Can I Afford to Live in Cyprus?

Have you heard of the island called Cyprus? Have you ever wondered what life would be like to live on such an historic beautiful island? Have you ever dreamed of being a resident of this country? Do you need to know more about this country and how you can become a resident and manage the cost of living? This article is right for you. The following topics would be discussed:

• Everything you need to know about Cyprus
• Reasons why you should live in Cyprus.
• Places to live in Cyprus.
• Can you afford to live in Cyprus?

Everything you need to know about Cyprus:

Cyprus is an island country located in Europe. It is found in the eastern Mediterranean sea. It is officially called the Republic of Cyprus. The Capital of this nation is Nicosia. The official language spoken is Greek and Turkish while other minor spoken languages are Cypriot and Armenian. Cyprus's official currency used is Euro. Cyprus is ranked the 5^th safest country in the world. It has very low crime rates. It is a very historic country known for having the oldest wells dug in the world.

It is also known for its sunshine as it receives lots of sunshine for more than 300 days in a year and just around 40 days of rainfall. It is one of the major tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is home to lots of natural resources such as copper, salt, clay, asbestos, Earth pigment, gypsum, and pyrite. It is also known to exhibit mountains, waterfall, golden sandy beaches, heels, and Cliffs.

Cyprus is a very beautiful place to live in. Its historical stuff and natural beauty make it more of a paradise than just an island it also has beautiful cities and lots of small villages. It is also a central attraction for tourists interested in historical events. It has historical castles, museums, and even walls all surrounding the cities.

It is a country not just known for its historical surroundings, but also a modernized environment. It is developed in areas such as good healthcare system, good educational sectors to having one of the best universities in Europe, modernized hotels structure, and many more structures. It is a good place to enjoy spectacular views at the beaches and enjoy the cool wind. It is also a good location for getting into watersports mainly, scuba diving. There are lots of fun and amazing things to do here.

Lots of expats and retirees as the brits, British, Russians, and even Chinese have taken Cyprus to be their home and enjoy the numerous benefits that come along with it.

Reasons why you should live in Cyprus:

There are numerous reasons why Cyprus would be a good destination for a permanent residence. Some of which are:

• English is an acceptable widely spoken language:

Language is one of the most important factors to be considered before moving to a new place. English is a widely spoken language here. Cyprus was under to be a British colony for many years. They were under the British empire from 1914 to 1925, and a crown colony from 1925 till their independence in 1960. Therefore, the majority of the people living in Cyprus can speak English.

• Very good weather conditions:

Cyprus is known for its long summers and short mild winters. You would expect to see the sun 89% of the whole time. There is sunshine an average of 2,700 to 3,500 hours in a year. Rain occurs mostly in winter while the summers are generally dry. Snow can also be found at the Troodos mountain in the central part of the island.

• Few crowds and lots of space:

Cyprus is a country that doesn't go the same way with the hustle and bustle of other large cities. It has lots of space that makes it easy to view the Island even though it’s a small island.

• Laidback pace of life:

Life is generally taken at a slower pace here. The Cypriots are known to be solid with their Mediterranean cultures. This makes things get done the way they should be with little sense of urgency attached.

• A peaceful island with low crime rates:

Reported crimes in Cyprus are very low. It is a very safe nation and has one of the lowest crime rates in all of Europe.

• High Educational standards:

The island has a high quality of Education. There are many international schools that can be chosen from.

• Low cost of living:

The general cost of living in Cyprus is very low compared to the UK and other European countries. Living in Cyprus is inexpensive and you can enjoy a wonderful standard of living on a modest budget and still be able to save for future purposes.

• Buying of Properties in Cyprus:

Properties are being purchased at very considerate prices. There are still great bargains available in Cyprus and is best accessed as early as possible to get the best deal.

• Low Tax payment rate:

Income tax rates are low in Cyprus compared to other countries in Europe.

• Availability of lots of employment and job opportunities:

There is a large number of work opportunities available in Cyprus. It is a business-friendly environment.

• Friendly Environment:

The people in Cyprus are generally friendly and approachable. They are also welcoming and hospitable.

• Quality public and private healthcare systems:

The public and private healthcare services are of good quality in Cyprus. Permanent residents are entitled to free basic medical care through the natural health care system by the public healthcare services called GESY. Emergency treatments are also free in the public healthcare system. The private healthcare system also gives the best treatments in Cyprus.

• Stunning beaches:

Cyprus is home to lots of stunning beaches and you can always make time to enjoy the spectacular view and atmosphere of the beaches.

• Amazing history:

Cyprus is rich with amazing histories which can be traced back thousands of years. This island has lots of things that can be learned from. It is a country worth exploring.

• Unlimited watersports opportunities:

Since Cyprus is an island surrounded by water, it gives hundreds of opportunities to engage in any watersports such as scuba diving, windsurfing, and others such as banana and tube rides, jet skill, wakeboarding, and more.

