I think Limassol is a town not a resort, Paphos is good but it's full of tourists
You are in the wrong areas, come over to the Eastern side of the island it's by far the better coastline and beaches, is cheaper especially if you wander away from the resorts and into the villages, food is far better then and cheaper.
To rent a villa near to the sea will cost you top dollar, in fact a few minutes walk. I think try for a village property that has been sensitively refurbished there are a few websites if you look under Cyprus village holidays etc. Your stay will be much more memorable, rent a car, get a map, ask the locals and you will go all the right places.
People cringe at Ayia Napa, but out of the real busy season it's really pleasant, they are busy there now changing hotels to holiday let's and refurbing shops and restaurants, one of the restaurants in Napa which is Thai food has just won an Top award last year, it may be Thai food but it's in Cyprus! plenty to do there as well. But stay outside the area and go in at your leisure, Protaras is a pleasant but small resort, a great costal path has been constructed from Pernara on the outskirts of Protaras all the way now to Fig tree bay one of our pretty and popular beaches, it's a great walk and lovely cafes bars and kiosks along the way. Staying for instance in Agia Triada or Ayia Thekla will give you space from the resorts but close by.
Konnos Bay is the best beach in Cyprus, and I've visited many over the years. This is in Cape Greco a beautiful natural part of the island. You need a car, but IMO you do not need to pay top dollar for a property you won,t spend all day in.
Of course Larnaca is very pleasant too, but from a tourist angle not about it's beach, more about the old town and Finicoudes on the front, nice little harbor there with great little boat trips for not too much money, there is a must do sunset cruise on a small yacht that I know many take before a meal out on the front, but remember tourist areas worldwide are eye openingly expensive, you need to walk around a corner or down a side street and you will normally find a treasure of a place for half the price.
On this side of the island of course we are much more aware of the divide between north and south, the turkish occupation can be visibly seen and actually driven past, learning why is important. It's possible to travel to the north to see for yourself, but not in a hired car, many tours go over from Ayia Napa for instance, to see Varosha and the walled city.
I think weather wise you are coming at the right time. To come and live here is another matter entirely and there is much more to say on that.
Those empty developments ugly badly designed and constructed within spitting distance of nieghbours all over the island, weren't built by drunken Brits or bought by them! They were built by greedy Cypriot developers who wished to make fortunes, in doing so they made many many mistakes caused massive problems for the island and continue to so, now they are in deep doo doo. Avoid new off plans like the plaque and go only for resales with Deeds. Many nationalities I can say live here, but don't go for apts!! Problems with many are arising re maintenance contracts. There are many people including drunken Brits and drunken Russians, living in beautiful houses with beautiful gardens that they have created which have been built by very decent and honest people. Don,t buy anything at all without Title Deeds, then you will be fine. Good luck.
