Cyprus

[IHateToCashew]

DH is desperate to put his name forward to go to Cyprus for his next posting. I've been honest, and said I need a hell of a lot more information before I say yes! I know there's a good chance he won't get it, but I figured it's good to know anyway

So really, my questions are as follows!

1. I'm currently on maternity leave, I work in business management and finance, and just secured a new qualification. I want to continue to work, and desperately need to, or it'll be incredibly difficult to return in a few years time, if not impossible. As long as I can do something relevant, I should be alright, so what sort of work is available in Cyprus? I know there are a few bases and this may be a bit of a moot question. In order to make the minimum payments on my qualification, plus food, bills, I need to be earning a minimum of 19k per year. Because we have to leave before I can give my employer five years service, I'm liable for the boats of the qualification. --

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1. When I work, DS (now 16 weeks) will need to be in potentially full time nursery. I was reading about one of the stations where there's apparently only a crèche open 8-12! This can't be right? And how much is childcare roughly?

1. Also in regards to DS, and myself, how does medical care work out there? We were thinking that it would be the ideal time to think about trying for another baby, so what's medical care like?

1. Presumably, child care vouchers, and other benefits remain the same?

1. I run a small business from home, that requires regular postage to the UK of products. Would I have to pay higher rates for postage, or would it remain the same?

I think that's everything! I'm sure there's other stuff, but my biggest concern is working. Essentially, if I can't work, we can't go. Any other info like mother and baby groups, what it's like socially and stuff would also be fab.

Thank you so much if anyone responds!

Oh! Another one!

If we are lucky enough to have another baby while out there, would I still qualify for SMP/MA?

Hopeful little bump ...

Another really really hopeful bump

Not been out there but my cousin has. She worked in a training assurance role. Not mega bucks but it's definitely possible to work and maybe as a civil servant.

She had a nanny who was from the philepines (can't seem to spell that but you get the drift) which was the common childcare option and they often got passed down from family to family.

You'd be covered by the Forces medical side of things through the families med centre and hospital inc maternity.

Not sure about postage. Sorry I can't be of more help. My cousin loved her time there. Lots do have babies and careers. Good luck

We were there 2008 to 2010. Loved every minute!

There are job opportunities with the MOD and the support agencies. I worked for SSAFA and earnt 18k ten years ago. It was also tax free 😊. Your DH will also receive Living Overseas Allowance. It's gone down, so I don't know what it is now, but we got £900 a month extra.

You need to be aware that the working week is very different because it's geared around the heat. I did 7 - 5.30 on a Monday, then 7 to 2 the rest of the week. DH did a long Monday 7 - 5, then 7 - 1.30 every other day. The schools are similar.

Childcare has options. There are British childminders who transferred their businesses over on posting. Many people use a Phillipina home help. They look after children in their own home as well as doing housework/cooking. It was cheap too.

GP services are provided by the on camp Med Centres and is excellent. Hospital services are provided by private hospitals in Cyprus. Again, care is excellent.

Personal mail is sent at UK rates, but you will have to pay more for business post. You will also have to apply to run a business from MQ, the same as at any posting.

Benefits remain the same, not sure about childcare vouchers though.

Socially and in terms of family life it was the best posting. We had four afternoons a week, plus weekends as family time. There was always something to do or somewhere to go. I'd go back tomorrow!

Thank you both so much for your replies they're incredibly helpful!

I didn't realise my earnings would be tax free! That could really reduce the amount I need do earn. Didn't realise DH would get anything 'extra' either so this is starting to sound a lot more achievable! And as someone who is up from 5am every day that sounds like a fantastic working day

I'm more and more sold on it the more I think about it. It'd be fantastic to get that much family time with DS while he's growing up.

Oh. I have thought of another question! How easy is it shipping furniture out (if you or anyone else you can think of has done it!)?

I'm not going to lie, I'm incredibly attached to my furniture and stuff in general and would be pretty gutted if the sofa I just bought has to stay behind.

