Where to retire in Greece?
Choosing where to retire is an essential step in your expatriation project. Each will have its own criteria, whether geographical, climatic, cultural or budgetary. Greece is a beautiful country in which to live and it is no wonder that this destination is becoming more and more popular for expats. There are many reasons why you should retire in Greece , but you still need to know in which region you want to live. If you don't yet know exactly where to spend your retirement, that's normal: it's hard to know what the ideal place is when you've never lived in the country before. Living on an island will not give you the same advantages as living on the mainland for example, and the weather will not be the same. In order to help you in this important choice in any expatriation projectI’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I have prepared this guide for you to decide where to retire in Greece.
NORTHERN REGION
You will find in the North of Greece a more mountain lifestyle than in the rest of Greece. The country is generally quite mountainous but this region is particularly so. It is noticeably cooler in the north of Greece than in the south. By retiring in the North, you will have plenty of time to enjoy great walks in the mountain landscapes near you.
Thessaloniki
This city is the second largest city in Greece. It presents itself as a great alternative to Athens for those who still wish to live in a city. Unlike Athens, you can walk much more easily through the city and walk around it from one end to the other. The city is also next to the sea, on which one can have a beautiful view from the top of the Great Tower.
Advantages :
Not very touristy
Presence of the mountain
Sea side
Gastronomic Capital
Disadvantages:
Winter a little cold compared to the rest of the country
Uninteresting architecture, apart from the Great Tower
Where to retire in Greece?
SOUTH REGION
The south is a region richer in historical monuments in general. You have many sites like Olympia, Mycenae and Meteoras Monastery. In the Peloponnese, which is the southernmost region, you have very charming villages by the sea. The water is absolutely clear and the beaches are incredible.
Patras
Patras is the third largest city in Greece. This port city is lively despite its modest size; You will not risk being bored. It is known for its great Carnival and for its quiet atmosphere.
Advantages :
Small student town
Old fortified city center
Quick access to the campaign
Port city
Disadvantages:
Poorly served (no airport)
A little small for those who really want to live in the city
Athens
The capital of Greece is a place steeped in history. You will have access to all the services you can have in a big European city. This city is often described as a magnificent chaos. Depending on the neighborhood where you live, the atmosphere will be very different.
Unlike most European capitals; we find the beautiful neighborhoods in the suburbs and not in the center. If you want a bit of tranquility in the summer and avoid the crowds of tourists, we advise you to consider living in the Port of Piraeus which is quieter than the center, especially in the summer which attracts a lot of tourists.
Advantages :
Animation of the city
Cultural heritage and history
Night life
Good base for going to the islands
Sea side
Disadvantages:
Noise and air pollution
Concreting of a large part of the city, creating a heat sink
little tranquility
Other examples:
There are many seaside villages in the Peloponnese that you will need to consider like Pylos for example. Kalamata which is the capital of Messenia, is another good example of a micro city with a bustling but tranquil village-like vibe. This is where we find the best olives in Greece (Keramon type).
ISLANDS
The simple idea of living on an island is often a dream, but life on the islands is not always easy. In general, living on a Greek island, you will be entitled to an incredible living environment, with magnificent waters and great peace. When you set foot on a Greek island, you'll see what we're talking about. The air is much cleaner than on the mainland, and the locals are even quieter.
The island you want to live on will not be the same as the one you would visit in a weekend. Some islands will be very pleasant to visit but very boring to live all year round. In winter, the islands often seem quite empty because all the shops are closed, and you will have little access to the mainland because the ferries will be much less numerous. Conversely, in summer the island risks being flooded with tourists. Here are the ideal islands on which you can live all year round:
Crete
This island is the largest in Greece. It will therefore be much less empty than the other islands even during the winter months. It is one of the only islands that is not completely dependent on tourism. You will therefore have a richer local life.
The climate in Crete is the hottest in Greece, as it is one of the southernmost cities in the country. It is for this reason that many fruits are produced locally there and not elsewhere.
Chania
Chania is not the capital of Crete, but we will recommend this city rather than the capital Rethymno for the long term. You also have many small villages to visit also around.
Advantages :
Good internet connection (which is not necessarily the case for all the islands)
City with a very charming architecture
Access to the sea and countless beaches
Closeness to nature
Strong expat community
Disadvantages:
A little more expensive than the rest of Greece
Few long-term activities if you like entertainment
Rhodes
It is the ninth island in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest island in the Dodecanese: Rhodes is one of the most touristic islands in Greece, just a few kilometers from the Turkish coast. Bordered by the Aegean Sea and its turquoise waters, its population is just over 115,000 permanent inhabitants, a figure that multiplies during the tourist season.
Heritage and history lovers will be delighted on the island of Rhodes, which includes many places listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the ramparts of the Knights of Rhodes or the Dimokratias Boulevard. But Rhodes is also a perfect island for those who like to spend time on the beaches: between Rhodes (city) and the seaside resorts, including Faliraki, Lindos, Kremasti, Haraki, Pefkos, Archangelos or Afantou, there is no shortage of magical places and retirees in need of sun and fine sand will be delighted.
Advantages :
Rich and varied heritage
Access to the sea and countless beaches
Closeness to nature
Disadvantages:
Crowded during the summer season
Less developed healthcare infrastructure outside of Rhodes (town)
Conclusion
Greece offers a wide variety of places where you can spend your retirement. If you are not sure if you want to live on an island all year round, we advise you to choose a city near the sea and from which you can frequently go for walks. There is no one place where you should absolutely spend your retirement in Greece, it all depends on your lifestyle and your desires.