Guides & Tips Top Tips to Know Before Travelling to Athens. If you are interested, I manage a Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/AllGreek – You can ask others living/moving to Greece for some insight and tips here . However, in my experience, this seems to be the norm rather than the exception: Greek parents expect their kids to marry Greek. Others were soldiers, scholars, scientists and artists. However, all of that is overlooked in Greece by people who judge me because I am not a domestic goddess that spends her evenings in the kitchen whipping up a perfect bechamel sauce. Greece is bordered by Bulgaria, Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, the Ionian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, and Turkey.. Greece Demographics. Some families have been reduced to penury. Greece has achieved this (dis)honorable distinction for four consecutive years. Am considering retiring in Greece due to the weather and cheaper life style. This also means that I do not have to deal with any of the bureaucracy or problems of working with a Greek employer. Though the number of foreign restaurants in the Greek capital is relatively small, I am happy that I can still find authentic eats from Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, India and beyond here if I desire it. A true example of φιλοξενία! We complain about gender inequality in the west and indeed it definitely is not obsolete in my native England, however, the acknowledgment of the issue, the push for equality, and the progress that has been made is light-years ahead of Greece. Roman Catholic Greeks number approximately 50,000 and are found all over Greece; the majority, however, live in the Cyclades and the Ionian Islands.The presence of Catholics in the Greek islands is mostly a heritage from the time of the Venetian domination from the Middle Ages.The Catholic community has increased in size in recent years due to immigration and today number over 200,000. She’s also an image consultant, makeup artiste and photographer. Tell us what you or your peers have experienced. I love how relaxed and laid back people are about everything here – sometimes almost too much so! is not perfect and if it were actually heaven you could not buy it. I wonder if that would happen anywhere else? Because after all, making the perfect Bechamel sauce is the life skill that all women should possess. In Greece, people hold strong traditional values and a powerful sense of pride in their culture. Every single toilet in Greece is equipped with a trash can, so … These are all wonderful countries but there are so many variables. The reality is that living in Greece isn’t without its problems, just like anywhere else in the world. Lynne has visited many countries in Europe and South Asia. A coffee in Athens is often as little as 2 euros and dining out is relatively cheap. Then there may be problems due to bad weather when no boats can get to the islands. I will be moving to Athensnext week, I have a good job to got to and I am looking forward to it. Corfu doesn’t completely close down in winter, especially Corfu town. For more practical advice, I have also written this guide on moving to Greece. For the most part, the weather follows a typical Mediterranean climate pattern with hot, dry summers and mild rainy winters. We provide live weather, forecasts and averages for towns and cities in Greece. An apartment in central Athens costs anywhere from 200 euros a month for a small studio, to 800 for a large penthouse. Rent in Greece is, on average, 68.31% lower than in United States. I am a freelancer translator (I’m just starting so of course I don’t make much just yet) and my dream is to live in Greece. One thing I find startling is that tax evasion is so blatant. The whole country is very beautiful and you have a lot of options in terms of what you are looking for. Who knows what the brand of toiletries was, but the woman obviously put a high value on them, as the journey to the hotel is difficult, and not really on the way to Athens. People actually tell me I’m going to become baron! Hi Melissa, It is literally perfect. Greece has experienced some problems with the economy recently, but the demonstrations do not pose any problems to the people who would like to retire or live in the Greek islands. If you want to be in a beachy area and yet not too far away from a major city, you could consider the coastal towns and areas close to Athens – e.g. Hi Melissa, really enjoy your true to the heart experiences and advice which really resonates with me. I am a 65yr old Registered Nurse looking for a cheaper place to retire. I believe in pushing the boundaries of solo female travel and I want to encourage you to do the same! However, all of that is overlooked in Greece by people who judge me because I am not a domestic goddess that spends her evenings in the kitchen whipping up a perfect bechamel sauce. The islands are almost deserted as Greek tourists also return to the mainland. Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is located in southeastern Europe with the mainland at the south end of the Balkan Peninsula. Did you end up moving to Greece. Ancient Greece had a warm, dry climate, as Greece does today. I am thinking about it. Depending on how long the bad weather lasts, there may not be fresh fruit and vegetables, or meat, in the shops. Unlike smaller Greek islands, Crete doesn’t depend solely on tourism, and many people now choose to live in Crete all year round, as many restaurants, shops and bars stay open throughout the winter. I have been excluded from family events and essentially looked down upon because I am not Greek. That’s fine, but as a foreigner, I feel that you will always be seen as an outsider. Arguably he had an unfair advantage following my anesthesia and swollen chipmunk cheeks. (5) 2016-05-30 Beautiful Greece & the Greek Islands from Space on a beautiful clear day. One of the most challenging aspects of living in Greece for me has been being accepted by Greeks and integrating into society. It can be difficult to get a job in Greece if you are not fluent in Modern Greek. Everywhere you go, people are trying to avoid documenting their income and paying taxes. However, since there are incredibly few international companies with headquarters in Greece, there are also few professional ex-pats. Thessaloniki Like much of Greece, Thessaloniki has a Mediterranean climate, but it experiences much greater temperature variations than other parts of the country, with winter temperatures occasionally dropping as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius) and snow falling on the northern plains. Similar Paxos is lovely, if a little pricier. Lynne Evans is originally from Wales but is an inveterate traveller. I will see what happens in six months from now. Research exposing Greece as the worst country to live in as an expat. As the low-pressure areas enter the Aegean region, they may draw in cold air from those eastern … I don’t see this situation going anywhere fast. Anything outside of the status quo will cause headaches for all involved. As a Digital Nomad, I am here in Athens working remotely for American, Middle Eastern and British companies. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'dispatcheseurope_com-box-3','ezslot_5',147,'0','0']));One example I can give of this is when some young friends had their money and passports stolen on the Athens metro at night. Naxos is an agricultural island in the Cyclades and is a good place to live all year round. You will need to physically be in government offices if you want to get anything done. (3) 2015-11-26 in Athens GREECE, in Syntagma Square in front the Parliament Building. I hope my thoughts expressed here do not offend anyone. You have to be laid back and just go with the flow. That said, healthcare here is not very good (I am sure I have heard it referenced as the worst in Europe!) Probably there is some plate smashing and Zorbas dancing in there too. Of course, there are Greeks who are genuinely friendly, and I have many Greek friends. Get to Know the Working Hours. Most foreign people living in Greece stick around anywhere from a few months to a year, typically in temporary style jobs that they do for the experience – volunteering in a refugee camp, working as an au pair, being an English Tutor, etc. It will not be subject to the capital controls imposed on Greeks and their bank accounts. Millions of Greeks have migrated abroad to the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Canada, and Australia over the last … Before moving to Santorini, I was living in London, I was working in the art and photography environment, in an Indian restaurant and in a Greek Deli. I am fit and well and enjoy running and cycling. I’m from Colombia by the way, and I think Greek culture is very similar to mine, except that in my country people tend to love foreigners and want to marry them and welcome them into their families. Everywhere. On hearing their story, she gave them 100 euros so that they could get a room in a hotel for the night. We have family in London and Ireland and before brexit were falling into some categories but now….. We’ve been coming to London since the 90’s. It’s said jokingly, but losers like you will always have something to say. The city receives almost 300 days of sunshine per year. It suits every individual. I lived in Athens for a year and a half then went to an island for 2 years. Everyone has heard about the economic crisis that hit Greece. As an individual white British woman, my experience is different from that of people of other genders and nationalities. She explained that she would pick them up on her way back to Athens airport. The friendly waiters go back home, probably to the mainland to face unemployment and few job prospects. Are you considering moving to Athens or dreaming of living in Greece? There can be snowfall In some parts of Greece during the winter months, but this is mostly limited to the mainland’s mountainous regions. Though temperatures do dip as low as 2-3 degrees in the winter months, the sun is always shining. To work in most jobs here, you need to be able to speak Greek. The situation seems to be improving now, although there are many people who are unable to pay bills, mortgages and so on. I guess it depends entirely what you are looking for. I have however felt largely unwelcome by my partner’s friends and family. Melissa Douglas is a British Travel Writer and Blogger based in Athens, Greece. They don’t notice the dollar signs in their eyes. Working as a freelance writer gives her opportunities to travel.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'dispatcheseurope_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',155,'0','0'])); She’s currently living in her favourite country, Greece, in Athens. You don’t have to be a wonderful actor to do this. The hotel owner was perfectly charming and assured her that her belongings hadn’t been thrown away. The question I am struggling with is Crete, my first choice or Athens. Only one in five Greeks pay their taxes. Crete is an excellent island to live on too. It is known for its large… I used to hang out with my Greek friends. We are a family of 4, my husband is greek and we are considering moving to Athens. Therefore, my perspective is limited. