GREECE 10 PROS and CONS (Greek people, healthcare, family, friends, food, tax, bureaucracy, weather)

10 PROS AND CONS OF LIVING IN GREECE 2024 - We were asked what were the best and worst (GOOD AND BAD) things about living in Greece. In this video, we talk about our 5 good things and 5 bad things about living in Greece. We include Greek people, family, friends, food, tax, bureaucracy, countryside, weather and many more. It is important to realise that living in Greece does have its pros and cons. We hope this video will be of some help.
Tanya and I have bought a small old house in Greece and are living in Greece and renovating the house ourselves. These are our experiences of living here. See the chapters below for a list.
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Tanya and I have bought a small old house in Greece and are living in Greece and renovating the house ourselves. These are our experiences of living here.
See the chapters below for a list.
00:00 Living in Greece
01:55 The Relaxed Lifestyle and Culture in Greece
03:20 Traditions, Festivals, and Events
05:43 The Challenges of the Language Barrier
08:11 Healthcare in Greece
12:35 Cost of living and ways to make savings
14:25 Gardening and growing food
14:52 Greek food and cuisine
17:22 Difficulty in finding non-Greek cuisine and dealing with olive flies
22:32 The weather and extreme cold temperatures
25:00 The complicated tax system and bureaucracy
29:20 The friendly and welcoming people in Greece
#greece2023 #livingingreece #greecelife
If you chose to use any of the following services below then be sure to mention how you came by them and share the link to the channel. We don't get any kickback from these people for including them here, we just want to let them know we appreciated their support when we moved and want to pay it back.
Links to:
Our property agent en.spitogatos.gr/sale
Our lawyer: Zoe Ganossi - [e-mail] - [phone] or 6978786416
The notary we used has since retired but you can find another here: notaries-europe.com/greece/
You will need to go to the local government office (KEP) to have documents stamped and also to sort out your tax and health insurance. You can find your nearest one here: www.ermis.gov.gr/portal/page/p...
Your accountant is your best friend after your lawyer, we struggled to find a good one, the greek tax system is hideously complex so you can't do a self-assessment as we can in the UK. We have just changed accountant and now use Mary at Kleopas Alliott: [e-mail]
FOR KZbin:
Most of the time I use a GoPro 9 Black to film the outside stuff: amzn.to/3lzOnQp
I use the Homesuit Action Kit for mounts and other accessories: amzn.to/3yWAcwG
For stills and some studio videos I use a Canon EOS 4000D similar to this one: amzn.to/3NoHNZ4
FOR Renovation
My fav tools are the Husky petrol strimmer with steel brush cutting blade (without which, I would be pretty knackered): amzn.to/3NoHNZ4
I've burnt out one Black and Decker drill, I should have known better and just bought the old faithful Makita cordless in the first place - Its top-notch: amzn.to/3lrmMRJ
Be safe when working at height, at least buy a decent ladder, this one folds up and you can change its shape for working on stairs and in tight corners etc, I wouldn't want to be without it!: amzn.to/3lyZyJ6
DISCLOSURE: We often review or link to products & services we regularly use and think you might find helpful. Wherever possible we use referral links, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation.
We're big fans of Amazon, and many of our links to products/gear are links to those products on Amazon. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and related sites.
Don't forget to leave your comments below!

[@apmoy70]

Living in a not so urban environment myself, a Greek national, I definitely agree with your cons about living outside the major cities and towns. 100% with you on the ptsd one acquires when dealing with Greek bureaucracy, although lately there have been some serious steps forward trying to tackle with it. Welcome to our country

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@jimboyuk1]

Keep up with the Greek. Love your sense of adventure. I think the friendliest people I have come across on my travels are in Greece. I’ve had people offer me free accommodation when island hoping during peak season and not being able to find accommodation. My last trip, I went to a restaurant for breakfast on my first morning. The hotel I went to for breakfast still had not opened for the season but the manager didn’t tell me. He made me breakfast and when I went to pay he refused to take payment as he wasn’t open for business yet. He hadn’t told me but saw me as a tourist in need and was happy to feed me without expecting payment.

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey there! We have tried to answer as many questions and comments as possible in our latest Q&A3 video. Check it out. If we have not answered your comments then repost it with "SECOND TIME" at the start and we will endevour to answer it in the next Q&A vid. Big Love, Andy and Tanya.

[@Robindalmiras]

I am in the U.S. and it’s terribly expensive here for literally everything. Thinking to retire in Greece. I was married to a Greek man for 25 years. Greece is lovely

[@scootertooter6874]

Avoid voting for LEFTISTs/NEO-MARXISTs during US elections and perhaps prices and interest will begin to come down...and business and opportunities will flourish once again...It's sad that we have to look at moving to Greece to avoid the terminal mess the US has become since 20 Jan 2009.

[@Fadeyes98]

I must say, when decent people meet other decent people, things go well most of the times. You are there to live with them and not exploit them, and people understand that. There are of course locals that will try to exploit foreigners in overcharging etc, but since you live there, you ll learn all the tricks and avoid them. Your greek friends will help you with these issues. Wish u the best for your great choice. Greetings from Athens.

