I ended up living in Milan for 22 years and enjoyed how easy it was to travel around the world from Europe.. Difficult to say what expats living in Crete think of it, maybe someone will come by and leave a comment. This requires more documentation, however, including proof of funds and their source. Position: Med Aide - PRN - Assisted Living in Crete (24hr/month) Overview: TABITHA'S. PURPOSE: We empower people to live joyfully, age gratefully. Here youll find a strong sense of community among expats from different countries. The Best Places To Live In Greece For Expats, Living In Greece: Essential Expat Guide 2023, Greece: Visa & Residency Options For Non-EU Nationals, Living In Santorini: Expat Essential Guide. Lots of building, renovating, road repairs, shop changes, and more happen over the winter months giving the island a different kind of buzz. Old buildings and village walls are the ones that get damaged, as the majority of the new builds are designed to withstand earthquakes, meaning that Greek cities and towns are less likely to experience serious structural damage. Greece is an extremely vibrant country that is famed throughout the world for its year-round good climate, detailed history, beautiful architecture, and unique culture. Life on Crete moves at a slower pace than on mainland Greece or much of Europe, which can be very enjoyable and perfect for retirement. Speaking Greek will definitely make this easier, but dont move to Greece assuming youll easily find a job. 1.15%. For UK citizens planning to relocate to Greece, it can make sense to take advantage of the three-month visa-free travel period to visit different areas of the country. However, because Crete is an island, more oversized items must be shipped from the mainland, adding to the price. 470 reviews. Hello, anyone living in Crete from the uk with kids? Even if this might sound contradictory, I enjoy driving in Crete. I adore living steps from the sea, waking up every morning to the skyline of one of the prettiest cities in the country, Chania. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Whats it like to move to and live in Crete? Its a dream for lovers of seafood, but you also cant overlook things like gyros or souvlakis, two national delicacies. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? However, just like any other place on earth, Crete does have a few drawbacks, too. Can you help at all? City Guides | Travel the World | Living Abroad | Travel Guides | Adventure Travel | Digital Nomad Life | Valencia, Spain | California, USA | The Netherlands | How to Plan a Trip, I consent to the storage of my data according to the Privacy Policy, - From Short Trips to Traveling the World & Living Abroad -, Living in Cuba: Things You Want to Know Before Moving Here, A Perfect Catalina Island Day Trip the, Why You Shouldnt Buy Seashells or Take Them, A Moving Abroad Checklist: Things to Do Before You Move Abroad, Things to Know if You Want to Go Sailing in Greece, Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience, Things to Concider Before Moving to Another Country. The internet cost is around 40 per month, and the speed doesnt compare to the internet in large cities. Both islands offer fantastic tasty local foods and drinks. A loaf of bread in Greece will set you back around 0.80. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. Even the little villages have a smattering of expats, and the large town of Chania is just half an hour away by car. As to electric appliances, heres a Miele site for Greece with prices, they have a store in Heraklion, Crete: https://www.miele.gr/. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. I found all this very interesting .I actually live in Cyprus do found your comparison very useful.life is good in Cyprus but in 14 years has changed s lot..There are new buildings everywhere and lots of people from third world countries, in addition to the Filipino and Sri Lankan maids. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? Of course, not everything is cheap, and some things cant be bought on the main island and shipped over. I do however have in excess of 50,000 disposable savings ( and funds under the golden visa threshold to purchase a property ). Both islands offer very traditional Greek food featuring lots of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, lamb, olives, wine, and plenty of seafood. The advantage to this over standard citizenship application is that its generally quicker and saves a lot of paperwork. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. hi im wanting to retire from uk to sitia ,will i be able to get freeview and english tv, and will they come to install computor etc quickly lol. Greeces current corporate tax rate is 24%, which has been reduced from 28%. Generally, all along the north coast of the island have excellent public transport, making it easier if you dont drive. And although Crete is known for its beaches and seaside towns, there is much more to this island. Language can be a barrier at any age. Your email address will not be published. The cooler temperatures mean the winter months are often spent doing jobs that cant be done in the summer heat. In fact, most people say the only problem walking after dark is the lumps and bumps on the road, which might cause you to trip. Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. However, Cyprus also has some more middle eastern and Turkish influences, youll definitely notice it if you choose to move to Northern Cyprus. The south coast of the island is less busy with tourists in summer, which is fantastic. There is a shortcut to residency in Greece, known as the Golden Visa program. Crete has a large number of expats who live on the island all year round alongside the local population, so although the months between November and May are quieter, there is still plenty to do. Probably the most active one in the winter is Kalyves as there is also a local Greek community which requires shops and services. we have one child thats still in primary and one thats just started secondary? Had bern thinking of Greece as a retirement possibility from Hamburg Germany My private pension pays me circa 1,500 a month , we have no other income . While you have to pay for refuse collection, your basic monthly outgoings for water, electricity, and such will be around 150 (130) a month. This gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the area and with local regulations. If you dont fancy a dip in the sold sea, its a great spectator event, and youll have a great time with all the food, wine, and music. Crete also has several medical translators who can come to appointments with you and make sure you understand any prescriptions or procedures. Because Crete is relatively relaxed, they sometimes dont respect even the most basic rules of the road. Standard bank accounts are needed to become a Greek tax resident and will come with a debit card for payments. Over 2 million. we have been to Crete a couple of time and have noticed that agios nikolaos seems to be very popular with expats and has many shops, it is beautiful! English Expats In Crete, Greece If you are looking to connect with English expats in Crete, Greece, then this page brings together all the latest expat blogs Crete written by English bloggers, any interviews, articles and news items we have here at ExpatsBlog.com. I live in the western end near Chania and there are a number of big hotels and holiday concerns which are hiring at the moment for the 2009 summer season. Ferry companies that connect mainland Greece to Crete: Crete schools with addresses and contact details , Crete hospitals, health centres, regional clinics and other information on healthcare . Is it a similar situation for us as with UK expats? Youd need about 5 hours to drive from one tip of the island to the other and still have plenty to see and do.. Providing youre willing to adjust to a Greeks pace of life and arent in a rush to get anything done, youll be pleasantly surprised about how good this actually feels. Cooler weather and fewer people mean youre more likely to see wildlife, so many people actually prefer the off-season months to the summer. We currently live in Australia. Choose 1 Nationalities Living in Crete, Greece English Latest Blogs by Expats Living in Greece more expat blogs Crete Again, fees vary widely from school to school, but are more expensive than private schools. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. You can find more about Cyprus in our Living In Cyprus The Expats Guide. Both violent crime and drug-related crime rates are considerably lower in Greece. You wont be short of medical care. This might not be easy to understand if youre coming from a bigger city, but trust me, you do learn to enjoy it.. You must look after your things of course, but you dont have to live in fear that you will be attacked. This is a good way to fully immerse yourself in Greek culture. Name: Gabi Ancarola Of course, like all places, there are some slightly less-safe parts, but in general, Crete is the type of place you can spend an afternoon in your garden and not worry about locking your front door. Life in Crete, Greece Name: Gabi Ancarola Age: 48 Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina Her Story: "I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator. If you find yourself in these areas, youre better off heading back to the town centres bright lights. If you love the idea of living on a Mediterranean island, you may also have considered moving to Cyprus. Not everyone knows how big Crete is. The islands are large enough to grow some foods themselves which are always fresh and delicious. I lived in Crete for 3 years with a Greek man about 28 years ago but have gone back frequently and have . Non-EU residents must have a type D visa for working in Greece before applying for permanent residency. Crete offers a very healthy, active lifestyle for those that wish to embrace the great outdoors. I inherited my mothers house in Rhodos and I decided to spend most of my time living here. Obviously, the warm weather is one of the reasons why Crete is a favorite of many retirees from Europe, the US, Canada, and other parts of the world. This means that if you want to go to any shops or visit anyone between 12-2 PM, call in advance to check its okay, or you might find the stores are closed and your neighbour is taking a nap. Greece, generally speaking, has an acceptable infrastructure for things like power and communications. Eating big Mediterranean meals by the sea sounds extremely indulgent, but not only is great food relatively affordable in Crete; it's everywhere too. If youre from the UK and can apply for an S1 form , this will entitle you to state healthcare paid by the British government. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you want to brush shoulders with celebrities and live the high life on the island, the northeastern village of Elounda is a charming fishing village turned playground of the rich and famous. