island. I first visted Cyprus when the children were younger and took Dave shortly after we met. He fell in love with it just as much as I had and we married in Paphos in 2006 and try to visit for a holiday at least once a year so for us it is the obvious choice for our retirement.

Julie x

Hi Emma!

We have our house up for sale and plan to move to Paphos in 2009.

Julie - I would have written much the same thing as you!

We were in Zante last year and met quite a few ex-pats, and I can't imagine what they do in the winter - there are no direct flights to UK between September and April, so if they need to come back here for any reason they have to fly via Athens.

Like Julie and hubby we got married in Paphos, and it just seems that the place gets under your skin! We deliberately have not been to Cyprus for two years, but we can't wait to go back this year!

Pam

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Pam

Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans

You're right Pam it does get under your skin. We usually holiday in May and September and have been doing May in Cyprus and usually Greece in September but every year in September we say why don't we just go back to Cyprus. This year I think we will

Julie x

Hi Emma

Not made it out there yet. I think I am the one in it for the endurance test! I want to retire there in less than 24 years time - I will say no more than that. Cyprus does get a hold of your heart, although these boards are great for putting things into perspective, so I know I would definitely rent over there first and then buy after being there for a while. However, who knows what the future will bring.

Verity - I knew that you were my cyber big sister! I love Italy, have been learning the language for 20+ years (still not very good). I started doing our family tree because everyone talked about "the Italians" - been searching and gone back a verrrrrrryyyyyyyy long way and haven't found them yet! I think if I were to move there I would definitely need to speak Italian more fluently than at the moment. Although, when I got back from Rome in February I felt that I was just getting into it again. My sister is promising to learn this year because she missed out on 6 months there in 09, but has been asked to reapply this time next year - so if all goes well she could be there in 2010. She knows that I would be over most weekends if she did go!

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Dawn
~Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly~

Hi Emma

O/h had already retired and I was working in full time education. I felt that I had just had enough to be honest and wanted to get out.

I just couldn't imagine myself being retired and living in the U.K. We first came to Cyprus twenty years ago and hubby would have moved here then.

So at last the time felt right to make the move and we moved here two years ago in Feb 2006.

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Molly

Treat others as you want to be treated

Thanks for all your replies!
i'm glad i don't intend to wait until i retire cos i'm only 28! mind you, i can never retire cos i'm a full time mum so your not allowed to retire! i first started visiting Cyprus when i was about 17 ish. My mum and dad loved the place and decided to have a villa built and spend half the year here and half there. Things didn't go to plan! They got divorced and my mum went there and my dad stayed here! So, that was five years ago and i have been visiting with Dave and the boys ever since. Can't describe it really, when i get off the plane i feel like i'm home. It is such a big decision when children are involved but we are not thinking it will be like one big holiday, we know it far too well. The thing is, we are very lucky to have my mum there as a stepping stone. Our plan is to move March 2010 just before our youngest is three, and just before the weather starts warming up so we can adjust to life before adjusting to the climate. My mum has been teaching my son greek since he could talk and we have a list of things to sort out for the future. Thing is, if we don't settle, we will come home, its really as simple as that. You only live once and you will never know if you don't try. Truth is i am more frightened of the prospect of my sons having to be teenagers on these streets than i am of trying a new life in Cyprus. I'm not saying Cyprus can offer them a better life, just an alternative. If they end up selling sunbeds on the beach, so long as their happy thats fine by me. Afterall, if we stayed here they could go to uni, get a degree, a good job and still not be able to afford a mortgage at the end of it! i say Cypriot life is worth a try!!!!

(sorry for essay!)

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

As i have said before Emma i think you will be fine ,there no guarantees in life, but if you dont try you will never know. you seem to be well prepared for this all the best see you in Cyprus one day .
Tricia x

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new me new life, , never forget my cyprus life and friends .

We moved to give the kids a better life as you can do more things together like last sunday i was on the beach with eryn at 7 15 am she was paddling in the sea. You seem to be able to have fun here without spending money it reminds me of when i was little when it was safe. I like being relaxed and being able to chill and have a coffee without being mithered to death. I like getting up in the morning and being able to sit on the balcony in my jarmies and have a cuppa bliss. We had only been here on holiday once and had moved over in less than 12 months. It has been hard but i look at my kids and see what they have and their life and their healthy skin and i know i did the right thing
Alex x

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I like being in Alex's world even if it is a little strange

Hi! Emma,

I can totally understand when you say you 'feel like you have come home' because we feel exactly the same.

We are moving over later this year after doing 7 years homework after weighing up the pros and cons of where we thought would be best of us and Cyprus ticked all the boxes.

