Why Living in Cyprus Is Worth It - My Experience

🇨🇾 Why I decided to stay in Cyprus

I moved to Cyprus mainly because of my wife, who has lived here since birth - she’s half Polish, half Cypriot. We met in Poland at university, and after graduating, we decided to try life on the island.

From the start, two things attracted me: sunshine for most of the year and low taxes, which make running a business comfortable. This combination quickly made Cyprus a place where life is genuinely good - both privately and professionally.

🌅 Calm pace of life and the “siga siga” style

Life in Cyprus is decidedly calmer than in Poland. For someone coming from a country where everything moves fast, this “chill” can be frustrating at first. But after a while, you get used to it - here the saying “siga siga” reigns, meaning “slowly, calmly.”

People are kind and helpful, and in most places you can communicate in English. Sometimes Cypriots treat their own people better than foreigners, but these are exceptions rather than the rule. I have far more positive experiences than negative ones.

Food is another big plus - local dishes are simple but very tasty. In my area, there are plenty of restaurants, many of them open year-round, even in winter when there are fewer tourists. In terms of safety, this is one of the most peaceful countries I’ve ever been in - especially in villages and smaller towns.

☀️ Climate and weather year-round

Summer in Cyprus lasts practically half the year. Temperatures from May to October reach 30 degrees, and in the hottest months (July-August) they can exceed 40 degrees. That’s when it’s worth having air conditioning in every room and ideally a pool at home.

Winter resembles early Polish spring - 10-15 degrees during the day, 5 degrees at night. It rains more often, but even then the rain is brief and the sun comes out right after. From May to October there’s practically no rain, so for most of the year the weather feels like a vacation. More about air quality and a comparison with Poland here.

💰 Cost of living and comfort

When I arrived several years ago, life in Cyprus was noticeably more expensive than in Poland. Today, with current inflation, the differences have evened out. From my perspective, owning your own home, around 1,500-2,000 euros per month allows you to live very comfortably with a family - including eating out and daily expenses. With a mortgage, it’s probably 2,200-2,800 euros.

Cyprus is more expensive in some aspects (real estate, energy), but cheaper in others (taxes, running a business, local services). A lot depends on the location you choose for building. The balance works out well if you earn in euros or run an online business. I described a detailed cost-of-living breakdown in a separate article.

🌴 Lifestyle and closeness to nature

I love the simple rhythm of life the island offers. I often go to the beach, walk along the sea, swim in the pool, and in winter I drive inland - that’s when Cyprus is green and fresh. The combination of sea, sun, and nature makes it hard to feel stressed here. People live closer to nature and less often chase material things.

🧱 Infrastructure and everyday matters

Roads in Cyprus are very good quality, and the highway crosses practically the entire island. Internet works great, and there’s currently a fiber optic expansion underway to cover all homes.

Shops are fine - the selection isn’t as wide as in Poland because it’s a small island, but there’s no problem with basic items. Amazon orders arrive without issue. Only cinemas are rather lacking in quality.

Healthcare is at a good level - doctors speak English, and the GESY system (similar to the British NHS) is working increasingly well. Schools and kindergartens I’ve had contact with are also okay. Is Cyprus a good place to raise children? I answer in a separate article.

🇵🇱 Poles in Cyprus

There aren’t many Poles here - it’s estimated that a few thousand of us live on the entire island. If you’re planning a move, I described the entire process step by step. There are Polish Facebook groups and a few shops, like Delikatesik in Larnaca, where you can buy Polish products. Most of my friends are, however, local residents and foreigners who - like me - stayed here for the long haul.

❤️ Why it’s worth living here

For me, four things are key:

• Safety for my family
• Nice weather for most of the year
• A calm life without rushing
• Good quality internet that allows comfortable remote work

Cyprus is a place where you can truly slow down and live peacefully without giving up comfort. If someone is looking for sunshine, relaxation, and stability - it’s hard to find a better place in Europe. An honest list of pros and cons of life on the island is here.