Greece is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for expats from all over the world. It offers many attractions and an idyllic setting, ensuring a high quality of life, and its capital Athens is the centre of attraction for many retirees and digital nomads. Indeed, the Greek capital has many assets worthy of a major European metropolis, even if of course not everything is rosy. Whether it's the gastronomy, the climate or the safety, there are many reasons why the Greek capital is the destination of choice for your expatriation. Lisbob, the expat assistant, reveals the 9 good reasons to move to Athens.

History and culture

One of the most fabulous things about this city is the coexistence of ancient and modern places. There's something surreal about walking around the city and seeing monuments that existed thousands of years ago. The contrast between urbanism and antiquity is unique to this city. You'll see excavations in the middle of the city; objects found, displayed in certain metro stations, or right in the middle of the city.

The city is full of ancient historical remains. There is an exceptional concentration of history in this city, which you cannot visit in just a few days. If you come to live in Athens, you will have time to discover all these places. If you take a little time to find out, you'll discover some of the city's founding myths. Athens is also a good base for visiting nearby archaeological sites.

Nightlife

Athens is a lively city, day and night. If you like going out, you're in for a treat. Whatever type of music you like, there's something for everyone. There are plenty of bars, clubs and places to listen to traditional Greek music. The sounds of traditional instruments (such as the bouzouki or baglamas) will remind you of the Ottoman influence on the Greek Empire.

Gastronomy

Greek cuisine is renowned the world over, and defines what is now known as the Mediterranean diet. One of the advantages of living in Athens is that you have easy access to farmers' markets in every part of the city. Their fruit and vegetables are of very high quality, and at prices well below those in other European countries. Whether at home or in a restaurant, you'll be served good-quality meals. Bear in mind that restaurant meals are cheap too.

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Weather

The Mediterranean climate is one of the most popular in the world, and rightly so. Athens takes full advantage of its proximity to the sea and its geographical location, which makes it one of Europe's southernmost capitals. Along with Madrid, the Greek capital boasts the highest number of sunny days in Europe, with an average of almost 350.

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A tranquil state of mind or 'siga-siga

There's a Greek expression that typifies the Greek mentality: doucement-doucement or siga-siga. Things are done gently in Greece, a little slowly, even in the capital. This may annoy some who like the hustle and bustle of big cities, but it will delight many. People are more relaxed than in most major European capitals, taking their time to get things done.

This may be frustrating at times if you want to get things done, but you'll learn to appreciate this pace for many things. By taking life 'siga-siga', you take the time to savour life.

In summer, temperatures are so hot that you have to adopt a different lifestyle. This is where the "siesta" comes in: the post-lunch summer siesta. During the hottest hours of the day, you'll be restricted in your movements. Because of this siesta, shops close later and Greeks eat later than in other countries. Not surprisingly, Greeks are party people and like to stay up late into the night.

Terraces and cafés

Another important aspect of Athenian life is the café terraces. There is a real café culture in Greece, and Athens is no exception. In keeping with the idea of a relaxed lifestyle, Greeks like to spend hours in the café after work, particularly to catch up with friends.

This way of socialising is an integral part of the Greek way of life. Greek hospitality can also be found in the restaurant trade, where it is very common to be offered a dessert or digestif at the end of a meal, whether in a restaurant or a café. If you go to the surrounding villages, this custom is even more prevalent.

Proximity to the islands

Living in Athens means you have quick access to many natural attractions. Most ferries have connections with Athens and will take you easily to many of the islands around you. Living in Athens gives you the opportunity to explore the islands in depth.

As well as famous islands like Santorini, for example, there are thousands of other islands in Greece (yes, thousands, not hundreds). If you live in Athens, you can go away for the weekend to some magnificent islands, where the colour of the water and the quality are exceptional. In just a few hours, you'll be on an island of your choice. Not all islands are touristy, and you can choose the type of island you want, à la carte, depending on your mood at the time.

Sea and mountains

Athens is a seaside capital, but it is also surrounded by mountains. In fact, Greece is generally a mountainous country. This proximity to these two natural elements is exceptional. You can change environment very quickly, by public transport or by car. If you want to wander around Athens, you'll have a wide choice of natural sites to visit.

Thanks to its proximity to the sea, there are many water-based activities that you can easily enjoy in Athens: kitesurfing, water yoga, windsurfing, diving... It's an opportunity to discover new physical activities that you may never have thought of before.

Safety

Although Athens is a big city, it's one where you'll feel safe in most places. You can stroll around the city centre without fear, and enjoy the beautiful views from the heights at night. The walks along the path around the Acropolis are really beautiful, especially with the new lighting systems that have been installed this year. Certain areas should be avoided at night, as in all European capitals. The city is organised in a slightly different way: the suburbs are particularly quiet, and the areas to avoid are close to the centre.

In conclustion, the quality of life in Athens is exceptional: weather, gastronomy and nature... However, the city has much more to offer than its resources. Athens offers you the advantages of both a big city and a smaller town. Many locals say that the city has a village feel to its friendly atmosphere, even though it is a capital city. Its location is ideal for a change of scenery at low cost, whether you go to the islands or stay in the metropolis.

I've given you my 9 good reasons for living in Athens, and of course there are others, such as water sports, its various street artists and its markets, but it would be difficult to cover everything in just one video, and everyone needs to discover their own good reasons for living in Athens.