Is Cyprus really that expensive?

Sir,
It worries me greatly that people believe Cyprus is an expensive option to live. I do not believe this to be the case, though there are two sides to the coin and I believe this is where people are getting confused.

When you look at the holidaymaker’s side of things, then I would have to say that in most cases they do experience a very expensive holiday, especially when staying in hotels. In many cases, these hotels charge well over the odds for additional services like the food in their restaurants and drinks in their bars.

It is often noted that people in general stay in and around the hotel for much of their holiday, only venturing out from time to time, making there holiday up to three times more expensive than it should be.

In the case of people renting holiday villas and coming on self-catering holidays, they head off to the supermarket and purchase everything that they are used to buying back home and not local produce. When you think about it, if these goods come from England, then the transportation costs are far greater than to their local supermarket back home. Not surprising therefore that they should be more expensive.

In the three years that I have lived here I have seen prices rise considerably and there is no denying that my weekly shopping bill at one of the major supermarkets is very close to what it would be back in the UK now, but then I have to have my British imports too!

As regards the other ‘costs of living’ such as electricity, telephone, water rates and the equivalent of council tax I am currently paying a great deal less than for the same services in the UK; also to fill my car with petrol costs around £20 whereas the same would be nearer £40 in the UK.

All I can say to tourists that continually gripe about the costs of things here is that they should hire a car and get away from the tourist traps; for as little as £10 hire cost they can save more than that by exploring this island I so much love and have made my home.

Oh yes, almost forgot to mention, but museums, historical sites and many of the activities tourists can do around the island are far cheaper than back home.
Dave Roach, Paphos

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