Places to live in Cyprus:

Cyprus is divided into mainly 6 cities. Which are Paphos, Nicosia, Limassol, Larcana, Famagusta, and Kyrenia (which is occupadied by Turkish since 1974 and also part of Famagusta). All these cities would be highlighted on:

• Paphos:

Paphos is located on the southern coast of the Mediterranean sea of Cyprus. It is one of the best towns in Cyprus. It offers the best lifestyle as one of the best locations in Europe. It is a comfortable, easy-going, and relaxing city. It is easy to relocate to Paphos. English is commonly spoken there. It is a tourist Centre as it has some historical centers. It also has lots of restaurants and bars. It is easy to make friends here too. It also has incredible beaches like Coral Bay and the famous turtle beach of Lara where the careta-careta turtles lay there eggs. It is also famous for Akamas National Park which offer great nature paths.

It has lots of British residents and expats. It offers quality medical care and also quality education. It is one of the best cities to live in Cyprus. It is known for having properties for sale at the best reasonable prices.

• Nicosia

This is the capital of Cyprus and also the heart of Cyprus. It is a really good place to live in. It is highly rated in business freedom, safety, and health care.

Nicosia has historic, modern, diverse and practical aspects you need to have a spectacular and comfortable lifestyle for you and your family. It has business facilities, universities, hospitals, schools, and funded health care facilities. It also has the best transport and connection system. It is filled with tourists and is among the easiest places to relocate to in Cyprus.

• Limassol:

It is the second-largest southern-most city in Cyprus and is also considered the second-best city to live in Cyprus. It offers history, live music, nightlife, beaches, parties, shopping, and insight into the lifestyles and cultures of Cyprus. It is a very lively and beautiful city.

It has a population of 200,000. It serves as both a cosmopolitan metropolis and an international business center.

Limassol is also ranked among the best 100 cities in the world to live in. It comes 86^th out of 231 other cities. It is also a safe place to live in. It is a stunning mixture of modernization and the ancient past. It has the largest number of small villages in Cyprus. It also has a good health care system and Educational sector. It is a lovely place to live in.

• Larcana:

Larcana is the third-largest city in Cyprus. It has a few lovely villages on the outskirts of the city. It is known for its stunning beaches. it has a lot of modern infrastructures such as health care infrastructure, luxurious shopping malls, high-ranked private institutions, and job market its traditions are well secured, respected, and welcomed by the people.

• Famagusta:

Famagusta is a very small city. Living in Famagusta is inexpensive. There are cheap foods and accommodations here. It also has incredible beaches. It is easy to get accommodation in Famagusta. It is filled with historical wall structures and is a tourist center too. It might not be your first choice but it is a good choice.

• Kyrenia:

Kyrenia unfortunately is occupied hence living here will not have the benefits of living in the rest of Cyprus. You should be really causious about purchasing a property in the occupied area since you will not get an official Title Deed of the property.

Can you afford to live in Cyprus?

As stated earlier, living in Cyprus is inexpensive. It requires a low cost of living compared to other countries in Europe.

A family of two to three people would cost €2000-€3000 per month for a comfortable living. This amount can be affected depending on the location you are in.

On average, it would cost a single person €691 without rent payment per month. It would cost a family of four approximately €2435 monthly exclude the rent payment.

If you need real estate, you can get a studio or a one-bedroom apartment for around €400 to €500 per month in Paphos. In Limassol, you can get this same apartment for €600 to €700. Prices differ according to location.

If you have a good income to beat these expenses, then surely you can afford to live a comfortable and modest life in Cyprus.

CONCLUSION:

Cyprus is a beautiful country with beautiful cities and lots of beautiful things to experience by being a resident. It is one of the top chosen countries to immigrate into. Not only is Cyprus beautiful, but it is also known for its historical background and has become a center for tourism.

Living in Cyprus is by some percentage cheaper than living in Germany or the United Kingdom. So it is affordable to live in. There are various cities to choose from with various benefits to be enjoyed from living there. It is a mixture of modern infrastructure and history. Therefore you get to enjoy the country's traditions as well as modernization. As it is an island you also get to enjoy amazing views of the sea at the beautiful beach. No doubt, Cyprus is one of the best countries to relocate to with lots of benefits.

You also get to enjoy a friendly environment and a peaceful and safe environment. It is also a good location in terms of health care and educational sectors. It is modernized in not just those areas, but also in areas of having a modernized architecture for hotels, restaurants, bars, events centers, and other entertainment centers.

Expats and tourists from different locations have enjoyed spending time in this country. Cyprus has proved to be an amazing island to visit. No doubt, Cyprus is a good place to relocate to and start a life.

Author: Christos Nikolaou

BEng Mechanical Engineering, MSc Real Estate, ETEK Property Valuer, Register and Licensed Real Estate Agent.

Christos Nikolaou is the founder and Managing Director of Property Canvas, he holds a license as an Estate Agent from the Association of Real Estate Agents of Cyprus and he is a registered Property Valuer in the Technical and Scientific Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK). He is the author of our “Can I Afford to Live in Cyprus? ” and is a certified advance negotiator.