How to find accommodation in Cyprus
For a very long time, Cyprus was considered to enjoy a very affordable rental market which, combined to the low costs of living and utility bills and its mild climate, made the Mediterranean island quite the favourite destination for expatriation. Lately, however, due to an influx of tourism, many apartments and homeowners prefer turning their properties into short-term rentals geared towards travellers (such as the Airbnb platform). This has made the prices increase and accommodation harder to find, if you're interested in renting long-term.
That being said, you should begin your search by choosing the most appropriate city and neighbourhood for you and your needs. Then, you can identify the types of housing units available in the area. As a general rule, it will be easier to find cheaper options in the countryside, although most people prefer to live in Cyprus' major cities such as Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. Agia Napa is also extremely popular in the summer, as it is a party/holiday destination.
Once you decide on your location, you should do some research on the area to see what you can find. Since Cyprus is a relatively small country, word of mouth is probably the best way to find an apartment. Check out classified ads in local newspapers and housing websites on the Internet (we provide some links at the end of this article). Note that many Greek housing websites offer a section for Cyprus rentals as well, although the information will most likely be in Greek and not in English.
Another option is to register with a real estate agency, to better help you find accommodation according to your criteria and budget. Since a large number of expats don't speak Greek and some older homeowners may not prefer to speak English, hiring a real estate agent to handle everything for you is a popular option in Cyprus. You should also be aware that many homeowners tend to underplay potential issues with their rentals, so if you don't have an agent, it's recommended to do a thorough check of the property yourself before committing and signing a lease.
Good to know:
You will find both furnished and unfurnished accommodation in Cyprus. Most properties include A/C and heating in the price. However, you should be very careful to confirm that is the case. Summers in Cyprus tend to be very hot and living without air condition can be almost unbearable