[@Fegga1955]

Thank you very much

[@LivinginGreece]

No probs😀👍

[@kilonaliosI]

The title should have been "... about living in very rural greece" because both and bad and the good are quite a diffirent story for very large villages to small and big cities in Greece and in many cases they are the exact oposite. As an Athenian many of the bads are not existant in my city and also many of the advantages you guys enjoy also are not available for me or as available and vice versa. Other than that I cant find any thing I can disagree at least to a substantial degree with both cons and pros you guys shared. As a Greek I can say you are very objective and fair abotu rural Greece. It can be amazing and for some thing not so much.

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@mrmusic1931]

Great video guys! Cambodia misses you! regards Jethro

[@Roger_Jack]

We may not have sharks in Greece but we have the 'street sharks'. As a cyclist I was bitten twice, huge problem. As for the tax avoidance, it's a well known secret what is happening in small rural towns like yours. They say, Greeks are lovely people until u ask for the receipt lol! Greetings from Corinth!

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@craignash6621]

Only found your channel today, we have enjoyed making a day of watching your vids. At first me and my wife were looking at moving to Spain but I think I have managed to convince her how beautiful Greece is and is the best choice. ( golden visa option) Probably not going to be as rural as you. The big decision is going to be build on a plot or buy a villa. Can’t wait to see more content

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@jimvlahos1320]

Hi Craig. Lived there for two years. Be ever careful building a new place It’s possible but you get the wrong sort you’ll regret ever starting. Speak with the architects to recommend a builder. Even then be careful ….. me personally if I find the right place in the area we like I’ll buy existing hands down and renovate as needed. All the best.

[@zafira976]

it depends where in Greece and where in Spain when you're comparing the 2. The islands and the little towns are good in Greece but the big cities are dumbs. There is no equivalent Greek city to Gorgeous Valencia for example but...the smaller cities in Greece like Volos, Patra...etc are really nice if you like the smaller town lifestyle. On that note, why just comparing Greece to Spain? Portugal is a fantastic country and beats both in my opinion...and that's coming from a Greek guy. Porto and Lisbon as well as the smaller towns in Portugal are absolutely second to none

[@pennyhutchins2548]

Hello, great to see you both! Enjoying hearing about life in Greece. Is there any good horse riding in the area? Sounds like a lovely place to ride. Tanya, as a dog walker, I completely understand the dog thing. Working and/or feral dogs are intimidating. Might be worth carrying a little air horn to scare them off? It might give you a bit more control if the dogs get intense. Also, try Loratadine (10mg) every day for two weeks. If it works, carry on. I take it every day as I’m allergic to some odd stuff. Is ok for most people but if on other meds do check obviously. Anyway, good luck 👍

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@MelbourneShorts11]

Good work learning greek.

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@MelbourneShorts11]

@@LivinginGreece no all good just watching. enjoying your journey!

[@nickbaltas1558]

HI guys, really enjoying your content. My wifes family is from Porto Heli, we live in Melbourne, Aus. There is a Chinese Restaurant in Nafplio - Dao restaurant. The Greeks dont like too spicy , we had Indian in Athens and it wasnt hot enough. Hope to meet you next year, we will be in Porto Heli next Summer. take care

[@LivinginGreece]

Sounds great! Be sure to message before you head over and we can do coffee and cake or something.

[@julianarevill6166]

That all sounds about right with all the thing's you've talked about, I've often thought why doesn't someone from an English businesses go over to places that have poor business sense and make an massive building fool of admin dept's, everything under one roof, so things get sorted in one go and fast, it's not just in Greece I might add, but all over the world, not only will it help the foreigners but the Greeks too, I wish you the best. Xx

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey! Thanks for dropping us a message, we have tried to answer as many as possible in our latest Q&A No.2 video. Check it out. If we have missed you, we do apologise, just drop us another message with SECOND TIME at the start and we will make sure to include you next time round.

[@emaildavinam]

Hi there, I live in Volos, and I am severely visually impaired. I look like a very young woman, even though I am not so young, and I am alone. I have learned Greek, but I became a homeowner here six months ago. It has Proven to be very very difficult at times. Many people just do not understand somebody with a disability, especially the older generation, and how one can live alone and do well. I had three cleaners, the first was asking how much I spent on my home, And where my money was, red flag. The second one was trying to be my mother, but not in a good way, and the third one was rearranging my furniture after I had asked her not to for three times. Generally, when I am out and about, People are very nice. But once you do speak the language, you will notice a lot of things you don’t notice when you don’t. I also think that being a couple, or not being on your own, helps to keep the older generation from constantly making comments. Not sure how clean your home is, or if you have had many comments on how you keep your home, but when you do speak Greek, you might have this experience,. Very true with the food, both good and bad. Also, do you have wildfires, I would have mentioned this. This was my first summer living very close to one of the wildfires, and in our area. We also had the ammunition factory explosion. Not so easy. Because I do have a disability, I have a very unique perspective on what it’s like to live in Greece, especially from somebody who doesn’t see. Regarding the tax, and many people are not aware of this, if anybody is reading this who has a disability and lives in Greece, make sure you check about any assistance that exists, since there is if you are resident in Greece. You just have to be aware of it. Also, you are not allowed to go to the bank without two witnesses if you are blind. This has been a very difficult one for me. One thing that I have enjoyed, living in Greece, has been seeing the amount of Greek followers I have on TikTok, who are a speech, therapist, occupational therapists, teachers of special education, who follow me, guide me when needed, but also learned from me. There are very few people with disabilities in Greece on platforms like TikTok, I know there are very few on KZbin, but they are out there, but I think I am one of the only foreigners, with a disability who bought a home in Greece, lives here full-time, and is in the situation that I am. So people are learning from me, and this helps to keep going. I am also trying to set up my own organization at the moment, but very true with the bureaucracy, it takes time.

