The other day it got very cold on the island and for some reason I suddenly remembered my first winter in Cyprus.
To be honest, I didn't like it at all. Cyprus is a southern, sunny country, of course, but... it's quite humid. That is why the current +8 at the end of November feels like at least - 2. Anyone who has spent at least one winter on the island knows that sometimes it is warmer outside than at home.
An expat can only dream of a centrally heated apartment. The worst thing about rented accommodation is the floors. Cold tiles are laid everywhere (oh, the Cypriot love of tiles!). And also in front of my eyes is an impressively large bathroom with a large window for airing, instead of the usual ventilation. Such a system, as you know, is not conducive to heat retention. There is also a huge slit at the bottom of the entrance door to the apartment. Again, for ventilation, because there is no such ventilation system as we have here (except in relatively modern houses).
So, we are on the 5th floor of a 6-storey building in the Neapolis district of Limassol, in an apartment where not only is there no heating, but the windows in the entrance are always open for ventilation. Hindus used to live in the complex and cooked their traditional dishes with a terrible smell of spices all over the house. As a result, there was a strong flow of cold air from the bottom to the top of the entrance, which flew in through the gap in the door and towards us, causing my feet to miss my felt boots). At some point I decided that something urgently needed to be done about this.
What should you do to make the winter in Cyprus comfortable for you?
The ideal thing would be to find new, warmer and more comfortable accommodation. But as the rental contract was signed five months ago and no one was planning to return the deposit, the only option was to use our wits and improvise.
The first thing we decided on was to buy a dehumidifier. A powerful electric one. We drained it every two hours. But the apartment turned out to be too big for this device, so it did not help much. A few days later, in the DIY store, I found a roller that, as it turned out, goes under the door. This solved the terrible draught in the room. A little more time passed and, despite the harsh Cypriot winter, we got a small heater. This raised the temperature in the flat by a few degrees.
We also used electric blankets and electric sheets (at night we could do without air conditioning and heating). For the bedroom and living room we bought carpets from Ikea, and we also ordered 'warm' infrared flooring from Amazon. We discovered this miracle of technology quite by chance while shopping online. We were surprised that we had never heard of it before. We were pleased that no special knowledge or effort is required for 'installation'. Everything plugs in quickly and easily. I still use this amazing gadget occasionally and it warms my feet perfectly. All in all, we survived December and January. From mid-February the sun came out and it was easier to warm up outside). March came and with great optimism we started looking for a new 'warm' place to live.
Cyprus property features
First we had to make a list of important criteria for our next home. The most important of these were:
- The general condition of the building - this parameter can tell you a lot about the complex. Strangely enough, many people neglect this important indicator and focus on the appearance of the house. The fact is that even the most expensive houses in Cyprus can look unattractive after a few years.
- High energy efficiency class of the house - the higher this parameter, the better. The energy efficiency of a building has a direct impact on living comfort and energy costs. It is best to choose apartments in buildings with an A or B energy efficiency rating.
- Heating in the flat - yes, there is no central heating in Cyprus. However, apartments in modern buildings have underfloor heating. Heated floors are particularly valuable in houses with marble or tiled floors, which get very cold in the winter. Sure, the bills for December and January may shock you. On the other hand, these are only two months of the year that you can spend with increased comfort.
- Insulation - Most Cypriot houses are made of concrete, which makes them cool in the summer, but these buildings can be cold in the winter. It is therefore important to make sure that the walls, roof and windows have modern insulation. Check that the windows have double or triple glazing. This will help keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Location of the home - choosing the right location for your home will help to avoid many inconveniences. Homes with south-facing windows get more sunlight in winter, making them warmer. A north-facing apartment is better for the summer, as the rooms are cooler. It is ideal to find an apartment with windows facing west and east.
- The presence of solar panels - they significantly reduce the cost of heating water in winter. Cyprus has 300 days of sunshine a year, which allows for regular electricity.
In general, we concluded that the ideal option would be an apartment in a house that is no more than 5-7 years old or a new building. Our independent search took two months. There were a lot of options on the property market, but they all fell away pretty quickly: some flats were old, some were too expensive, and some we just didn't want to live in. Finally, we found a bright, cosy flat in a low-rise building with a minimum of neighbours. I will not hide the fact that it cost 1.5 times more than we expected. But the comfort outweighed the size. Looking back, I can confidently say that the cost of the rent fully met all our hopes and expectations.
How do you choose a warm place to stay in Cyprus?
Well, experience has taught us that living in Cyprus is still good, but if your flat is in a new building - even better. Even if it is not by the sea. The fact is that a significant part of the property that is located on the resort coast of the Mediterranean - it is secondary. Such properties are usually designed for summer holidays and temporary residence. What is ideal for the summer becomes a significant disadvantage in the winter.
Another thing - modern houses built no more than 10 years ago, or new residential complexes. New buildings have a number of advantages over second homes, including: modern, efficient air conditioning systems for apartments, the presence of 'warm' floors, high-quality double-glazed windows and much more. They are perfectly prepared for winter, although they are often located closer to the mountains. In some cases this is even an advantage. Judge for yourself whether you need constant draughts and cold sea breezes. But if you are still unlucky with your apartment, here are some useful household tips:
- Ventilate more often, especially during the day when the sun is shining, to prevent dampness.
- Buy special dehumidifiers and place them in cupboards.
- A washer/dryer or tumble dryer is another great purchase for wintering in Cyprus.
- A hot bath, electric fire and candles will help you get through the cooler part of the year.
- After the bathing season, many sports clubs sell gym and spa passes with hammam and sauna at very reasonable prices.
And the most important thing is to walk more often! Winter living in Cyprus will delight you with pleasant temperatures and long walks without the crowds of tourists.
Winter in Cyprus can be comfortable and economical if you choose your accommodation carefully. Consider the climate, check the insulation and heating, choose a neighbourhood with a developed infrastructure. My main advice - do not rush into your choice, look at several options, talk to the landlord and clarify all the details of the contract. Good luck wintering in Cyprus!
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