What’s it like to move to and live in Crete?
Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. But what is life in Crete like?
In this interview, Gabi shares her experiences and practical tips for anyone who is moving to Crete or is simply interested in knowing more about life in Crete.
This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home, and information about what to see and do here.
Life in Crete, Greece
Name: Gabi Ancarola
Age: 48
Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Her Story:
”I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator.
After years of teaching both English and Italian at the University of Buenos Aires, I traveled to Italy for a scholarship. I ended up living in Milan for 22 years and enjoyed how easy it was to travel around the world from Europe.”
Why Did You Move to Crete?
”After years of putting up with Milan’s rainy winters, I moved to Crete, Greece with my two kids where I write about the island for different media.
The main reason behind moving to Crete was that Greece has always been my dream place to live, and after visiting the island summer after summer, I couldn’t resist… I had to stay.”
What Do You Like About Living in Crete?
”I love the pace of life, the simple details that make every day different.
I adore living steps from the sea, waking up every morning to the skyline of one of the prettiest cities in the country, Chania.
Among the things I enjoy the most about life in Crete is the healthy and tasty Cretan diet. Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products.
Another thing that I’ve discovered I enjoy is the mountains. Not everybody knows that Crete has a mountainous landscape made of high peaks (that even get snow in the winter!) and impressive gorges. I enjoy hiking and taking photos of the incredibly diverse landscapes of Crete.
Finally, I also like having tourists join my gastronomic tours of the city every summer, I have fun showing them the alleys of our charming old town and taking them on a savory journey among the staple dishes of our cuisine.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Crete?
”There’s not much that I dislike about the island.
A common cliché could be saying that I don’t really enjoy the way locals drive. But, other than that, there’s not a lot to dislike about life in Chania, or Crete in general.
I honestly believe that I’m truly blessed for living here, and I’m thankful for it every single day of my life.”
Is Crete Safe as a Place to Live?
”Yes, the island is very safe all year round.
Of course, when the tourist season comes, I always suggest people pay close attention to their surroundings, especially in very crowded areas.
But all in all, I can say I feel really safe living in Crete.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Crete?
”Even if this might sound contradictory, I enjoy driving in Crete.
I know that locals aren’t always the best drivers in the world, however, the impressive beauty of the mountain and sea landscapes around Crete really makes up for that.
And, with such a big island, there are many unexplored roads to discover. Not everyone knows how big Crete is. You’d need about 5 hours to drive from one tip of the island to the other and still have plenty to see and do.”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Crete?
When it comes to my city, Chania, nothing beats the vibe of the old town. Our historic center is really charming, with romantic cobblestone alleys, a magical Venetian harbor, and dozens of little bars and taverns serving fantastic local wines and tasty Greek food.
Choosing just one favorite place to hang out in Chania’s Old Town is difficult because there are tons of fantastic restaurants in Chania. But, one of my absolute favorites is The Well of The Turk, in the heart of the Turkish district of the Old Town. Both the food and the vibe here are amazing.
When it comes to pubs and drinks, I would have to say that Sinagogi Open Air Bar, in the old Jewish quarter is just the best place with the best music and delicious drinks.
I also enjoy visiting the most popular beaches on the island, but off-season. Even if the weather is not the best to swim in winter, there’s something magical about visiting the pink sand beach of Elafonisi without the crowds, enjoying the uniqueness of the southern coast of Crete all alone.”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Crete?
”Especially in Chania, the expat community is huge, and very active.
There is a big US community thanks to the US military base in the Port of Souda, which is the biggest natural port in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Chania in recent years has become kind of a hotspot for expats and digital nomads, which makes the atmosphere of the town feel alive and vibrant all year round.”
Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Crete?
”Be patient and try to understand that the island sometimes works on what seems to be a different time schedule.
Life on an island tends to be calm and more relaxed than on the mainland. Everything goes on according to the Greek philosophy of “siga siga” which could be roughly translated as “slow down”.
This might not be easy to understand if you’re coming from a bigger city, but trust me, you do learn to enjoy it.”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Crete?
”To be honest, I did not use any resources. I just booked a trip and upon arrival talked to locals to find a place to live.
Everything then fell into place little by little, with time.
I’d suggest, however, to read as much as you can about living in Crete before making any decision.
There is a Facebook group called ‘I want to live in Crete’. You can join that to ask any questions you may have about life here including finding housing, getting a visa, etc.”
Also Read: A Moving Abroad Checklist: Things to Do Before You Move Abroad
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Crete?
”Yes, there are three things that every visitor to Crete should do:
1. Visit at Least One Archaeological Site
Crete is known as the cradle of Western civilization and has tons of impressive ruins and sites dating from the Bronze age, when the Minoan civilization thrived on the island.
2. Venture off the Beaten Track
Although there are some beaches, gorges, and cities that everyone wants to visit, it is always a good idea to explore places that most tourists do not visit. This is the best way to get in touch with the locals, learn about their lives on the island, and discover incredible places that not everyone knows about.
