Moving to Cyprus / January 18, 2021 / 4 min. read
The ups and downs of island living
We love Cyprus! And we think that you will love it too.
But as much as we love this Mediterranean beauty, there are certain pros and cons of living in Cyprus which you must know about. Although this list for living in Cyprus could be much larger, we have condensed it down to just a few main points for consideration.
The REAL Pros and Cons of Living in Cyprus
The PROS
Cyprus is safe, affordable, and easy to get to.
From no matter where you are in Europe, just hop on a plane for a few hours and you’re in a safe Mediterranean paradise. General living expenses are low compared to other European countries, as well as quality of living and safety. Cyprus is a great place to raise your family with peace of mind. And of course, the weather is absolutely fantastic!
Other positives:
– Low taxation
– Friendly people
– Plenty of sunshine
– Laid back lifestyle
– English widely spoken
You don’t have to learn the language (but it helps).
You only speak English? No problem!
Approximately 73% of people in Cyprus speak English so you can easily get away with just speaking English on this island. It is a good idea however to learn some of the basic Cypriot-Greek dialect as it will make things easier for you (and the locals appreciate it to, even if you make mistakes).
You might run into some hurdles with government documentation or certain contracts, but with the use of translation or Greek speaking friends you will be fine (to be on the safe side, do not sign anything unless you understand the document).
Cyprus is a popular destination for English expats.
With so many English expat communities in Cyprus, you’ll be settled in no time at all. There are countless English style pubs, clubs and cultural aspects which have established themselves into the Cypriot ways of living. Cyprus is especially advantageous for UK citizens looking to retire on the island given its low taxation, affordable living and accessibility to UK pensions.
Cyprus receives most of it’s tourist arrivals from the UK with over 1 million UK tourist arrivals per year in the years preceding 2020!
The CONS
Some things get done slowly, slowly.
Some things should be done slowly on the island, like cooking souvla on a foukou (large pieces of meat cooked on a Greek Cypriot charcoal BBQ set), or taking a trip to the beach.
On the other hand, it can be a long and arduous experience to try to get things done at a government agency, or very common to wait many, many months for roadwork’s to be completed in your neighbourhood when it should take half the time. Or, you might have to wait several weeks to receive certain items in the mail.
Despite these annoyances, certain aspects are improving (slowly, slowly) however the island still holds on tight to some of its laid back ways of living.
Buying property can be tricky (without help).
There are many potential pitfalls that can easily be avoided when purchasing property in Cyprus. Most complaints are regarding property title deeds, building quality, and hidden/unforseen expenses. Developers more often than not promise a lot more than they can deliver and often leave new home owners reeling.
With the right guidance, you will not only avoid problems but find the right type of investment for you.
You’ll need a car to get around.
Cypriots rely heavily on the usage of their privately owned vehicles. It’s not possible to access many parts of this beautiful island without a car so you may as well own one.
Furthermore, the road infrastructure is not so great in some areas. There are often traffic jams in rush hour with accidents a plenty. Roads sections are prone to flooding during the rainy season and potholes are not uncommon. Bus services exist but are not the most reliable form of transport.
And yes, motorbikes are great for darting in and out of traffic but are a dangerous option if you are not careful!
CONCLUSION
Cyprus is a unique destination where you can enjoy the many benefits of island living despite it’s shortcomings.
There are many pros and cons of living in Cyprus, just like any place, but once you manage to adapt to the slower pace of living and island mentality, Cyprus becomes a home away from home.
