Why should I buy a home in Chios? How does it rank compared to other destinations in Greece for me? What are the most popular areas to buy a home in Chios? Throughout the article, you will hear quotes from Wesley (aka @grieksblauw), a Dutch travel blogger who has traveled extensively in Greece.
Who is Wesley?
Wesley calls his travel blog “Grieksblauw.” He started his blog because he noticed that many of his friends had never been to Greece and they associate it with “touristy and tacky”. From that day he considers it as his mission to let everybody see Greece through his eyes: welcoming, adventurous, diverse and endless!
Wesley often gets asked if he has Greek roots. “I have an Indonesian background, but it seems that some ancestors lived in Greece. My grandmother’s grandfather would have been a sponge diver at Leros. There were Greek stories around in the house of my (Indonesian) grandma. This may be why it feels like coming home when I set foot to land in Greece. But most likely it’s the Greek hospitality that make me feel at ease”.
Find Wesley on Instagram @grieksblauw and on his travel blog.
About Chios Greece
The island of Chios is located in the North Aegean Sea, near the coast of Turkey and it is the fifth largest island in Greece. The island is known for its mastic trees, its medieval villages, a UNESCO-recognized monastery and of course its rich history. Chios also has very attractive beaches in every shape and size.
Mastic Villages
Chios island is scattered with so-called “Mastic Villages.” They date back to the Byzantine times, but it wasn’t until the rule of the Venetians in the 14th century that mastic growing was systematized in these locales. The Genoese designated these villages as mastic centers so that the Genoese could create a monopoly on mastic.
Today, 24 villages on Chios island are known as mastic villages. Some of the best-known villages for mastic production are Armols, Kalamoti, Mesta, Patrika, Pyrgi, and Callimasia, among others.
Pyrgi Architecture
Chios, is known for its unique architecture which is on display in the village of Pyrgi and it is known as the ‘painted village’ of Chios because of its typical painted stone houses. They are decorated with beautiful gray and white motifs. The technique of painting is called Xysta. Walking through the town of Pyrgi, you will not want to leave because the whole town is like an art exhibit.
Kampos Architecture
Kampos is another interesting town which has famous mansions from Byzantine times, and the town is now recognized as a historic site by the Ministry of Culture. The famous neoclassical homes have traditional architecture, unique gardens and terraces that show the prosperity which the island enjoyed.
Rating Chios for the Dutch
Ranking Methodology
How did we decide what factors are most important for Dutch home buyers? To solve this challenge, we first asked our sales and legal team, who offer consultation and legal handling to dozens of Dutch clients (both those who do and don’t purchase a property). We then combined this data with a small survey of Dutch clients who ultimately purchased a home to find out their highest priorities.
Sea View
Chios is famous for its Mediterranean views. The island has 215 kilometers of coastline. Some popular areas to get a sea view on Chios are Pyrgi, Mesta, Anavatos, Volissos, Avgonyma, Agia Ermioni, and Vrondados.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Direct Flights
From the Netherlands, you cannot fly directly to Chios, because the island doesn’t have an international airport. The flight from Amsterdam to Athens is 3.5 hours long. From Athens, several flights depart daily to Chios. In 50 minutes you will arrive in Chios, and the price of a ticket is about €60. There is also a ferry from Athens to Chios, but it takes 9 hours.
Chios Greece also has a connection with Lesbos and Samos by ferry, which are two islands in Greece with direct flights from the Netherlands. Find more routes on Rome2Rio or on Wesley’s Chios page.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Property Prices
Prices in Chios are higher than the national average in Greece, and lower than the most popular islands in Greece, like Paros and Santorini. According to national averages from Spitogatos, prices in the Cyclades are 3500 Euros/sqm.
Because Spitogatos doesn’t list average prices for Chios alone, we did the math ourselves, filtering with the location “Chios” and finding an estimate based on 250 homes for sale. Prices in Chios are on average 1500 Euros/sqm, which is a lot lower than other islands in the Aegean like Santorini or Mykonos.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Internet Speed
Internet Speeds are available in the Cyclades via Speedtest by Ookla. You can expect a speed of 45 MBPS. Compared to other areas of Greece, this is slightly above average.
Rating: 9 out of 10
English Speakers and Expatriate Community
If you choose one of Chios’s most popular towns, like Karfas or Chios Town, you will surely find English speakers. In the winter, when the tourists leave and only local Greeks remain, you will likely see fewer English speakers.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Chios Overall Rating for the Dutch: 9.3/10
