Where in greece?

[The Grocer]

Originally Posted by mrsDayLewis

It would actually be quite helpful if new members could put their age-range (sensitive huh?) along with their questions about coming to live here - coz depending on that will help us to think of the best places for you - ie if you are senior or not happy about hills, mountains etc its best to not be near certain places because there are very few facilities for disabled or people who are not blessed with the agility of a mountain goat! If you have kids or want night life, colleges or beaches - it helps to know.
This also helps us to know a little of what you might find or expect from a community. There are many nice quiet 'retirement' villages etc, but they have very few social activities (aside from the platia for everyones evening stroll and gossip!)
BUT, the 'relaxing holiday' you may have had here one summer, will be a different reality when you are stuck there all thru the winter! Last year I spent about 6 weeks with the family I worked for, on Crete. Idyllic location, but lot of the time I was bored to tears - I didnt have any thing to do - and the cost of everything there is about 60% more than on the mainland.
We need to know - you want to work, have a garden, run a b&b, write a book, swim, etc - whats your priorities for this new life?
I cant imagine anyone wanting to be here and NOT want some contact with expats... I was blessed with friends who translated, guided me thru medical stuff, showed me how to use transport and services, and invited me to spend holidays... and continue to give me books, clothes, furniture, advice, jam etc etc... but I guess everyone is entitled to be a hermit if they really want it!

VERY WELL put................

[Chrisles]

Originally Posted by mrsDayLewis

It would actually be quite helpful if new members could put their age-range (sensitive huh?) along with their questions about coming to live here - coz depending on that will help us to think of the best places for you - ie if you are senior or not happy about hills, mountains etc its best to not be near certain places because there are very few facilities for disabled or people who are not blessed with the agility of a mountain goat! If you have kids or want night life, colleges or beaches - it helps to know.
This also helps us to know a little of what you might find or expect from a community. There are many nice quiet 'retirement' villages etc, but they have very few social activities (aside from the platia for everyones evening stroll and gossip!)
BUT, the 'relaxing holiday' you may have had here one summer, will be a different reality when you are stuck there all thru the winter! Last year I spent about 6 weeks with the family I worked for, on Crete. Idyllic location, but lot of the time I was bored to tears - I didnt have any thing to do - and the cost of everything there is about 60% more than on the mainland.
We need to know - you want to work, have a garden, run a b&b, write a book, swim, etc - whats your priorities for this new life?
I cant imagine anyone wanting to be here and NOT want some contact with expats... I was blessed with friends who translated, guided me thru medical stuff, showed me how to use transport and services, and invited me to spend holidays... and continue to give me books, clothes, furniture, advice, jam etc etc... but I guess everyone is entitled to be a hermit if they really want it!

That's really helpful advice- I think it's also useful to know where you're coming from- myself it's 35 years in West London- 3hrs commuting,no time for friends across the road cos we're so busy and flats at over £1000 a month!
I myself don't want to be near too many expats mainly because i want to practice speaking Greek. I visited friends who've been living in southern Spain for 4 years and still don't have any Spanish friends or speak the language,they live in a little expat bubble which i find disturbing. On the other hand I've found this site really helpful and from other threads most people want and recognise the need to speak the language and I will need help.
I'm not sure what would be right for me- so i've taken the plunge and rented a place for 3 months from March while I find out-but I'm taking the laptop and a full kindle as well as the hiking boots and cozzie.
I

[mrsDayLewis]

..friends who've been living in southern Spain for 4 years and still don't have any Spanish friends or speak the language,they live in a little expat bubble...

Yep, Ive seen what you talk of - on those BBC programs about Brits who take up a 'new life' in Spain/Malta/Portugal, but Ive not yet seen or heard of anything like that in Greece. I think, those people are not real 'expats', they are just part of a British commune - all buying their Mr kipling cakes and PG tips at the local supermarket!
Greece is very different in that respect, as expats here seem to be made of stronger stuff! A couple of friends who have been here for 15 years+ say that when they first came here it was still quite 'primitive' - not influenced culturally too much by western Europe, and even today thats fairly true.
In other words, you will not be seeing 'we serve fish and chips with mushy peas' anywhere here!

[qwertyalex]

Originally Posted by amywa

Hi
My boyfriend and I were thinking about moving perhaps to Greece, but to where??
We would love to be on the coast, in an area with not too many Expats, so we can immerse in the culture and learn the language.
Somewhere thats not too expensive would be great too.
Anyone have any ideas as to where we could start??
Thanks

I recommend Nea Makri / Marathon area. Not too many expats, and everthing including the sea, airport and athens are all close. If your thinking of an island, Evia is nice and only a 40minute ferry to Rafina, and then your close to athens.

[priggipisa]

Originally Posted by LGK616

You will want to be near some expats - trust me!

I have been in Thessaloniki 8 years now but there's no future here for our daughter so we are discussing moving back to Canada.

I'm Greek-American, moved to Thessaloniki 10 years ago. I was 45 when I came to Greece, I moved here because I had recently married so it wasn't for work, but it was disappointing to see the age discrimination.. with so many ads stating that they're looking for employees up to age 30 or 35. Even jobs for telemarketing on phone, they're still looking for women under 30!

Financially we were ok without me working, but with the economy the way is, it's affected my husband's job and got me thinking of looking for work or moving back to the US since it'd be easier for me to find a job there in my field. I totally understand your thoughts of moving for your daughter. I find it sad that many of the youth of Greece are thinking about moving or already have, though I totally understand it-it's just sad to see them put in this situation, not much of a choice.