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. Even if the weather is not the best to swim in winter, theres something magical about visiting the pink sand beach of Elafonisi without the crowds, enjoying the uniqueness of the southern coast of Crete all alone.. Completing the paperwork on your own is possible, but remember that you can hire legal help to make things quicker and easier. Its fairly standard for expats to switch to a local private health insurance plan once their residency is confirmed. Most rental agreements require a deposit equivalent to two months rent, and utility bills may or may not be included in the rental price. I was just wondering if you know where I would have to pay tax? Crete has a very low crime rate, and the Greek culture means that youre sure to get help as you age. Just sent you the contact details, hope this helps. So I need a long term residency permit. In Athens, you can expect to pay around 9.50 per square metre, but only 5.25 per square metre in somewhere like rural Thessaloniki. Greece puts a lot of emphasis on family, spending time outdoors, and tradition. However, while you are applying for your residency and visas, you will have to have private health insurance. I just booked a trip and upon arrival talked to locals to find a place to live. This was a great article I came across your video Black in Crete while scrolling YT. Around coastal areas it can get quite humid at times, and snowfall is common on the mountains between November and May, but rare in the low-lying areas. Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. If your Husband is young and is not working just ensure he does not go out and party with the locals. Other than tourists related petty crimes, I have not heard of severe crimes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Would you be so kind as to clarify some points please . The closest airport is in Volos, around 90 minutes away, meaning you still have good international connections but can enjoy some peace and quiet too. Hi everyone! If you plan to stay and/or work on the island for longer than 3 months, you need to sort out your residency. Thanks. An example is IKA, which is the largest social security organisation in Greece and is for those in standard employment. Well, one of the things that you will find frustrating is the paperwork, Bureaucracy is something that you will deal with and you will have to be very patient. UK citizens can travel to Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. Our historic center is really charming, with romantic cobblestone alleys, a magical Venetian harbor, and dozens of little bars and taverns serving fantastic local wines and tasty Greek food. Also, applicants must receive their pension from a country in a double taxation agreement with Greece. The quality of services offered is of high standards, and my husband who is from Denmark says that the doctors here are very thorough and very attentive. The food and weather lead to a healthier lifestyle than you might enjoy now, so compliment this by taking things a bit more slowly. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. It can depend on who you are talking to here, what mood they are in etc. Generally speaking, the quality of healthcare in Greece is quite high. The Cretan Goat, Also Known As The Kri Kri, Do You Own A Holiday Home In Crete? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can contact Jacob on LinkedIn: Jacob Powell. Because tourism is a major source of income in the country, English is fairly widely spoken. Cyprus is also seeing more expensive fancy restaurants such as La Maison Fleurie pop up to cater to tourists while Crete restaurants focus on good, fresh, cheap food. Adrienne xx, Yes, theres Lidl in Sitia: Therisou, Agiou Nikolaou 1. km, Sitia 723 00, Greece You might be able to arrange a shorter let, but this will be on a case-by-case basis. So if youre thinking of setting up a business in Greece, it only makes sense if their corporation tax rate is lower. This is also the time of year for the olive harvests, which means long workdays and lots of meals with family, friends, and neighbours. Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. If you live in Crete all year and dont need to find everything into a two-week holiday window, youll find yourself enjoying the temperate winter months as much, if not more, than summer. The other main concern of expats is healthcare. I am American and hoping to move to Crete soon: Chania praefecture probably but possibly Herakleion. Agios Nikolaos General hospital, Sitia General Hospital, Rethimno General Hospital just to name a few, there are also small clinics all around the island and many Private hospitals. But a modest, modern house will set you back around 250,000. Pin it! Up to 20,000 youll pay 22% tax, up to 30,000 youll pay 29% tax, and up to 40,000 youll pay 37% tax. I have 4 years left till I retire from the US Army and since you would be near the base you will be able to save alot of money. the people where very welcoming and warm, I worked in the tourist industry which was a lot of fun but it does die down in the winter and this is the hardest part but there is work and there are alot of English people stay all year round. I have found your website the most informative amidst a lot of confusing misinformation. Humans have inhabited Crete since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. In January, we have some days when the temperatures can go as high as 25 degrees Celsius, and night temperatures are between 10 and 17 degrees Celsius. Youre also more likely to find a job in Heraklion, and its much more modern and offers a busier lifestyle. Greece uses the Euro, but living here is generally cheaper than in other European nations such as France or Germany.
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