Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
In the eastern corner of the Mediterranean … blessed with year-round warm weather, clear blue waters, and over 400 miles of coastline …
Where English is so commonly spoken, you’d never have to learn the local language (in fact, the locals even speak it amongst themselves) …
The food is light and fresh, fish and salad served with every meal.
The coffee is strong and aromatic, and locals are always ready to stop for one. Fruit is fresh and juicy —at least when it’s not being candied in the local syrups and eaten as a rich dessert.
The flowers that blossom across the valleys of the island give way to the mountains where you can ski in winter.
And, to top it off, life is as affordable as it gets in Europe. Enjoy a healthy meal and a cold glass of wine for just 10 euros a person, for example.
This is Northern Cyprus, which offers all the perks of a Mediterranean lifestyle for a much lower price.
It boasts incredible castles, charming villages, and miles of untouched sandy beaches. We think it has the most beautiful scenery in all of Cyprus.
Northern Cyprus has all the ingredients for a dream retirement … but it also offers fantastic investment opportunities.
You can find property investment options for under $110,000, as well as tourism appeal, leverage options, and a liquid market with reliable rental yields.
The Main Areas Of Northern Cyprus
Here’s an overview of Northern Cyprus’s main areas:
Nicosia. The capital of Cyprus, divided between the north and the south. It’s the biggest city, with a population of over 82,000. North Nicosia is rich in cultural importance, with 672 buildings of recognized historical value and quarters that have retained the atmosphere of ancient times. North Nicosia is a base for several universities, and it’s active in fine arts, theater, and orchestra.
Famagusta. A charming city of about 50,000 people, found on Northern Cyprus’ southeast coast. It’s a walled city, surrounded by roughly rectangular ramparts built by the Venetians in the 15th and 16th centuries, and full of interesting landmarks, like Lala Mustafa Pasa Camii, a Lusignan Gothic former cathedral, and Othello’s Tower, the setting for Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
Iskele. On the east coast, Iskele is known for having the nicest and longest stretch of beach in the country. Its Long Beach is the “in” place to be. Attractive to any age group, you can enjoy cycling, surfing, skating, and more in this area.
Kyrenia. A small town on the northern coast of Northern Cyprus, sandwiched between the Kyrenia Mountains and the warm waters of the Med. It’s home to seaside hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs but is most famous for its old harbor and castle — a massive structure that has served the Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans, and British in its history.
The next big thing: The west coast. The west coast is one of the few undeveloped areas remaining in Northern Cyprus. Currently, it consists of beautiful beaches and undeveloped land, with a scattering of small residential complexes with few people relative to the north and east coasts. Here, Lief Simon has identified an exciting new real estate investment opportunity.
Property and the Path of Progress
Development has taken off in Northern Cyprus alongside tourism. In 2024, tourist arrivals soared by a massive 18%. New hotels and residential projects have proliferated up and down the coastline, roads are being developed, and infrastructure is modernizing.
We’ve watched over the past seven years as property values have increased alongside that development.
To give you one example, the price of studio apartments we recommended at a beach development in Iskele has appreciated by 116% since 2021.
Prices have matured in many of Northern Cyprus’ markets, but developers and investors are turning their gaze west to the last stretch of undeveloped coast in Northern Cyprus.
Everything You Need to Know About the West Coast
The path of progress is headed for Northern Cyprus’ west coast. This area boasts a stunning coastline and breathtaking mountains. It’s home to the largest freshwater dam on the island and is known as the greenest area of Cyprus.
Undeveloped beachfront land is scarce — not only in Northern Cyprus but across the world. Developers (including the ones we work with) have already bought plots of land on the west coast and started the process of approvals for building permits.
Residential projects have sprung up, as well as amenities that make life more comfortable and more fun. A yacht pier, wellness facilities, a hospital, beach amenities, and a shopping center are making their way to the west coast. It will have all the components of a high-value community, which will drive up real estate prices.
Right now, the average price per square meter in the area is 1,447 pounds (about $1,950 as of writing). This has increased by 28% since 2023 and by 68% since 2021.
The last time we saw prices like this was a couple of years ago, when we first recommended areas like Iskele and Kyrenia.
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