Making friends in Cyprus

ClaireM76 · #1 (**permalink**) 23rd November 2008, 10:58 AM

I moved to Cyprus on my own some 18 months ago for work reasons. What was supposed to be a temporary location has turned permanent and I do love the lifestyle here. The only thing I have found difficult is meeting people and making friends.

I live in Limassol, work full time and am in my thirties. Limassol is a great place for going out though I am not making the most of what it has to offer yet! From what I can see a lot of expats are in the Paphos area. I would be pleased to hear from anyone willing to introduce me to the social side of life in Cyprus. Other than going out I also like walking, anything outdoors, the arts, am learning golf, love food etc. etc. Many thanks.

BabsM · #2 (**permalink**) 23rd November 2008, 02:12 PM

Hello Claire,
Our daughter was working in Cyprus for a bit and she also found it difficult to make friends outside her immediate group of work colleagues.

There are a lot of expats in the Limassol area, as there are all over the island. So don't think you have to go to Paphos to find them! Even if you did find some, really you could do with investigating the social scene in Limassol otherwise it would be too easy to say "I won't bother tonight".

What have you done so far to try and get into the social scene in the Limassol area? Perhaps we can come up with some suggestions to help you.

ClaireM76 · #3 (**permalink**) 23rd November 2008, 03:03 PM

Hi,

Thanks for replying and pleased I am not the only one! I am used to having a social network but it's the one thing that evades me in Cyprus, and the one thing that would make me consider leaving unfortunately. Limassol is great yes and I am keen to meet some people in similar circumstances to me and make the most of what it can offer.

In an effort to meet others I joined a gym, took up golf and I plan to enrol in further study in January. Work colleagues are generally married with young families so there isn't much opportunity there. I don't really go to bars alone (though I have I the day) but I do manage restaurants...though that can be awkward at times too. Have also tried the theatre and a music in the mountains event. The few networks or groups I have come across tend to meet during work hours so are maybe aimed at retirees or people with kids. I'm pretty outgoing but with these long dark nights I am afraid I have slipped into work->home->telly mode! I know I must try harder hence me signing up to this forum!

BabsM · #4 (**permalink**) 23rd November 2008, 06:47 PM

Well I'm glad you did join the forum *;-)

It does seem that you have made some good attempts. The gym and the golf were good ideas. Like you, our daughter found she was not mixing with 'free' people of her own age. She has gone back to England now.

I see you like walking, is there a hash in your area. These are 'get togethers' for people who like walking/running. Every time they take a different route and run or walk it. At the end they go out for a meal & or drinks. Its a good social event for active people and generally attended by a range of ages.

Alternatively do you like quiz nights? These take place all over and can be a good occasion for meeting people as you would have more of a chance to chat and socialise than perhaps at the theatre or a restaurant.

I don't know the Limassol social scene but hopefully someone else on the forum does and can come up with some other ideas.

mikehj · #5 (**permalink**) 7th December 2008, 03:29 AM

Hi!

I just came across your post after discovering this forum and I'm in pretty much the same situation as you! The only difference is I've only been here a matter of weeks but as my office is back in the UK i'm essentially all alone out here save for a few older business colleagues who don't mix socially. I'm 30, originally from Edinburgh in Scotland and am staying in Limassol working on establishing companies for clients in Luxembourg and the UK so for the moment I'm visiting government offices, lawyers and estate agents etc.. during the days then back home for dinner which is making for a rather lonely time.

It's particularly dissapointing as it does indeed seem Limassol is quite "vibrant" for such a small place but like you I've found it rather difficult to meet people so I cannot help but feel like I'm missing out! When I first move to Brussels back in 2001 it was so easy to make new friends as there were so many people in the same situation but here I seem to have drawn ablank!

Anyway, if you, and any other people in a similar situation who read this, would like to meet up for a coffee/drink/meal or whatever feel free to give me a shout anytime!

Look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaireM76

I moved to Cyprus on my own some 18 months ago for work reasons. What was supposed to be a temporary location has turned permanent and I do love the lifestyle here. The only thing I have found difficult is meeting people and making friends.

I live in Limassol, work full time and am in my thirties. Limassol is a great place for going out though I am not making the most of what it has to offer yet! From what I can see a lot of expats are in the Paphos area. I would be pleased to hear from anyone willing to introduce me to the social side of life in Cyprus. Other than going out I also like walking, anything outdoors, the arts, am learning golf, love food etc. etc. Many thanks.

ClaireM76 · #6 (**permalink**) 8th December 2008, 09:04 PM

Nice to meet you Mike! You are still too new to Cyprus to be jaded. Have sent you a PM.
Anybody else out there who wants to go for a coffee after work one day please let us know!

asiftahir · #7 (**permalink**) 10th January 2009, 11:20 AM

Hi all
I am Asif from Pakistan and coming to Larnaca on Feb 09 for study. I dont have any friend there. Want some true friends. I am 29, male, my hobbies, walking, internet and like visit new paces especially the forests and hills.

Asif

carolle · #8 (**permalink**) 12th February 2009, 11:53 AM

Hi guys,

I used to live in Limassol, but now moved to Nicosia for work and come back down every weekend (more or less). Let me know if you want to have a coffee/dinner/drinks sometime

Arranexpat · #9 (**permalink**) 15th February 2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaireM76

I moved to Cyprus on my own some 18 months ago for work reasons. What was supposed to be a temporary location has turned permanent and I do love the lifestyle here. The only thing I have found difficult is meeting people and making friends.

I live in Limassol, work full time and am in my thirties. Limassol is a great place for going out though I am not making the most of what it has to offer yet! From what I can see a lot of expats are in the Paphos area. I would be pleased to hear from anyone willing to introduce me to the social side of life in Cyprus. Other than going out I also like walking, anything outdoors, the arts, am learning golf, love food etc. etc. Many thanks.

Hi Claire,

I'm in my 30's and know exactly how you feel. I'm arranging a meet up this Tuesday at Costas at the Paphos Mall around 3pm. if that doesn't suit gimme a ring. I'll private message you my moblie. Susan.

Arranexpat · #10 (**permalink**) 15th February 2009, 02:04 PM

Hi, for some reason I can't private message you. If you can message me I'll get back to you. I've just realised I've got a meeting in Limassol tomorrow morning. Do you want to meet up for a coffee late morning or lunch time?

I'm here with my Fiancee but he's out of the country just now. I'm in my 30's and don't have kids either. Gimme a shout.

Susan