I also recommend being around other expats, otherwise you really feel kind of out there, and I'm Greek!

[LGK616]

We did move back to Canada 6 months ago and while I have had plenty of interviews, I haven't had the job offer yet. My daughter has integrated great - she is in preschool two times a week and loves it. BUT, we have both been sick since arrival in December 2011 with one thing after another. It's been very tiring for me as my husband is still in Greece.

However, we are leaving Canada. Again. We are returning to Greece at the end of May and staying through June. Then moving on to Ireland in July for a job offer that I have accepted there. Good thing my daughter is young (3 1/2 years old) and very adaptable to change!

Ideally, I would love this job to be in Greece - but one day, we will return there to live! After we've retired as I too am flabbergasted at the job ads with age discrimination. I have so much international experience as well as experience working in Greece, I speak Greek, but I'm too old apparently.

Wish you all the best!

[priggipisa]

Originally Posted by LGK616

We did move back to Canada 6 months ago and while I have had plenty of interviews, I haven't had the job offer yet. My daughter has integrated great - she is in preschool two times a week and loves it. BUT, we have both been sick since arrival in December 2011 with one thing after another. It's been very tiring for me as my husband is still in Greece.

However, we are leaving Canada. Again. We are returning to Greece at the end of May and staying through June. Then moving on to Ireland in July for a job offer that I have accepted there. Good thing my daughter is young (3 1/2 years old) and very adaptable to change!

Ideally, I would love this job to be in Greece - but one day, we will return there to live! After we've retired as I too am flabbergasted at the job ads with age discrimination. I have so much international experience as well as experience working in Greece, I speak Greek, but I'm too old apparently.

Wish you all the best!

This is a great age for your daughter, for you to move around, since she hasn't even started grade school. I assume because you mentioned you were offered a job in Ireland, assume then finding a job for your husband isn't an issue.

It's frustrating here that I feel I have 20 years of experience to offer, but they'd rather have a 20 year old who is clueless. I tell people all the time, putting unemployment issue aside, that people much older than I can get a job in the US.
Frustrating because not only for financial reason, but I really do want to work.

By the way, have you ever joined TOWER or IWOG? TOWER in particular is about Women and employment, with suggestions for jobs, etc. Though I missed it, the most recent meeting was about opportunities during this crisis.

I have thought of getting brave enough to answer ads that say to 35, and put them on the spot. However, with the crisis, they have more reason to want young adults-they're less expensive than hiring an adult with 20years experience.

I wish you much luck in Ireland. Truly hope it works out for you. What type of work were you looking for? what employment sites have you checked out? I recently came across "Branch Out" (found it through Facebook), but also has job postings from Greece, which was a nice surprise though age of course still an issue.

[LGK616]

Originally Posted by priggipisa

This is a great age for your daughter, for you to move around, since she hasn't even started grade school. I assume because you mentioned you were offered a job in Ireland, assume then finding a job for your husband isn't an issue.

It's frustrating here that I feel I have 20 years of experience to offer, but they'd rather have a 20 year old who is clueless. I tell people all the time, putting unemployment issue aside, that people much older than I can get a job in the US.
Frustrating because not only for financial reason, but I really do want to work.

By the way, have you ever joined TOWER or IWOG? TOWER in particular is about Women and employment, with suggestions for jobs, etc. Though I missed it, the most recent meeting was about opportunities during this crisis.

I have thought of getting brave enough to answer ads that say to 35, and put them on the spot. However, with the crisis, they have more reason to want young adults-they're less expensive than hiring an adult with 20years experience.

I wish you much luck in Ireland. Truly hope it works out for you. What type of work were you looking for? what employment sites have you checked out? I recently came across "Branch Out" (found it through Facebook), but also has job postings from Greece, which was a nice surprise though age of course still an issue.

I am very familiar with both TOWER and IWOG! I am a member of both and I am the website administrator for TOWER.

My husband being Greek (EU status) and is fluent in English, will hopefully not have a problem finding a job. Although the unemployment rate is quite high in Ireland at the moment too. But he will hopefully find something.

I haven't heard of Branch Out - I'll check it out!

I was working in Thessaloniki for the European Commission but our Agency closed down. Then I had my daughter and couldn't find another job in the secretarial field. I also have 20+ years experience so it was pretty frustrating. And I wasn't looking for big bucks, just enough to pay the rent and keep us in Greece! They need more part time hours there.

[priggipisa]

Originally Posted by LGK616

I am very familiar with both TOWER and IWOG! I am a member of both and I am the website administrator for TOWER.

My husband being Greek (EU status) and is fluent in English, will hopefully not have a problem finding a job. Although the unemployment rate is quite high in Ireland at the moment too. But he will hopefully find something.

I haven't heard of Branch Out - I'll check it out!

I was working in Thessaloniki for the European Commission but our Agency closed down. Then I had my daughter and couldn't find another job in the secretarial field. I also have 20+ years experience so it was pretty frustrating. And I wasn't looking for big bucks, just enough to pay the rent and keep us in Greece! They need more part time hours there.

Forgive me if I may sound like I'm stating the obvious, did you check out the embassy or consulate office (if there is one in Thessaloniki?) I know there is a US Consulate office here, assume as the 2nd largest city, Canada may have an office here too.

I worked as a Secretary or Admin Asst in the US, however, though I speak Greek, my Greek grammar isn't that great for the same type of job, but I feel the same way-I'm open to different things, not looking for the big bucks, just to supplement my husband's income since there has been a drop in the past year. If things don't change soon, I either seeing us moving to a village-grow our own food, or back to the US.