A family from East Yorkshire has left the UK for Cyprus, citing rising crime, NHS failures, and the cost of living crisis as reasons for their move. Rosie, 30, and Craig, 38, along with their three-year-old daughter Summer, relocated in May this year after selling their home and quitting their jobs.
The couple say they were motivated by concerns over safety and quality of life. Rosie told Luxury Travel Daily that an article about a teenage girl injured in a stabbing was a turning point. They also struggled with a poor work-life balance, receiving just one family day per week, and found themselves paying for a house they rarely occupied.
Since moving, the family rents a four-bedroom detached villa with a pool and reports being £9,000 better off annually. Craig now works remotely in sports analysis, while Rosie works as a beauty therapist and quality assurance officer. Rosie's parents have also joined them in Cyprus.
The couple highlighted the NHS as a key factor: 'We'd been subject to a failing NHS for so long that we actually thought it was normal to have to wait six weeks for a doctor's appointment.' In Cyprus, they say same-day GP appointments are typical. They also cited the UK's 'crappy weather' as a reason, noting they questioned 'why we were killing ourselves to pay for two weeks of sun a year when we could just live in a warmer climate.'
Cyprus was chosen over Spain due to better visa options for remote workers, driving on the same side of the road, three-pin sockets, and widespread English use. The family plans to stay long-term, with Rosie stating: 'I don't see us returning to the UK at any point in the near future.'
