Cyprus does not have a strict division of housing into classes. These are standard (or economy), comfort and comfort +, business and premium (elite). If economy and premium class are understandable, then the definition of middle classes is more confusing.
1. What is comfort+
Actually, any gated residential complex in Cyprus is considered a real estate of a class higher than economy. The privacy of the territory is the first sign of high-class housing.
The adjacent territory for the comfort should be equipped at least with:
- separate secure parking
- a refined private playground - children's playgrounds are fenced off the cars, cleaned paths, benches
- usually there are no apartments on the ground floor - the area is occupied by shops, fitness centers, restaurants, etc.
- developed infrastructure nearby - stops, kindergartens and schools, hospitals, shops, walking distance to the center and/or to the sea.
Both comfort and comfort+ class should have all these conditions. The only difference is that comfort+ will look a little better and more comfortable. Perhaps a fountain or a swimming pool will be arranged near the local area, a beautiful garden will be planted (with the participation of a landscape designer), and the complex will be closer to the city center and to the sea.
The apartments or houses of comfort and comfort+ class are much better in terms of layout and neighborhood to the economy. A studio cannot be less than 40 m2, and one-bedroom apartments are usually 50-60 m2. At the same time, the kitchens are separated from the living room and occupy at least 12 m2. Apartments and houses are also equipped with beautiful loggias or balconies, sometimes there are even two bathrooms.
The view from the window also plays an important role: if you are in a comfort-class apartment you never see old buildings in bad conditions or a long-term construction site. Usually you can see the sea, mountains or park, grove.
2. The difference between the comfort + class and the business class
Sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish business from comfort+. There is a fine line here, which is usually set by the developer (more on this below). For example, apartments similar in size and comforts can be divided into business and comfort only depending on their distance from the city center.
In general, there are several criteria by which it is possible to separate housing in Cyprus comfort+ from business class. In this article, for convenience, they are highlighted in separate subheadings.
2.1. Location
1. Business class is always close to the center or so that getting to the center is as convenient and quick as possible. For example, if a residential complex has a close exit to a high-speed and convenient highway, then, if other conditions are present, it can be classified as a business class.
Comfort+ is more distant from the center, although accessibility is also important here. Usually a residential complex in a suburb without full infrastructure can be considered a comfort+ class, while a similar one almost in the center and with infrastructure will be considered a business class.
2.2. Infrastructure
Business class complexes have almost all the infrastructure: private kindergartens for the children of residents, their own fitness centers and restaurants, convenient location of expensive supermarkets, private schools, boutiques, etc.
Comfort and comfort + classes do not have such luxury. As a rule, there are stops within walking distance, as well as ordinary shops and cafes, municipal and private schools. Such complexes have a small number or do not have their own facilities.
2.3. House territory
Business class is always a great modern design. Both the buildings and the local area. There is always a green walking area nearby, there are communal swimming pools, large playgrounds and sports grounds, plantings of flowers and shrubs.
Comfort class of any type looks simpler. Although, in Cyprus in the past two decades, gated complexes must have a beautiful appearance.
2.4. Parking
Secure parking is a must in any gated complex. Therefore, the classes are distinguished by the spaciousness of the parking space. In business class, the parking area is calculated inclusively for all residents, in comfort - only 70-80% of the number of residents.
2.5. Safety and cleanliness
Here you can conditionally divide the classes according to the number of service personnel and the technologies that are used for security purposes. So, in the comfort+ class, there is always a concierge, a parking guard and an electronic security system.
There may be several concierges in business class houses. Additionally, alarms and videophones are installed. In some cases, surveillance cameras can transmit data to the phone of all residents of the house in real time.
2.6. View from the window
As already mentioned, the view from the window is an important selection criterion for buyers of real estate in Cyprus. As a rule, it is very difficult here to separate business and comfort+, since the visual component is a purely individual matter.
It should be noted that the sea view can be either in comfort+ or in business class.
2.7. Layout inside an apartment building
Often, comfort+ class housing resembles an economy class in terms of layout inside the house (the number of apartments on the plot, the design of entrances, etc.), albeit in an improved version.
In the business class, there are fewer apartments on one plot, and the walls between the apartments, neighbors and the halls are thicker. Noise insulation can be found both in comfort and in business class.
Also, in both classes, halls have areas for baby carriages, bicycles, several elevators (including freight), mini-greenhouses, storage rooms.
