Seriously thinking of retiring here...advice on where?

[Veronica Kneeshaw]

Originally Posted by BabsM

As you might see from my other posts, I disagree with the claim that the Paphos area is best. My husband and I 'retired' to Cyprus two months ago and chose the Larnaca area after a search over the whole of the Republic of Cyprus. We're loving it here!
Larnaca is smaller than Paphos or Limassol but was the original capital city of Cyprus - Kition. We have some lovely beaches round here, and one of the 10 best dive sites in the world - the Zenobia. An ancient wreck from the Hellenic period has also recently been discovered a few miles away at Mazotos. Who knows, perhaps we'll be able to dive it someday when the archaeologists have finshed with it! Larnaca is also within an easy drive of Nicosia and Occupied Cyprus. We also have a strong expat and active community in this area. Prices of property are cheaper here than either Paphos or Limassol too.

So there is variety on the Island and as everybody likes something different it is a good thing to keep and open mind and have a good look at everywhere.

As with everything which is the nicest part is a down to personal preference.
We find Larnaca very flat and barren and hate it when we have to go there for business.
The Paphos area is much greener, has some wonderful scenery as well as countless archeologocial sites. We also have Aphrodites rock and many other places of interest. We never tire of going out for a drive as there always new places to explore and many many wineries as this area has vineyards around every bend.
Yes properties are cheaper, although not very much and to me the reasons for the cheaper prices are obvious when you compare the two areas.
So as I said it is all matter of taste and whether you want the nice sandy beaches as you find in the Larnaca area or whether you prefer green and the cooler summers and milder winters.
We have properties for sale in all areas of Southern Cyprus and have spent many days over on the Eastern coast with clients and leave the decision of where to buy up to them at all times, but the vast majority prefer the Western Coast.

[grumpy]

Certainly location is one of the most important issues and should not be ignored. Personally I prefer the west of the Island. One of the main reasons is that it remains essentially open 12 months of the year as a resort whereas the East tend to "shut down" from October to April for tourism, so if you are intending to site a shop selling the clothes and fancy wares aimed at the tourist market, the west is best. Also being in a generally greener part of the Island, water cuts happen later than they do in the East, tend not to be as widespread and shorter. When living there, water is an important consideration!!

However you are using this board correctly, research, research. But dont become bogged down.

[BabsM]

Ah I love a good debate! *;-)

Flat and barren? I can't agree that the Larnaca area is flat. Larnaca district covers the area from (West) Kalavasos to Vavatsinia, (North) Kornos, Kochi, Athienou, Pyla (East). The area includes Stavrovouni and the hills all around there. It also includes the hills around Voroklini, Pyla, Troulloi, Athienou. We may not have the mountains but we do have hills! As someone who has a problem with heights, I would freak if I had to drive along some of the roads in the Troodos area, especially on a daily basis.

I will agree that this area looks dry and barren from the motorway. But hey why not get off the beaten track? Get of the motorway, take a back road, see where it goes. You will see Larnaca district is not barren.

Famagusta District in the east of the island is flat but it is also not barren Have a look at the earth around Frenaros its a lovely red colour, with a good texture, great for growing produce. It is where most Cyprus potatoes are grown.

As regards the East shutting down from October to April, that is not entirely correct. The resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras shut down but Larnaca does not. There is a tourist market all year. I had a 33% occupancy rate over the winter and was fully booked the previous November, and March with odd weeks in between. It doesn't even die at Christmas! I could have rented the apartment out several times over at Christmas. But then the tourists here are 'rich' Nicosians. Larnaca is where they come for a weekend or Christmas break!

Oh and we have places of interest too! Kalavasos Tenta, Lefkara, Choirokoitia, Stavrovouni, the Salt Lakes, Hal Sultan Tekke, Kition to name a few.

I have to agree with Grumpy (sorry I don't know your proper name). If you are aiming at trade with the tourist market there are more tourists in the Paphos area, but your question was where to retire? Personally I prefer to be away from the hustlle, bustle and noise of the tourist area, which is why we have chosen to retire to a village 6 miles outside Larnaca.

As regards water cuts, there is a lot about this in the press. Anyone who has lived in the South of England will be used to water rationing (hosepipe bans) and if you are old enough, the stand-pipes of the 1960s. Larnaca area has not banned hosepipes yet. We have a tank and that is sufficient for our needs. We are careful with water and we have not run out of it yet. We can take several showers, run the washing machine, do the washing-up... no problem. We just don't wash our car or driveway in the dry months.

[yummymummy150]

This could be debated for ever.We looked east and west ,when buying apartment in paphos.Paphos was right for us for holidays& letting. others find it great for schools, work, expat life, all year, if you as i do want away from busy parts you need only go a few miles outside to find peace(Apart from dogs ,goats, church bells, Hey thats cyprus lol)Come out find that part thats right for all your needs. no where is 100% perfect but you try to get it right.
and live your life .

[bloomy]

Hi All

Without trying to get too involved with this debate thought i'd throw in my "findings" !!!

Me and my family are looking to move to Cyprus next year my parents and auntie and uncle live in Paphos and my father-in-law has and builds villas in Mazatos (just outside Larnaca) so we went and spent a week at each (beginning of May) and although I know you cant do too much in a week, we much prefer Paphos (only our opinion!!!)
Regarding the water shortage, no shortage in Paphos but when we were at Mazatos apart from what you had in the tank the water was only switched on for a day twice that week!

[yummymummy150]

Bloomy hope all your plans work out and your move goes well,We are sorting house out for sale Soon or if it sells we will be right over.Cant wait been planning this a long time.
Tricia

[jeffrey Streets]

What a good discussion, but be honest the amount of people moving tp Paphos means expansion outwards and those that live in nice remote villages will in time become Paphos. This happens all over, and spain is a good example. And how many bingo halls and line dancing competitions can you get in one place???? Paphos will become little Britain in a few years and it will be too late to get out. Dont be sucked in by the smell of fish and chips, pie and mash and having your food chopped up by a carer.

Be your own judge. I will not tell you where I live because I dont want you coming and spoiling my drinking habits and complaining when I am being sick over the balgony........but I love it here and the neighbours are great.

No doubt someone will take offence (again) but who cares. The forum is an open discussion and I love you all.

[yummymummy150]

Originally Posted by jeffrey Streets

What a good discussion, but be honest the amount of people moving tp Paphos means expansion outwards and those that live in nice remote villages will in time become Paphos. This happens all over, and spain is a good example. And how many bingo halls and line dancing competitions can you get in one place???? Paphos will become little Britain in a few years and it will be too late to get out. Dont be sucked in by the smell of fish and chips, pie and mash and having your food chopped up by a carer.

Be your own judge. I will not tell you where I live because I dont want you coming and spoiling my drinking habits and complaining when I am being sick over the balgony........but I love it here and the neighbours are great.

No doubt someone will take offence (again) but who cares. The forum is an open discussion and I love you all.

Jeff here was me thinking you would invite me to your home to sit on balgony & have a cool drink watching the sun set after a long hot day in Cyprus.
ps pm me if you change your mind.
Tricia

[BabsM]

Love it Jeffrey! Yammas!

[Pam n Dave]

Just do your home work and identify your own location, Cyprus has something for everyone.

We decided to rent as houses can take a while to sell which could be a problem.

Paphos tends to be greener than the east of the island and also has lots of expats. (just look in Paps the local supermarket) Move out to the villages toward Polis and you will get a different experience as the cypriot culture takes over.