Message posted by blue on 19 July 2004 at 1:32pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
blue
First time ever in a chat room so bear with me please.
I am currently selling my house in the uk and am seriously thinking of taking the plunge and moving to corfu for keeps having threatened to do it for years and years.
Where is the best place for me to start? how do I learn - where is the best place to live, how does it all work, how do I find a job, what is health care like for those living there permanently is it best to buy a house from here in the uk or rent first and then buy?
Please Help!
Message posted by Sailor on 19 July 2004 at 1:42pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
Hi Blue,
Firstly you do not find many in the Chat Room during the day, but the evening is a different matter. Plus quite a few of the members are on their holidays at this time of year, hence less in the Chat Room. It is case of perservering, and keeping an eye on the Chat List.
Taking the plunge. Only this morning there have been many posts on this subject which gives a lot of valuable information on the do's and dont's of moving to Corfu. Rest assured, no one is against people making the move, whether it is for business, pleasure, or just to retire. You can gain a mountain of information from this Forum (Greek Life) alone, just browse through the various topics and read to your hearts content. You will find links to the professionals who are established in Corfu, and will help you and guide you to what ever you decide to do.
There also many people who just live in Corfu (Ex Pats) who are in the tourist business, and indeed who have just retired to Corfu, they also will give valuable information, and the right avenues to take.
Firstly, as I said, take a good look through this forum, and if you have any questions, get back with another post, and some one will give further advice or at least put you on to people who can. I have given you a link below, which is based around making the move to Corfu, by some one who already as. At least it will give you an insight as to what to expect. I have read and it has, as well as others given me a lot of advice. We intend to move to Corfu also.
There are also a FEW Brits who live in Corfu who are NOT in the tourist industry and NOT in the building/estate agency business. Most, if not all of these will give advice from experience (taking into account that everyone's experiences are different due to who they dealt with at the time)
You should really come over here at the start or end of the season to have a good look around, one reason is that some of the Estate Agents will treat you as a potential customer and not just a nuisance window shopper, or even charge you per visit for viewing properties (anecdotal only, I have no first hand eveidence of this practice) and of course those who wish to sell may reduce their price closer to winter to force a sale.
There are many apartments for rent during the off season months at very reasonable prices,,,,,, go on,,, take the plunge, join the Ex Pats for a winter in Corfu.
If you get nothing else from this post then at least have this,
The more you know, the less it will cost !!!!
best regards
Mozzy
Message posted by Corfiot Mag on 20 July 2004 at 8:35am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Corfiot Mag
If you've not got long term experience of Corfu, I would advise renting for a few months (including winter) to see if you really can get on with the life here.
There is one estate agent that charges for viewings but say they charge no commision on the purchase. Don't know of this is true or not. I agree with the others though, if you have no friends or contacts in Corfu then rent first, sus out all the details and then buy if that's still want you want. We are lucky in having friends there that we have visited on numerous occassions both in and out of season before we decided to buy. Even then we will not be moving over for a few years yet so can still just view it as an investment potential! Mind you it would take a lot to convince me not to retire to the island that we have come to love...
Message posted by david & laura on 23 July 2004 at 12:47am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor dont say ex pats, it sounds terrible, they are people who love the place and have moved, when you move to a beautiful island like Corfu with all those wonderful friendly greek people just be part of the place and join in, ex pats reminds me of people who move to spain then go to english only bars eat fish and chips, sorry not being rude, move to Corfu and be part of it.
David.
Message posted by Sailor on 23 July 2004 at 4:25pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
My apologies on the use of that phrase (although I am not the only one on many of the topics and forums). It was a phrase I used loosely, with no harm intended.
I too love Corfu very much, hence my planning for a move in the future, and rest assured we will make every effort, and more, to become part of the Corfiot fraternity.
To all Corfu Lovers, my apologies.
Best Wishes.
Message posted by Mozzy Man on 24 July 2004 at 12:05am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
The term Ex Pat means A citizen of one country who resides in an other,,, who can get upset at that.
