Pros and Cons of Living in Cyprus
On Instagram, everything looks perfect—golden beaches, endless sunshine, and a relaxed lifestyle. But like any place, living abroad has its less glamorous sides. In this post, I want to share an honest perspective on my experience living in Cyprus—the good, the bad, and everything in between. We moved here in May 2021, and after a few years, I’ve gained enough insight to know what works for us and what doesn’t.
The Downsides of Living in Cyprus
Distance from Family and Friends
For me, this is the biggest downside of living outside Israel. Of course, this applies to any country, not just Cyprus, but the physical distance from loved ones is one of the biggest challenges. We’ve made great friends here over time, but no one can replace the close family and lifelong friendships we left behind. Some days, all I want is to spontaneously visit my mom or sisters, but that’s just not possible. It’s especially hard when someone is sick or feeling down—without family nearby, feelings of loneliness can be much stronger.
Limited Entertainment Options in Winter
Cyprus isn’t known as a winter destination, which can be a challenge, especially with young kids. While there are beautiful villages and waterfalls worth visiting during the colder months, indoor entertainment options are quite limited. There aren’t many indoor play areas, and the few that exist become overcrowded during winter, leading to discomfort and frequent illnesses. When I pick up my daughters from school, I often find myself frustrated that there aren’t many fun activities to do in the afternoons. When the weather is nice, it’s not a big issue, but during cold or rainy days, finding engaging activities requires extra effort—often relying on playdates at home instead.
Lack of English-Language Cultural Activities
There are plenty of children’s shows in Cyprus, but most of them are in Greek or Russian. While there are some English-language performances, they are rare and not always of high quality. Even finding movies in English can be tricky, and movie theaters here are not as advanced as those in other European countries. If you’re used to a rich cultural scene, where you can easily find high-quality performances and movies in your native language, this can be disappointing—especially for families with kids who prefer English-language content.
Gaps in Services and Infrastructure
Although Cyprus has developed significantly in recent years, some aspects still feel like stepping back to the 1980s and 1990s. If you’re looking for a European destination with a thriving culinary scene, top-tier entertainment, or world-class amusement parks for kids, this may not be the place for you. While trendy restaurants and cafés are becoming more common, Cyprus still lags behind more developed European countries.
Additionally, road and sidewalk maintenance is inconsistent, making getting around with strollers difficult. Many playgrounds are poorly maintained, and there is a serious lack of shaded areas, making outdoor play uncomfortable during the hot summer months.
Limited Public Transportation
Public transport in Cyprus is very limited, consisting mainly of buses and taxis. Bus routes are not extensive, and if you don’t live in a central area, relying on public transport is nearly impossible. Taxis are also expensive, even for short city rides, and they become even less available during the tourist high season. As a result, most residents rely on private cars for everything, which isn’t always convenient—especially for families with young children.
Dependence on a Car for Everything
Unlike walkable cities, Cyprus doesn’t offer the kind of urban planning where schools, playgrounds, and essential services are all within easy walking distance. Even when playgrounds are available, they often don’t meet the needs of active kids, and there aren’t many indoor alternatives for hot days. The situation is even more challenging in mountainous areas, where even the simplest outing requires a car, limiting the ease of daily activities.
The Benefits of Living in Cyprus
Warm and Pleasant Weather
As someone who loves summer and sunshine, Cyprus is an ideal place to live. With a short winter and mild temperatures for most of the year. This allows for plenty of outdoor activities, and even on colder days, the climate is far from depressing. With warm weather year-round, we take advantage of the beach, parks, and outdoor play, which makes life much more enjoyable—especially with young kids.
Low Taxes
Another major financial advantage is Cyprus’ low tax rates. Corporate tax is 12.5%, and dividend tax is 0%. (As of February 2025, there are discussions about raising corporate tax to 15%, but it remains significantly lower than in most countries.)
For entrepreneurs and business owners, this is a huge financial benefit. Those who relocate and give up Israeli tax residency can significantly lower their tax burden, improving their overall financial situation and allowing for a better quality of life.
Relaxed and Safe Lifestyle
One of the biggest appeals of Cyprus is its safe and peaceful environment. It is considered one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime rates. People are generally friendly, the streets are quiet, and life feels stress-free. For families looking for a secure place to raise children, Cyprus provides an ideal setting.
Accessible Healthcare with Personalized Care
The healthcare system in Cyprus is good, although for serious medical issues, I would personally travel to Israel. However, for day-to-day medical needs, my experience has been very positive.
One major advantage is accessibility—every doctor provides their personal phone number, so scheduling an appointment is easy, and medical care feels very personal. This is incredibly helpful when you have young kids and need frequent medical advice. I often send photos to our pediatrician, and she immediately advises whether we need an in-person visit, a hospital trip, or just over-the-counter medication.
Positive Birth Experience
Despite my initial concerns, my birth experience in Cyprus was wonderful. With a dedicated midwife-gynecologist guiding the process, I felt fully supported. The personalized approach and the caring medical staff made my delivery smooth and reassuring—greatly improving my overall experience as a new mom.
Affordable Housekeeping Services
Many families in Cyprus employ live-in or live-out housekeepers, as costs are relatively low.
- Live-in housekeepers (who reside with the family) earn €500-€700 per month (excluding visa and social insurance costs).
- Live-out housekeepers (who work a few hours a day) cost €700-€1,100 per month.
Most housekeepers come from the Philippines, India, or Nepal, and they typically receive better working conditions than in their home countries.
Higher Quality of Life
Living in Limassol, our monthly expenses are similar to what they were in Israel, but we get much more in return.
For a similar budget, we:
- Own and fully renovated a large central apartment with a low mortgage
- Send our daughters to a private English school
- Travel more frequently
- Pay much lower taxes
Final Thoughts
Cyprus offers many advantages, including great weather, low taxes, and a safe environment. However, it also comes with challenges, such as distance from family, limited public transport, and infrastructure gaps. Still, moving to Cyprus opens up new opportunities and allows families to experience a unique lifestyle—one that requires adaptation but can be incredibly rewarding.
