Cyprus isn’t that expensive

Sir,

I was interested if not a bit concerned to read your article in last Saturday’s Cyprus Mail regarding a Prudential survey about prices on the island. I could not believe that shopping was that expensive in Cyprus and I spent the last few days comparing the items mentioned. Well, I do not know where the Prudential survey shopped, but I could not make the total amount more than CY£13.96, around £16.61 sterling, compared to the £20.06 sterling cited by Prudential. My list included a village loaf bought from a fairly up-market chain store, imported cheese and a chicken bought from a good local butcher, who is very aware of the tastes of the expat community. Getting local items from a supermarket would have made this bill even cheaper. I think this makes us at least fifth on the list, not top.

You make it sound like cost of living is higher here. You do not mention the fact that council tax in Cyprus is enormously cheaper than in the UK. Eating out is generally much cheaper. Petrol is cheaper. Opticians and dentists are usually cheaper and often better than the UK.

Healthcare is perhaps expensive if you have always relied on the National Health Service in the UK but there are a lot of expats who felt the need to pay for private health care in England which is much more expensive than health care in Cyprus. By the way there is, I believe, an arrangement with the NHS for expats living in Cyprus over pensionable age.

Generally it is far quicker to see a consultant in Cyprus and test results are received quicker by worried patients.

Unfortunately Cyprus is being spoilt in places by over-development to accommodate persons choosing to retire here and this sometimes is upsetting because of the changes which are being made, some good some not so good. We have been visiting Cyprus since the mid-eighties and owned a property here for over 10 years, having retired early to live here four years ago, which we could not have afforded in the UK.

There is one point I would agree about your article is that anyone wanting to retire anywhere should use their common sense, ask many questions and find out as much as you can about the country you want to make your home. You must be absolutely sure about your move, otherwise problems can eat away a relationship and eventually cause ill health. Expats who do nothing but moan about their chosen retirement destination do not make good company, believe me. But having done all your sums and made the right choice you can happily enjoy the surroundings of you new environment, hopefully with peace of mind.

Jean Goldsmith, Tala

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.