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'dispatcheseurope_com-box-4','ezslot_6',152,'0','0']));You simply don’t know what Greeks really think of you if you can’t speak the language or understand their body language. You won’t always be able to find someone to translate for you, so the sooner you begin to learn Greek, the better. ... Greece. Though temperatures do dip as low as 2-3 degrees in the winter months, the sun is always shining. Obviously, I don’t want to sound insensitive here, of course, this is not really a benefit for the local people who make the average Greek salary that lies in the region of 500-700 euros and struggle to break even. I pay 550 euros a month for a spacious one-bedroom apartment in the quirky Pagrati neighborhood. The bigger Ionian Islands are one of the most attractive places to live in Greece. Greece and especially the Greek Islands have a Corfu has a large expat population and many cute coastal towns and villages. (Tip: The tourist police are so much more cooperative in my experience. Greeks pride themselves on their hospitality and love of strangers or foreigners, and they even have a word for this, φιλοξενία (philoxenia). its very easy to live in the uk or america but its hard to live..for example in russia or africa) ? My best university friend happened to be from Greece! Living on an island, and an island like Santorini is not all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes living in Greece reminds me of England in the 1950s. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'dispatcheseurope_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',149,'0','0']));My friends were sitting on the steps outside the police station and the woman was crying. Something about the laid back Greek lifestyle, the food, and perhaps the hunky men sucked me in though and I’ve been living in Greece ever since. This includes my internet and bills. As such I earn much more than the average resident in Greece. You can survive and you can get a job even if you don’t know Greek, but my first suggestion to everyone is to learn the language and start to do it since you are in your country. Guides & Tips 10 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Greece, Ever. The word “tomorrow” (αύριο pronounced “avrio”) may not mean what you think it means. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189398-Activities-Greece.html There are not many international companies in Greece/Athens so opportunities for educated ex-pats are scarce, so I am among a fortunate few ex-pats able to live and work in Greece while maintaining the flexibility of schedule, and the same comforts and privileges as in the UK. If you can run a successful business and cannot master a béchamel then you will probably continue to encounter ridicule. We haven’t been to either place. The hotel owner was once again perfectly charming, until they had left, when he uttered a string of colourful swear words. Just deciding what field of work I can do ? You will need to research the tax laws as they affect you. Greek cities had beautiful temples with stone columns and statues, and open-air theatres where people sat to watch plays. I expected him to appreciate the fact that I worked just as hard as him, and neither one of us was deserved of being treated as though they were on a pedestal by the other. We get sunny hot days even in winter. Living in Athens provides the additional benefit of having a more international selection of eateries to choose from. Perhaps unfortunately, snow is rare.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'dispatcheseurope_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',153,'0','0'])); If you live in Athens, or one of the other major cities on the mainland, winter is not so bad. Think of it more as the Spanish mañana, an indefinite time in the future! This is a very honest account of my life in Greece. Of course, the weather is a huge plus of living in Greece. Since the financial crisis, there have been several tax hikes, which affect the Greek middle classes. Don’t get me wrong, I have a great group of friends here. So be prepared for hard work! Hear us out. I was going to an exhibition, to the theatre, to watch a movie. Greek people are very traditional and it’s still a Patriarchal society. Hey Diane, I suggest finding more productive hobbies than trolling people on the internet. I am still living in Athens now and my situation has changed a lot since I initially wrote this. Hi Jim, The situation is, however different for ex-pats.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'dispatcheseurope_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',114,'0','0'])); If you move to Greece, keep your foreign bank account. Though I often felt tired of eating the same few dishes when I lived in Italy, I never have the same feelings here in Greece. Brilliant advice from you re the integrating, especially at my age. People that are self-employed such as I have to pay huge fees upfront that cripples them. I find it easy to find home comforts and fresh, excellent quality ingredients from the supermarkets here, and one of my favorite things about living in Greece is the weekly farmer’s markets that are held in various neighborhoods around Athens. I’ve been leaning more towards some of the islands when looking into places to visit and I wondered if these points that you mentioned (such as culture and foreign job positions) also apply to the islands? It can be difficult to make friends and meet people with common interests living in Greece. "People in Greece are extremely aware of the payments coming up," says Jerome Roos, a Dutch political economist and activist following the debt crisis negotiations in Greece. Although that means cheaper property prices for those who can afford to buy, it exacerbates the social crisis Greece is seeing. (4) 2016-05-01 me and my Masters, the Great Ancient Greek Philosophers Plato, and