Are you thinking about moving to Cyprus?

A move to Cyprus is no longer simply about retiring in the Mediterranean sun

Whilst Cyprus is still seen by many primarily as a convenient retirement destination, the past few years have seen an increasing trend for foreign professionals and companies to use the Republic as a convenient and cost-effective base from which to trade in the lucrative Middle Eastern markets.This trend is most evident in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains inland from Limassol, which are rapidly becoming the prime buying destination for foreign professionals moving to Cyprus, driven by a need to stay within easy reach to the Republic's commercial heart, but an equally strong desire to get away from the many holiday and retirement developments found along the coastal stretches. Similarly, since the Republic's ascension to full European Union membership in May 2004, an increasing number of overseas companies (especially those with interests in the Middle East and North Africa) have come to realise that moving to Cyprus, although initially a large scale undertaking, presents them with a large number of long-term advantages, both financial and logistical. But a move to Cyprus is not just for high-flying professionals and international businesses. Indeed, a growing number of British tradesmen (and women of course) are realising that the Republic suffers from something of a shortage as far as qualified craftsmen and women are concerned, thus making it an ideal territory for business start-ups, especially in light of future developments which are set to see the British expatriate population in Cyprus rise dramatically from its current level of 60,000.  

The Cost of Living in Cyprus - A short run-down of prices Despite boasting a similar standard of life to the UK, the cost of living in Cyprus is actually around 30% lower than it is in Britain (and the weather's better too)  Food & Drink Prices in Cyprus  RESTAURANTS: Generally speaking, restaurants are a lot cheaper in Cyprus than they are in the UK. Using 'Pizza Express' as an example, we found that the Cypriot 'Pizza Express' restaurant menu is around 23% cheaper than its British equivalent. Unlike some other Mediterranean destinations, Cyprus boasts a wide range of different international cuisine, all at very favourable prices. FOOD & DRINK: On the subject of alcohol, Cyprus offers local and imported beers from about €1.70 per pint, a wide range of wines from around €4.30 per bottle and even a good quality bottle of local brandy from as little as €5.00. In a typical supermarket, you can expect to pay around €1.17per pint (bottle) for Cyprus beer Keo/Carlsberg and around €2.99 to €3.41 for Cypriot wine (Aphrodite, Othello, Thisby etc.).  But of course, as with any other destination in the world, if you visit Cyprus' typically touristy places, you will pay substantially more. With regards to food, Cyprus offers an excellent variety of fresh and inexpensive fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Tobacco, Clothing & Electricals TOBACCO: is very inexpensive in Cyprus compared to the UK. Local cigarettes are available from around C£1.35, imported cigarettes (Marlboro, Silk Cut, B&H, etc.) from approximately €3.24. Golden Virginia Rolling Tobacco sells for about €4.69 per 50g pouch. CLOTHING: Clothing in Cyprus can be bought at very reasonable prices, because Cyprus is used as a manufacturing base by various UK clothing manufacturers. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: For the last few years, a wide variety of domestic appliances with leading brand names are available at very competitive prices. For example, washing machines averaging at €256 and fridge freezers at €324. One exception on the electrical appliance front are tumble dryers, which are comparatively expensive in Cyprus at around €290. But then, with an average 326 sunny days each year, they are not the most common appliance around.   Click here for up to date information about the weather in Cyprus and to see what the climate is like all year round.For information about the history of Cyprus, especially its time as a Crown colony and as an independent state, click here.  DAY TO DAY COST OF LIVING IN CYPRUS?  Aside from the fact that groceries (especially meat, fruit & vegetables) tend to be substantially cheaper than in the UK, the taxation aspect should also be considered in the overall cost of living in Cyprus. In the UK one of the major expenses for any home owner is Council Tax, with the average annual bill now exceeding the £1,300 mark.In Cyprus however, the equivalent charge is not nearly so dramatic, with 'council tax' weighing in at a staggering €102 to €136 per year, plus a 'refuse tax' of about another €170. For many of us, income is another important consideration.Did you know that Cyprus benefits from one of the most benevolent tax regimes in Europe? More information on Cyprus tax matters can be found in our 'Useful Information' section. If you're looking for a whole host of great reasons to buy a property in Cyprus for retirement, holiday or investment, click here. Click here for more information about the major areas, provinces and towns of Cyprus. More information about things to do in Cyprus, from bingo to bungee jumping and restaurants to rally schools, it is all here.

If this has warmed your appetite and you want to find out more about buying a beautiful home in Cyprus, be sure to contact us for more information on property developments, availability and prices in all areas of the Republic. The cost of living in Cyprus is substantially lower than in the United Kindom The weather aside for a moment, there has been some talk amongst British expatriates in the Republic of late complaining about the high cost of living in Cyprus. Whilst it is true that, compared to minimum local wages, living in Cyprus is actually only slightly cheaper than it is in the UK, most expatriates discussing the issue fail to mention that they happen to be retired, and therefore considerably better off residing in Cypruss than in the United Kingdom. Professionals moving to the island also have little to fear, since specialists usually command above average wages in the Republic.