Around 90% of Greek-Cypriots speak English. Since
Cyprus was effectively in British hands between
1878 and 1960, there is definitely a very 'colonial'
feel to the island. To this day two 'UK Sovereign
Base Areas' exist on the south coast, further
strengthening the ties to the UK.
Cyprus' Electrics are identical to UK Electrics. Cyprus,
like the UK runs on a Voltage of 220-240 Volts.
It even uses identical 3-pin plugs to the UK,
thus cutting out the need for inconvenient travel
adaptors.
The Cypriot
system of law and order is based on the British
system. Once again we return to
Cyprus' time as a colony. Its legal system was
imported from Britain and has evolved in strikingly
similar ways since the Republic's independence in 1960.
Medical care & insurance
are more advanced and economical than in the UK. Far
from being a back country medical system, Cyprus
provides advanced care at comparatively low rates.
British Citizens travelling in possession of a form E111
or EHIC card are entitled to free healthcare.
For those staying a little longer or moving to Cyprus, private
medical insurance starts at around €250
per annum. The majority of doctors in Cyprus'
hospitals are also trained in the UK or the USA,
so there is no question of third world medical
care.
Cyprus is the most 'Crime-free' E.U. country.. According
to European Union statistics, the crime
rate in Cyprus is only 16% of
that in the average European Country. This contributes
to make Cyprus one of the safest places to live
in Europe.
Cyprus
is steeped in culture, myth and history. The
island is the legendary birth place of Aphrodite.
Cyprus has been part of the Egyptian, Greek and
Roman empires and was visited by St. Paul on his first missionary journey. Limassol
is the place where Richard the Lionheart married
Princess Berengaria in 1191. There are also any
number of archaeological sites and historical monuments to
visit and explore, providing a unique insight
into the island's past. Click
here for more information about Cyprus'
history.
In Cyprus, you can water ski and downhill ski on the same morning. There are
only a few places on the planet where you can conveniently
enjoy downhill
skiing and swimming in the sea on the same day
without having to travel hundreds of miles. However, in the Troodos mountains at the heart of Cyprus, snow is a common occurrence each winter. And what's more, Mount Olympus is only about an hour's drive from the beaches of Limassol.
In fact, the only two other places nearby where this is
geographically convenient are the Lebanon and Iran.
 
And let's face it, which of the three
would you choose? |
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Cypriots drive on the right
side of the road. That is to say, the correct side of the road, which, as we all know, is the left. Because Cyprus, like Great
Britain, is an island, there has been no great pressure from
neighbouring countries to change the driving system from left
to right. So, in this manner, as in many others, the Republic seems
more than happy to retain its colonial heritage, which in turn makes the British expatriates moving to Cyprus feel right at home.
The Cost of living in
Cyprus is far lower than in the UK. The Cypriot
equivalent to 'Council Tax' in an average Cypriot village amounts
to about €260 per year. Local Cigarettes
cost less than €3 and a pint of beer about €2.20. According to European Union Data, cost of living in Cyprus is only 65% of the European average.
It has to be said at this stage that, while still valid for the rest of the E.U, the above comparison to the UK is no longer as accurate as it once was. This is, however, more due to Sterling taking a beating on the international currency markets than anything else. What's more, while tomatoes may now be a little cheaper in England, Cyprus still doesn't have an average council tax bill of £1,500 per year. You can buy a lot of extra vegetables with that...
To find out more about living
in Cyprus click here.
Cyprus is used as a manufacturing
base by many companies. As a consequence, a number of major brands are available far cheaper than in the UK. A similar
situation exists with various furniture manufacturers, and
even some consumer electronics companies.
You will find a wide variety
of scenic beauty. From dramatic mountain views
to breathtaking seascapes and sunsets which are simply 'to die
for', Cyprus has it all. An outstanding example of the sheer
scenic beauty of Cyprus is 'Petra
tou Romiou, The rock of Romios', where Aphrodite is said
to have first landed on the island which was to become her home. Gazing directly westwards across the waves and into the setting sun, the next nearest piece of land is Tripoli, the Libyan capital.
The sun shines for most of the year
in Cyprus Although some sources will tell you
that the average number of sunny days in Cyprus is 340 or even
360 per year, the accurate average for the island as a whole
is actually 326 sunshine days per annum. Click
here for Cyprus Weather Information.
For retired folks, Cyprus
has better tax laws. British
Citizens moving to Cyprus and having their pension paid out
there will only be taxed at 5% by the Ministry of Finance,
thus gaining an immediate 17% rise in income.
These days, of course, for British pensioners living in Cyprus, any tax advantages gained are once again offset by Sterling's abysmal performance against the Euro. Nevertheless, you still pay less taxes here...
The island of Cyprus is rich in local
wines, seafoods and
other gastronomic delights. Whether its a traditional
Moussaka or something a little more adventurous, Cypriot food
will amaze you. In this unspoiled country, flavours seem more intense. Due to the island's sun kissed slopes Cypriot
wine is delightful, and possibly among the most
under-rated wines on the planet.
You can find more great reasons for Moving
to Cyprus by clicking
here.
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