Info from those who know

[poolmonkey]

A friend put her 9 year old daughter into a private school in Paphos when they first arrived but wasn`t happy so sent her to Greek school. She had no Greek when she started but is coming on in leaps and bounds and is much happier.

[ianjames]

We also are looking at moving to Cyprus in the near future - probably north-west of Limassol. As we are both in our 60's we do rely to some degree on prescription medicines and are wondering how much they will cost us each year in Cyprus. We found one website which listed hundreds of drugs (cyprusliving.org) - very useful but, unfortunately, it either doesn't list the vast majority of the ones we take, or perhaps they are listed under different names! Does anyone know where we could get a definitive price list, if we supply the list of drugs we would need?

Jacqueline & Ian.

[rander]

I too plan to visit Cyprus and see what it might be like to live there. Could you recommend some inexpensive, friendly places to stay? I'm visiting in Cirencester and plan to be in Cyprus in October/November. Sounds lovely there...Rae

Originally Posted by mindvoyager

Hi Angela and Neal
My wife Jane and I moved out here last August, and so far we're really enjoying it. We let our house in Gloucestershire and rented an apartment here, thinking we wouldn't buy until we knew the place a bit, and I'd advise anyone to do the same. Our apartment is really huge, 3 beds, 2 baths and only costs us £300 per month, the price of a bedsit in many parts of the UK. So there's a profit! We live in Giolou, pop.800, between Pafos and Polis in western Cyprus. There are 20-odd Brit families here, not enough the swamp the local community like has happened in Tala and Peyeia. Our landlords live downstairs, and their generosity is unbelievable - we keep finding packages of local produce on the stairs. We struggle to keep up with that! The village has a primary school; the secondary school is in Polemi, 8km away, but for expat children the international school in Pafos is a better bet as they can be on a severe learning curve with the new language on top of the academic stuff. As to health care, Cyprus has a Health Service of sorts, but it's only free for low-income folk. What you really need is health insurance. Without that, it's a paying job, although visiting the doctor usually costs about CY£10. Drugs are bought at commercial prices, some cheap some dear. I couldn't say about hospital treatment, we've not needed it yet. As to work, wages in Cyprus are low, and I don't think it's a proposition to be employed unless you're of professional or executive status, and even then salaries would be lower than you are used to. Self-employed is the way to go; I'm a web designer and Jane's a hypnotherapist, and 9 months down the road things are starting to build up - you really need some working capital to get you over the initial hump. The other side of the coin is that many prices are cheaper (except for imported stuff). You can get nice pork for CY£3 per kilo, a haircut is CY£3, council tax is £35 p.a. One nice thing is that this society has far fewer rules and regulations, and even the tax office is very laid back.

I hope this screed is a bit helpful. I did find originally that there's quite a bit of misinformation on the web, if there's anything else you want to know, and I'll do my best. We've had a lot of help, and it seems good to pass it on.

Best of luck
David

[Chris & Andrea]

Originally Posted by Angela and Neal

Hi all

We are a youngish! couple with two young children who are seriously investigating relocating to Cyprus permanently mainly for a better standard of living for our two children.

We would like the inside track from those who already have had the strength to do it.

Particularly interested in where to buy for out of town, typical cypriot although not cut off, schools and medical care.

If anyone out there would be kind enough to take the time to answer i would be most grateful

Good Evening both,
It's worth driving our from Pafos to some of the out lying villages such as Polemi where there are currently about a dozen English speaking families. Those I have spoken to have been taken by the friendliness of the local community. What is one of the larger villages with its local school, youth facilities, shops, tavernas and local banking facilities. I'm reliably informed there's also a doctors surgery 3 times a week. There's even a hair dressers and beauty salon.
Have a great time exporing.
Regards,
Chris

[BabsM]

Originally Posted by ianjames

We also are looking at moving to Cyprus in the near future - probably north-west of Limassol. As we are both in our 60's we do rely to some degree on prescription medicines and are wondering how much they will cost us each year in Cyprus. We found one website which listed hundreds of drugs (cyprusliving.org) - very useful but, unfortunately, it either doesn't list the vast majority of the ones we take, or perhaps they are listed under different names! Does anyone know where we could get a definitive price list, if we supply the list of drugs we would need?

Jacqueline & Ian.

If you are over retirement age and in receipt of a UK state pension then the UK will fund oyur medical treatment in Cyprus. when you know you are going to stay permanently then you can apply to "The Pension Service" for an E121. You take this and register with the health authorities in your area. You will be receive treatment and medication at minimal cost. The treatment that you receive will be the same as any Cypriot however you should be aware that the list of available medication (the equivalent of the UK's NICE list) is not as extensive as in the UK or as modern and some medicines may not be available or you may have to buy them privately. Do take your list of medication to a local pharmacy and ask if they can be prescribed by the state.

The same thing about the E121 applies if you are in receipt of some UK State Benefits eg Invalidity Benefit or Industrial Injury benefit