Deciding not to rule out Greece as a place for retiring ....?

Question

Greece, though my most desired destination, is more difficult because of the language; however I can read the alphabet and can speak a little conversational Greek, very little. However, when one loves Greece they love it forever -- in 6 months time I must decide on where in Europe I will try to hang my head -- I believe I'd have the most success when it comes to Greece if I could find conclaves of expats from either Britain, usa or Aussies, love them all, cause as to my politics I share a love of Chomsky, but my sensitivy makes it hard being there "knowing" I'm an american under my skin ..... Well, I don't know how better to pose a question like this. More like asking for opinion - regards someone sensitive politically moving to Greece, for me it would have to be NEAR Athens or some acupuncturist to be precise for my 'cosmopolitan need' - that is what limits me - besides wanting an acupuncturist in distance, there's no need for a boundary. I'm a dual citizen with Italy.

Answer 1

I totally agree with rosbif. Crete is the best choice and a tried one by Americans British and Germans. I've seen reports on the Greek news talking about their life in Crete and they were all thrilled. It's a great plan! You'll never regret it

Check this out:

http://www.fazakis-acupuncture.gr/indexE...

Answer 2

I stongly suggest you invest a few hundred Euros and a few weeks to do a course in Modern Greek at the Athens Centre in Athens http://www.greecetravel.com/schools/athe...

We've done three of their courses and the teachers are wonderful - and you'll make some Greek  and expat friends as well. The staff could probably even find you an accupuncturist in Athens, and maybe in Crete.

Answer 3

How about Malta? There are thousands of English ex-pats living on the island. You won't be lonely. Health care is excellent and very cheap compared to USA. Everyone speaks English because the British were here for two hundred years and the Maltese kept English as mandatory in the schools from when kids are little. There are no property taxes at all. No heating bills (man a Christmas is in high 60's and tourists will swim) You will spend on air-conditioning in the summer though. Similar summer to Greece. There are about 4 acupuncturists on the island. One Chinese, one american. Don't know the others. Malta being right in the middle of the Med Sea makes it a great location to be in. Also transportation is very cheap and the island is very very safe. How do I know? Because I'm an American who has lived here for 20 years!!!!  Check it out!!!!

Answer 4

can i suggest a transition..on corfu there are a lot of english residents... why dotn you beging wit a holiday on corfu and get to know what go,s on in athens from there for lets say 3 months well you got  at 3 months before the winter sets in.by then you should be able to get some thignin athens with an accupunturist so yeah iam sure there are a lot of brits and aussies on corfu residents who will be willing to help you as long as you anounce your self and your quest.i dont see why you cant retire in greece .yes iam sure they will help you in corfu...and if it dosent work out well italy just across the adriactic take a boat to brindisi...):)

Answer 5

What about Crete then? They're pretty civilised (re. the acupuncturist) and there are a large number of expats. Also, English is widely spoken in the local community - much more than on the mainland. Heraklion (or maybe Chania or Rethymno, where most of the British are) should suit your needs.

With Italian nationality you won't have any bureaucratic problems buying a house or being allowed to live there, there are a huge number of retirees and second-home owners in Crete already.

EDIT Here's an acupuncturist in Chania...got dozens of hits searching on google, but here is just one example: http://www.fazakis-acupuncture.gr/indexE...

And a cost of living guide: http://www.explorecrete.com/various/pric...

And a British expat site which has a lot of good information: http://www.britsincrete.net/living.html

Answer 6

Greek life for retirement age is not very appealing! It wouldn't be my choice - if I had a choice! Greek OAPs really don't get a good deal out of the end of their life! There are very few retirement homes ... should you need one. Greeks tend to rely heavily on relatives to look after them - it's expected. There is no home help nor aid of any kind. If you have to go to hospital (which will probably be unavoidable in the foreseeable future)  you will need a constant companion to stay with you during your stay - nurses do the basic - the rest is up to the patients relations  .... or hired help.

I have seen lately that Greek younger relations hire live in help from Eastern European countries to take care of their old and ill relatives - how scary that must be not being able to communicate during their last years!

Unfortunately my friend's M.I.Law has Alzheimer's and they have had to hire a woman from Georgia as she needs constant 24hr care and they work - now they are working to pay for M.I.L's medicine and live in help - no help from the state whatsoever!

Personally I am not looking forward to old age in Greece - I have already been here 20yrs - I have children here and am happily married - I dread illnesses and the inevitable time I will need constant care from my family or hubby needing it from me (or anyone else in his family).

Let's say - you end up in a wheelchair or worse and need help getting around! Forget it! They are no pavements (sidewalks) - I was in tears with a pushchair (stroller) I dread to think how it feels for a disabled person!

If you have a choice - choose somewhere where they are better equipped for old age and illnesses - NOT Greece. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but watching my in laws' struggling and my friends in floods of tears trying to cope with looking after the elderly in their families - I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I was thinking about my grandparents in UK and the life they had from retirement age till the died - it was relatively easy - they had help from state and home helps - they lived in a free retirement flat -finally a hospice where they were entertained, fed and taken for day trips - Greece is not an ideal place after a certain age. Before it's great ..... but after too difficult. My Finnish friend has just bought a 2nd home in her homeland as she's 50 next year and she wants to be able to leave Greece before old age and illnesses set in .... and she's a nurse in Greece!