Cyprus-Forum.com

[pantheman]

Hi,

OK so you have decided to stay in Nicosia, thats fine on the money you will be getting it should be no problem.

Other cities, well there isn't any !! Other large towns limassol about an hour or so. Paphos probably 1.5 - 2 hrs (not real sure on this one) ayia napa 1.5 hrs. All the towns are coastal. But cyprus has many villages scattered around.

Like i said nowhere is cyprus is that far.

Pantheman

[maewing]

Hi Joanna,

I used to live in NYC and now I live in Hong Kong (an evern faster paced and more expensive city). After spending some time investigating Cyprus and two weeks there physically to scope out houses for purchase, I came to the conclusion that it is cheaper (on average) but with less density. By density I mean, in NY you can find expensive places and things and you can find cheap places and things. I am not sure there is that option in Cyprus. However, I am not aware.

If you are renting--it is dirt cheap. I am buying a house and, on that end, I would say it is comparable. However, you cannot compare the standard of living; it is much better, dollar for dollar, in Cyprus. For example, in NYC to get the type of food quality you get in Cyprus you would pay much more and would have to deal perhaps with some obnxious, tip-expectant waiter telling you some yarn about the exotic nature of the potatoes. Cyprus is a family place but with youth, if that makes any sense. People are not backwards (though many Cypriots think they are, suprisingly). They are as hip as need be. It is not like Italy or Greece where you might, in a village, find people closing their shudders to foreigners as you walk by. Yet, at the same time, there are not pretentious models with only Starbucks and the latest handbag on the mind, either.

Moreover, Cyprus is a spiritual place (assuming you are Christian) and an historical place (even if you are not ). There are Roman roads!! Two churches have pieces of the actual Cross. There are monasteries and caverns and excavations... There is truly no comparison to what one sees in the West--even in the islands.

Keep in mind, I am not local (African-American).

Take care and Happy New Year and all the best with your move!

Maurice

[jclo69]

Hi Joanna,

I used to live in NYC and now I live in Hong Kong (an evern faster paced and more expensive city). After spending some time investigating Cyprus and two weeks there physically to scope out houses for purchase, I came to the conclusion that it is cheaper (on average) but with less density. By density I mean, in NY you can find expensive places and things and you can find cheap places and things. I am not sure there is that option in Cyprus. However, I am not aware.

If you are renting--it is dirt cheap. I am buying a house and, on that end, I would say it is comparable. However, you cannot compare the standard of living; it is much better, dollar for dollar, in Cyprus. For example, in NYC to get the type of food quality you get in Cyprus you would pay much more and would have to deal perhaps with some obnxious, tip-expectant waiter telling you some yarn about the exotic nature of the potatoes. Cyprus is a family place but with youth, if that makes any sense. People are not backwards (though many Cypriots think they are, suprisingly). They are as hip as need be. It is not like Italy or Greece where you might, in a village, find people closing their shudders to foreigners as you walk by. Yet, at the same time, there are not pretentious models with only Starbucks and the latest handbag on the mind, either.

Moreover, Cyprus is a spiritual place (assuming you are Christian) and an historical place (even if you are not ). There are Roman roads!! Two churches have pieces of the actual Cross. There are monasteries and caverns and excavations... There is truly no comparison to what one sees in the West--even in the islands.

Keep in mind, I am not local (African-American).

Take care and Happy New Year and all the best with your move!

Maurice

Hi Maurice. Thanks for the in-depth information. I'll need all the help I can get. So you searched for a house in Cyprus and ended up in Hong Kong? How did that happen? I have never been to Hong Kong - just a stop over on the plane. We do plan on renting although some people say that we'll never want to leave!!!

Let's stay in touch!

[maewing]

Hi Joanna,

Actually, we have been living in Hong Kong for 8 years and we will be moving to Cyprus in 6 months (if permissions for ownership are granted). As I think someone else said, renting is cheap and reasonably easy. Let me know if you need an agent to find you a place as I know someone there who is quite decent and he is based in Nicosia.

I moved to Hong Kong to teach at a business school here. I met my wife there and a few years ago I left to start my own business. We stayed along here but business is moving quite rapidly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe (my main markets) so Cyprus makes a lot of sense. We also wanted a place to raise our newborn son where we had fresh air and a yard. Hong Kon is great for singles, wonderful for couples but not so great for couples with children. It is still the fastest paced city in the world though.

Take care, and let me know if I can help in the future!

Maurice