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+31 (0)6-83773220
+30 6977175045
Are you considering buying a house in Greece? A Dutch couple shares their experiences and answers all your questions. For Jan Verhoeven, the decision to move to Greece was an easy one. His wife, Mara, was born in Athens. The couple already owned a small house near the beach on the beautiful island of Rhodes. The location is ideal; they can walk along the sea every day and fully enjoy the island.
“The colours of the Aegean Sea, with all the different shades of blue and green, I never get tired of it,” says Jan, a retired math teacher.
“The cost of living is relatively low here,” says Jan. You can save a lot on internet and telephone subscriptions. Clothing can also be found for next to nothing. There are many beautiful houses for sale and for rent at attractive prices. Your monthly costs are therefore considerably lower than in the Netherlands. Look here for houses that are available in Greece.
“We came here for a simple and beautiful life,” Jan adds. “In Amsterdam we paid 12,000 euros a year for our apartment. Here in Greece we have discovered that you can live very comfortably with a pension of around 20,000 euros a year. We don’t deny ourselves anything. We eat out about twice a week and enjoy the fresh local produce. The Greeks really know how to prepare a good meal.”
Where do you do your shopping? The prices of groceries are about the same as in the Netherlands. Imported products are more expensive, but vegetables and fruit are much cheaper and, above all, much fresher. Meat costs about the same, but fish is considerably cheaper. The shops do not have the endless aisle full of different chips or soft drinks, but you can still find them. The things I really like, like cheese, are available here in all sorts of varieties. And the quality is often much better. The only thing I miss is smoked sausage; you just can’t find that here.
“In the beginning we were very worried about the healthcare,” says Jan. “The country has a bad reputation in this area. But there is a way around that. You can get private insurance and avoid the government system. Then the healthcare is great. Two years ago Jan had a heart attack and went to see a cardiologist in Rhodes. The first consultation lasted an hour and included an ECG and ultrasound, and cost around 50 euros. Shortly afterwards Mara had to see a dermatologist; three visits to remove a lump also cost 50 euros. Jan adds: “In the Netherlands they often try to delay you before you can see a specialist in the hospital, here you can see the best doctors the same day.” Greek doctors are known worldwide for their expertise. So with a house in Greece you don’t have to worry about healthcare.
More and more people are choosing to shop online and the selection is getting better and better. Buying furniture, clothing or audio equipment online can save you a lot of money. You can pay by credit card and sometimes even cash on delivery. You will receive your purchases within a few days.
How do you move your belongings when buying a house in Greece? After the purchase, you can contact a Dutch moving company or a transport company. Moving furniture can be expensive, so you may want to consider buying new furniture in Greece. Sending boxes is very affordable via a Dutch transport company.