Digital Nomad Life in Greece

"Thessaloniki, being a cultural city.. has many nationalities mixed together.. Much more so than when I first arrived in Greece.. There are many groups/organizations here in Thess. I.W.O.G. International Women`s Organization of Greece e-mail: [email protected] They meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month (not in summer) for coffee, networking & social activities.. yearly membership 35 euros or guest fee 5 euros ( this pays for your tea/coffee , cake/snack at the meetings )there is also a raffle & 2nd hand book store, all money raised goes to local charities... T.O.W.E.R. ( Thessaloniki Organization for Women Employment & Resources ) Non for profit organization to help women ... It is not a job agency..! web site: www.tower4women.gr
e-mail: [email protected] During the first week of June, all the country specific clubs get together to raise money for local charities... with the International food festival , with over 30 countries taking part.. this year it will be held on Sunday 6th June at Aretzou plaza Krini , next to the beach..," explained one expat living in Thessaloniki, Greece.

"Expats in Greece often join local clubs and activities such as language classes, sports teams, and cultural events. Expats can also meet people by attending local festivals, visiting museums, or exploring the local markets. Additionally, many expats join online forums and social media groups to connect with other expats living in Greece. Finally, expats can also meet people by attending local meetups, networking events, and social gatherings," said one person in Greece.

"Family is the most important thing to the Greeks which is nice as the family are becoming less important in many countries. Some Greeks work very hard as life here can be tough as the salaries are very low and the change to the euro affected many people in a negative way. However, the Public Sector seems to where to work for an easy life. Socialising is extremely important to people here and the Greeks do not stop talking, which often sounds like they are arguing as conversations are often loud and seemingly aggressive. Coffee, coffee, coffee! The bars are busy from morning to night, mostly with young people drinking the national favorite. It is also nice to go out on a Saturday night and not see drunken louts on the streets, as you do in the UK, Sport is not so important in this country and it's impossible to find Clubs to join. However they are strong football fans (especially after the Euro) and they also like beach volleyball and basketball," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Drama.

"As a general rule, peoples priorities here are work & family... Well family comes first.. But Greeks in general are very sociable, if you make the effort to speak to your neighbors, especially if you have children you'll find them to be friendly.. Okay so some expats object to there neighbors interfering (as they see it ) Greeks will give you their opinion (whether asked for or not ) on everything from whether your child should be wearing a jacket or not, to what food your making that day ... I know nothing about sport, but my son informs me that there are 4 football teams for Thessaloniki.. 1. PAOK 2. ARIS 3. IRAKLIS 4. APPOLON KALAMARIAS Thessaloniki has a great variety of clubs, bars, tavernas & restaurants.. The last 5years or so has seen a change, with Indian, Chinese & Japanese restaurants opening.. We also have Mac Donald's, Pizza Hut and coming soon... Kentuky Fried Chicken...! So you won't get to home sick... Night life generally doesn't get started til after 10pm.. So don't be surprised when your new friends ask you out for a drink at the time you'd usually be thinking of going to bed..," explained one person living in Thessaloniki, Greece.

"One way to find a place to live in Greece is to search online for rental listings. Websites such as Nestpick, Airbnb, and HomeAway offer a variety of rental options in Greece. Additionally, you can search for local real estate agents who specialize in rentals in the area you are interested in. You can also look for classified ads in local newspapers or online forums. Finally, you can ask friends and family who live in Greece for recommendations," remarked one member in Greece.

"Learn Greek before you come! Make sure you bring your sense of humour with you and plenty of patience. Die your hair dark brown and get a good tan so you blend in. But come, it's a cool country and the weather is perfect," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Drama.

"Expats in Greece appreciate the warm hospitality of the locals, the vibrant culture, the stunning landscapes, the delicious food, and the relaxed lifestyle. They also enjoy the rich history and the many archaeological sites, as well as the vibrant nightlife and the beautiful beaches. Additionally, expats appreciate the fact that Greece is a safe and welcoming country with a strong sense of community," explained one person living in Greece.

"Friends and family are not casual relationships here. They will bend over backward to help and support you in whatever way they can. One just has to learn to ask and accept that help," said one expat in Athens.

"Realizing that the sense of humor and level of tolerance for foreign ideas of many of the locals is very different from mine," explained one expat living in Athens, Greece.

"Expats in Greece often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The language barrier can be a challenge, as many locals do not speak English. Additionally, the pace of life in Greece is often slower than what expats are used to, and the bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate. Furthermore, the cultural norms and expectations can be difficult to understand, as they are often quite different from those in other countries," said one person in Greece.

"If you plan to stay in Greece for an extended period of time, you will need to apply for a residence permit. Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to apply for a long-term visa. You will also need to provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay, as well as proof of health insurance. Additionally, you may need to provide a valid passport and other documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate," said one expat who made the move to Greece.

"It is important to be mindful of cultural differences when visiting Greece. It is considered rude to show up late to social gatherings, so it is important to arrive on time. It is also important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. It is also important to be respectful of the local customs and traditions, and to avoid making negative comments about them. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the local laws and regulations, and to avoid engaging in any activities that are illegal in Greece. Finally, it is important to be respectful of the local people and their culture, and to avoid making any offensive or insensitive remarks," said one person in Greece.

"Practically everyday. I "accidentally" offered to help a postal worker with a stapler and nearly had it thrown in my face. I "accidentally" laughed sarcastically when my daughter's teacher said they were going to have a "party" relating to the H1N1 virus," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Athens.

"Greece offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and preventive care. The public healthcare system in Greece is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Greece is generally good, with modern facilities and well-trained staff. Foreign residents in Greece are eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee for certain services. Expats in Greece can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local health center and obtaining a Greek health insurance card. This card allows them to access the public healthcare system and receive the same level of care as Greek citizens," said a member in Greece.

"Either get private health insurance if applicable, or be prepared to pay for private care," explained one person living in Paros, Greece.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the relaxed lifestyle and warm climate of Greece. They also enjoy the country's rich culture, history, and cuisine. Many expats and digital nomads find the cost of living in Greece to be quite affordable, making it a great place to live on a budget. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in living in Greece to be quite challenging. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who don't speak Greek," said one member in Greece.

"I love the area where I live and honestly I wish there was more incentives for homeowners / landlords to rent out their place to locals rather than use them for Airbnb. It is nearly impossible to find a nice modern place for a decent rate in the area. and I understand why they do it because owners pay a much lower tax rate to rent out to tourists vs locals. They should do something about that because it's a big problem," explained one expat in Athens.