Things have changed since we made the decision as we now have a little grandaughter who we love dearly but we console ourselves that we will have quality time with them instead of snatched hours. I am divorced from my sons father and so when they come back they feel they feel that they have to 'please everyone' which of course means driving from house to house which is hard enough but worse with the baby in toe.

We can't know if it's long term until we try but I don't want to have any regrets in my life, it's to short.

Jackie

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If it has tyres or testicals you are going to have problems with it!

I think like most ex-pats here it is the quality of life. It was just getting too stressful in the UK, plus we had been trying to decide for five years which country to go to.

I think the thing that got to me the most was hearing from the social workers that some of the asylum seekers were getting £300 mobiles, designer trainers etc and there was I with my Primark cheapos even though I was on an extremely good salary in the UK I must admit I preferred changing my wardrobe every year so it has been a hard time still wearing the same things I brought out with me. OH still has t-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks in the original purchase bags - thought I had come prepared but not as much as he has and now that I am earning I want to go out and spend it. Will need a trip back to UK for that.

We had only been once to Cyprus before we decided to buy but fell in love with the island and still love it four years on.

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"Your dog is your friend, your partner, your defender. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true until the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion"

I have been brought up being told I am Anglo/Italian, but really I am Anglo/Sicilian. I can't speak Italian, although I would love to learn. I don't have a brain that copes with languages terribly well, though. I feel more motivated to learn Italian than Greek, and I am fairly motivated to learn conversational Greek.

Trish, I can't imagine changing my wardrobe every year. I hate clothes shopping, and tend to keep everything until it drops off my back.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

Verity, your like Steve then. He has only started throwing things out that are threadbare, but must admit if I notice it they get put in the rag bag in the shed.

I used to spend my Friday lunchtimes shopping for clothes so was always buying something just about every week including things for Steve - just shopping and must admit I would just love to out the stuff in the two wardrobes and two rails that I have stuffed with clothes, but it is not possible anymore so will just have to wait until they start looking too tatty. Trouble is half of it will never be worn here so I keep looking and thinking it is about time you gave that to charity or that - well one day I will get hard with myself and it might be nearer than I think as I need to make room to buy new.

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"Your dog is your friend, your partner, your defender. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true until the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion"

Candy,
your totally right about the shopping thing, i know when i move out i will not be buying any clothes in Cyprus, i think whenever i make a trip back to the uk i will come with an empty case and get myself down to Pr(im)ada as we call it. Your right about the asylum seekers too! i think the only true word a british politician spoke was when they lead the asylum seekers to believe the streets are paved with gold. Yes they are!........except if your British!

Oh gosh i can feel it coming on again! ( the urge to swoop up the kids and keep running until i reach the airport!!!!)

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Alex,
if you don't mind me asking, how old is Eryn and how old was she when you made the move? What would you say are the main benefits or disadvantages for young children moving out there? Thanks

Emma

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Hi Emma,

We are moving to Cyprus permanently on 14th May and will be retired (prematurely I must say in case you think I am 65 ).

I have been coming to Cyprus for over 20 years and always dreamed of retiring there. In spite of the changes over this time (for the worst in most cases) it still holds the magic for me. We did think and look very seriously at other options. Italy was the main one, as we have friends who have bought a house there. The problems with Italy for us was the cost - not just the house prices but the 20% tax on top of that, plus a mountain of red tape and rules that change daily. France was out because of the quirky inheritance rules (and the winter weather), Spain also. Most of the more popular choices are expensive because of the tax on top of the asking price. The Greek islands were another option too, but as has already been said, most of them are closed for the winter and I would be too bored.

Whether we settle in Cyprus for eternity is still an open question. Who knows. But for now, it is what we want. It does get under your skin and still is. If it changes, then we will move on, health permitting.

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Tina
xxxx

Hi eryn is 5 now and was 4 when we moved over i think the lifestyle is a lot safer for them i never used to let Joe (11) out of my sight in the uk we lived in a cul de sac and he was not allowed of there eryn does not play out anyway too little for all that yet. The life is more relaxed as no one stares when you take children out in fact in the uk i used to feel uncomfortable when we went out. The beauty of it is being out in the warm weather spending more time together as family. All the fresh veg and fruit i and geoff feel less stressed here so the kids benefit from us not being so busy and angry. The only hard thing for all of us is the different language especially the as the children go to greek school eryn did not settle well at all so we had to put her in a private greek nursery were now she is ready to go to kidergarten in peyia so she can go to greek primary in sept. Joe has learnt greek ever so well in 7 months and i really am proud of him as he makes the effort to play with the cypriot boys as he enjoys the way they actually play not just glue themselves to computers. Hope that helps if you want to know any more just ask im always about
Alex x

