A Relaxing Retirement on Aphrodite's Isle
6 January 2010 - written by Jasmine Harman in association
with Towergate Connect
If you have "punched-out" from work for good and you are looking
forward to a rosy retirement in the sun, comfort and relaxation are
probably high on the agenda. Does your list of priorities include a
strong community, good healthcare and a culture and climate that
you can enjoy in your "Golden Years"? If the answer is yes, then
perhaps sunny Southern Cyprus is your perfect destination. It can
turn grumpy, crotchety, hypochondriac old men and women in to
happy, sociable, smiling senior citizens. Expat retirees in Cyprus
all seem to be glowing, and I'm not just talking about their
sun-tans!
Although I feel that learning the basics of the local language
is only polite wherever you are, you may find yourself becoming
lazy in this respect, as most Cypriots speak excellent English. So,
if you feel too set in your ways to learn a new language or even
tackle driving on the other side of the road, Cyprus is definitely
for you. For that matter, they also have the same electrical
sockets so you'll feel right at home! Your curlers and ear-trimmers
will still work perfectly. What's more, you'll find a Debenhams and
even a Marks & Spencers so there's no need to feel
homesick.
There are over 60,000 foreign retirees on the island, many of
them British, so you'll meet plenty of new friends to play golf and
socialise with. Sample the local flavours with fresh fish, endless
"mezze" and traditional drinks like Ouzo, Retsina or Zivania (admit
it - that's what retirement is all about!). Seriously though, in
Cyprus, you will have the opportunity to mix with other expat
retirees as much, or indeed as little, as you like. There are
enclaves of expats who organise bridge clubs, book clubs, wine
clubs, dance clubs; pretty much anything that takes your fancy,
there is a club for it. But if you want to immerse yourself in
Cypriot culture, there are many villages close to the central hubs
where you can escape from Barbara and Derek and their various
clubs. Where you can enjoy just doing nothing – you're retired
after all!
Financial and legal matters are also attractive in Cyprus as the
property purchasing system is very similar to our own, and you'll
find buying costs are lower than you might expect; around 4-6%
compared to an average of 10-12% in many other popular European
destinations. There is no inheritance, wealth or gift tax, and you
will only be taxed 5% on your UK pension.
If your doctor has recommended dry, warm weather to alleviate a
medical condition, you'll be pleased to know Cyprus enjoys sunshine
virtually all year round, with winter temperatures of around 18ºC.
Bring it on! You won't even miss your friends and family, as they
will be queuing up to visit.
Retirement should be about feeling carefree and reaping the
rewards of a lifetimes work. Who knows, all that free time together
with your other-half and you could even rekindle the romance in
your own relationship, after all many years ago, the Goddess of
Love was born on these very shores. Probably around the same time
that you were born.
Towergate Connect and Jasmine Harman
Towergate Connect has
selected one of the UK's most high-profile travel celebrities,
Jasmine Harman, who is best known for her work on Channel 4's 'A
Place in the Sun - Home or Away', to contribute towards regular
news and views articles to our website.