Guide to Living in Cyprus

For this guide to living in Cyprus we look at living in North Cyprus as it is the Northern third of the island that’s enjoying a population boom with many British and European expatriates discovering the hidden delights of the nation and relocating to live, work or retire in North Cyprus.

Cyprus joined the European Union back in 2004 but the island remains divided to this day with the Northern third of the island inhabited and governed by Turkish Cypriots and the Southern two thirds of the island inhabited and governed by Greek Cypriots.  The areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus remain British Sovereign soil.

For this guide to living in Cyprus we look at living in North Cyprus as it is the Northern third of the island that’s enjoying a population boom with many British and European expatriates discovering the hidden delights of the nation and relocating to live, work or retire in North Cyprus.

For families with children who would like to move and enjoy the low crime rate, excellent standard and affordable cost of living in Cyprus there are a number of schools in North Cyprus such as private international schools that they can choose from or they can select the nearest State school and apply to enrol their children therein.

The main private international school in Northern Cyprus is Sunny Lane in Alsancak which teaches children on a purpose built campus from the ages of 4 – 18.  Alternatives include the Girne American University Elementary School which is close to Nicosia or the American International School, G C School of Careers, Highgate School, Pascal English School, The English School, The Grammar School and The Junior School which are all actually in Nicosia on the Greek side of the border but which accept fee paying pupils from the North.

Healthcare is also of primary concern to both those groups of people moving to live in Cyprus with children and those moving to retire to Northern Cyprus.  There are State hospitals and doctors’ surgeries in all main towns such as Kyrenia, Nicosia and Famagusta and there are a number of private hospitals as well.  Emergency treatment will be given for free in State hospitals but fees are otherwise payable in all medical institutions.  Luckily because the minimum wage in Cyprus is quite low and the majority of people manage on quite small sums of money, medical fees are correspondingly low.

Thanks to the fact that North Cyprus is becoming so popular with international expatriates there are now a range of alternative and complimentary health practitioners in Cyprus as well such as those offering physiotherapy, healing and Reiki or offering rehabilitation, home nursing and care, osteopathy etc., and there’s even a podiatrist and a Cranial Sacral therapist in North Cyprus now so all ailments and illnesses can be treated and managed.

In terms of finding work in Northern Cyprus the majority of those moving to live on the island full time find that it is far easier to spot an opportunity or find a vacancy once they are in situ and able to network, socialise, get out and about and meet people.  Vacancies are sometimes listed in the daily Cyprus Times newspaper or the weekly Cyprus Today newspaper and occasionally they can be found online via the North Cyprus Yellow Pages site.  Other employment alternatives include buying a business for sale in North Cyprus or setting up a brand new business venture.

And finally – those moving to live full time in Cyprus will have to obtain residency in Northern Cyprus within three months of arrival or face daily fines!