[@LivinginGreece]

wow! what an amazing story! and we have had local wild fires and now more recently some floods so it's never a boring life here :-)

[@emaildavinam]

@@LivinginGreece yes, I live in Volos, very, very tough, we should have portable drinking water tomorrow, I hope. It has been a difficult few weeks here. so I definitely think it needs mentioning to anybody who wants to live here that things can be very difficult at times. What I just went through. It was one of the most challenging experiences I have ever had to cope with, I did find out about the number for social services, though, along with the numbers for the Red Cross, and found out where to find volunteer groups who could bring food and water. If anybody is reading these comments or wishes to move to Greece, even if you have a disability, yes, it is possible but you do need to think very carefully and honestly be very prepared for whatever could happen. Nobody has seen floods like this ever, my entire building flooded, the ground floors from the river, the top floors from a problem we had with one of the apartments on my floor, I really hope it’s not mine. I do have insurance, but it has been a very stressful few weeks and it’s not quite over yet. So yes, everywhere you live, will have its positives, but people need to be realistic, and know that things can go wrong, and when things go wrong in a foreign country, when you have a language barrier, and in my case, visual impairment, it’s not easy.

[@LivinginGreece]

oh no! we feel for you up there in Volos and hope you are al okay, your area has had the brunt of it I think! Well done for staying strong and positive. I know the EU has released a load of cash to the Greek government to help your area and payments should be made soon to help with the clean up and rebuild. Did you register at the local government office for your claim for damages etc? Our friends in the next village were completely flooded and they went to the government office and filled in a claim form. the staff said they should get some help financially. So far nothing yet for them but we are not in a priority area like you are. And you are correct, when things go wrong it is much more difficult when you are in a foreign country and don't know the rules, culture and language.

[@tanyab244]

Tanya, did you consider acid reflux as the cause for your cough? I had the same problem. Andy, an Asian restaurant wouldn’t have enough business to stay open for very long in your area. There are plenty in big cities though.

[@LivinginGreece]

They have opened an indian in kranidi! Its great and they seem to have a few customers, hopefully they will survive and thrive.

[@tanyakorteling2997]

sorry, I didn't see this message. But yes it may well be that, I have been tested for it and the treatment for acid reflux seems to help a bit!

[@KRAM-zb2vc]

How easy or hard was it to buy a house and residency visa ?, we are relocating to Greece as we have family there 😌

[@katerinakorvesi180]

Be very careful with mountain dogs and guard dogs. They are not pets, they kill. Don't go hiking alone and don't wander off. Don't trust special dog whistles they won't save you because most are deaf because they live outside in the cold.

[@user-xs9cr8op3q]

Iff was not but things,then was paradise

[@LivinginGreece]

Yes true! but things here are still much better than the UK!

[@tedn6855]

We are planning on moving to greece and we're planning on growing food. A bit worried about your comment on water. How much does water cost?

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey there! We have tried to answer as many questions and comments as possible in our latest Q&A3 video. Check it out. If we have not answered your comments then repost it with "SECOND TIME" at the start and we will endevour to answer it in the next Q&A vid. Big Love, Andy and Tanya.

[@peacefulwarrior5244]

Do you know if a good immigration lawyer in Greece?

[@LivinginGreece]

You can try our friend Zoe. The number is in the description below. She is very busy however and may take some time to reply.

[@Coddiwompling]

Please do take a train trip and post about it!

[@LivinginGreece]

This year hopefully

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

Have you watched “zorba the greek”?

[@LivinginGreece]

Yes and its pretty funny after living here for a while.

[@JimmyTheGreek2000]

01:55 - 'Relaxed Lifestyle' - There is no such thing as 'Relaxed Lifestyle' if you have to work and earn a living in Greece. - The salary is very low and the work is hard in particular when it is very hot ! 05:43 - Language Barrier - We never expect that the Greek language is spoken to us ... This is all over the world ! It is not a bad thing for Greece ... It is for YOU ! - We will never classify the English language as bad thing for the UK ... when in UK ! It is our problem ... NOT the problem of the UK !

[@PalmarLlano]

English accents sometimes sound like a foreign language

[@LivinginGreece]

Hey there! We have tried to answer as many questions and comments as possible in our latest Q&A3 video. Check it out. If we have not answered your comments then repost it with "SECOND TIME" at the start and we will endevour to answer it in the next Q&A vid. Big Love, Andy and Tanya.