Australian moving to Cyprus

[Steve of Adelaide]

Hi,

My family and I are moving to Cyprus in the first quarter of 2010, well as soon as I finish renovating my house...hehe. We have two young children, 7 and 9. We're looking to settle in Paphos. I've read many helpful threads about the weather (how hot it is), about the education system and about the cost of living. However, these seem to be mostly from a UK perspective. As an Aussie, the heat doesn't bother me as it regularly gets above 40 degrees in summer, so I'm looking forward to having a summer during our winter! But I'm very interested in more information about the education system, especially when compared with the Australian system. I'm also keen to find out more about the cost of living when compared with Australia. Any information will be most appreciated. Thanks.

Also, do they play cricket in Cyprus? I'm not holding my breath on an Aussie Rules Football league... lol

Steve

[BabsM]

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum. We do have other Aussies on the forum and hopefully one or two will be able to give you a more Aussie perspective.

[Veronica]

Hi Steve,

I can't help with the education system but there are plenty of posts on it and a sticky thread about the schooling. Also not knowing what the cost of living is like in Aus I cant give you a comparison there.
What I can tell you is there is NO cricket but every village has a football team (not aussie rules though)

Veronica

[kimonas]

Originally Posted by Veronica

Hi Steve,

I can't help with the education system but there are plenty of posts on it and a sticky thread about the schooling. Also not knowing what the cost of living is like in Aus I cant give you a comparison there.
What I can tell you is there is NO cricket but every village has a football team (not aussie rules though)

Veronica

Cricket is played in Nicosia - there are ad hoc matches keenly played on almost every public space large enough to hold a game every Sunday rain or shine. The immigrant workers have a league and hold matches on every conceivable holiday - they're absolutely passionate about the game. The sound of leather on willow wakes me most Sundays as we live just across from a school playing field. The cricket starts at about 7:30 and doesn't finish until dusk. I expect similar matches are held in most of the larger cities /towns wherever their are enough fellow cricketers to russle up a field.

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by kimonas

Cricket is played in Nicosia - there are ad hoc matches keenly played on almost every public space large enough to hold a game every Sunday rain or shine. The immigrant workers have a league and hold matches on every conceivable holiday - they're absolutely passionate about the game. The sound of leather on willow wakes me most Sundays as we live just across from a school playing field. The cricket starts at about 7:30 and doesn't finish until dusk. I expect similar matches are held in most of the larger cities /towns wherever their are enough fellow cricketers to russle up a field.

I have never ever seen any cricket or hard of any being played here so it goes to show we learn something every day.
I'd better not let my OH know though or he'll be looking for a team to join and at his age injuries take longer to get over. So shhhhhhh, don't tell him

[Steve of Adelaide]

Originally Posted by kimonas

Cricket is played in Nicosia - there are ad hoc matches keenly played on almost every public space large enough to hold a game every Sunday rain or shine. The immigrant workers have a league and hold matches on every conceivable holiday - they're absolutely passionate about the game. The sound of leather on willow wakes me most Sundays as we live just across from a school playing field. The cricket starts at about 7:30 and doesn't finish until dusk. I expect similar matches are held in most of the larger cities /towns wherever their are enough fellow cricketers to russle up a field.

Thanks Kimonas. I'm keen to play cricket. If there's none in Paphos, I'd be tempted to drive to Nicosia... or start a team. Out of interest, how long would it take to drive there from Paphos?

[Steve of Adelaide]

Originally Posted by Veronica

I have never ever seen any cricket or hard of any being played here so it goes to show we learn something every day.
I'd better not let my OH know though or he'll be looking for a team to join and at his age injuries take longer to get over. So shhhhhhh, don't tell him

When I played cricket in the Barossa Valley, we had a bloke in his 60's play for the Fours and he would bowl these very slow 'spinners' that did nothing, but he would take a bagful of wickets most weeks. None of us could figure it out!

[kimonas]

Originally Posted by Steve of Adelaide

Thanks Kimonas. I'm keen to play cricket. If there's none in Paphos, I'd be tempted to drive to Nicosia... or start a team. Out of interest, how long would it take to drive there from Paphos?

Legally, about 2 hours. It looks quicker on the map to go over the mountains, but it's a nightmare and would take hours. The Pahpos-Limassol-Nicosia highway often gets clogged around Nicosia on weekends so it may take a bit longer than 2, but the recent bypassing of the notorious Limassol roundabouts (which Nicosians joke are 7 opportunities to rethink travelling to Limassol) has made the journey a whole lot easier and faster.

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by kimonas

Legally, about 2 hours. It looks quicker on the map to go over the mountains, but it's a nightmare and would take hours. The Pahpos-Limassol-Nicosia highway often gets clogged around Nicosia on weekends so it may take a bit longer than 2, but the recent bypassing of the notorious Limassol roundabouts (which Nicosians joke are 7 opportunities to rethink travelling to Limassol) has made the journey a whole lot easier and faster.

It's much better now that the flyovers bypass Limassol.
We were across at Larnaca yesterday and it took us only 1hr.20mins from Paphos.
It used to be a real hassel getting through Limassol and it is now a breeze.

[Steve of Adelaide]

UPDATE: We are flying out mid-February!!!! We've just signed a 1500 euro/month lease for a gorgeous 3 bedroom villa, fully furnished, with sea views near St Georges, which includes garden and pool maintenance (there are more properties available there Pepps!). Our business partner has leased the house next door - so we'll have a friend immediately, which is good. The real estate agent was really nice, she put us in contact with a British expat with a daughter the same age as ours and who'll be going to the nearby public school.

Anyway, I have some further questions re cost of living (I know, another one...lol). From what I've read on this site, I'm assuming that our total monthly income after tax, 6000 euro, will be enough for a comfortable lifestyle. However, I also realise that a comfortable lifestyle is subjective. With that in mind, here are our current plans and expectations: We have to buy a car and am looking to spend around 30,000 euro (what sort of late model - 2007/2008 - cars are available at this price?). No idea about size of repayments, interest rates etc. We need broadband internet for our business and would like satellite tv. We would likely eat out once per week and go out for coffee most days. We love a good bottle of wine with our evening meals (do they get good Barossa wines there? Also, what are some good local varieties, both red and white? mmmm). Would also like to travel a bit (perhaps twice per year) to see Europe, as we've been geographically isolated 'down under.' While my wife runs her business, I'll be continuing my studies. I've nearly completed my Bachelor of Theology (majoring in biblical studies), so I'm relishing the chance to see significant archaeological sites, not only in Cyprus, but also the region. Cities such as Corinth, Ephesus, Colossae, Jerusalem come to mind. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Steve