Buying a Home in Greece: City or Countryside?

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Disadvantages of the City

• For families and pets, you might not have enough space. In the countryside, you’ll have more room for activities. 

• Less privacy and more noise. In Greece, we call this “fasaria.” As a city dweller, you are bound to hear your neighbor’s music on Friday nights, or the noise of traffic on the streets below.

• Investment success is not guaranteed. Based on economic factors, the rental price of properties in the city can change, and tenants may change more frequently. 

• Space is limited. If you choose to invest in a city property and then your family grows, you may need to ultimately move apartments.

Advantages of the Countryside

Buying a house in the countryside gives you access to more a localized, traditional side of Greece. These are just a few of the advantages:

• It’s not as polluted: You won’t find as many cars, so the sounds of car engines, horns, and air pollution will be limited. You also have the opportunity to avoid the heavy industry and manufacturing that can be found in larger cities like Athens.

• Community Orientation: In the countryside, neighbors and community members generally look out for one another. You are likely to develop close bonds with your local baker, banker, pharmacist, or restaurant-owner. 

• Natural surroundings: Perhaps most noticeably, a countryside house in Greece gets you closer to the outdoors. Greece’s islands and villages often feature stunning landscapes and nature activities, like biking or hiking. They are there to be enjoyed! 

• Better privacy: Living in Greece’s countryside means you won’t have neighbors living above or below you. This is a big advantage if you want peace and quiet, or just want to sit in your yard without thinking about who might see you there.

Disadvantages of the Countryside

• Relatively farther from services: If you live in the Greek countryside, you will likely have fewer options of schools, restaurants, and basic services like banks or pharmacies. Your basic needs, of course, will be covered. But you will need to take into account the distances of your home to these services and whether or not you will need a car. 

• Limited access to entertainment and higher education. While these 2 services are not basic essentials for survival, they are often important in family life. If you plan to bring your family with you to your new home, keep in mind that schooling opportunities are more sparse than in Greece’s larger cities. 

Popular Cities in Greece For Foreigners

Heraklion, Crete

Heraklion is one of the most popular regions of Crete among foreigners and it is found on the eastern side of the island, between the towns of Rethymno and Lassithi.

In the area around Heraklion are two of the most famous sites on the island: Knossos Palace and Phaistos Palace. The most popular sights in the main Heraklion town are the Koules fortress, the Venetian port, Turkish and Venetian fountains, Venetian buildings, the Venetian Loggia and also the Archaeological Museum and Historical Museum.

Rethymno, Crete

Rethymno is a town which can be explored entirely on foot, and wherever you look you can find places and things to admire. There is endless beauty hidden in the narrow alleys of the Old Town, with its historic buildings, picturesque windows and door frames, colourful pots of flowers, wandering cats lazying around on window sills.

Another must-see is the town’s Old Venetian harbour, with its monumental lighthouse, a trademark of Rethymno. You can climb the steps to the highest point and yet again enjoy a different, spectacular view of the town.

Chania, Crete

Chania is Crete’s second largest city and has always been one of the most popular destinations in Greece. Chania is a city where different civilizations have flourished throughout the centuries, offering a plethora of things to do next to some of Greece’s most spectacular beaches.

In the heart of Chania, the Old Town’s maze-like alleys and Venetian mansions offer a medieval setting. Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans all came through the city and settled on the island at one time or another, creating a multicultural society that is evident today.

Much of the old town district of Chania was developed around its harbour, which was built by the Venetians during the 14th century and is considered to be one of the most significant historical landmarks in Crete.

Athens

Greece's largest city is also a popular destination for foreigners, standing out for its historical significance. Every traveller knows about Athens’s famous archaeological sights, ancient ruins, and world-class museums. The historic city is also full, however, of hidden gems that you might walk straight past if you didn’t know about them.

No mention of Athens would be complete without mentioning the Acropolis. Standing out in the city center both visually and architecturally, the Acropolis is perhaps the most vivid reminder of the heritage and culture which make Greece so special.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second biggest city in Greece, located in the north of the country, in the region of Central Macedonia. At times, Thessaloniki natives referred to the city as the “co-capital”, not to propagate the popular cultural rivalry with Athens but rather to highlight the historical importance of the city which was considered the co-capital of the Byzantine Empire because of the strategic positioning the port of Thessaloniki enjoyed.

As you are strolling by Aristotle’s square, the ideal meeting point in Thessaloniki, don’t forget to come by the Elxis office, which is located on the seafront boulevard at Nikis 3, with a prime view of Thermaikos Gulf and Mt. Olympos!

Building Regulations in Greece: City vs. Countryside

Building in a Town or Village 

For building land that is situated within the plan of a town or village there are typical restrictions about the permittable surface, height, volume and siting on the plot. The owner must obtain information from an architect / civil engineer about what may and may not be built.

When building within a town or village, the building has to be positioned either on the border of the plot (in which case no windows are allowed) or at least 2.5 meters from the border of the plot.

Building Outside of a Town or Village 

For building land that is located outside the city plan there are fairly strict restrictions. With a few exceptions it is only allowed to build on lots outside the city plan if they have a surface area of at least 4,000 sqm and the lot should border on a public road.The general conditions for building outside the city plans or outside the boundaries of the settlements are the following:

1. Minimum plot area four thousand (4,000) m2.
2. Plot bordering on a recognized public road for at least 25 meters or at least 45 meters when bordering on a National, Provincial or Municipal road.
3. The height limit is 4.00 meters for single-story buildings and 7.5 meters for two-story buildings.
4. Construction must start at least 15 meters from the borders of the plot.

Examples:
A plot area of 4,000 sqm means a maximum of 186 sqm may then be built on such a lot for residential use (excluding open air storerooms and garage, terraces and swimming pool).

A plot area of 8,000 sqm provides construction of 258 sqm residential building (excluding open air storerooms and garage, terraces and swimming pool).

Making The Decision

The decision of what type of home to invest in is ultimately yours, depending on your marital status, family size, and plans for the future. We hope this equipped you with a few tools to make the decision easier! For a list of the most popular islands for foreigners investing in Greek real estate, continue reading here.

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