Will you be working in Nicosia, or just want to be close to the capital?

www.buysellcyprus.com is worth looking at.It doesn't have rentals yet but will give you an idea of the sort of properties available.

I would say the cost of living for groceries is pretty similiar to the UK now. The local wine is still very cheap in the shops which is a bonus
Eating out is not too expensive though, either in the local villages or tourist areas where competition keeps the prices down.
Of course the heating bills are going to be low too.

I have only stayed in the western part of Cyprus - the Paphos area plus a mountain village, but we have visited a lot of that area including the Troodos Mountains.
Last year we had a villa in a town called Peyia,which seems to have become quite an ex-pat community, and had great views over to Paphos.

When are you thinking of going?

I may be back over there at the end of March. I could try to find out some info on rental prices etc if you want and it's not too late for you?

Hi - thank you for responding. We will be coming from the US. I think we will have to live in Nicosia as my husband will be working there and my son will have to attend the American School there. I dont know what to think about that (living in Nicosia) as I thought we could live by the sea or more into the mountains and drive in each day. Rentals for vacation villas look expensive now against our US$ so I just wanted to get an idea of how expensive long term living rentals are. Of course we would want to get the nicest possible house we could afford. My husband will go in April and we will follow in July/August. Thanks again. A