Friday's Top Ten Reasons Why to Live in Cyprus

The peninsula of Akamas, Paphos

After having lived in Switzerland for 8 years, I fell in love with the country which I still regard as my second country. That's where I got a sound university degree, but most importantly, that's where I fell in love for the first time and that's where I got married to the man of my life. So, I had quite a few reasons to stay in Geneva. However, our work permit wasn't renewed and soon after we got married, Alkis and I left the country for Corfu, Greece.  My husband had already got a very good job there, but we had to find accommodation as well. In March 1984 we travelled there to find a decent flat. Instead of a flat, I found a job at a local language centre. Later, we rented a house instead of a flat. But Alkis was unhappy there. He didn't like the place nor the workplace. And that was when we decided to try Cyprus - my home land. I hated it then and it was really hard to make new beginnings in what Larnaca was then a little bigger than a village! And so different from hometown Nicosia! In the long run, neither Alkis nor me have ever regretted this decision.

 
Phinicoudes Esplanade , Larnaca

Twenty-five years later, I feel happy to be living and working in Cyprus for the following top ten reasons:

10. You can easily combine swimming in the sea and skiing in the mountains only a a couple of hours after you have been...water sking! That's if you are lucky enough to get snow in March!

9. A serious crime in Cyprus, like a murder,  occurs every 5 years or so. So it's big news when it occurs!

8. The lowest salary for a citizen of the Republic with a university degree is well over €800,

7. Unemployment  is still maintained at relatively low levels - 5.4% amongst the active population in April 2009.

6. Freedom of speech is important and encouraged by  every single president of the Republic.

5. Civil servants can have holidays whenever they want! Even at work!

4. You don't risk having your car stolen. It's a small island, where would the thief go without being caught within a few hours?

3. The voice of the citizen counts a lot regardless of political orientation.

2. It's sunny 300 days a year and sometimes more.

1. It's still safe to raise a family.

Comments

[Lakis Ioannou]

I agree with most of your reasons and I also believe that Cyprus is one of safest places in the world to live in and raise a family. However, things have changed dramatically in the last 20 years. The crime rate has risen considerably if you think that 20 years ago premeditated murder was extremely rare. And so were drugs. I also notice an increase in unemployment from 1,9% in 1990 to 5.4% in 2009. At the moment it is still safe to walk in the streets after midnight or leave your house with windows wide open to air the rooms while you are at work. But if the crime rate together with unemployment continue to increase, I am afraid that in 10 years from now, we will be afraid to take a night walk in our neighbourhood and we will need sophisticated alarm sytems for every household.

[Faith Barndt]

One day I hope to visit Cyprus and see its beauty that I keep hearing about. I know that anything, as far as unemployment and crime, is better than what we have in America. I do not go out after dark I do not walk the streets alone at any time. I hope one day to experience what you both experience every day. TRANQUILITY. Hi Lakis! Miss talking to you. Filakia!!!!!

[Constantinos]

The economy in Greece is going from bad to worse with unemployment increasing every year. Qualified people who have spent time and money at college are forced to do any job to make ends meet. This is why many Greeks in recent years have left their hometowns to come and work in Cyprus in order to make a better living.

[Alexia M]

Your blog today took me 10 years back when I visited Cyprus for the first time. I had come for holidays and was finally offred a great job in the tourist industry. I worked in Limassol for 2 years and really enjoyed my work and stay there. I made good money but also some great friends we still keep in touch today. I remember how excited I was when I visited Troodos for the first time. I don't ski but it was fun watching the tourists skiing in their swimming suits!

[Lakis Ioannou]

Hi sweetie. I miss you too. Hope to meet online soon. Take care. Filakia!

[Phivos]

Definitely there are another ten reasons why Cyprus! Love this post!

[Anastasia]

You might be right, Lakis, yet at the moment I believe that Cyprus is one of the safest places in the world to live in and lead a good life. Considering that 35 years ago 200,000 Greek Cypriots lost their homes due to the Turkish Invasion, it is a miracle that we don't have any homeless people right now.

[Anastasia]

That's true, Cyprus is a tranquil place but don't forget that it is a small island and it is hard for crooks to get away. I'm sure that many small American towns enjoy peace and tranquility as well.

[Anastasia]

There are quite a few Greek Cypriots who can't find a job according to their qualifications and need to do other jobs to make a decent living. Ironically enough, builders, plumbers, mechanics or electricians earn a lot more than office workers or teachers!

[Anastasia]

I am glad you enjoyed your stay in Cyprus, Alexia.

[Anastasia]

I guess you are right like...hospitality for instance. I think, dear Phivos, that there is no other nation more hospitable than we are.

[Tina]

It's true--one never hears much about bad things happening in Cyprus these days(with the war years past, thank goodness)and you make a solid case for considering it as a destination to holiday in or live.
The view in the top photo is just gorgeous!

[Anastasia]

I took that photo of Akamas Peninsula, years ago -in 1995, I think, while on a school trip there. Akamas is an unspoilt area - probably the only one left - and is protected by both conservationists and environmentalists alike. That's where the green turtles still lay their eggs. You can only have access there by jeep or by boat.