Moved from the United Kingdom to Cyprus, now enjoying perpetual sunshine, significantly lower bills, and reduced work hours; have also purchased a property.
Family Finds Comfortable Life and Lower Utility Costs in Cyprus
After a comfortable life in the UK, complete with one to two holidays per year, a family has made a significant change by moving to Cyprus following Brexit. The family's decision was driven by a desire to escape the limited hot weather and 'overworked' culture of the UK.
The family's 'plan B' for life has been going well, and they don't see themselves heading back to the UK anytime soon. They now enjoy a better quality of life in Cyprus, which is more slow-paced, and no longer need to go on holiday abroad as they get hot weather all year round.
The children are attending a local Greek school and have become bilingual. The family's income comes from renting out properties in the UK and the mum working as a wedding planner in Cyprus.
Utility bills for an average family in Cyprus are generally significantly lower than in the UK. For electricity, an average apartment's bill can be roughly estimated around €80–€180 per month, with water bills being billed every three months and costing a small fraction of UK water bills. Gas usage and costs are much lower in Cyprus, and council tax is minimal compared to the UK.
Here's a breakdown of the approximate utility costs in both countries:
| Utility | Approximate UK Cost (annual) | Approximative Cyprus Cost (annual/monthly) | Notes | |---------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Electricity | ~£600-£700 (€700-€800) | €80–€180/month | Cyprus electricity bills lower[1][2] | | Water | ~£400-£500 (€460-€575) | Low, small quarterly bills | Cyprus water cheaper[4] | | Gas | ~£1,000 (€1,150) | Very low, often negligible | Cyprus gas costs "pennies" vs UK[4] | | Council Tax | ~£1,200-£1,500 (€1,400-€1,700) | Very low or included in other municipal fees | Cyprus council tax much lower[4] |
The family's move to Cyprus has been well-received by some people in the comments, who appreciate the cost of council tax, water, and gas in Cyprus compared to the UK. Some people have even shared their personal experiences and plans related to moving to or living in Cyprus.
To make the move smoother, the family recommends sorting through belongings and getting rid of items that are no longer needed, creating an inventory of items, and labelling each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. Using quality packing materials such as sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape is also essential to protect belongings during the move.
Heavy items like books are suggested to be packed in rolling suitcases to make them easier to transport. Taking photos of the wiring setup of electronics before unplugging them will make it easier to reconnect them at the new place. Using different coloured stickers or markers for each room can help movers quickly identify where each box should go in the new home.
The family's TikTok account is @themannsofficial, where they share updates about their life in Cyprus.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/average-dual-fuel-energy-bill [2] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/domestic-consumers/help-and-guidance/energy-bills-and-what-you-pay/energy-prices-and-bill-costs [3] https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Cyprus [4] https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/larnaca/cyprus/vs/london/united-kingdom
- The family's new lifestyle in Cyprus offers them a lower utility cost, making their home-and-garden expenses more manageable compared to their previous life in the UK.
- Their home-and-garden experience in Cyprus is not only cost-effective but also allows them to experience a year-round Mediterranean climate, thereby eliminating the need for expensive holidays abroad to enjoy hot weather.
