With a population of 200,452 people, the capital city of Nicosia is the most densely populated in Cyprus. Dubbed the worlds last divided capital, Nicosia is indeed split in two at the Green Line, with the Turkish-occupied area at the other side. Despite that or perhaps because of it, Nicosia is a cultural melting pot attracting visitors and expats from every corner of the world. Choosing to stay in Nicosia means you can enjoy archaeological sites and rich history while being part of vibrant everyday life at the city's many cafes, bars and restaurants. Finding accommodation, however, might be a bit challenging.
The housing market in Nicosia
Despite being the capital, Nicosia's housing market is not the most expensive one on the island. You can find one-bedroom apartments for about â¬450' â¬550, and two-bedroom apartments for about â¬600- â¬750, which is significantly cheaper than the cost of similar-sized flats in the more cosmopolitan city of Limassol for instance.
If you combine the competitive rent prices to the fact that many companies have their headquarters in Nicosia or the broader area and that many students want to live there to be close to universities, you will understand why housing in this capital city is in such high demand.
Important:
There are housing options in the Turkish occupied part of the city, and many people pass through the checkpoints back and forth daily, especially for shopping purposes. But you should be aware that by choosing to live on that side, may cause you problems with the official Cypriot state. For instance, it may be impossible to get a long-term visa/residence permit if your stated address is on the occupied section of Nicosia or any other of the occupied parts of Cyprus
How to find accommodation in Nicosia
Nicosia being a relatively small city word of mouth is probably the best way to find an apartment. Check out classified ads in local newspapers and housing websites on the Internet (we provide some links at the end of this article). Note that many Greek housing websites offer a section for Nicosia rentals as well, although the information will most likely be in Greek and not in English.
Another option is to register with a real estate agency, to better help you find accommodation according to your criteria and budget. Since a large number of expats don't speak Greek and some older homeowners may not prefer to speak English, hiring a real estate agent to handle everything for you is a popular option in Cyprus. You should also be aware that many homeowners tend to underplay potential issues with their rentals, so if you don't have an agent, it's recommended to do a thorough check of the property yourself before committing and signing a lease.
Good to know:
You will find both furnished and unfurnished accommodation in Nicosia. Most properties include A/C and heating in the price. However, you should be very careful to confirm that is the case. Summers in Cyprus tend to be very hot and living without air condition can be almost unbearable.
Useful links:
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