We are Brits who live , or intend to live in Greece, therefore Ex Pats,,, I've been an Ex Pat in many places but never heard it sound offensive !!
Should I become a Greek citizen because I live in Corfu, should I become an Arab if I live in Saudi.
Sailior,,, you, like I were in the Andrew, when did you ever apologise for being British !
David, I am sorry if I remind you of Brits who eat Fish and Chips,,,, how awfull of them,,, should eat squid shouldn't they !
Mozzy Man
Message posted by Sailor on 24 July 2004 at 12:23am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
Hi MM,
Point taken. I was not really apologising for using the the phrase "Ex Pats", but at the same time, I do not wish to upset others. I will continue to use the phrase in its right context, the same as you do.
One cannot go somewhere and live, and expect to become something else. You and I both know that from our naval exploits. The number of British people living in the many countries we visited, and for many years, yet they still had that air of Britishness about them.
When I finally move to Corfu, I will abide by the culture, the way of life, the laws, etc, otherwise it would not be worth making the move in the first place. One has to accustom oneself to the new way of life they have chosen. Even if it is fish and chips one night, and calmari another night.
Cheers MM.
PS: Can I ask when you were in the RN, and what branch. Thanks.
Message posted by Mozzy Man on 24 July 2004 at 1:02am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
ASTD Ganges 74, (Hit the Button) PVR Chatham 75, not disinguished I know, but proud of what I did. Incidentley, while there, helped train the Iranian Navy,,, no comment !!!!!
But let's not be diplomatic,,,,,,,, never worked in Harwich,,,,, why do Brits always, always, go with the laws of the land, as you say you will, and as I do.
How come that foreign nationals in the UK require the law to change to suit their customs ? IE Seihks motorcycle helmets, Speakers on Minurets on Islamic Mosques, abolition of the Lords Prayer in Schools ?????.
I can live with British people being nice to everyone,,,, I am myself usually, and will always be,,,,,,, But I cannot tolerate British citizens telling me what I should be called, what I should eat and how I should behave when abroad. I've lived in countries that make it a criminal offense to have a Cross or Bible in your possesion, punishable by flogging, where anything to do with Christmas is forbidden. I can live with that because I'm a Brit, and as Brits do, I accorded to their laws and customs.
Please don't sit in Milton Keynes and tell me that I should eat Stiffado because I'm in Greece.
Sorry all, bad day, my wood was twisted and it makes a bugger of a job when it's hot and sweaty,,,,,
Brit and Proud
MM
Message posted by FRANCO on 24 July 2004 at 10:09am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
FRANCO
The word "ex pats" decribe a vast amount of people who live not only in Corfu but other Greek islands & mainly Spain.These are the people who learn 2 or 3 greek words,sit in a bar with all the other ex pats & just because they say hello to a few Greek people think they are friends with the whole village !!
I have worked & lived abroad for nearly 20 years & belive me the people who I have the least time for are these people. They walk around the village as if they own it when many do not even own a house here & think they are the first people in the UK to move abroad. I live & work in the south of the island but I was in the north last week & it made me laugh looking at all the ex pats walking around.
I Know not all people who come to live here & other places are like that but I belive a vast amount are & before we know it it will be like spain with every ex pat club/meeting going.
I am happy when I finish work to go back to my little village,with real people & get away from all those ex pats who think they have something to prove - & this is from 20 years experience & not 6 months renting in Roda !!!
Message posted by planetolivewood on 24 July 2004 at 10:42am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
planetolivewood
Franco
I know "ex-pats" who have been on the island for over 10 years (some over 25), speak very good Greek, contribute to the local economy and are accepted into the community by the locals (after all Greeks are known for their hospitality). I also know people who have lived on Corfu for a less amount of time but who are learning Greek.
"when I finish work to go back to my little village,with real people & get away from all those ex pats who think they have something to prove"
The people I am talking about above are also "real" people and certainly don't have anything to prove - they are just going about their business. Perhaps there are indeed some "ex-pats" who fit your description but can I just say that I certainly do not tar them all with the same brush.
