Why did we choose to live in Paphos?

Background

My wife and I relocated to Cyprus in 2022.

Headline reasons for relocating to Cyprus:

• Weather – I’d previously lived in Spain and loved the sunny climate. I’d been back in the UK for 9 years, hated it.  Hated the weather, the rain and the wind seemed to last for months on end.  Also, I have arthritis, so the cold weather doesn’t help. Cyprus averages 11.5 hours of sunshine for 6 months of the year. It’s fabulous.
• Taxation – Cyprus is a very tax friendly country, see my other blog on this subject.
• Lifestyle – we lived in a quiet area, near the Welsh border in the UK.  Not a lot was going on.  Basically we were bored and we still want to have a fun lifestyle.  Cyprus looked like fun and we were not wrong.

What were our location options?

Basically we could have moved to the three areas we cover on our website.

Paphos and Peyia

Larnaca and Limassol

Polis and Latchi

Note – Nicosia was never going to be an option and we don’t manage relocation there either.

Why?

• It’s too far from the sea
• It’s to hot in the summer, well very humid
• It’s too large of a city for our liking
• It’s a divided city with the north, that comes with other issues that I’m not going to cover here.

So, why Paphos?

There are a few reasons:

1. It’s got a decent airport  and it’s only 20 minutes or so from the city centre.  Regular flights are available to and from the UK.  We still work so we need access to flights as and when we need to pop back.
2. It has four good golf courses in fairly close proximity.  This is one serious justification for me, my wife though isn’t a golfer and couldn’t care less.
3. It has a number of independent schools, a few to choose from.  We had a 16 year at the time we moved, however that’s another story.
4. It’s busy without being too busy.  Limassol is very busy.  Larnaca isn’t but too far from golf.  Polis is too quiet and so is Latchi.
5. There are places to go even in the shut-down winter months (e.g. January to March). Bars and restaurants are still available.  Other areas can become a bit of a ghost town in the winter.
6. Plenty of expats – pro’s and con’s with that but overall we have met some fabulous friends in the time we have been here.  Not just expats, native Cypriots who are very welcoming and friendly people.
7. The coast – it’s got a beautiful coastline.  Sandy beaches are limited (when compared the Aiya Napa and Limassol) but the coastal areas are amazing (Sea Caves and the Akamas)
8. The national park – I love off-roading, bought  a buggy. Best fun ever!

Overall, Paphos is a great choice. No regrets.