Donna Curley and her husband Nick have relocated from Derbyshire, England, to Cyprus in pursuit of establishing a wellness retreat. Donna, 49, previously worked as a fitness instructor and Weight Watchers coach in Derbyshire. Nick, 56, is an army reservist born at the RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus. The couple first purchased a holiday home in Kapparis in 2013 and made several visits a year before committing to a permanent move.

In 2024, they acquired a property in Avgorou, a rural farming village near Ayia Napa. The property includes a two-bedroom bungalow situated on 3,000 square meters of land, featuring a swimming pool and approximately 20 olive trees. This space became the foundation for their project, which involves constructing timber pods to serve as guest accommodation. After selling their UK residence, they moved to Cyprus a year ago. Donna was able to obtain a five-year residency permit based on her ownership of property on the island prior to Brexit, allowing her to live and work there.

The couple has encountered bureaucratic delays and had to adjust their plans accordingly. Nevertheless, they remain committed to offering five-day wellness retreats alongside bed and breakfast accommodations. Nick supplements their income through consultancy work with the Ministry of Defence, while Donna continues to conduct fitness classes online. They note that while the overall cost of living in Cyprus is lower compared to the UK, food prices tend to be higher. The couple has embraced an off-grid lifestyle, utilizing solar power and well water to minimize utility expenses.

Donna has faced personal health challenges as well, managing scoliosis with the aid of yoga. Social integration in their new community has proven more difficult than anticipated due to established expat groups, but they acknowledge that new British arrivals continue to be drawn to Cyprus for its lifestyle and favorable tax environment. Despite encountering setbacks, the couple expresses satisfaction with their decision to make the transition and appreciate the slower pace of life encapsulated by the local Greek expression “siga siga,” meaning “slowly slowly.”