Help - Confused Brit (Hotshop)

[hotshop]

Hi Guys

We are still researching costs for our impending move to Cyprus in the Summer 0f 2010

Comparison exercise on a cost basis of £1 = 1 euro, shows that our monthly income of around £2,120 is well sufficient to meet our proposed outgoings (rental payments aer covered). However, some comments on this forum are making us doubt our ' maths skills! '

We are 50 something retirees (just the two of us) who smoke and drink (probably too much), and enjoy socialising - especially with food and drink

We are aware of non branded shopping (my nickname is SMART PRICE!!) and using the local markets - these have been included in our calculations

Is there anyone in a similar position who has, how shall I say - been there/done that/rad the book and seen the film etc, who has lived in Cyprus for a while who can advise please

Regards

hotshop

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by hotshop

Hi Guys

We are still researching costs for our impending move to Cyprus in the Summer 0f 2010

Comparison exercise on a cost basis of £1 = 1 euro, shows that our monthly income of around £2,120 is well sufficient to meet our proposed outgoings (rental payments aer covered). However, some comments on this forum are making us doubt our ' maths skills! '

We are 50 something retirees (just the two of us) who smoke and drink (probably too much), and enjoy socialising - especially with food and drink

We are aware of non branded shopping (my nickname is SMART PRICE!!) and using the local markets - these have been included in our calculations

Is there anyone in a similar position who has, how shall I say - been there/done that/rad the book and seen the film etc, who has lived in Cyprus for a while who can advise please

Regards

hotshop

I would have thought that your mothly income would be ample for a couple to live on.
My hubby and I dont spend anything near that, however we dont smoke and are moderate drinkers (very moderate actually). If you havnt got rent or mortgage to pay out of that you should not have any problem.

Veronica

[wracgirl]

We are still living in Uk had to put back move,but have to say OH still works 61 and believe it or not only earn's half of that and we still have a mortgage,we don't go out often,and costs £55 a month for derv to get to work but we manage,it's a case of you have to.

[BabsM]

I know a few couples in this area who have less than you per month and still manage to drink, smoke and socialise. Cigarettes and tobacco are substantially cheaper here but you need to shop around to get the best prices.

Generally, eating out is a similar price to the UK. You will find buying coffee at well known international outlets or in the roadside cafes in Nicosia costs and arm and a leg. However, go off the beaten track and outside the main tourist areas and choose wisely and you will do better.

We don't have anything like that to spend per month and still manage to eat out and socialise occasionally.

My money saving tip? Get a water cooler and fill 20 litre water bottles from the roadside vending machines for 1 euro a fill rather than buying individual bottles of water that can cost anything up to 4 euro a litre.

[wracgirl]

Many thanks for that babsM ,we should have come out last year but with drop in house prices set us back,but we are not giving up we worked every thing out money wise,but then you read some and think gosh we#ll never manage.We don't want to bye but rent just a 2 bed aprmt,don't want to be cleaning a big house don't want that at our age.We do come out for 2 weeks every Jan so getting use to prices we don't buy import goods,food ect and find we are ok with them,we have a few meals and nights out,it's not like been away on a summer hol.We are out all day walking about on the beach if weather ok,after all that's free,roll on Jan.

[BabsM]

Yes, the drop in house prices and the drop in the Sterling exchange rate has hit us hard too and I was worried about how the husband and I would manage. We have been here 18 months and are still hanging in there!

We do have to watch our expenditure and have made some cut-backs but are managing on substantially less than you are talking about. But then we don't smoke at all or drink that much.

[eka1]

hi me being thick what is a water cooler

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by eka1

hi me being thick what is a water cooler

Its a freestanding machine which you put a large plastic bottle of water onto (25ltrs)
and you get lovely cold water. A must in the summer as you cannot get cold water out of taps no matter how long you leave them to run.
A fill up costs around 3 euros so it is a very cheap way to make sure you always have cold water.

Veronica

[theresoon]

and you get lovely cold water

as well as steaming hot water for tea!

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by theresoon

and you get lovely cold water

as well as steaming hot water for tea!

Yep hot water too if you want it