Being young in Limassol today feels like trying to survive in a city that no longer wants me. Prices are going crazy, and what used to be a place where ordinary people could live has turned into one of the most expensive cities in Cyprus.
Rent is the worst part. A small apartment costs close to €1,000 a month, which is more than many full-time salaries. That leaves almost nothing for bills, food, or even the smallest social life. Looking near the center is pointless, and even the once-affordable areas are now out of reach. It feels like Limassol is being built for wealthy investors and foreigners, not for the people who grew up here.
On top of that, the cost of everything else is rising. Groceries, fuel, electricity, eating out—everything has gone up while wages stay frozen. Even with a steady job, I can’t imagine renting comfortably, let alone owning a home. The city I was born in feels like it’s slipping away from me.
What’s painful is watching Limassol transform into glass towers, luxury apartments, and overpriced cafés while the local spirit fades. I don’t expect luxury—I just want the chance to live in my own city without drowning in expenses. Instead, I feel trapped: either stay stuck at my parents’ house or leave Limassol altogether.
I love this city, but unless something changes, it’s becoming a place where people like me simply can’t belong.