Downshifting is when you decide to switch to a hammock under a palm tree on the seashore with a laptop, a long office clock, traffic jam, darkness, cold and constant stress.

The main condition – a guarantee of uninterrupted stable income (remote work, rent, dividends, etc.).

Cyprus as a whole is a convenient and very popular destination for downtown shifters, if not for a few “but”:

Comparatively high cost of living (incomparable with popular Asian destinations). For more or less comfortable stay of a family of two or three people you need income from 2-3 000 euros per month.

Visa restrictions: to stay longer than 90 days you need a residence permit, which requires a long-term rental agreement, confirmation of stable income from abroad, etc.

Climate: summer is very hot, and in winter it is quite cool and rainy, it is uncomfortable to be in rooms without heating. For those who want to live all year round on “Bounty Island” and walk in shorts and slaps, it is not suitable.

Advantages

Proximity to Russia and Europe, two international airports, high level of medicine and education, demanded real estate in Cyprus, no crime, good ecology, 330 sunny days a year, small distances between cities, snow in the mountains and the sea coast in 40 minutes drive, magic olive oil, fresh fish, vegetables, fruits all year round, and other “buns”.

Demand

The most “Russian” and demanded by downtown shifters city of Cyprus is Limassol. Beach, developed infrastructure, stores, restaurants, sports clubs – in general, everything you need for life. In this case, you can settle in a village 15-20 km from the city and enjoy life in the lap of nature. Limassol is followed by Paphos, Larnaca, Agia Napa and Protaras, Nicosia and the mountainous areas are much less in demand.

Prices

The cost of renting property in Cyprus over the past 2-3 years has increased by almost 50%. The cheapest accommodation – in Paphos, here you can still find a studio or one-bedroom apartment for 300-400 euros / month. The house will cost from 600-700 euros / month. In Limassol, the prices for a studio or one-bedroom apartment start at 500 Euro / month and go to infinity. In other cities of Cyprus housing is cheaper, but not much.

Cost of living

Bills for utilities, medical insurance, sports club, food – put on these costs from about 600-800 euros per person per month (rent is not included!). A separate expense item – car, gasoline, insurance, service, etc. In Cyprus, there is no public transport, so the car is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for normal life.

If you have children, if you live a busy cultural life, if you like to have dinner in restaurants and do not think about your life without shopping – then your expenses will increase in proportion to these items. There is no upper limit, but for a comfortable life in Cyprus, a family of 2 people living in a rented apartment, you need at least 3-4000 euros per month.

Living conditions

In general, Cypriot cities are comfortable and pleasant to live in. Everything is well planned, the infrastructure is well thought out, and the streets are clean and safe. There is a lack of greenery, trees, and parks, but you cannot expect miracles in these latitudes.

The main scourge of Cypriot cities is traffic. We can say that in Cyprus, the number of cars is almost equivalent to the number of adults. In addition, in particular, in Limassol, because of the influx of expats working here, the number of cars in recent years has increased. The roads are hard to digest such a number of vehicles. Sometimes they are not digested at all, and then everyone gets up in tight traffic jams.

Other drawbacks are noise and dust, as well as humidity in houses, especially near the sea. Living in the countryside is much cheaper, quieter and more pleasant, if there is no daily tie to the city in the form of a school for a child, and so on.

In general, think for yourself, decide for yourself 🙂 By the way, according to the portal OneTwoTriph, Limassol is the fourth best city for downshifting in the world ranking!