Crete, Greece

Crete is a Greek island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest among Greece’s nearly 6,000 islands, at 161 miles long by 37 miles wide.

Crete is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful locations in Greece, if not the entire world. The island offers a lot for both tourists and residents, including sunny, sandy beaches, and hospitable people.

Most all of the tourist areas and cities in Crete will have an abundance of shop owners who understand and speak English.

Even the lesser traveled areas on the island will have English speakers scattered around and if not, the locals are easy to work with and can help you with whatever you need.

Chania, a city on the island’s northwest coast, is a microcosm of that history. Its Old Town boasts evidence of every culture and conquest—Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, and Egyptian—that influenced Crete’s history.

Expat Community In Crete, Greece

Crete’s expat community is big and active. There’s a big British population, as well as expats from across Europe and beyond.

Because of the U.S. naval base in Souda Bay, made up of 350 commissioned and enlisted personnel, there’s also a big community of American expats here.

It’s easy to set up a social life here, and both locals and expats are friendly and active.

Cost of Living In Crete

Internet is fairly reliable and fast in Crete, at 50 Mbps download speeds in Chania.

Real Estate In Greece

In Greece, standard restrictions on the purchase of real estate are in place. For example, there’s more regulation involved if you’re buying property near military sites or in national parks.

Here is the monthly budget for a retired couple living in Chania, Crete, Greece:

Monthly Budget For A Couple Living In Chania, Crete, Greece

Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.

Things To Do In Crete

Crete is ideal for lovers of outdoor recreation, with a variety of landscapes available and plenty of space to practice your sport.

The obvious attraction is the Mediterranean Sea, and the beaches that surround Crete are outstanding. There are rugged outcrops, completely unspoiled beaches, sandy beaches, pebble beaches… there are even pink beaches on Crete.

On land, Crete’s sprawling and mountainous landscape provides more opportunities to get active than your average Greek island. You can cycle, hike, mountaineer, or go horseback riding or paragliding.

Health Care In Crete, Greece

Greece’s health care system is a combination of the National Healthcare Service, compulsory social insurance, and a voluntary private health care system.

With a residence permit, you’d get access to public health care. Greece has the highest number of physicians relative to population size in the EU.

For instance, many Greece expats prefer to maintain international private insurance to ensure access to care and shorter wait times for procedures.

In Crete, there is a School of Medicine with its own hospital, as well as seven public hospitals, seven private clinics, and dozens of health care and diagnosis centers.

Weather In Crete

Crete has the highest number of sunshine hours per year in all of Greece.

This big island has diverse landscapes and that is reflected in its climate.

The weather in Crete varies between the north and south, coastal and inland, mountainous and lowland regions.

• Average humidity is 55%
• Average high: 72°F (22°C)
• Average low: 58°F (14°C)