I have lived as a retiree in Cyprus for twelve years and it has been a positive and very interesting experience. I bought my house from the proceeds of my home in the UK, but as there is a plethora of properties for sale, I imagine that getting a mortgage should be relatively easy.
Title deeds
The one important thing I would stress is the need to ensure that any property you are interested in has its title deeds. A good agent would be reluctant to sell a home without this document, but you must check it out for your own peace of mind.
Apartments
The market in apartments seems to be more active at present. The one disadvantage is that you will be obliged to pay a community charge for services such as pool maintenance, outside lighting, lifts and so forth. This works well as long as all those residing in the building contribute to the fund.
Summer heat
The proximity of Cyprus to the Gulf States means that it does get extremely hot from June through September. A private pool is a life-saver. I maintain my pool myself; with a decent vacuum and the appropriate chemicals it is easy. I am nearly seventy-two; If I can do it, anybody can. It certainly need not be a huge expense and the rewards are incalculable, especially if you expect family and friends to visit.
Furniture, fixings and heating
Furnishing a home in Cyprus is a doddle. All modern properties have built-in wardrobes and tiled floors, and most, like mine, came with bathroom fixtures such as mirrors, shelves, cupboards and towel rails.
Whilst the temperature can reach dizzying heights in the summer, the winters can be extremely cold. Most new-builds have provision for central heating - the pipework has been installed. I paid to have a propane gas-fired boiler and radiators to every room fitted. I truly do not believe I would have survived the weather without central heating. Provision for air-conditioning is pretty much standard in every new home. The purchaser is usually expected to cover the cost of installation. I had units put into my home but do not consider them as essential as a central heating system. They can be used to heat as well as to cool, of course, but electricity is expensive here and winter bills can be very high indeed.
Retiring in Cyprus
For pensioners retiring to Cyprus there are discounts on local council taxes - which are in any case very reasonable - and also on bus travel, visits to concerts and the cinema and government health care.
As with anywhere, there are things you will approve of, and things you will not. Cyprus has a very laid-back, optimistic attitude towards life in general, haste is nowhere on the agenda. My village, Oroklini, has a vibrant sense of community, supermarkets, shops and eateries. It is a friendly place where you cannot venture outside without seeing a face you know. The children can safely play outside in the street where they learn the art of sociability and how to successfully integrate with peers of different cultures and nationalities.