2.8. Layout in the private sector
If a residential complex includes several private houses, then the same principles of privacy are pursued here as in multi-apartment buildings:
- distance from neighbors
- high fences
- large areas of land.
In this case, it is also quite difficult to distinguish between business and comfort+.
2.9. Layout inside an apartment or house
Comfort+ has more spacious rooms, kitchen and other premises than economy does. The same applies to the heights of flows: as a rule, they are higher, thus there is more space in the room.
What elements can be found in a house or apartment of the comfort + class:
- non-standard layout
- large and functional balconies or loggias
- 2 or more bathrooms
- the presence of storage rooms, dressing rooms and other household premises
- separation (at least conditional) of the living room and the kitchen
- large, panoramic windows
- energy saving system
- heating in different variations - from underfloor heating to hidden stationary heaters
- non-standard architectural elements: bay windows, oblique corners, etc.
But what is typical for the business class and is rare in comfort+:
- several balconies or the private pool on the balcony, greenhouse
- smart home system
- two-level layout
- layout at the request of the owner at the construction stage - you can order an individual project for the developer.
3. How the developer determines the class of the property to be sold
Since it is rather difficult to draw a line between the comfort+ and business classes, the developer determines the class. They do this taking into account the target audience, their needs and preferences.
For example, closed comfort class complexes are more suitable for young families. This is not economy: their children will be able to play in a closed area, the both spouses will have a place to park their cars, they will be able to send their child to the nearest kindergarten or school, and they will be able to visit the gym.
Businessmen and business travelers are a completely different audience. They value privacy, proximity to the center, apartments are often rented because the owner is absent for some time.
Consequently, the developer looks first of all at the consumer - and only then assigns a class to the residential complex.
4. Examples of comfort+ In Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca
To understand what kind of comfort-class housing is worth paying attention to, we will give some real examples.
Larnaca, small 1 bedroom apartment in a gated complex. Excellent accessibility to downtown, airport and Mackenzie area. There is parking, a gym and a communal pool. Fine finishing with furniture.
Pissouri (Limassol region). Spacious one-bedroom apartment in a small and cozy residential complex. There is parking and a communal pool. The apartment is not only finished, but also furnished - even household appliances are included.
Paphos (Universal area). One-bedroom apartments 500 meters from the sea. Parking, swimming pool and a complete set of furniture with appliances.
Closed residential complex in Chloraka (Paphos) - two bedroom apartment. An excellent area with developed infrastructure, 1 km from the sea - you can walk within 15 minutes or quickly get there by car. Pool and parking included.
Another 2 bedroom apartment in the very center of Paphos, a decent footage, a swimming pool and parking, a new house. Cozy closed area, few neighbors.
5. The price of comfort+ class housing in Cyprus
Of course, the price depends on the city, the area, distance from the city center and sea, layout and many other factors. But, the price "from" and "to" as a whole can be this:
In Larnaca and Paphos, you can buy a one-bedroom apartment for 75 thousand euros. Moreover, the residential complex can be located both in the suburbs and in the city center. In Limassol, a similar apartment can be bought for 100 thousand euros.
Two-bedroom apartments of comfort+ cost from 110 thousand euros in Paphos, in Larnaca you can find them for a little lower price. In Limassol, the price of such apartments located in the center or prestigious areas (for example, Germasogeia) tends to 200 thousand euros.
Three-room apartments or small villas in closed residential complexes can be found for 150-180 thousand euros in Larnaca. In Paphos, the price will increase by 20-50 thousand euros. In Limassol, three-bedroom housing costs around 300 thousand euros and more.
By the way, when buying real estate in the amount of 300 thousand euros, Cyprus offers the permanent residence - thus non-Europeans can permanently live on the island.
Interested in housing in Cyprus? Visit the DOM Real Estate platform. The portal presents the largest database of real estate in the country - from residential to commercial. Choose and contact professionals who will help you make the right choice!
Read also:
- Investment in real estate in Cyprus (link)
- 7 reasons why you need a real estate agent in Cyprus (link)
- Mortgages in Cyprus (link)
- How to become a tax resident in Cyprus? (link)
- Permanent residence permit in Cyprus (link)
- First acquaintance with Larnaca (link)
- Multi-storey housing in Cyprus: features of "high life" (link)
