Living in Crete People - Where are you and why?

[Cashey]

Hi everyone

Have just come back from another week in Crete, think I have found paradise, although some may think differently, Georgioupoli was everything I thought it would be, we stayed at the Kalivaki Studios and were mightily impressed with it’s position and virtually everything about it, especially where it was in relation to the village.
My question is, where do you all live, and why did you pick to live in that particular place? We have done a fair amount of traveling around the island and seen the bustling to the desolate, now when we eventually do get over for good we would like somewhere with a bit of life but not too rowdy.
I look forward with great interest to your comments.

Thanks all.

[fuzer]

We live in North East Crete near Sitia. We chose a small village because we wanted to live with Cretan people and learn to speak Greek, which we have.
We socialise in the villages and the local people are exceptionally welcoming.
We have some friends from UK who live nearby, we get on very well as a small group. The Cretan people accept us and I have never known such hospitality, not even during my many years in UK.
We meet up with a larger group of UK people who are very friendly and seem to have moved to Crete for the same reasons we did, this common factor seems to have a good bonding effect, as we interchange with dinner engagements etc and have a great time.
We would not change it all for anything.

[Al]

We have lived in Kalives for 5 years for much the same reasons. The village is busy, has plenty of family businesses, good shops and a very welcoming and hospitable Greek community. We are central to a network of other villagesthat offer excellent tavernas and close to Chania which is beautiful and fun. We love where we live!!! Life is good.

[bobscott]

We moved to Kokkino Horio 14 years ago and have lived in the village all of that time. We chose the area because there were no foreigners (except one English bloke) and were keen to mix with the locals. That has worked well and we have been accepted fully.

As for non-Greek friends, we do have a number of Brits, American and German but we only meet in small groups. We don't belong to any of the larger cliques but that is entirely our own choice. Small is beautiful!

Hope you find somewhere to suit your tastes.

[moved 2 crete]

we moved to the kolimbari area, near the small village of Darmarohori in a small farming area giving us enough land to grow olives, fruit and mixed veg, truely" the good life" in our retirement, the Chania region is known for it`s top quality olive oil and keeps us healthy in the 5 and ahalf years here we have enjoyed the friendship of our Greek neighbours and their excellent wines both white and red brewed at home by them and also the raki good for the digestion, and the many gifts"doro" they give us, a very warm and friendly people, we cannot imagine going back to lancashire were we lived all our lives, here we are and here we stay living a vey happy and fulfilling life.

[Kimsie]

Hi Cashey

We stayed in Georgopolis a few years ago & loved it. We've since bought a property in Panormo which is a lovely little village on the north coast a short bus ride from Rethymno.

In the summer months it has a pleasant low-key holiday atmosphere but doesn't become a complete ghost town off-season. We even spent Christmas there last year & had a great time.

Our plan is to move permanently to Crete & I think it's more than likely we'll stay put in Panormo. Particularly as we've made quite a few friends there - Cretan, English & various others.

Hope this helps.

[Cashey]

Dear All

Thank you very much for your responses, very helpful information indeed. My detective work shall continue for the foreseeable future until I eventually take the plunge and move, mind you (and I shall not start anything political on this) with all the things that keep happening in the UK, I am slowly being pushed towards Dover and onto Greece beyond!

Thanks again everyone.

[bobscott]

Dear All

Thank you very much for your responses, very helpful information indeed. My detective work shall continue for the foreseeable future until I eventually take the plunge and move, mind you (and I shall not start anything political on this) with all the things that keep happening in the UK, I am slowly being pushed towards Dover and onto Greece beyond!

Thanks again everyone.

All I would say to that is wait and see what happens to Greece in the next few days/weeks/months.