So you’ve decided to make Greece your new home. Great choice! However, allow me to give you a piece of advice; DO NOT, under any circumstances start comparing your home country to your new one. Nothing, and I mean nothing compares to life in Greece. I learnt this the hard way when I moved here from South Africa. The day I stopped comparing, that’s when I started fitting in and enjoying it.
Greeks are a species of their own. You smile at them, they think you’re crazy. You don’t … they think you’re rude. Well, it is a lot better now and people are more open-minded – thank goodness for that!
Your first job is to find a suitable place to stay. You can either rent or buy. Contact a Real Estate company like Remax and allow them to help you find lodgings. I recommend something close to a metro station or even a bus stop so that you can get around easier without spending an arm and a leg going to and from work every day.
You might consider buying or leasing a car once you’ve become more acquainted with the roads and Greek drivers – they can be quite reckless at times! If leasing is what you settle for, a very reliable company is Avis – I’ve been using it for years and highly recommend it.
Once you’ve moved into your house, you’ll definitely need a few things like a bed, sofa, electrical appliances etc. Your best bet would be IKEA – a great variety of everything a house needs at reasonable prices. Another would be Diafano – nice modern pieces you’ll fall in love with.
Since you’ve now settled in, you need to see to an electricity and phone company – the choice is yours. You can get different quotes from the many private telecommunications companies – see which package best suits your needs. It’s usually worthwhile getting a mobile and landline package with internet. Companies like: Vodaphone, Cosmote and Wind are the most popular. As far as electricity is concerned, the national provider DEY is quite costly. I strongly recommend a private company like Allazorevma – for a quarter of the price.
Finally, a good idea is to make sure you meet your neighbors – a good neighbor is very important. They can be a great asset; help you get to know the neighborhood and also keep an eye on your apartment when you’re away.
If you intend to get a pet, make sure that the apartment block’s regulations allow for one. There are so many animal shelters which you can visit to find a pet and offer it a home. A visit to a major pet shop like Pet City is then necessary for all your new companion will need. Jumbo is also a great place to visit for accessories for your new pet. Mind you, at Jumbo you can find many items necessary for your new lodgings and at a very reasonable price too.