12 Best Places to Live or Retire in Greece Comfortably

A exquisite European country with a large number of islands spanning the length of the Aegean and the Ionian Sea, Greece is one of the most appealing to live or retire in terms of overall cost of living natural beauty and landscapes, but there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. The country features an excellent, friendly local population that is welcoming to retirees and ex-pats alike, treating them with the Greek hospitality and one of the healthiest diet in the world. Aside from this, it can be very affordable to buy property as long as one choses the right spot. Of course, budget oriented people need to steer clear of its pricy tourist destinations. When it comes to visa policies the country offers several types of resident permits for financially independent individuals and a dedicated golden visa for retirees.
So here are 12 best places to live or retire Comfortably in Greece.

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[VictoriaJ]

I moved from the US to Crete (Chania) a few years ago. I was born here, but lived in the US my whole life. Love the US, but Crete is truly a piece of heaven. Many come and decide to make this home. Rent is the most expensive around 400-800 euros is the average for a nice place, but if you have intentions on staying, there are great opportunities to build on a nice piece of plot land. Food runs around 50 euros for dinner for 2 with wine. or about 8euros a person for delivery. Happy exploring :)

[lefterismagkoutas]

I'm from Crete and I just knew that my home would be number one. I love it and I truly wouldn't change it for the world. Greetings from Rethymno!

[PaleBlueDott]

No matter where you choose to live in Greece, you will always be in close proximity to both mountains and sea, to tasty food and friendly people, to historical sites and rich culture. Greece is one of a kind. You could live your entire life here and not regret it.

[ronniewatts]

Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and very affortable place to live and retire

[kousoulosN]

omg greece is so beautiful.i cant get enough from this country.everything is perfect there.i love the land, sea, sky, weather, food, culture, people, night life.
maybe greece is at economic peek for many years but the quality of life is way better there than many other north european countries.trust me i am north european and my best times at my life are the 40 days of my vacations to this magical country with the best people by far.
greeks will never let you down and you always feel safe with them.never met people like them at my entire life and i been at 24 countries so far.
my best experience at greece was at peloponese.stuning place

[mercedescarli]

So happy to see that the beautiful island of Lesvos made the list. Unlike many other islands, because there is a university, the island has a pulse throughout the winter. If you are looking for authentic Greece, fabulous food, affordable restaurants, history, nature, adventure....Lesvos has it all!

[Hannahbenowitz]

THIS is the summary of the rent vs buy decision I’ve been trying to figure out for years. The rental income vs mortgage payment calculation never made sense to me. But this is much more logical and makes far more sense. Thank you for simplifying this!

[proitosn.t.]

Nafplio in Pelopponese is also a great choice for living, the first capital of Greece with a lot of wonderfull places to look at

[stevelamprou]

Kavala is an awesome place to retire. One of the most beautiful cities in Greece, stunning beaches and excellent local seafood, the perfect town size (not too large, neither too small), good local health & services for seniors, all at affordable cost. Thassos is an amazing destination for short trips if you live there (can even be done on a rented sailboat). Great winter resorts in northern Greece or southern Bulgaria are also in close proximity. Most of it's younger residents speak english, some speak german or french. Great access on motorways and a few international flights from it's local airport too (but mostly during the touristy months atm). I believe it's not attracting larger crowds because not many people are aware of it.

[Durnyful]

Agios Nikolaos in Crete & that area is a v nice. Long summers... as long as you don't mind the summer winds (at least they are cooling). Beautiful mountains beside the deep blue med 👍
I've sailed the islands for the last 5 years, still favour Crete for living.

[babisz]

I'm from Thessaloniki and I would recommend my city as its close to Chalkidiki peninsula (combines mount scenery and forests along with emerald waters at affordable prices, especially at the middle "foot" as the 1st "foot" isnt quiet at all) plus its rly close to Mt Athos, a globally unique religious experience but only for male visitors, and within close proximity to other Balkan countries for easy and CHEAP weekend trips) Ithaca (quiet with amazing scenery, you may lose yourself by the beauty of this place) Crete (have it all, big and small, ancient, traditional or modem, you name it) Thasos and Lefkada (excellent connection to mainland with low prices esp for Thasos) Ikaria (unique in every way possible + world champion of long life) with minimum touristic industry. For those looking something away from the crowds at the shores Epirus and Central Greece holds some gorgeous mountains, rivers so clean that you can drink their waters without any concerns with iconic stone build villages and bridges that would blow your mind if you re an nature lover. Ioannina with its lake island and Parga as main places to check with close 3rd and 4th places Litochoro (Mt Olympus small town) and Karpenisi with its mountains and a unique "πανταβρεχει" ie foreverrains small iconic waterfall to discover by hike through a small gorge

[pvlu]

Kastoria is also a wonderful place to retire! Kastoria has a big community of Greek Americans, direct contact with nature and is walkable (when it is not freezing during the winter). The only downside for someone who wants to retire there is that its hospital is not exactly what you are looking for.

[ПавелЛ-тю]

If you are over 65 and plan to retire in Greece you need to consider the distance to big airport to let your children easier visit you, distance to large private clinic / hospital to help health issues recovery, easy access to your house without million ladders and steep slopes, not to be close to forest due to fire risk. May be focus your search on north to avoid killing heat in summer. And be ready to spend 5-9 months to buy a house due to bureaucracy as we did. And be ready to very low quality of houses.

[marianthifragou]

Volos is also an amazing greek city with countless beaches both in Pagasitikos bay and Agean sea. It also has an international airport and a big port with ferries to Skiathos, Skopelos and Allonisos islands. And is under the shadow of Pelion the mountain of Centaurus. The food here is amazing and many Europeans have properties in the many picturesque villages of Pelion!!

[Mr_GMS]

It's HELLAS... Know it and honour it !

[bartvankampen]

I always loved Greece and I would like to retire in Greece but for many Greeks life is tough. I would like to integrate and contribute something to the local community, a simple life, not just for my own convenience.

[agathakourtesis]

Στην Κέρκυρα εινε ωρεα να μενης..πανεμορφο νησί..

[ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣΒΟΥΛΓΑΡΑΚΗΣ-κμ]

For Green hearts sake !
Kavala is where i live i am so happy that there is a list that has my city.

[sokorsognarf]

Weird reference to the 'gloomy suburbs' of Athens. Gloom is not exactly an attribute that Mediterranean cities are renowned for. And suburbs such as Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Psyhiko, Filothei, Halandri, Maroussi and Kifissia have been appealing to expats and retirees for decades (although don't expect property bargains).

[petek]

Nea Proponditha is the bomb. That's were I'll be spending my retirement, May through September. Chicago for a month or two, then Thessaloniki. I've already set myself up with properties, my next move once I'm there full time, which should be in a couple of years is to get a boat. The Chalkidiki area is awesome for that.