Cyprus?

[KatyCustard]

My husband is applying for a job in Nicosia that comes with accommodation. We have two daughters aged 10 (Year 6) and nearly 3. I'd have to give up my job and be at home with the girls. He would be earning the same as he earns here so there's no financial incentive. I'm not really feeling the love if I'm honest.

Can anyone tell me about living in Cyprus, in particular, Nicosia? I know nothing about Cyprus.

Is the job affiliated with the mod, civil service?

No, not at all.
I've been looking at schools and as my DD is year 6 there's no way I'm sending her to a Greek school, and it looks like the fee paying ones are all selective; she's not got special needs but there's no way she's passing an entrance exam.

Hmm, after living in Cyprus I came to the conclusion that there was no way I would send my DD to a local school - it would have to be an International school or nothing. IME the boys are treated like Gods and the girls dismissed.

Nicosia itself is quite nice, more 'international' in feel than the other major cities (Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca etc). The cost of living is very high though, and your money won't go as far as it does in the UK. Large items (for example a trampoline for the kids) cost double their UK price, and a lot of Cypriot companies still hark back to the days of the Cypriot Pound - doing wildly inaccurate conversions that always cost you money.

I loved Cyprus when I was there, but as soon as DD needed schooling my attitude changed. I would retire there, maybe, but I wouldn't live there as a Brit with a young family (I also found the language very hard to learn, could get by after a year, but never got the written word at all).

Sadly not able to help much, I know the sce schools do take non entitled pupils for a fee, education follows uk education exactly but no longer a school in Nicosia. DH says there is an international school. From friends who have lived out there opinion seems mixed on benefits of weather, sea, beach, food vs the cost of living, work/career opportunities etc and harrowing stories regarding treatment of animals (no doubt will get flamed by someone any minute now). DH was offered job there which we turned down. Just couldn't get the balance to tip in favour, however DC were a little older than your dc at the time.

Thank you, that's been really helpful, especially the stuff about the cost of living. It just seems like a non starter all round. If it was somewhere like Majorca, an island we know well, I would feel so differently. But I speak no Greek AT ALL, I'm not great in the heat and neither is elsesr DD, I would be walking away from a good career and would find it hard to get back in when we returned.... I suppose I just can't see any positives at all.
If he gets an interview I get to go over there with him for two days. I'll go, but only out of interest. I think I know that if he goes we'll be staying behind!

I lived there for four years - even the international schools aren't great tbh. We have a house there but I would never live there again. Awful people, corrupt, expensive, small and like living in a village - everyone knows everyone. it is very expensive to travel to and from. there is a lot wrong with the country, animal abuse, human rights abuse. work opportunities are few and far between unless you can speak Greek. Sorry not much help - but it's not on my top ten list of places to live.

Hi Op,

I've lived here for 3 years. I live in a village between larnaca and the East Coast resorts and have a different view from a lot of the others slightly.I gave up a career to come here.

Yes to lack of jobs, transport costs and the heat. I have seen improvements in animal welfare since I've been here, I think the cost of living is cheaper than the uk, and my friends do rate some of the schools here.

I have tried to learn the language and can read it but not speak it and yes this has been a problem getting a job but not for any other reason. I am an sahm now and for the foreseeable so that isn't really an issue now but apart from that not speaking greek hasn't been a problem.

I agree about people and corruption.But I think there is corruption everywhere.

I'd like to give you a positive spin though, I have more space here and feel very safe here. I love the outdoorsy way of life and the contrasts of the island. I have also been in hospital here twice and got excellent treatment I wouldn't have got from the nhs.

It's not amazing, far from it but I'd rather live here than the uk. If it's an amazing opportunity for your Dh there are positives and keeping an open mind is a good idea.And pm me if I can help. also I think it depends whereabouts in the UK you come from and the kind of lifestyle you are used to.