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Greece: The reality of living in Greece today - Mike Saunders, Snobby Homes

The reality of living in Greece today

If you’re to believe the UK media, I’m living in a country where its people have risen up in arms against the draconian economic measures thrust upon them and taken to the streets in protest to do battle with the authorities. Probably everything you hear about Greece has been written by journalists sat behind comfortable desks in London, inflating grains of truth into hard copy and disaster-grabbing headlines. The same thing happens in Greece. You wouldn’t believe all the unrest we hear that’s happening in the UK because the country is so badly in debt - a protestor killed by a policeman, union strikes, the collapse of the banking system, it’s not safe to walk out alone at night and the country is being overrun by immigrants.

Having seen what appears to be happening in Greece, people from the UK are apparently very frightened - but why?

Are we likely to be caught up in street battles?
Emphatically no! There are occasional protest marches, but these only take place in central Athens near the Greek parliament. In all other areas, and the islands, the only signs of unrest you see are in kafenions where locals chew the cud over what the government should or should not be doing. It’s the same the whole world over. Anything bad is great, providing it only affects someone else!

However, there is an agreed consensus in Greece that something has to be done to bring down the national deficit, and it is understood this can only be achieved with a lot of social pain. There is also agreement that the fault of all these troubles lie with politicians and the rich! Bit like the UK then?

Is our money safe in Greece?
Emphatically yes! Greek banks did not follow the UK banks laissez faire attitude along the yellow brick road to ruin - nor did they have to be bailed out by tax payers’ money either. In fact Greek banks were one of the first in the EU to protect savers should a bank default against their obligations.

The bankruptcy headlines were brought about because the money markets smelt profit and began to levy inflated interest charges, making it impossible for Greece to repay its loans. With the pan-EU financial package now installed this threat by the money markets against countries such as Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal now affords protection and with it consolidation of the euro.

Is Greece a dangerous place to live?
Emphatically no! If you’re living in Newcastle and see on TV a demonstration happening in London, do you suppose the whole country is up in arms? Of course you don’t. Greece and its islands are just as safe as they ever were. Culturally Greeks are brought up to honour guests and there is a genuine friendliness extended towards UK holidaymakers and those who live in the country permanently.

So what's all the fuss about?
The Greek government has announced severe austerity measures to dramatically reduce its deficit over GDP. The UK government has to do the same and the British public will have to swallow the same bitter pill. However, average Greek wages are only 800€ - 1,300€ per month, which is not even half the average UK salary. And out of that, typically, employees have to pay around 250€ a month towards the equivalent of the Greek NHI. The majority of employment - just as in the UK - is in the public sector which is taking the brunt of cut backs. Wages are being cut by up to 20%. How would you react if your earnings were being cut by a fifth?

That apart, there have been occasional protest marches - but only in Athens - where matters have occasionally got out of hand, just as they do in London. Various job sectors have also been holding one day strikes - lawyers, banks, doctors, taxi drivers, and teachers. These are well publicized and in typical laid back style, locals put up with losing a particular service as it’s only for one day.

VAT went up and is going up again to 23% from July 1st. Duty on petrol, tobacco and alcohol has also been increased. However, the cost of living is still way below that of the UK. You can still live in Crete comfortably on an income of 1,000€ per month - and enjoy eating out each week without having to watch the pennies.

So what is it really like to live in Greece?
Crete, where I live, accounts for 85% of the overseas property market in Greece and is where most Brits opt for as the place to buy a home. Apart from 320 days of sunshine a year, winters without any frost or ice, little crime and a good healthcare system, the quality of life is unbeatable - it’s almost the same as living in the UK forty years ago, when life was slower, there wasn’t an immigration problem, children showed more respect, there wasn’t the fear of walking the streets at night and none of this political correctness or litigation mentality. If these values are your values, if a land of sunshine is your ideal, if an affordable lifestyle is what you would love to enjoy, then come on over. You won’t regret it.

Mike Saunders

Mike is Marketing director of Snobby Homes, www.snobbyhomes.co.uk

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