Why Greece? Reasons to consider owning a holiday or retirement home in Corfu Greece Could not be more delightful! The people are very friendly and it is relatively easy to be accepted into your local community. Language is not an issue as most Greeks speak some English and many are quite fluent in English and German. Of course it helps to speak some Greek and one cannot help but pickup commonly used words and phrases. Climate GREECE has mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Maximum temperatures hover around 30°C (87°F) in the summer, but the heat is often tempered by the northerly wind known as the meltemi. Winter begins in mid-December and lasts to mid-February, when the maximum temperatures range from 14°C (53°F) to 21°C (67°F). The climate is not humid Cost of living The cost of living is a fraction of that in the US or northern Europe. The basic monthly expense budget for two people maintaining a house is about 900 euros in the southern peloponnese. The exceptions is luxury goods such as high-end automobiles and designer clothes. Proprty Taxes There are no annual taxes to pay if the total value of your property in Greece does not exceed 200.000 Euros (US$190,000). Valuations for every type of property are published by the government. These are usually below the actual property value. For properties valued over 200.000 Euros (US$190,000), the property tax is is still very low at 0.25% of the assessed value Government The concept of democracy was conceived and nurtured in ancient Greece. Today Greece is a thriving democratic state with a modern economy, and is a member of both NATO and the European Economic Community (EEU). As in the U.S. and Europe, Greek law is based on codified Roman law Economy Greece is a member of the European Economic Community (EEU). Outside of the cities, the economy is both agriculture-based and merchant-based, driven by many small family-owned businesses. Local products such as cured olives, olive oil, wine, honey and figs are exported worldwide—just as in ancient times the same products were exported to Asia Minor, the Middle East, to coastal Mediterranean areas and then later to the entire Roman empire The people The people of the Corfu are very friendly, very social and very family-oriented. Cafes are ubiquitous and filled with groups of friends and family enjoying refreshment and animated conversation. Almost all Greeks speak some English, hospitality workers speak it fairly well, and educated Greeks speak it fluently. English is now the second language of choice in Greece. The country's literacy rate is 98%. The Environment What little heavy industry Greece has resides in the north. From an ecological perspective the Peloponnese is pristine. The local hillsides are covered with olive trees. The water of the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas is clean and transparent, and these seas were chosen as one of the best in the European Continent, by the European Union. Children play and adults swim in the ocean, leaving behind the stresses of life Crime Greece has historically enjoyed a low crime rate. Violent crime is almost non-existent, even in a large city like Athens. Armed robbery is unheard of Nightlife Seaside cafes, bars, tavernas and restaurants abound. In the summer, locals swarm to the beachfronts to stroll on the boardwalks, mingle with friends at a seaside cafe, or to take a dip in the warm ocean waters of the sea. Local tavernas and cafes are dispersed through even small villages, where some of the best authentic Greek dining can be found Travel Traveling throughout Greece by automobile, airplane, bus, train and sea-ferry is very easy, as is travel to other parts of Europe. Locally, fast ferry service is available to Italy, Crete and other locations in the Aegean Sea Food Market The foods of Greece reflect its land, people, and cultural history. Textures of the foods reflect the landscape, the earth, the sea, and the sky. The vibrant colors of flowers, tomatoes, fruits, and herbs blend with the white feta, bread and yogurt as paints on a canvas. Vivid sunlight infuses the lemons, olive oil, grapes, tomatoes and vegetables with intense flavor. Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables are locally grown. And the flavors awaken the senses - salty, sweet, sour, bitter. From garlicky skordalia, to cinnamon-spiced kapama, to tasty vegetable dishes and the many varieties of baklava-like desserts Recreation Fishing, boating, snorkeling, tennis, swimming, walking, hiking, gardening, exploring the many historical sites and visiting country villages are just a few of the activities one can enjoy in the Corfu. Cultural events such as theater, cinema, dance performances, and concerts are common weekly offerings. |
