If someone had told me a few years ago that I would be writing an article about how I designed my life to live part-time in Greece, I wouldn’t have believed them. But, when you set your intentions and live them fully, anything is within your reach—even your wildest dreams.
So, if you have your sights set on living and investing in glorious Greece, know that it’s possible.
Nafplio is for people who love the sun and like to be on the water. It’s also for lovers of art, like myself. It’s an attractive place to think about investing in, relocating to, or even just for a vacation because it has the best of Greece all in one place.
If you ask locals what’s their favorite place in their own country, Nafplio is usually the answer.
The climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers when temperatures range from 77°F (25°C) to 95°F (35°C) and mild, wet winters when temperatures typically range from 46°F (8°C) to 59°F (15°C).
The cost of living here averages between $1,000 and $2,000 a month depending on your spending habits, and the quality of life is superb. Nafplio is an artistic society, so there is a vast range of entertaining activities (and so many of them are free), as well as outdoor activities.
It’s refreshing to be able to do the things I enjoy most at a reasonable expense, unlike living in Toronto, where I was barely able to afford to go out to dinner once a week.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the farmers’ market lines the street from old downtown into new downtown. This is where I go for all my fresh produce (a weeks’ worth can be had for €10 to €15), wines (ranging from €3 and €6 a liter), dried goods and grains, honey and jams, and local seafood (price depending on kilos and type).
If you don’t feel like cooking, you can choose from pretty much every kind of cuisine but as the Mediterranean food is so good, I usually opt for local tavernas, which are everywhere and you really cannot go wrong with whichever one you sit at.
Nafplio and this region are known for its gyros, handmade pasta, and lamb—I cannot express enough how delicious the lamb is—and the seafood too, of course.
A typical meal out ranges between €15 to €20 per person, including drinks.
You can find basic rentals here from as little as €500 a month. I pay €1,000 a month for a fully-furnished rental within walking distance to everything.
Internet here runs between €15 to €25 a month, water is about €10 to €15 per month, and electricity can range between €40 to €150 per month depending on how often you run the air conditioning.
I have all of my bills set up through my Canadian and American bank accounts and pay online, with a credit card. It’s also easy to go in person down the street to pay internet and water bills, should you choose.
Getting a phone or sim card that allows you a local number is easy. This can range from €10 to €20 a month for unlimited use. Providers offer ‘‘pay as you go’’ plans, which I love because they often have promotions where you can pay one month and get another month free of charge.
If you don’t want to clean your own house or do your own laundry, expect to pay €7 an hour.
It’s inexpensive to get around Nafplio. Transportation ranges from €1.50 to €3.50 for local trips and €10 return to tourist attractions like the ancient theater of Epidavros. Getting to Athens is €24 return.
Taking a taxi from the bus station to pretty much anywhere in the downtown area is €5. A taxi to Tolo beach and Argos, which are both about 15 to 20 minutes away, is around €20.
All in all, it’s extremely affordable to have an abundant life here where all your needs are met, and then more to spare for little luxuries.
While Greek isn’t an easy language to learn it’s not impossible but most locals do speak English well too. The expat community here is growing. I’ve met for drinks and lunch with different groups of expats, and see them all at restaurants and bars, walking around town, at the local market, festivals, and community events, though most of my friends here are locals.
If you’re looking for stunning nature and a walkable seaside town filled with art and history, warm sunshine, and affordable living then you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at Nafplio.
Sincerely,
Jacelyn Holmes
Contributor, Overseas Living Letter