As far as community meetings go, why not? It happens in the UK. Near where I live there is a Polish Club, regular Italian meetings and Muslim places of worship/community meetings.
Is there a vast diffenence between ex-pats in the south and north then?
Regards
Message posted by dogbones on 24 July 2004 at 10:58am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
'Our experience of the World is relative to our perspective.
The world of our experience is constantly transforming.
Therefore we must be wary of our tendency to adopt fixed or dogmatic judgements, evaluations, and standards based on a narrow viewpoint, since this leads to conflict and frustration.'
Chinese philosopher bloke 'Chuang Tzu', fourth century B.C.
Sorry, just filling in time until I think of something to do today.
Ian
Message posted by dogbones on 24 July 2004 at 2:07pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
On the contrary Ian...I found your words to be profound.
And free of pre-conceived dogma.
Message posted by Sailor on 24 July 2004 at 3:35pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
How is it that some posts result in misunderstandings. On one side, we have the dislike of "Ex Pats", and its meaning, and on the other side we have, why cannot we be "Ex Pats".
Of course if one decides to move to another Country, then you have to abide by the laws of that land. One cannot turn round and say it does not happen in our country so why should we give up the Brit status in others. For a start it is the Brit Government who permits this sort of thing to happen in our country, but I believe that people living in our country should have the right to maintain their own cultures, as long as it does not break the law, and boldly interfers with the lives of others.
When I make the move, YES, I will abide by the law of the country I am living in, but I will maintain my British culture also. In Greece it is known, and has been said on this thread that the Greek people are the easiest to get on with and enjoy the friendship between the two countries.
Why should there not be clubs, societies that relate around the British scene there is the same for all in Britain, including the Greeks, its part of life.
I maintain what I said, I will go to Corfu, I will abide by the law of the land, I will eat Greek food, and British Food, I will speak English, and I will subject to learning skills to my utmost to speak Greek. Of course one does not have to change their passport or nationality, because we are all part of the EU, or near enought anyway.
When I have holidayed in Corfu I have only seen Corfiots, Greeks and British together, either eating out, in the bars and tavernas, on the beaches, I have not seen a totally Brit community having nothing to do with the natives of Corfu.
My views, Best Wishes.
Message posted by Mozzy Man on 25 July 2004 at 1:01am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Quote: Originally posted by Mozzy Man on 25 July 2004
Franco
How could you tell the difference between Ex Pats, tourists and locals when visiting the North of the Island ???
Please tell ?
MM
With your ears......
Message posted by Gensing on 25 July 2004 at 3:00pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Gensing
EX PATS Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrr horible statement, interpritation, call it what you may of someone who, lets face it is an immigrant in Greece.
I can not think of anything worse than moving over here and living in the pockets of other Brits. Club's, meetings for ex-pats, stick em where the sun don't shine.
I am in Greece because I love the place, I like the climate, the musky smells, the people and the general way of life, why o why in earths name should I want to be surrounded by other Brit's in Greece, or constantly visit British Bars, Brit ran eating houses etc. etc.
Call me a British Immigrant, I like the sound of that better. And I will intigrate to the best of my ability, I don't care what the Muslim's think their entitlement is in the UK, I will Live Greece, pay my way in Greece, and yes I will Have stew and dumplings a couple of times a month, cos I love it. When I eat out it will be Greek,
By the way Franco, whats the difference between the North and lets say Gouvia, or is it that you don't wish to upset anyone from there? Or have you had a conversation with someone recently who you wish rub up against and not upset?
If you wish to post a reply to this thread you must first Login
If you are not already registered you must first register
All Rights Reserved. No part of the Corfu Travel Guide web site may be reproduced without permission.
Infringement will be pursued.
The Corfu Travel
Guide and Lefkada Travel Guides are brought to you by Agni Travel.
Agni Travel is the sister company of Taverna Agni and also the sponsor of the Agni Animal Welfare Fund
Topic:
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG){kind=avatar}