Oh. And another actually really important question

I have a recently diagnosed medical issue that means I'm no longer allowed to drive. Do you think that would be a huge issue and is it easy to walk/public transport to most places?

A percentage of your belongings are shipped at cost to the MOD, the rest are in storage, again paid for by the MOD.

We got 10 cubic metres of shipping space, which is more than you might think. Essentially half a shipping container. We took washer, dryer, fridge freezer (one is provided), dishwasher, double bed, kitchen stuff, clothes, bedding, tv, stereo etc etc etc.

You can get furniture from stores. Apart from the sofa ours was all great. We didn't take our sofa because it was old so we binned it. We bought a second hand one out there. Lots of people sell stuff when they leave.

I never used public transport. I walked around camp and drove off base.

Oh! That's loads more than I was planning on taking so we should be fine. I was thinking, sofa, bed, two TV's, washer/dryer and the drawers. Then maybe 15 maximum boxes of clothes/ornaments/towels and stuff. We didn't have an awful lot when we moved last time. And at least all our furniture flat packs! Hopefully we can get away with DS staying in his next2me until we do move anywhere, then a cot and his bedroom furniture will be one less thing to pack!

If you do need a cot in Cyprus the ones from stores are always brand new, with brand new mattresses. They used to be either Mamas and Papas or Mothercare.

Ohhh that's fab I'm seriously loving how little there seems to be to worry about if we do go out there! Will certainly be needing a cot for a while, DS is only four months old now, so he'll be in one for a while yet.

I've had a look at postage and a few other bits. By the time I've ordered supplies, and shipped stuff out I'd be operating at a loss. It's a shame, but by the looks of it I'll have to sell up or shut down. I couldn't really get away with increasing my prices. But I suppose that would free up some time to spend in the sun

Or sell over there?

I'm not sure there's much of a market over there I'd need to look into it. I'd need to look at new suppliers too, because importing materials from current ones is going to be pretty expensive. A big part of the brand is it being hand crafted in a specific county, and I'm not sure that'll carry over.

It's not the end of the world either way though. I'd be a bit disappointed if we had to shut down, but it'd make room for more time with DS and DH.

And DH has decided to put his name forward we've been told there's no chance of us staying here. So our options are Cyprus, or Halton.

There are no prizes for guessing which one I'd prefer!

Halton is nice too (different nice)

Both seem lovely options anything that gets us away from bloody Brize!

We returned from Cyprus last year and had back to back postings in two different camps.
Jobs wise- there are a few available for dependents and regular job vacancy emails are sent out.
I'm sure we got more than 10 cubic metres shipping; depends on your family size I believe. We concentrated on living room and kitchen bits as you basically live outside so don't really need fabulous bedrooms. Our sofa was ruined with heat/sweat/ suncream etc so was left there!
There is no public transport on the camps but most things are walking distance (just not fun in summer!)
You need medical clearance before your flights are booked; they will not accept you onto the island if it is a medical issue they feel unable to manage.
Philippine domestic assistants seemed most manageable to a lot of people who worked full time; the Nursery is only am and childminders are few and far between.

The more I talk to people the more peoples experiences seem to vary! We'll be looking at being at Akrotiri, as I believe that's the only one with a med centre?

The childcare and job thing worries me hugely. Not just from the perspective I physically can't afford to not work, but a couple of years out of my industry means I'm pretty much out all together and would find it really hard to re-enter or start over again when we returned to the UK.

I really do hate the focus on DH's career sometimes we had enough issues when we moved here with me finding a relevant job as there really isn't much here!

I guess there's not much chance of securing a job out there before we move? If we move at all this is all very hypothetical.

I can't see why not. Plenty of people go abroad to work and secure the employment first. I would imagine it would mean at the least a Skype interview or travel there.

There are Med centres on all the bases

Cyprus is shit. Your husband will be away most of the year. My husband was out there and he was only at base 3 months of the year