Cyprus Mail 2 April 2025
With low crime and appealing weather conditions, the island is increasingly attracting a new brand of retirees
By Morgan West
Over the next two years, more Americans will turn 65 than at any other time in history!
It’s called the Silver Wave, or the Peak 65® Zone. And it means that, from 2025 to 2027, almost 12,000 US residents will be reaching retirement age every single day!
Never before has the nation seen such a surge of retirees. And yet, for many, those golden years aren’t looking so golden. Instead of carefree travel, time with family, and financial security, retired Americans are experiencing rising costs, healthcare expenses and economic uncertainty – factors that cast a long shadow over what should be a well-earned chapter of peace and freedom.
“My wife and I had a dream,” says 66-year-old Floridian and former insurance executive Brian Palmer. “We would buy a house by the sea, set up our rocking chairs on the porch, and spend our retirement travelling, playing golf and drinking wine!
“I worked hard my whole life to make that happen,” he adds. “So did my wife. But something went very wrong…”
The US Council on Ageing recently reported that nearly half of those over the age of 60 are now subsisting on an income that can’t sustain their basic needs; a figure that’s increasing year on year.
Rising bills, soaring everyday costs, increasingly punishing healthcare: these all put paid to a stress-free retirement for many Americans.
“In our 50s, it felt like we were watching our savings disappear like water down the plughole,” Brian adds. “So we made what I reckon was the best decision of our lives – we moved to Cyprus.”
Financially, Brian can now benefit from Cyprus’ flat 5 per cent tax rate on foreign pensions over €3,420 annually; from double taxation treaties with the US that ensure he isn’t taxed twice on his income; from a Permanent Residency Scheme that allows him to remain indefinitely on the island. And he’s become part of a new wave of Americans retiring abroad…
According to trusted investment resource site Investopedia, a growing number of America’s retirees are choosing to move abroad after leaving the workforce – reflecting a significant shift toward international retirement. From 2016 to 2024 alone, the number of overseas beneficiaries collecting Social Security payments rose by 52 per cent.
Popular countries for retirement relocation include Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. But Cyprus is also emerging as a top choice – a Mediterranean retirement haven for Americans looking to enjoy a richer, more fulfilling life.
“It’s not just the cost of living,” says Elisabeth Carter, who worked in Washington for most of her life. “Of course your savings go a lot further on this island, and the quality of life is incredible. But the reason I chose Cyprus was its safety.”
In DC, she explains, she was always on edge. “I’d hear gunshots in the night, crime was on the rise. I was constantly checking over my shoulder. In Cyprus, that anxiety is gone. I can walk along the coast at sunset without a second thought. I sleep with my windows open. I have a sense of peace and security that I haven’t felt in years.”
In the US, the homicide rate currently stands at 7.5 per 100,000 people, with both violent crime and property crime on the rise. In Cyprus, the homicide rate is so minor it barely exists, and overall crime is negligible in comparison.
Recently, US News ranked Cyprus the 25th Best Country in the World to Retire to for American citizens. On a par with Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, the island is now amongst the world’s most appealing destinations for those seeking a better, more secure future.
But it’s not just about a lower cost of living or unparalleled safety…
In the US, the average person over 65 spends $22,000 per year on healthcare. But in Cyprus, expats can access high-quality care at a fraction of the cost, with both public and private options ranked 32nd in the world for expat healthcare.
Then there’s the weather (over 320 days of sunshine per year!) and the language – English is widely spoken; with 76 per cent of the population fluent, integration is easy. And connection is simple: the entire island is covered by comprehensive 4G and 5G services.
“Cyprus isn’t just a place to retire,” says 70-year-old Michael Hayes, a former software engineer who moved to Paphos from California. “It’s become my home! I’m safe, happy, and healthy. I’ve met scores of people my age, made so many friends, joined loads of clubs and groups. There’s a real community here,” he adds. “And you’re never more than a few minutes from someone you know.”
According to global rankings, Cyprus is 21st in the world for Friendliness, 19th for Finding Friends, and 20th for Ease of Settling In.
“Every time my children and grandchildren visit, they can’t believe how warm everyone is,” smiles Michael. “They’ve even started to look into moving here themselves!”
In short, Cyprus is an island made for foreign retirees. And all you need to make the move is a home – a Mediterranean haven to call your own…
For Americans (and other foreigners retiring to Cyprus), the entire island is a dream waiting to unfold. But the real standout spots – those that strike the perfect balance of green space, shared amenities, and easy access to healthcare and leisure – are the places you only hear about from those who’ve already made the move…
The tranquil coastal stretches along Dhekelia Road, and the leafy neighbourhoods of Livadia and Oroklini are both highly popular with retirees seeking homes just minutes from the sea – especially in gated communities designed for comfort and connection, like the lifestyle-focused developments Land of Tomorrow and Synergy.
On the west coast, the Kato Paphos coastline is quietly gaining popularity. With an easy pace, walkable layout, and growing mix of cafés, cultural spots, and community spaces, projects such as Eden Bay are ideal for those looking to stay active and connected.
Because, ultimately, the retirement dream isn’t just about sunshine and scenery. It’s about finding a place that feels like it was made just for you: a safe and affordable home where life slows down, community and connection thrive, and every day feels like it matters.
For an ever-growing number of Americans, that place is Cyprus.
