Cyprus-Forum.com

[miltiades]

I first visited Nicosia in 1959 as a 13 year old , that was 2 years before I arrived at Victoria , I know how much GR likes reading this story so I shall pm him my first impressions of Nicosia in 1959 , it runs into a few pages but Im sure he will enjoy reading it !!

[sweetie pie]

I have only lived in Limassol but have visited other places numerous times.
Paphos I do not like and Nicosia is a nightmare to get into and out of. Limassol has been designated the 'business centre' of the island and is pretty lively and it does have a beach for those who like to live near the sea. There are also plenty of antiquities/museums in and around Limassol if those things float your boat. Oh and of course the new marina is in the pipeline as well as the new shopping malls. Although it has a pretty thriving shopping centre as it is.
Limassol is also in the centre with about the same distance to Paphos, Larnaca, the mountains and Nicosia give or take a few miles.

[haplessboyrussell]

I would take the above message and change the words "Nicosia" for "Limassol" - I think Limassol is an absolute nightmare to get into or out of at any time during a business day - I think it depends where you go. I'm not sure about Limassol as the business centre of the island - as an international finance business, we started in Limassol and found it too far from all the things we needed - government, major business functions of the banks, major offices of other firms - all of which are in Nicosia.

If you're prepared to venture into the occupied side, I think the antiquities within a stone's throw of Nicosia are far more exciting - St. Hilarion, and Buffavento are in my opinion the finest locations in the whole country.

Agree that the new part of the city of Nicosia has a "unique" architectural style which doesn't appeal to many, and Limassol has the advantage of the sea-front - if they remade the seafront road so its pavements weren't just a parking lot for the strip bars, British pubs and assorted other low-quality tourism it has potentially a lot more to offer.

[haplessboyrussell]

I meant "I think it depends where you know", not "...go"

[SSBubbles]

So what? Limassol has the tallest Christmas tree in Cyprus.

Where please Tim?

In front of the district office, Anexartisias Street.

The highest point in Cyprus, the peak of Troodos, is also in Limassol district. Another one for Nicosia to put in its pipe and smoke.

I was shopping down there just the other day - somehow I missed it! I did notice the lights though!!

It's so big you missed it...

Probably consulting my huge shopping list!

[Get Real!]

I'm not sure about Limassol as the business centre of the island - as an international finance business, we started in Limassol and found it too far from all the things we needed - government, major business functions of the banks, major offices of other firms - all of which are in Nicosia.

That’s right, as well as consulates, embassies, everything to do with the EU, the annual international Expo, and there’s even the Iranian trading center in Nicosia…

[Tim Drayton]

I'm not sure about Limassol as the business centre of the island - as an international finance business, we started in Limassol and found it too far from all the things we needed - government, major business functions of the banks, major offices of other firms - all of which are in Nicosia.

That’s right, as well as consulates, embassies, everything to do with the EU, the annual international Expo, and there’s even the Iranian trading center in Nicosia…

Where's the harbour?

[Get Real!]

I'm not sure about Limassol as the business centre of the island - as an international finance business, we started in Limassol and found it too far from all the things we needed - government, major business functions of the banks, major offices of other firms - all of which are in Nicosia.

That’s right, as well as consulates, embassies, everything to do with the EU, the annual international Expo, and there’s even the Iranian trading center in Nicosia…

Where's the harbour?

Containers come and find us as we never go looking for them…

[Get Real!]

I'm not sure about Limassol as the business centre of the island - as an international finance business, we started in Limassol and found it too far from all the things we needed - government, major business functions of the banks, major offices of other firms - all of which are in Nicosia.

That’s right, as well as consulates, embassies, everything to do with the EU, the annual international Expo, and there’s even the Iranian trading center in Nicosia…

Where's the harbour?

Containers come and find us as we never go looking for them…

Sorry Tim, you said harbour not port and for that I have no answer!

[tcklim]

Grew up most of my life in Limassol, but have spent significant time living in NIcosia and have been to Paphos on many occasions.

Nicosia - No Beach, Not very multi-cultural (if you are not Cypriot, you'll find this a big point), congested, let's face it - ugly. Yes it is the center of banking and finance, but how often are you looking to take in the sight of the Laiki headquarters or the stock exchange? Lots of nightlife options, but most distant from each other and again, very heavily Cypriot clientele who will not treat you as equals. Most people I know from Limassol who went to Nicosia from work couldn't stand it and moved back or commuted if they had to. I remember one vivid conversation amongst a bunch of Limassolians mixed with ex-pats living in Nicosia discussing how long their "sentences" were for.

Paphos - Nice in summer, quiet during winter, still good for a relaxed life by the beach. Lots of British ex-pats, if you like the crowd. Close to Akamas and Polis for nature. Not bad nightlife, given the towns size, its still quite lively.

Limassol - Much more metropolitan, big cafe scene, big bar scene, many of them upscale and by the beach and a much more multi-cultural environment in places. It can get congested towards the center, but most of Cyprus can get that way. The buildings aren't any more attractive than Nicosia, but the boulevards are and the beach makes it seem so too. Not too hard to find work here, it's a big city for ex-pat workers (not retirees, theyre mostly in Pafos now). Lots of developments going on there.


This may all have changed a little, haven't been back in two years, though planning a trip soon. I like Limassol and Paphos. Nicosia, nah-ah.