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We often wonder whether we appreciate how lucky we are to have been born and to live in Cyprus.
Examining what is happening worldwide from civil strife, wars, earthquakes, poverty, floods etc, all over, even in rich-western countries, we have to thank God for providing us with a paradise on earth – Cyprus
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Weather – Underestimated by many of us how the good weather affects us psychologically. We do not fail to notice how people from very hot or cold countries when in Cyprus, behave in a more relaxed and “happy” way and their radiance passes on to others.
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Countryside/beaches – A rarity to have such good countryside and clean beaches and those who visit the fashionable European resorts have problems with the wind (see Greek Aegean islands), dirty sea (see South of France) and dangerous “jellyfish” with some attractive beaches having to fence off the bathing area with all sorts of gadgets to protect bathers from stinging jellyfish, sharks etc.
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Short Distances – Not to be underestimated of their value. Within one hour you are just about everywhere, from Troodos to Limassol and from the airport to the other towns, golf courses and other theme projects.
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Criminality – This is a major consideration by foreign people in particular. Cyprus (thank God) is left away behind by comparison to all EU countries, although petty theft is on the increase (yet still well below the EU average).
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Tolerance – This is well known by the local people, to the extent that we wish they could increase their complaints to the authorities – placing on them some more pressure.
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Schools – All sorts of schools in most languages and at all levels (be it at the university level standards are well behind the majority of EU countries).
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Cost of living – Affordable to the vast majority and the cost of living is going down. We have deflation and incoming competition (see Lidl), all for the best as well as others.
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Religion & Colour – Not an issue at this point in time be it a major problem in the more “advanced” EU countries. We have no ghettos of non-locals, see recent arrivals in the old part of the towns, but not a major problem so far.
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Healthcare – The state takes care of old/poor people by providing free of charge house help, the monthly guaranteed income (be it €600 p.m.) pensions are paid on time (see Greece) and state hospitals, save their recent mistakes, are of a good standard. For those who can afford private health there are excellent private hospitals (costly) and if unaffordable, the state undertakes to send sick people abroad. Anyone can visit state hospitals either for free or at low cost.
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Childcare – Now it is not as affordable as it used to be due to the economic situation, but free childcare in state nursery schools is provided.
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Lodging of complaints – One of the few countries that have an effective Ombudsman and nowadays a more effective Auditor General.
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Future climate changes – One of the subjects to worry about in the future is the subject regarding climate change and water shortages. Yet the desalination plants and the water dams, so far, seem to help us. We have to keep an eye on this – but better than the flooding and fires for days in other countries. Well done Cyprus for having standby firefighting, helicopters from Russia and buying more and more planes for the purpose – yet we have still sick people who like Nero wasn’t to watch the fires (see recent events in Paphos).
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Family Living – Not what it used to be with close ties of families loosening but we are still there with families staying together.
Is it all rosy in this God-blessed country and is it an attractive one for foreign people to live here? Yes, a God-blessed country but what about the angels? No, we do not have enough angels.
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Red tape – What a disaster and disappointment. It is getting slightly better but at a very slow pace (see
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Kickbacks – A well-known phenomenon for all countries but in ours it seems that now it is coming to the surface – bad, but there is hope for the future.
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Petty politics – All the worst, cannot be avoided, we are afraid, neither do we expect improvement in the immediate future.
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Discrimination – Very bad without response and with a lot of discrimination between locals and foreign residents by some authorities.
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Legal System – Practically in disorder. Delayed justice is no justice they say – correct and it applies to Cyprus.
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Civil service – Acceptable at top positions but the prevailing system coupled with the petty politics make betterment difficult.
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Economy – Yes, bad like everywhere, but we seem to be getting better not expected to reach the pre-2000 economic levels however very soon.
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Nepotism in small countries is the norm (as is in Cyprus) but not unknown in bigger EU countries.
If one is to place the pluses and minuses on a balance sheet, Cyprus comes top. In Italy, a friend of ours having bought an apartment had to pay €1,000 kickback for the connection of the electricity. After 2 months the man on the spot to carry out the connection asked for another €400 so that “he will not cause him problems”!! We do not have this.
A friend of ours told us (a millionaire Cypriot) that Cyprus is a country having some sort of a socialist system by custom. He adds “I cannot show off my wealth, I have a car like anyone else, I go to the kebab house like any other, there are no exclusive posh clubs, it is embarrassing to have a Rolls Royce, so I am “forced” to behave like any other person of an upper-middle income level”.
So, in ending. Shall we live in Cyprus hoping for a better future and is Cyprus a preferred country to attract foreign residents?
In a recent survey, global immigration experts ranked Cyprus in the world’s top ten among citizenship by investment programmes for high-net-worth individuals.
According to the report, Cyprus ranked fifth in terms of best relocation destinations in the world, the only other European country to be included in the top 5 is Switzerland (Cyprus being ahead of London, Madrid and Monaco).
The report referred to Cyprus’ geographic location, stable political situation, low crime rate, good weather, favourable tax environment and highly educated multilingual workforce as just a few of the advantages that attract foreign investors to the island to live and work.
