This week, we sat down with Athina and Vincent, makers of The Karpathos Guide, the most comprehensive guide out there for travelers to the island of Karpathos. This Dutch couple bought a holiday home in Karpathos in 2017, and in 2021, during their first long-term stay on the island (8 months, to be exact), they decided to move permanently. Athina and Vincent got married on the island in 2022. We recently caught up with them during a short vacation back to the Netherlands, and asked them about the biggest cultural differences between Greece and the Netherlands.
What Made you Think about Relocating to Greece?
“We started seriously thinking about moving to Greece when COVID came. We had already bought a house in the Netherlands, but thought about making a change because of the new work from home culture. In theory, we know we could work from anywhere.” An opportunity came up to buy a home at a great price in Karpathos, and Vincent and Athina acted quickly. It took them only 2 months staying in Karpathos to know it was the home for them. They returned briefly to the Netherlands to sell what they had there.
Why Karpathos?
Athina recalls “Karpathos was the only place we considered. It was easy because my parents already had a holiday house here, where I came every year while growing up. If it were not for my parents, I would not have moved to Karpathos. We didn’t even look at other islands.” When the time came, it was too good of a deal to pass on.
What was the Biggest Cultural Change?
“The family dynamics are different than in the Netherlands. Family is everything in Greece. For example, if the mother says something, you usually just do it.” In Greece, when you get married, the assumption of friends and family is that you will have kids right away. “This was a change from the Netherlands, and we were surprised when people came up to our parents saying ‘it’s so wonderful you will become grandparents.’ This is part of the Greek culture as well – the grandparents helping to raise the kids.” Athina and Vincent got married in Karpathos and tell more about how they planned a wedding in Greece here.
What Other Customs are Different in Greece?
Athina notes, “The Greeks usually take a nap during a day, and then eat very late. I am used to eating very early, at around 5 pm, and then going to sleep at 9 in the evening. We adjusted by meeting with friends for lunch instead of dinner, or organizing morning coffees.” Athina and Vincent also started drinking freddo (iced) espresso, which was a change from coffee in the Netherlands, which is always hot. Athina adds, “Now we love to drink cold coffees in Karpathos.”
What is Better – Dutch or Greek Food?
“If it’s for a proper meal, Greek food wins. If it’s for snacks and cookies, the Netherlands wins. Greek desserts can be very sweet, so I prefer the Dutch desserts. In fact, when we visit the Netherlands, we bring back packages of oliebollen for New Years, or appelflappen.”
Do you Need to Speak Greek?
Athina shares that “It’s not absolutely necessary to learn Greek when you live in Greece. Everyone generally speaks good English. However, we have a goal to start learning this winter.” The couple joked about the irony, since in the Netherlands, people often complain about newcomers not speaking Dutch, even after living there for many years.
Did you Feel Welcomed by the Locals?
“The Greeks on Karpathos were very welcoming because they saw me grow up here. Unlike in the Netherlands, people often ask their neighbors for help with things. When renovating, we had a problem setting up internet at our home, because it required service providers to come from another island. Because we didn’t speak Greek, our friends were more than willing to call for us to set up an appointment.
What Surprises you When you Visit The Netherlands?
“Things feel so busy back in the Netherlands. In Greece, things slow down. Also, the price of my favorite yogurt, the Total brand, is much cheaper.” Athina commented that in general, Dutch groceries are a lot cheaper than in Greece.
What was the Best Part about Buying a Home in Greece?
“The best part about buying in Greece was that with Elxis, we didn’t need a translator. All communication was in Dutch, which made things easy.”
What was the Hardest Part?
“There is a lot of paperwork in Greece, and a lot of it is not digital. In Greece, you need to work with an accountant and a lawyer, which is not necessary in the Netherlands. You need to have a good contact in Greece, like what we had with Elxis.”
The couple shares more insights about Dutch citizens buying or renting out a property in Greece here.
Closing our conversation, Athina remarked “We can’t wait to get back to our home in Greece.”