3. Try Our Local Food
Crete has an amazing gastronomic tradition, so much so that there are people coming back to Crete year after year just for the sake of a small tavern, or even a certain dish.”
Also Read: Hidden Gems in Greece You Should Visit and Things to Know if You Want to Go Sailing in Greece
About Gabi
Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs.
She’s written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle.
About Crete, Greece
Crete is the largest and most populous island in Greece.
And although Crete is known for its beaches and seaside towns, there is much more to this island.
The landscape ranges from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to quiet hillside villages.
Humans have inhabited Crete since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. From 2700 to 1420BC the island was the center of Europe’s first advanced civilization, the Minoans. Later Crete was ruled by Rome, then by the Byzantine Empire, the Andalusian Arabs, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire.
This gives Crete its rich history and traveling around the island you’ll see remnants of many of these periods.
The climate here is primarily Mediterranean, meaning mild winters and warm summers. Around coastal areas it can get quite humid at times, and snowfall is common in the mountains between November and May, but rare in the low-lying areas. It rains very little in Crete.
Agriculture is the most important industry on the island, with tourism being a close second.
It’s the tourism industry that attracts many expats to move to Crete, either for the summer season or for an indefinite period.
And Crete is also a popular retirement destination, attracting many nationalities.
Also Read:
- Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
- Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
- How to Retire Early and Move Abroad
- Athens in 3 Days – A Detailed Itinerary
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Your story and information is interesting to me. I visited Crete for the 3rd time in early April, having been previously in 1985 and 1991. Whilst it hadn’t warmed up really, I still loved driving about and enjoying the views. As a passionate bird watcher, even skimming the surface I found plenty to enjoy and it started a fire inside me to consider investing in a winter home there. I am seriously thinking I may leave my home country, the UK, entirely in the not too distant future.
I know I need more information and this should be based on further visits to Crete.
My aim is to focus on the West end of Crete, Chania round to the SW, where I am seeing plots of land from between £30k to £70K, of up to 8 acres, which I’d like to build a property, have a small pool and grow my own vegetables and establish a garden full of water features to attract endless numbers of birds to come to drink and wash.
Thank you for your informative article on living in Crete as a retiree. I am a single pensioner from Switzerland and am considering relocating to this beautiful island. I am particularly interested in finding a place where I can easily connect with others who share my interests and passions.
I have been narrowing down my choices to Chania and Heraklion and would appreciate your insights on which city might be a better fit for me. I am particularly interested in finding a place with a vibrant social scene and opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals. Happy to meet German-speaking expats, but of course also with other expats. I also speak French.
I understand that Chania is generally more expensive than Heraklion, and I am willing to adjust my budget accordingly. I am also open to living a bit further from the city center.
Your insights would be invaluable in helping me make an informed decision. Thank you.
Hi John, both Chania and Heraklion are good options for living all year round. I personally live in Chania and prefer it because it has a quieter vibe and plenty of opportunities for activities in nature all year round. Although it can be a bit more expensive than Heraklion, Crete remains on the low-budget side for foreigners. I live around 10 km from the city center, in a small village with all the amenities you would need (although a car is always necessary in Crete), and I would not change this for any other place on earth.
I do like Heraklion, and I think it can be a good option too, considering it is the fourth biggest city in the country, but Chania is a bit quieter (in that sense) and probably one of the prettiest cities in Greece. I would suggest booking a ticket off-season and visiting both towns in November; then you could decide. Feel free to contact me (this article has a link to my Crete blog; over there, you can find my email address) to discuss further. I’d be happy to help! Good luck!!
Thanks Gabi. great info. I’ve lived around the world, and am considering (semi)retiring (52yo) in Greece. Either in Crete or around Athens by the coast. Any advice on the 2 options? I am a fit single guy, hoping to teach yoga and eat very healthy food (fish, veggies, greens, fruit).
Thanks,
Doron
Hi Doron,
A lot depends on what lifestyle you prefer. Both Crete and Athens can be good places to live a healthy, fit lifestyle. Both are easy places to meet other expats as well. But what do you prefer: easy access to a capital city and everything mainland Greece has to offer or do you prefer the more laid-back island lifestyle?
Ideally I’d recommend planning an extended stay in both to see what feels best for you as a place to live.
Great thanks!! I hope to make it over this summer to spend some time around Greece. My gut feeling is Crete!
I’m 48 and my 2 children are 10 and 17.. Are there plenty of families of the same age? What schools are available for my 10 year old?
Hi Colette,
Yes, there are plenty of families with kids of different ages living in Crete.
As for schools, I’d recommend asking that question in the Facebook group ‘I want to live in Crete’. It’s a very active and helpful group and I’m sure you’ll find parents with children of a similar age who can give you recommendations.
Thanks Gabi for the informative review, four days to go before reaching Crete for the first time with the family…. and who knows possibly moving permanently in few years time. Will visit the places you highlighted.
I encourage you to do it! Lots of people retire in Crete and have an amazing time and life on the island!
Great informative story/interview. This is one of the Greek islands that I am considering for my retirement.