What is your name?carol
What is your current age or age range?
30's
What country are you native to?
scotland
What area of Greece do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
kardamena, kos
How long have you lived in Greece?
15 years
When you moved to Greece, did you bring your family? What do they think?
no, my mother and father loved the place,but sadly they both passed away(too young,too soon)
Did you leave your family behind? How do you handle the separation?
its hard living away from home and all your loved ones.. When things happen and you're not there,its awful..My mother died suddenly after 12 days of me visiting her..Thats when you start to regret all times you've missed being away from home.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
I was young,and thought the experience would do me good.I also fell in love..
Why did you choose Greece, or what factors helped you to decide to choose Greece?
it was my 1st holiday abroad and without my parents..It just looked beautiful.
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
I was too young then to even consider another country..But if you were to ask me now,i'd say somewhere like Spain or America..
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
At the time i went over we needed blood tests,x-rays and a workers books..It was hard as i didnt speak greek,and the greeks are so laid back.Everything is "tomorrow"
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
Everything.. (as above) Its best if you know a greek who can speak english and get the ball rolling.
What was the biggest mistake you made in the transition to living in Greece?
there isn't any.. But its hard leaving friends and family behind.
What was the easiest part of making the transition?
its just a plane journey away,so you dont ned to panic.But you have to work to survive(7 days a week)So its not always sun,sea +sand..
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
Ive returned just now as my parents died and we had to sell the house etc..I've put my 6 year old daughter into school here at the mo,but will be returning shortly.. Schooling is a BIG issue,its best to be taught in Britain..
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
All of the above...
What do you miss the most about your home country?
Shopping.. Im on an island, and everything is so expensive..
Are there the same recreational activities in Greece?
NO.. they still live in the 60's...
How easy has it been to make new friends in Greece?
when you're a worker,we all tend to stick together..The greeks tho are a different ketle of fish..Greek women dont drink or go out,they stay indoors and clean,clean clean+cook,cook,cook..
Do you have many friends from your home country in Greece?
Most of my friends are from England.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
Drinking.. There aint much else..
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
Shopping,tv,water on tap,bath,cheap newspapers+magazines, supermarkets,clothes,wall to wall carpets+friends+family..
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
Junkies,hoodies,graffiti,rain,drugs,gangs,council tax etc..
Do you speak the language of Greece?
yes
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Greece, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
its crucial...definetly...
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
no..
How do you earn your living in Greece?
my husband is a greek fisherman..
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
no, i sell boat trips+excursions.
How did you go about finding a job in Greece? Was it easy or hard to locate work and get a job?
its easy.. you can get a job anywhere..
What types of sources did you use to find a job there? (agency, newspaper, website?)
approached the owner and asked..
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
they need visas + other papers..
What are the top ten things you like about Greece?
sun,sea,sand,its safe to walk the streets,no junkies,no hoodies,its laid back+safe for kids.
What are the top ten things you DON'T like or find strange about Greece?
schools,woman dont go out with their husbands they stay indoors, greek men love prostitutes,theres no social security
Do you have plans to move again or travel in the future or what are your future business plans?
no.
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
it belongs to my husband,it was left to him by his parents.
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
rent is usually about £250-£280 a month.
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
at first no,there are lots of studios and rooms to rent,its easy to find something.
Is the cost of living comparable to what you experienced before? Explain the difference.
its well expensive over there..
List some things that are more expensive in Greece
ALL toiletries,clothes,food,doctors,dentists etc,electricity, building materials,furniture.. its never ending..
List some things that are less expensive in Greece
cigarettes and alcohol
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
friendly,but they love their gossip and they hate English lager louts, they think we're all the same.
What is the best thing about people in Greece?
They are so laid back..And they're friendly..
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to Greece?
yes..Always work for someone else and take your money..NEVER run your own business..Work for some one else and check out the situation and theen decide if its worth it..
What are the good or bad things about living in Greece?
good things are: weather,its safe for both adults and kids to walk the streets,its a nice life if you can get used to living without all your mod cons and decent tv.. Bad things are:you got to work hard to survive,noisy tourists and everything is very expensive..
Do you think you will stay in Greece, or it is not suitable for the long run?
yes.
If you are living there for the short term, what other countries are you considering?
full term.
Do you have any blogs or websites that you find enjoyable about Greece for people living there?
yes..View Kardamena. or www.kos.me.uk
What else would you like to say?
life is what you make it..Its always hard at first to fit in and live somewhere else,but you wont know until you've tried..
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