Cyprus is a beautiful place to live for immigrants, families, and retirees. The island is known for its fabulous beaches, not only that, but it also draws people from all over the world with its stunning mountains and little valleys filled with vineyards, orange orchards, and olive groves.
Living in Cyprus has financial benefits. Life there in general is more comfortable and there are more opportunities to spend time outdoors.
English is spoken in North and South Cyprus.
Cyprus is one of the most secure places in Europe. The crime rate is significantly low on both sides. Regardless of the division, Cyprus remains a very safe place for expats. Compared to other European countries, there are fewer crimes.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of living in Cyprus
Although the island is stunning and happens to be a desirable location for many expats, there are both advantages and disadvantages to moving to Cyprus. It’s good to be fully aware of both before you move.
Advantages of living in Cyprus
Beautiful weather and a lot of bright and long sunny days.
Several opportunities for an active outdoor lifestyle: great golf courses, mountain hikes, especially in the North. You can engage in watersports and even go skiing in the winter months in the Troodos Mountains.
Various beautiful beaches to choose from for a lazy day out by the sea.
A lot of locals are English speakers on both sides to makes learning Greek or Turkish unnecessary. However, if you learn other languages, it will be greatly appreciated by your local community.
Low taxes and lower cost of living are things we all live for. This is especially true if you want to move to North Cyprus.
Great and amiable expat communities on both sides.
Food markets in Cyprus are rich in colors and flavors making it irresistible.
Disadvantages of living in Cyprus
It rains very often in January and February and makes the country extremely cold.
July and August are always severely hot, air conditioners are always advisable.
The internet can be very patchy and unaffordable.
South Cyprus and North Cyprus
The island is home to the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Living in the Republic of Cyprus
The Republic is an officially known state, a member of the EU.
It has a dynamic economy, more sophisticated facilities, and multiple double taxation treaties with a wide range of countries across the globe (including the UK). All of this makes tax matters much easier for private persons and businesses.
Is it expensive to live in South Cyprus?
You will find that the cost of living in Cyprus is the same as in other south European countries and is cheaper than living in the United Kingdom.
Nicosia as the capital might be perceived as the most expensive city, and this is one of the reasons expats prefer other locations. If, however, you desire all the sophistication of urban living, it’s worth paying a little more to live in Nicosia.
Living in North Cyprus (the TRNC)
One very important advantage of living in North Cyprus is getting all the perks of the Mediterranean lifestyle for a very affordable price. Indeed, in North Cyprus, your money can go much further compared to other popular destinations. The cost of living and property in North Cyprus is cheap, compared to other European countries.
Healthcare in North Cyprus
North Cyprus offers you an option of state-run or public hospitals and healthcare clinics, in case you find yourself in need of medical attention.
Make sure you fully understand what emergencies your plan covers before you sign up for it.
Out-of-pocket payment
With the cost of healthcare in the TRNC being low, you might find this option the best. You might also choose not to bother with insurance at all, and if you think your risks of getting seriously ill or needing an emergency surgery are very low, then you can just pay at every visit to the doctor.
Living in Cyprus: final thoughts
Cyprus is a wonderful place. It’s sunny, friendly, and represents a good value for money. The tax rates and cost of living are softer on your bank account compared to other countries.
However, just like with any other retirement destination, to find out whether Cyprus is a good fit for you, you need to spend some time there before choosing to live there.
And one final note – if you are looking for a cheaper place to live abroad, North Cyprus is affordable, and you can live like a local and reduce your bills right down.