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I like being in Alex's world even if it is a little strange

hi Alex,
thanks very much for the info it is probably the most important reply ive had so far as the kids are my main priority! The kids will be 3 and 6/7 when we move over. My four year old Sonny( the one who will be 6/7) is already learning greek as my mum has lived in Pafos for five years she speaks in greek to him on the phone and i will start teaching baby Beau as soon as he learns to talk!
A few more questions if you don't mind! How are they with the heat? Do you and your partner work, if so what do you do? Also what are the prices like for kindergarten? Is Joe in greek school and how is it? How is he getting on making greek friends? Sorry for all the questions but you are one of the few people i have found that has moved out with such young kids! Did it take the kids a while to adjust?
My 4 year old has been visiting Cyprus regularly from when he was in the womb! He loves it and is desperate for us to move there, he's like me, when we land its more like a second home than a holiday and he just seems to fall into life there, and the other one probably won't remember any different.
What would you say has been the most difficult thing about the move? and finally, if you don't mind me asking how what are your ages ( i'm a little worried we will struggle to find friends our age, we will be 30 when we move!)

ha ha i bet you regret saying to ask you more

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Hi Alix. good to here school is going ok for her i rember how upset you were last year .
Tricia x

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new me new life, , never forget my cyprus life and friends .

Morning Tricia,
hows bonnie Scotland this morning its lovely weather down here in Leeds!

Emma

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Morning Emma, Its nice and Sunny birds are singing,Had a busy weekend,, trying to catch up on house work not getting too far , as my daughters have been on phone chatting as we missed there calls at weekend.Have a good day.
Tricia x

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new me new life, , never forget my cyprus life and friends .

Sorry Emma i took so long to reply Working very hard and i am v tired. Ok the kids have adapted really well to the heat and drink loads of water we moved over mid august and boy was it hot but if you can rent with a pool you are on a winner especially if you can shade part of it off ie gazebo. I am 38 and Geoff is 42 i am working in a bar and geoff is working for timbertech in pegia which he loves. We did put Eryn in a private kindergarten fom 9 till 3 and that costs 100 cyp a month 5 days a week . Joe is in greek school and is doing really well I am so very proud of him he can read and write greek now he is very intelligent so i am lucky as he has just got on with it. Eryn is doing well now but did struggle at first thats why we put her in private nursery to help learn some greek and katerina the nursery owner is fab she speaks perfect english so spoke to eryn in englush for a couple of weeks then spoke to her in greek she has learnt so much already. She has done 2 days at now at pegia school and is loving it believe me if you read my previous posts on another forum you will see how hard it was i was so home sick but now i am home i have made such good friends but now i am home and i have adapted to it all it is never easy but i think thats what life is all about it the more s---t you get the more you appreciate what you have
If i can help you only have to ask me and i will try to be as honest as i can
Alex x

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I like being in Alex's world even if it is a little strange

We will move over on the 29th of April, our love affair with Cyprus began way back in 1966 shortly after I joined the army, we married on completion of basic training and I was immediately posted to Episkopi, Val (Mayflower) joined me a few weeks later. We didn't live on camp but down town in the then unspoilt town of Limassol amongst the Cypriot people.
We had the two fabulous summers of 66/67 stationed in the Troodos mountains.
We left Cyprus in September 1967 and didn't return until March 1998, part of the holiday deal was a car thrown in, we went driving around the Cypriot residential areas of Paphos and the surrounding areas; all the years seemed to dissappear, I turned to Val and said "it feels so right to be back here", "I know" said Val "I feel the same".
The attached photo is of Val in December 1966, next month we will celebrate 42 years of marriage and four children + three grandchildren, two years ago we celebrated our Ruby wedding anniversary in Cyprus amongst the many friends that we have made over the last 10 years and last but not least Zoe and her husband Alexi, Zoe is the daughter Elini and Pambos who owned the house that we rented in 1966/7.

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John S

What a lovely photograph John. And congratulations for next month. I hope you will be celebrating it in Cyprus.

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Tina
xxxx

john,
what a lovely storey, i only hope in years to come that David and i have a similar storey to tell! Your wife looks so eleg nt, beautiful and happy in that picture! What accomplishments you've made in your life, sticking together for all those years it seems like you are a real good team! I hope you have a fantastic anniversary and a fantastic life in Cyprus. x

emma

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I smile cos i don't know whats going on!!!!

Great Post John,
Good luck on your move,
Keep us posted !
Gary

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So close yet so far away