Removals to Northern Cyprus | A Guide to Life in Kyrenia

If you are organising removals to Northern Cyprus from the UK, you will be one of a number of British expats who have already made Kyrenia their home. Northern Cyprus is a popular place to settle, especially in retirement years, because it is a beautiful island with fantastic scenery, glorious weather and friendly locals. Wherever you choose to live, you will find pockets of expats. So as a British expat you’ll find it easy to make friends as you immerse yourself in the island’s vibrant social life.

One of the major attractions for moving to Northern Cyprus is that it is an affordable place to live. Eating out and socialising are relatively cheap, and although house prices have risen here, you can still get your hands on a property for sale at a fraction of the price compared to the UK.

As a port city, Kyrenia has a famous Mediterranean harbour surrounded by a colourful cluster of varied shops, cafes and bars, which has been compared with St Tropez. The extensive sandy beaches are another of its attractions, drawing both visitors and residents. The city is a busy, vibrant place, with a major annual arts festival staged every June, as well as a wide range of shopping and entertainment facilities.

It boasts many historic buildings, including Kyrenia Castle, at the eastern end of the harbour. This spectacular structure dates back to Roman and Byzantine times, although most of the building was constructed by the Venetians who ruled Cyprus in the late 15th and 16th centuries. There is a well-known shipwreck museum inside the castle. Beyond the city, there are also other historic castles amid the Kyrenia mountains.

As specialists in European removals to north Cyprus, Hamiltons regularly organises moves to Kyrenia for people deciding to relocate from the UK.

Relocating to Kyrenia

Kyrenia has a population of just over 33,000 people, and, like the rest of North Cyprus, the city and its surrounding area still have quite a British flavour, from when the island was under British rule up to 1960. For instance, cars are driven on the left and many people speak fluent English.

The largest British community in North Cyprus is based in Kyrenia, so you will find many fellow expats living here. Buying property in the area has become increasingly popular, with demand for apartments and villas in the quaint old town area near to the harbour being especially strong. Properties in this area are often bought as holiday homes, and are also attractive to retirees. The nearby village of Bellapais, with its 13th-century abbey, is another idyllic place to live and is popular with families.

Education

One of the best-known international schools in the area is the English School of Kyrenia, in modern, purpose-built accommodation in Bellapais. The school educates pupils from the age of three right up to 18, and offers the option of boarding facilities, as well as giving students the chance to join the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Another well-known school is Necat British College, which also covers the full age range. Both schools offer UK and international exams, together with a range of extra-curricular activities.

Three universities are based in Kyrenia, with a total of around 14,000 students between them, all offering courses taught in English. The British University of Nicosia teaches subjects including engineering, business administration and nursing, while the University of Kyrenia specialises in maritime subjects. Girne American University offers a wide selection of degree subjects, including many business and engineering courses.

Career Options

It will be very helpful in finding employment if you speak some Turkish, but there are jobs where your knowledge of English will be useful. Tourism is important to the economy in Kyrenia, so a number of expats work in this field, as well as for international companies or as English teachers. There are websites specialising in finding international jobs for English speakers in north Cyprus which may be helpful.

Social Life for Expats

A wide range of different social activities are available for expats living in Kyrenia and the surrounding area, with something for all age groups. Popular British pubs include the Café George and Whiskey Joe’s Bar, which serve as meeting places as well as offering the chance to eat some traditional British food. Many English-language films are screened at the Starlux Cinema in Karaoğlanoğlu, part of an entertainment complex also including a theatre and restaurants.

There is an active Kyrenia branch of the Royal British Legion and also a Rotary Club, with both regularly organising social events as well as fundraisers. Other activities range from line dancing and ballroom dancing to church and amateur dramatic societies and parent-toddler groups. The Cyprusscene website gives details of all kinds of different events and activities, keeping members of the expat community in touch.

Removals to Northern Cyprus

When planning your removals to northern Cyprus, it will help to take the stress out of the moving process if you choose an expert in overseas removals. Hamiltons arranges many international moves and can organise your relocation.

Removals to Northern Cyprus – Click for a detailed quote for your international move.