12 Reasons People REGRET Moving to Cyprus

Top 12 reasons why people regret moving to Cyprus. If you think about moving to Cyprus, this video is very important to you!

I am discussing 12 things that people regret after moving to Cyprus. This is the view of many friends and people that I met here that also moved to this lovely Mediterranean island.

There is also one specific reason that means a lot to me personally. Let me know what you find the most interesting, and if you agree, or not.

I moved to Cyprus in 2019 and since then I experienced a lot of different things. The good and the bad. And so in this video I summarize some things that you definitely need to know!

I helped thousands of people move to Cyprus in the last few years, and they all agreed on those points. Do you? Let me know in the comments.

Connect with me on Insta: @ricardogorski
Songs: Causmic - Luxery, Chris Haugen - Island Dream, Sappheiros - Falling

[jgrimslife]

Absolutely agree with everything you’ve said. I live on a British military base, been here now since April and omg the summer was so hot. Only now starting to cool down a little. The job opportunities are very limited for non EU and people who don’t speak Greek.
And the finding brands over here is insane. I struggle to find organic products and a lot of UK brands. Even finding double duvet is hard and still haven’t found one yet 😅
Traffic is insane and a lot of the Cypriot drivers are crazy. The horn is all I hear even when the light has only just turned yellow they honking at me.

Things to is limited, I find a lot of the attractions are very far away and spread out but I guess it’s a different way of life over here, I personally love it and never want to leave but a lot of people I talk to think it’s boring, I wouldn’t call it boring but it’s different.
The island is very isolated, but you learn to find the beautiful places on the island but it really is a lovely place to be.

I went over the the north side twice now and I really didn’t like the vibe, it felt quite negative and more run down than the south. I went over to famagusta and the walk through by Nicosia and I don’t think I want to see any more of it. Didn’t enjoy it. But the south side is beautiful. Such a shame about what happened and you can really feel the sadness and negativity when you enter the “places”.

[mironovsan]

Regarding a drinking water - you can save up on it by filling plastic bottles in water vending machines that can be found here and there. 2 almost full 10 liter bottles will cost you just 1 euro.

[mohammednaiemsaddique]

Absolute honest and brilliant information from your part.

[serenitycoastUK]

dehumidifier, airflow keep the heat on winter and you shouldn't get mould. I do want to move to Cyprus in around 10 years time

[Queenluxe]

Great video Rico very informative thanks. I also love the comments for providing the good the bad and the ugly.

[georgiades]

The "unseen" economy of Cyprus can be a surprise to newcomers here. Family size is usually planned in a way that assures financial support and property inheritance or dowry for children. The high standard of living, despite salaries that are lower than those in northern Europe, is achieved primary because a property is provided by the family. Also, financial support for grandchildren's basic needs is also part of the family budget. Families tend to have one unified economy, with elders taking responsibility for their children's financial wellbeing. Also, Cypriots tend to choose fields of study based on such criteria: taking over the family business, being placed in the civil service by a relative, running a business (pharmacy, legal firm, etc.) in family owned property, etc. It is a carefully constructed marvel of social engineering that non Cypriots have no access to.

[johnturton]

Thanks Rico, another informative video 👍

[lifeisaholiday]

Its hot in most countries for 2 months in summer. England was 42 in August. Mold you live near the see. Politics issues everywhere.

[derhova]

NOT exclusive to Cyprus, the entire world's gotten extremely expensive post-Covid.

[mariapap]

1)Before moving to another country, the obvious, expected and wise thing to do is a bit of RESEARCH. If you move to an island you obviously won't be able to drive to another country... duh🙄.2) Cyprus is an island in the south Mediterranean. What kind of climate did you expect to find ?! 3)Cyprus might be an island, but come on, news of the rising prices WORLDWIDE do arrive even to Cyprus! Besides, prices are going to be higher for goods getting transported to islands, for obvious reasons 4)Cyprus might be heavily dependent on tourism but that doesn't mean that all people do is party everywhere all day long. FYI in Ibiza, the locals are disgusted by the floods of youngsters partying all night getting so drunk that the puke, piss or make out in the streets. If THAT'S what "interesting" is, we're MORE THAN HAPPY to be "boring" (tell your friend). 5)The list could go on and on but I'll close this here by saying that whoever isn't happy here can go back to wherever they came from or search for the perfect country. Noone was forced to move here and noone is going to be stopped if they wish to leave tomorrow. But deciding to STAY in a country only to keep moaning and criticizing just about everything is annoying and unhealthy.

[vadim]

I lived in Cyprus for 10 years and I completely agree with everything you said. But it is still a very welcoming place with great people and a relaxed atmosphere. The island has gained a very unique sense of home and stability despite all the problems mentioned here. But yes, it is becoming much more expensive and crowded now.

