Moving to Cyprus

Moving to another country can be both exhilarating and a bit scary. You can take out the scary part of moving to Cyprus out by learning a few things about the country and making sure you are properly prepared to move.

Cyprus is an island known as a bridge from the East to the West. The island country is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. The snow capped Troodos Mountains are located in the center of the island and reach 6400 feet at the peak. You also have beautiful seaside villages that have spectacular white sandy beaches. You may also find citrus groves and terrace vineyards.

The country has a population of 803,200 people. The ethnic Greeks account for seventy-five percent of the total population. Twenty percent are Turkish. In the remaining five percent, you have Armenians and others from around the world.

There are several different religions practiced - Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Maronite, Islam, Armenian Orthodox among them. Greek, Turkish and English are the three major languages spoken in Cyprus. Turkish is mainly spoken in the north, and in the south 80% speak Greek with a Cypriot dialect.

Many are bilingual and speak English as well. When you are preparing to actually move, here are a few ideas to help make the transition run smoother: Check the calendar.

Try to avoid moving on the first or last day of the month, things are just too busy. Check the Cyprus calendar and make sure you are not moving on any holidays.

Hire a professional moving company with international experience. This will make customs go a whole lot smoother. Make sure you insure your belongings. Rent a safety deposit box and put a copy of all your important documents you will be travelling with, such as passports, life insurance policies, etc. inside.

Then have a power of attorney drawn up so someone will have access to the box in case it is needed. If you have a loan on your vehicle, check with your lender before you attempt to ship your vehicle. Many lenders will not allow you to take the vehicle out of the country.

Get a letter of recommendation from your insurance company. This will make getting overseas insurance easier.

Make sure you have both American currency on you and Cyprus currency. This will make life easier for you until you can get all your finances transferred overseas.

Check with customs, though, because some countries may have limits on how much cash you can bring into the county.

When carrying prescriptions, carry small quantities in the original container. Ask your doctor for a letter if you are carrying any unusual drugs or narcotics.

Do not pack your personal documents, such as birth certificates, immunization records, insurance policies, but carry those papers on your person.

You will probably need converters for your electrical appliances as they use 220-240 volts in Cyprus.