Why Move To Cyprus?

Welcome to Cyprus… a welcoming land of sunshine, ancient history, and romance. Greek mythology tells that Aphrodite, the Olympian Goddess of Love, was born from the foam in the waters near the town of Paphos. Islanders swear that the foamy spray sent up by the crashing of waves on the rocky coast is the image of the famous goddess of beauty. The island was once gifted from Mark Antony to Cleopatra… a trifling token of his affection. You might say Cyprus is the original island of love…

White-sand beaches… warm water… year-round sunshine… and one of the healthiest diets in the world… For sun and sand lovers, it’s hard to beat the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Yet when most people think about living and investing in the Mediterranean region, it’s the hot spots along the Spanish Costas and the French Riviera that spring to mind. Places where the good life can come at a hefty cost… and property goes into the multi-million-dollar range pretty fast.

But that’s not the full story.

Today, we’re going to look at a lesser-known corner of the Mediterranean—that includes all the trappings of this good life—but where you can own property from as little as US$50,000…

And we’re not talking fixer-uppers here. For this low price, you’d be getting a brand-new apartment in a modern complex with access to all amenities.

But first things first: Let’s get to know Cyprus a little better. The Republic of Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, and it’s the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean. The country is divided into the north, called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and the south, called the Independent Republic of Cyprus, also known as Greek Cyprus. Each half is divided by the “Green Line.”

Cyprus has it all: breathtaking coasts, impressive mountains, and vast forests. If you enjoy the outdoors, this island might be for you. Beyond its beaches, the island is a place to embrace the outdoors. Cyprus has world-class golf courses (with sweeping views over the ocean) and hiking trails through its mountains and forests. At 1,952 meters, the island’s highest peak is Mount Olympus. January through March, it’s a popular skiing and snowboarding spot for locals (and working on its international appeal).

In this not-talked-about-enough country you’ll find the world’s oldest water wells and a whole town that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Paphos, as well as two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.

Cyprus might be a small country but it’s got a rich history spanning more than 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest civilizations in the Mediterranean. From a being part of the Byzantine empire, the island fell to Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade, was sold to the Knights Templar for a time, was bought by a French dynasty, ruled by the Venetians, occupied by the Ottomans, taken over by the British before finally acquiring independence for its Greek and Turkish populations… and all these periods left their mark. You’ll find a myriad of museums, historical sites, monuments, and galleries testifying to the vast history and culture here. From Neolithic villages and tombs to Roman amphitheaters to medieval castles, the island is testament to its rich history… much of it in a well-preserved state.

And because of its unique geographical position, at the crossroads of three continents, the country is a multicultural, multilingual, and multireligious place.

Plenty of notable figures have left their mark on Cyprus… beginning with Richard the Lionheart, who conquered the island in 1191. Shakespeare set a play on Cyprus, the Crusaders swept through, the Romans settled, the Venetians defended, the Templars congregated, and even Elton John performed on this little island. 

With a superb road system, port facilities, and two international airports, Cyprus has the type of infrastructure you’d expect to find in any EU nation. Boasting an incredibly low crime rate, Cyprus is one of the safest places in the world.

As a former Crown colony, English is widely spoken and is the language used for international business; it’s through that more than three-quarters of the population speak it (Greek and Turkish are the other official languages). Cyprus also invests heavily in education. In fact, it boasts the highest percentage of citizens of working age with third-level education of any country in the EU.

When you consider all this, it’s no surprise that the island already has a thriving expat community. In fact, the island has the third highest percentage of foreign citizens in the EU. Some 16% of its population comes from outside the country—with British expats forming the majority.

The island has an ambitious agenda to become a major year-round tourist destination by 2030. In 2019, its visitor numbers hit a record 3.97 million.

Tranquil villages are in good supply all around Cyprus, including plenty of pretty little undiscovered spots. In these towns, the heart of the community is often the harbor where single-man fishing boats bring their fresh catch to sell to the restaurants only steps away. Chances are your dinner was still swimming just this morning…

Speaking of eating out, order a meze when you’re in a local restaurant. This selection of six to eight or so small dishes is usually served at the start of a meal. These little tastes of Cyprus are shared between everyone at the table, a wonderful way to start any meal. The signature local cheese is called hellim, and it’ll be included with your meal. It’s a mixture of sheep and goat milk, which is fried and served warm—another local delicacy worth your attention.