[zszs]

regarding the mold, you just need to heat the house/ apartment, and it will not appear. The mold appears when there is humidity on the wall, and the humidity appears when the houses are not heated during mild winter.

[NuridinYumer]

The bureaucracy couldn't be slower than in Germany; I've been waiting for my building permit for three years now.

[trinityof]

hey rico, thanks for video, i am moving to paphos, trying to sell up here in ireland. only thing that worries me is this yellow card thing. if i from eu do i still need to get one?

[joesoy]

This is the only video I have seen which really discusses some negative aspects of Cyprus, so well done for that ! However, there are some more negative points you missed, which surprises me as you're German. Although I'm British, I definitely spent more time in Germany (as an adult) than you.

a) The pavements here in Paphos are awful. Invariably, there are cracked paving stones, missing paving stones, and holes where a tree has been removed, but the hole is still there, causing a potential tripping hazard. Every few metres, you'll come across a section which slants because it's an entrance for cars. You have to be extremely careful, otherwise you'll stumble and fall.

b) There is litter everywhere, which is similar to Greek culture. You'll find bottles, cans and other debris strewn in the most unexpected places, but particularly near the large rubbish bins, often overflowing, on the streets. There are very many barren areas i.e. possible future building sites, which are overgrown and full of all kinds of litter. Fly tipping is rife. After the relatively clean streets of Germany, Cyprus looks really unkempt and scruffy.

c) Many Cypriots are lousy drivers. Some of them are so hot-headed (yes, they're Mediterranean !), they overtake in the most unsuitable areas. Signalling before turning left or right is very hit and miss. Parking on double yellow lines is standard. The police don't care.

d) A relatively new issue is electric scooters (which happens to be the favourite mode of transport for migrants). Most of them have been tuned so they go far too fast. They have no insurance and no licence. Before you cross the road, always look behind you, as they are very quiet. Last October (2024), Paphos Council passed a law which only allowed them on cycle lanes. As there is basically only one on the east/west dual carriageway, you'll find them on roads and PAVEMENTS as well. Again the police are not interested. In fact, I have never seen a police officer in the streets of Paphos. Now and again a police car will pass by.

e) Cypriots can be very loud - after all they have a Mediterranean mentality. You may be unlucky and have noisy neighbours who play loud music and slam doors. Unfortunately, I am currently staying in an apartment with such neighbours.

f) When buying an older property, make sure that you get the title deeds. These are not always readily available.

g) Socially, you'll probably end up living in an expat bubble. It's rare to find contact between Cypriots and foreigners, but there again, I'm not saying it's impossible. Be careful, don't go down the slippery slope of drinking alcohol all day. Some expats spend their entire social life in bars and pubs. Many become alcoholics. It happens all over the world.

h) The bus service can be good, but finding the correct bus stop for a a particular bus is not easy.

I spend several weeks in Paphos every year, but for the above reasons, I personally would not wish to be resident there. If you're thinking of moving there full time, good luck !

[psychocypsychocy]

HERE THE FIRST THING YOU LEARN IS ΣΙΓΑ ΣΙΓΑ ..meaning slow slow

[mightyhidden]

You forgot to mention about limited transportation between cities etc. only is possible by bus or expensive taxis (not friendly for walking or cycling like some other European countries)There are no metro, trains, trams or anything eslse similar.

[Cantor-ubwj]

Nice review, perhaps incomplete. Cyprus is a very young society, with all pitfalls this brings along. 1) The main source of annoyance for me is unruliness, particularly when driving. With close to no law enforcement on the streets (you wonder what the police is so busy doing instead), it is extremely common to see people parking in the middle of a trafficked road just to go get a can of coke in the store, running red traffic lights, getting into one way streets just to save 3 minutes of their precious time..Sometimes these behaviours are only the symptom of a profound naivety and selfishness, but they can be very dangerous for the others, so be careful out there! 2) Isolation is indeed a problem, and Cypriot society is very conformist, everybody behaves the same and seem to get along with similar people only. If you're used to living in diverse, culturally lively countries, it might be a problem. 3) Environmental awareness: again, for many things Cyprus is stuck in the 80s or, being optimistic, 90s. People idle car and truck engines all the times, often times for absolutely no reason, and freely throw/dump garbage in fields or nature as if they owned the place. Again, if you're used to a modern, environmental friendly culture, you'll feel like a time machine brought you back to the 80s.

[pataleno]

Was in Cyprus last year and I could not even walk in the sun and I’m fit. It was the worst. No exercise at all.

[andreaskotsos]

About mold.
There is no such thing about houses made for hot or cold climate.
It's the humidity. Germany for example has a dry climate. Mediterranean countries (the seaside mostly) are humid.
Open all windows for 10 minutes daily and you will see the difference.