Why Cyprus?

There are many reasons to buy a home in Cyprus: 330 days a year of sunshine the beautiful, rugged mountains; the low crime rate; the highly developed infrastructure; the lack of a language barrier the booming property market and, most of all the friendly people. Wherever you buy, the mountains will not be more than a couple of hours' drive away, and it will take you less than half an hour to get to the beach.

Year-round Sunshine

Cyprus has a hot dry summer and a long, blissfully warm extended spring and autumn. Winter, from November to February, has some rain but is rarely cold except in the Troodos Mountains where there are a couple of places to ski on the rather wet snow. In February the whole island is shrouded in pale pink as the almond trees come into blossom. One can enjoy every season whether by walking on the beach after work in winter, cycling to picnic in the mountains in spring, or making merry at the local wine festival in the autumn. Another bonus is that there are no dramatic extremes of climate. Floods, hurricanes, very strong winds tidal waves and big freezes are unheard of.

Friendly People

The Cypriots are warm and hospitable and enjoy excellent relations with the British and other ex-Pats living on the island. The stories you hear about Cypriot hospitality are not just the stuff of holiday brochures stroll through a village and someone may well invite you in for a drink. Dine in the local taverna and a constant stream of extra dishes will be brought to the table for you to try. Have a business meeting with a Cypriot and you'll probably be invited to dinner with the family that evening. Friends and family are of top importance in Cyprus and affect every aspect of day-to-day living. If you have a problem, a Cypriot will almost always know someone who can solve it.

Accommodation for all Tastes

Most properties sold in Cyprus are new-builds, which vary from small apartments to multi-million-Pound villas on the beach or golf course. There is also a growing trend for building traditional stone houses in the mountains.

Alternatively, buy a town house, a modern apartment, or something old in a traditional village to renovate there are government grants available and the letting potential is good a "tourism" grows. Planning regulations on colour and style of properties are very strict, to preserve the `village' feel of the island but there is a great variety of locations and styles within this.

Healthy Lifestyle

Everything about Cyprus points towards a healthy lifestyle, provided you take precautions in the sun. The famed Mediterranean diet consists of fresh, locally produced organic food which is cooked in olive oil and washed down with a glass or two of red wine. There are plentiful opportunities for leading an outdoor life of walking, swimming, cycling, sailing, golf and even skiing. The glorious sunshine encourages residents to spend more time outdoors and the laid-back atmosphere helps to melt away stress. And finally, should you need it there is an excellent health care system.

The Property Boom

Cyprus has been enjoying a property boom since the beginning of the 21st century and prices are still rising, particularly of new-builds. The boom is unlikely to be sustainable at this rate but Cyprus does represent a good investment, with plenty of areas still likely to bear fruit. Good Cyprus properties, including re-sales, are still abundant and local property prices are still much lower than other European countries. Prices of holiday homes in Cyprus are on average 20% lower than in Portugal, 30% lower than in span and 50% lower than in Italy and France.

Stable and Buoyant Cyprus Economy

Cyprus is a politically stable and democratically run country, having a parliament modelled along British democratic elections.

Cyprus has a buoyant economy, driven by its hugely successful tourism industry. In 2005 the World Bank classified Cyprus as a high income country and one of the biggest economies in the Mediterranean, having a GDP per capita of around €17,000 (£11,000) which is close to 80% of the EU average.  Unemployment is very low and is below the EU average at 4.4%

Low Crime

Anyone considering owning a property or relocating to Cyprus must consider crime. Thankfully the crime growth seen in many other EU countries has not affected Cyprus, which enjoys a very low crime rate, typically one sixth of the the average of those recorded throughout the rest of Europe.

The very low crime rate in Cyprus can be attributed to the strong family values and close nit communities in Cyprus. In many ways the shame and loss of family honour associated with crime acts as a powerful disincentive to commit crimes.  This culminates in a society where many leave their cars unlocked and the key to their homes under the mat of their front doors.