Is Greece really the pits for expats

Does Greece really deserve its recent bad press as an expat destination?

In a recent survey, Greece was rated as the worst place in the world for expat living for the fourth year in a row, with finance and family life the least acceptable to any right-minded expatriate tempted to give it a go. The survey is considered by many expats to be reputable, but Greece’s position at the bottom of the majority of its sectors gives pause for thought, especially by those who’re living their personal dream in the ancient land.

Briefly, complaints by respondents to almost every aspect of Greek life included too little salary to even get by, total condemnation of its political instability as being worse than Turkey’s and the Ukraine’s and family well-being impossible to obtain. Expat residents in Greece might well be forgiven for muttering comments about fake news or wondering about Russian influence in the poll! Just because the Greek crisis brought on by the 2008 financial meltdown has admittedly taken the shine off the country’s economy, it doesn’t mean expats haven’t chosen the country and are happy in their new home.

One Australian couple arrived in Greece to live the southern Mediterranean lifestyle to the full, and are still doing just that. Lisa Spykers admits she's having trouble getting a good job as a teacher, but her partner works online and they’re getting by. Briton Daniel Gillen hated the English weather and had always been fascinated with the thought of living in Greece. Arriving in Athens just over a year ago, he’s started a business and is now considering a move to a coastal town. Daniel believes life in Greece is pretty good for retired expats who’ve no need to work, for those starting new businesses and for those with accumulated savings, but admits it may be difficult for those without adequate means.

When asked whether Greece was the world’s worst for expats, Lisa’s reply was a definite ‘No’. She’d lived in five countries before settling on Athens as her home, but agrees that finding work is tricky unless you’re a digital nomad, adding the plus points more than make up for any difficulties. Estonian Kristel Pent’s home for five years is in Athens, and feels the survey’s report was too generalised and was possibly just clickbait. Having formerly lived in Denmark, she loves the openness of the Greek people and the way they merge work and life. She chose Athens for its warm weather and worked for a while, but stayed in the country after she quit her job.

American Rebecca Meyer came to Greece last August, having never left her homeland before. She’s a middle school principal who’s immersed herself in Greek culture and loves almost everything about her new home. Regarding the survey, it seems expats working for Greek companies aren’t too happy with their choice, but it has to be understood that very, very few foreigners come to Greece to work in Greek firms and even fewer take jobs in local enterprises after they arrive. Surveys have their uses, especially for professional expats who jump from contract to contract rather than expat professionals who arrive overseas for many different reasons. They make interesting reading for those contemplating leaving the home country, but should be taken with a pinch of salt as well as a degree of further online research.