Cyprus

[Em29]

OH and I may be going to live in Cyprus next year so I wondered what people's experiences were of the Island.

Obviously living there is very different from being on holiday but I have never been to Cyprus, I've been to Corfu and Santorini, wondered how they compare.

[Moffgal]

Not been for a few years, but from the age of 11 we went every year, my parents still do, they're there at the moment.

It's a very friendly island, the people are really lovely. Very low crime rate. As far as where to go, Paphos used to be this lovely little fishing village when I first went but now it's a bit like Blackpool (IMHO), very touristy and noisy. I'm sure you know what Ayia Napa's like, again, very touristy, but the Mayor is on a drive to make it a more family oritentated resort rather than the Greek answer to Ibiza. Having said that, When I first went into the town at night I found it totally non intimidating and really good fun. I think the good vibes of the locals rubs off on the tourists!
Nice places to stay- Larnaca's quite nice as is Protaras and both are well placed for travelling round the island.

If you've got anything specific you'd like to know, let me know.

Moffgal

[donna-j]

My parents have a house in a village behind Limassol. It's lovely, although Limassol is very touristy (but there are nice bits).

I love Cyprus. It's so 'easy'.

[Pikeypants]

My best friend used to live in Cyprus & we have toured the island a bit. You are right, living there is very different to taking a holiday so hopefully I can help you a bit with that.

They lived in the South East part of the Island near Larnaca. It may help to be near one of the Army/ RAF bases so that there is am English community to tap into. The bases are in Larnaca (Army) & Akrotiri (RAF). The nearest large town to Akrotiri is Limassol.

Personally I would avoid living in any of the tourist resorts but being close by will at least keep you in touch with the world!

Larnaca is "nice", Protaras is very Skeg, Limassol is quite built up & busy. Not very seasidy for a beach resort, Paphos is probably the best of the tourist resorts, the capital Nicosia is really great & near to the beautiful Troudos mountains which is cooler in the summer & stunning in winter.

My favourite areas though have to be Polis/ Laatchi. They are tourist resorts but are about an hours drive away from the airport through very windy roads. It still has charm some beautiful off the beaten track areas.

The weather is the hardest thing to aclimatize to. My firends never got used to working in the height of summer & were usually pretty unhappy to be honest as it is unbearable. Working in blazing heat is very different to sunbathing in it all day. This is why the Troudos Mountains are a Godsend to alot of Cypriots who escape the heat here.

Having said that, it is a fabulous island, the people are mostly friendly, although again- different when you live there. Her husband worked for the MOD though so had alot of disputes with them. It is prabaly quite different to living along side them. They rented from a Cypriot & had no problems. They had a beautiful 3 bedroomed villa- marble floors, huge open kitchen, stunning & very cheap by our standards (although they earned the equivilant English wage so could afford it- Cypriot wage is alot lower than ours).

If you have a specific are in mind, lt me know & I can ask her about it. HTH xxx

[Em29]

Thanks everyone, OH is in the RAF so we will be living on the base at Akrotiri, we won't know if it's happening until the new year, but i'm getting really impatient I want to know now!!!!!