Trying to Figure Out Where to Retire in Greece...

[redsoxdw_]

I am not quite there yet, but I am looking to retire in Greece - I just am not sure where is the best place to go. My family is originally from various places all over Greece, and I do have family and friends all over the country. However, I am not really tied to a particular location. I was thinking that Athens might be the best location for practical purposes - there's a lot to do, plus here are a lot more "services" there (hospitals, shops, restaurants, etc). However, it might be a little more expensive than other places in Greece? I am also looking at other places, like Peloponnese, Crete, Kefalonia, Zakynthos... What do you guys think?

 

[k_tsoukalas]

I would consider looking into the Peloponnese. It's beautiful and some parts of it are close enough to Athens for you to have some of the services you might be looking for. It's not super close, but might be close enough. And I think the Peloponnese is less expensive than the Athens area.

 

[Tpebop]

I retired to Rhodes to the village of afandou in 2009. best thing I did. Have no regrets.The health service is great by my own experience.A few years ago I fell & broke my left hip.Had replacement hip surgery.The treatment I received was excellent.My doctor in the village also works @ Euromedica The private hospital on Rhodes.I cannot fault him.

 

[The Greek Vibe]

Kefalonia, Rhodes and Crete as well as the Peloponnese if you wish to be on mainland are great options already with strong expat communities and large enough to have hospitals, regular transport and other necessary infrastructure.

 

[redsoxdw_]

Kefalonia, Rhodes and Crete as well as the Peloponnese if you wish to be on mainland are great options already with strong expat communities and large enough to have hospitals, regular transport and other necessary infrastructure.

This is really great advice. I think I need to research where the expat communities are the strongest and maybe go from there?

 

[Tpebop]

Why do you want to move where there are expats . I live on Rhodes & stay away from them.Moved ro Rhodes to intergrate with the locals. Not become part of little britain

 

[AlexiaTravels]

Why do you want to move where there are expats . I live on Rhodes & stay away from them.Moved ro Rhodes to intergrate with the locals. Not become part of little britain

I second that! It seems like it would be more fun to really dive in and learn about the Greek culture. It's something to think about.

 

[Vangelis]

I'm not there yet either but I'm getting ready for it. I bought an apartment in inner city Athens (not the touristy areas though - stayed away from Plaka/Monastiraki). I'm used to living in a city and prefer the vibrancy and variety of things to do. Athens has so many cultural events all year around from plays, operas, music, cinema, restaurants, cafes, bars, etc, etc, etc. But it's also a great location to just get on a ferry boat and pick any one of 200 islands to go to. Accommodation is cheap on the islands so I can go for months if I want. Also from Athens I can go to the airport and fly to Paris/Madrid/Berlin/etc. It was a no-brainer for me. It all depends on what you prefer.