The Skiathos Bulletin Board

bee · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Leicestershire

Well said Bladerunner. I think people would be mad to stay in the UK!
Blightly may be third overpopulated at the moment - but we will be heading to the top of the list over the next few years. In fact - unofficial figures would probably get us there now!

But I don't think all bars ran by British people will necessarily carry all the awful "Brits abroad" tags. With a mix of staff from different countries and a cosmopolitan vibe going, I think it would fit in nicely with the sophistication of Skiathos. The Kasbah and a few others manage it well at the moment...

Bee.

Elle · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

Bladerunner · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 77

Elle · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

Bladerunner, I absolutely agree with you!!!
But - it is not the life for the many.... it may seem to be, but I think such lovely peace and isolation would drive many home, tail tucked... or crazy, or to tears....
Of course not everyone loves dreary *wherever in the world they may live and work* but... happily, for those of us who love the quiet life as well as the circus, there are alot of folks whose dreary country and life are a known quantity and therefor are of great comfort to them.
A Greek island winter would NOT be of any comfort to those people.... Smile

(she says, gleefully!!!!!)
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Foxy · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject:

debstgr · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 60 Location: West Midlands

[quote=where everybody can SMOKE[/quote]

err sorry but I don't want to smoke directly or passively Embarassed

Elle · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject:

debstgr · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 60 Location: West Midlands

I know that, but thats not a good thing as implied by bladerunners post.
Don't really want to get into the rights and wrongs of public smoking but in Greece most of the smoking is done outside anyway Very Happy

discopants · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 119

I know this is a Skiathos board and I am coming to the island next year for the first time and that is why I joined this forum but I just wanted to say that we are going to move to Cyprus in 2 years time.
We have visited that island many many times cos our adult daughter lived in Pafos for several years and so we got to know the area very well.The advantages apart from the weather are that there is a big ex pat scene summer and winter which is important to us, there is no council tax, they are pro British, the legal system is the same as ours to a point, which is very helpful, they only tax your pension at 5%.
Our kids are up and we have no family to worry about. We retire in 2 years aged 50 so we will not have to work and are still young ??? enough to enjoy life. You only get one stab at it.
We fell in love with Kefalonia but realised that it was not for us to live there even though we could and would not have money worries, after talking to many ex pats there we decided the winters would be unbearable/lonely and I think Skiathos would be the same.
I am not for one second saying that Cyprus is better than Skiathos or saying that it is the ideal place to settle but we have studied this topic for3 years and we think it is our best option.
Skiathos is without a doubt prettier than Cyprus, I can say that even though we've never been to Skiathos.(We've been well impressed with your photo gallery) I know that come June when we do viisit, it will tick all the boxes for a holiday but for a place to live in for us, Cyprus ticks more boxes.
Do your homework. If we make a mistake it will only be us who suffer. Our children might lose 30 or 40k from their inheritance if we fail but we've spoke to them about it and we are going to try to live the dream with their blessing.
You would never forgive yourselves if the dream went bust cos you hadn't researched it.
If it fails and you did research it, it would be easier to shrug the shoulders say oh ***Not permitted language*** and move on.
Everyone's circumstances are different I know but I hope some of this helps. One statistic which I came across, which is worrying is that 80 % of all people who emigrate to Cyprus from the UK move back within 5 years.
( I think it's fair to say that figure can probably apply to all of Greece too) so be sure you can be a member of the other 20% .
Remember that old saying.......... Fail to Prepare .......... Prepare to Fail.
Good Luck to anyone who's gonna do it, Best Wishes Gary.
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mo&balconies · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Gary - I think what you have said is pretty much spot on. We have been planning our move to skiathos for 4 years now, and have finally bought a place there. we move out in December. We are well aware that the winters are not the same as the season, but at our time of life, we just want a bit of r&r for a few months. We are still young enough too enjoys ourselves, but without the stress of the 9-5 life.
We first went there in 2002, after Steve was recovering from cancer, and decided there was more too life than the uk. You only get one shot at this life so we decided to sell up and move. It's not been all plain sailing, but got there in the end, we were just so determined.
Got friends in Cyprus and they love it, so wish you well, and might come across you in Skiathos next year.
Sue and Steve

Foxy · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:12 am Post subject:

Good post that, Gary.

We went to Cyprus last year & hated it. However......I did say to the enemy that it would probably be a good place to live. As far as a holiday goes, it just wasn't for us. Severe shortgage of Greek food & too much karaoke.

I'd much rather wake up on a cold November morning, looking at the Med than the banks of the Mersey.

bee · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Leicestershire

I have to back Foxy on this one - I've been to Cyprus a few times and also hated it. Without a doubt there are nice beaches, interesting archealogical sites and great weather - but that's where it ends. With the British forces being based there it is very much England in the sun. The massive road systems put me off (as well as the kareoke) - not my idea of a greek island.

That said - if people want to move abroad for a better lifestyle and great weather - then it is spot on.

This discussion could go on forever because thankfully we all have different opinions of our idea of paradise. Thank goodness not everybody wants to move to Skiathos or we would be in trouble! What was that earlier posting about Britian being the third overpopulated country? Skiathos could be at the top of the list if it was everybody's dream to live there !

Getting back to the original poster (who interestingly hasn't been back to post any replies...) I'd say that if their idea of a great lifestyle is to live on a lovely little island, with pretty surroundings and friendly locals - great weather in the summer and quiet, restful winters - then Skiathos is for you. If you want a big ex-pat scene with all the trappings of our materialistic world - then better head to Cyprus or Spain.
Bee.

Bladerunner · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 77

When i stepped out of the Skiathos terminal a couple of years back there actually was a group of english guys in red wigs and kilts lounging by the Mcdonalds posters at the bus stop and just for a moment i thought i had got the wrong plane and landed in Cyprus, whether they were northerners or not i don't know but it's not really something us southerners would do Very Happy

Greeks love smoking so much they are even buried with their favourite brand on show, thankfully the anti-smoking brigade will always hit a brick wall in Greece much to the annoyance of those who try to inflict their rules on the way others should lead their lives.

Ianb · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 539 Location: Lancs

Foxy · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject:

Kick his 'ead in, Ian. Mad