CYPRUS GOURMET: “Brits Go Home”? They don’t want to…

COMMENT

The news story on page 3 reporting the majority of British people attending the “Stay” or “Go” debates held last week voted overwhelmingly to “stay” came as no surprise to me. Most of those who have settled here from the UK in recent years carefully considered their reasons. Negative factors against the UK were and are: weather, crime, crowded living conditions, changes in society and costs. Cyprus offered us better climate, greater personal safety, less crowding everywhere especially on the roads and a better standard of life per Pound or Euro spent. The exchange rate, the crisis in the UK and rising costs here have eroded the last factor, but as a study by Ross Pays presented at the “Great Debates” shows, a supermarket basket comparing like with like is still cheaper in Cyprus.
Ross compared “UK-style” products: packaged bread, milk, chicken, lamb leg, red apples, eggs, washing powder, Australian Shiraz, Bells Whisky, English Cheddar cheese and potatoes. The ASDA (UK) basket cost UK£65.52 and the Carrefour basket (Cyprus) UK£64.92.
However, if we substituted locally produced lamb, apples, wine, bread, fruit and cheese for the imported goods so many foreign residents seem to prefer, then the costs here are even less. Fuel, local taxes, many meals out and lots of other things are still cheaper in Cyprus. Yes, private health insurance is desirable here (but many people think it is in the UK, also) and one hears more and more praise for Cyprus medical care.
So, to those readers who wish they would see the back of me I have to say sorry. Permanent resident I am and I intend to stay that way.