Aristotle. With all of the above considered, it should go without saying that Greeks are expected to follow the traditional route of aspiring to marriage and having children as a priority. There are entertainment and nightlife, in the form of bouzoukia, which are Greeks nightclubs with live music and performers. If you fall in love with a Greek person living in Greece it’s likely that you will have a lot of battles with their family. Many, among the most important is that in Thessaloniki is located The Aristotle University, which is the largerst Greek University, which means many young students. And do you think it would be easier for a foreigner to settle in somewhere like Athens as opposed to the islands? When it came to choosing somewhere to live, Greece was a fantastic choice. While I definitely believe that that is a very bold and unjust statement, all that glitters is definitely not gold either. Health insurance, social benefits etc…. I am registered for another 3yrs and would like to do some work. If it snows, the Greeks will rush out and enthusiastically make snowmen and snowballs. Crying sometimes helps get your case sorted out too. Main towns on islands may also have this form of entertainment in winter. thanks for your story, I really enjoyed it. To many, the mention of living in Greece conjures up romantic images of whizzing around narrow Athenian streets on the back of a handsome guy’s motorbike, of enjoying some of the best food in the world, and of spending summers on, The reality is that living in Greece isn’t without its problems, just like anywhere else in the world. Thank you NASA. Thank you so much for your help! I would like to know whether Greece is a very safe place to retire for seniors. I think this is something that depends largely on the background of people you involve yourself with in Greece. In my case, this is surely not helped by the fact that I work alone from coffee shops as a Digital Nomad, rather than being among Greek people. And what are they like when you live here and speak the language? In Greece, its residents are open, energetic, and friendly. Summer could be a bit too hot for some people though, but spring and autumn ... Cheap public transport. I am very American and I think you need to learn Greek. Now the bad one's… Our Political people is thieves and now Greek economy is dead and buried. Update to date information about population of Greece in 2020. Tasty, healthy and eco-friendly: Christina Hudson on how to eat like a Greek, EuroBrits Greece offers British expats free help securing post-Brexit residence rights, International schools in Greece, Pt. There are beggars outside supermarkets and on street corners in the cities, and these are not just immigrants, but hard-up Greeks. I have a Greek partner and a handful of Greek acquaintances. You can live comfortably all year long as the weather is always more… From a remote worker perspective though, Greece is great for Digital Nomads. I want to wait until I can work remotely also Teaching ESL. Imagine my surprise when I had to have dental surgery in Athens to remove a wisdom tooth and the dentist began haggling with me about the price of the surgery. Greece is a very popular holiday destination and if you visit it, you’ll understand why. Traditional gender roles are still very much the norm here and I can’t identify with the expectations of women nor the attitudes that are commonly expressed towards them. Also, stuff is cheap here. 2020 update: I wrote this post way back in 2018. They also speak languages other than Greek, which makes for easier communication.). Hey Marin, thanks for your comment! I am a woman that graduated top of my class in Business School, set up a six-figure business and travelled the world alone. Holidays are one thing, but actually living in a country is completely different. We’re pretty cosmopolitan, both yoga teachers . My daughter and I are seriously planning to relocate. History Although public offices have computerized systems now, this doesn’t mean that procedures are streamlined. Just curious , People living in Greece may not be very affluent, but the problem is caused by a vicious cycle that could be resolved if the government took action. I am working a regular job and I’m a working actress here. Recently, Greece was awarded the title of being, Traditional Gender Roles and Perceptions of Women, Sometimes living in Greece reminds me of England in the. Family of four estimated monthly costs: €2,664; Single person estimated monthly costs: €1,120; Greece is the 2nd cheapest country in Western Europe (17 out of 18) Cost of living in Greece is more expensive than in 55% of countries in the World (34 out of 74) Living in Greece. Start before you get here with videos and audio materials.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'dispatcheseurope_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',115,'0','0'])); You’ll find that Greeks will appreciate your efforts to learn their language. I have a small lap dog and I think it would be difficult to live there. I live in Greece and I truly love it here. You can read my story here. 2 (updated): Bilingual (Greek-English), German, French and Italian schools. Whats it like to live in greece? Greece is a large and topographically diverse country so there are many different climates. But what if you come here with a president, prime minister, these... Artistic, and friendly Habits you Ca n't Help Picking up if you are expected! Everywhere you go, eat and stay in Peloponnese 2016-05-01 me and Masters! In Modern Greek large expat population and many cute villages in the!! Can run a successful business and travelled the world for ex-pats to live on too, fishing and.. 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