What it's Like to Live in: Cyprus

Posted by Jude Buttle on Thursday, July 24, 2008

The third largest island in the world, known for its lively nightlife and close ties to the UK, Cyprus is a popular destination for holidaymakers and retirees alike. But would you want to live there?

 

Baths of Aphrodite - photo by Choufi///

Why Live There

Cyprus is nicknamed the ‘Island of Love' and many tourists flock there throughout the year searching for sun, fun and the occasional romantic encounter.

Boasting more than 340 days of sunshine a year, the climate is as warm and as welcoming as the people. Cyprus is not only appealing to holidaymakers but also to those looking for a nice place to retire to. Many settle on the island secure in the knowledge that the country has very little crime, favourable taxation and a first-class healthcare system.

There's plenty to do in Cyprus with the capital city, Nicosia an interesting and entertaining place. The city has a split community, reflecting the rest of the country - the Greek Cypriots in the south and the Turkish Cypriots in the north - but there's still a sense of harmony and both communities live relatively peacefully.

Nicosia has an array of churches, monasteries and museums to visit for the culture vultures, as well as the option of numerous shops and two very modern malls to browse around.

In the south coast of the island, apart from the usual beach activities, there are museums, archaeological sites and a recently built marina in Limassol to see. While in Larnaca, there's a salt lake, which is frequented by a flock of flamingos.

Weather Report

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher altitude in the Troödos mountains, to hot in the lowlands.

Winter temperatures are mild at land level, but significantly colder in the mountains with sufficient snow falling for seasonal skiing activities.

Food & Drink

Cypriot cuisine is shaped by the island's Mediterranean climate, geography, and history. Reflecting the two main populations, Cypriot cuisine has evolved as a fusion of Greek and Turkish cooking, with local twists to well-known dishes.

Halloumi, (a cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk) originates from Cyprus, and is commonly served sliced and grilled as an appetizer. Seafood dishes include calamari (squid), octopus in red wine, and sea bass.

Meat-based dishes include souvlaki and souvla (both prepared on a skewer and grilled), sheftalia (a sort of skinless sausage), and pork sausages.

Cypriots enjoy drinking rodostimon (rose water) and triantafylon, which is a syrup made from the extract of the Cyprus (Damscus) rose.

Popular alcoholic drinks include chilled local beer and various wines. Brandy is commonly drunk with meze dishes and forms the base for the distinctive Brandy Sour cocktail, developed on the island in the late-1930s.

Greetings & Gestures

While shaking hands, Cypriots maintain eye contact, although many Turkish Cypriots lower their eyes as a mark of respect.

If you are invited to a Cypriots house, it is custom to shake hands with everyone on arriving and leaving, and it is considered impolite if you use someone's first name before being invited to.

Dating & Marriage

As Cyprus is a split country, the dating and marriage traditions are based on the two main religions, Greek Orthodox and Islam.

In the south under the Greek Orthodox religion, when a couple become engaged, the two mothers visit the homes of family and friends to invite them to the wedding, blessing the couple over wine at each house.

At the service there will be some nifty footwork going on, as it is believed that the first one, bride or groom, to put their foot on top of the others, will run the house.

In the traditional Muslim, Turkish Cypriot family, the father has the last word in his children's choice of spouses and customarily, the bride and groom do not have a chance for individual visits prior to their engagement.

Originally, the wedding ceremonies for the bridegroom and bride occurred separately, although most Turkish Cypriots no longer perform this custom. Only the Turkish rural migrants to Cyprus continue the tradition of separate ceremonies.

Weird & Wonderful

If you are invited to dinner in Cyprus, you must not start eating until the host begins. Also, expect to be offered second and even third helpings and if you have finished eating you should lay your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.

When naming a child, Cypriots name the first son after the father's father, the second son after the mother's father. Likewise, they name the first daughter after the father's mother and the second daughter after the mother's mother.

When a couple have a daughter first they might choose to give her the female version of the name of the grandfather.

Conclusion

Cyprus is a warm and friendly country, drenched in history and blessed with some of natures finest. The island is a lovely place to stay or visit and even its divided community, cannot undermine its obvious charm and appeal.

 

Search for Property in Cyprus

Cypriot property for sale

Property for sale in Nicosia

Property for sale in Limassol

Property for sale in Larnaca

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