Athens, Greece Report of what it's like to live there - 03/10/18
Personal Experiences from Athens, Greece
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
First post with the State Department.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
NC-takes 16+ hours to get back to US. Direct flights seasonally to NY and Philadelphia, but otherwise have to connect through other European hubs.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
State Department.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is good, but we have one of only houses near metro line and school. The commute time around 30 min door to door by car or metro. House is large with a yard.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are pretty cheap in Athens, especially if you shop locally.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Food delivery is super easy through an app called CLICK. Easy pizza, sushi, and of course souvlaki. Food is cheaper than in US.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We have termites in our house, but I haven't heard others complaining the same. Most people are happy with their housing.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
household help is 8-10 euro per hour for nanny, cleaning, etc.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are lots of gyms everywhere and can be really cheap for the year (like 100 euro per year if you catch them with a promotion).
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We use mainly cash for transactions and ATM or cashier at embassy to exchange money.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
We speak little Greek and have gotten along just fine. Greek classes are offered at the embassy, as well on the local economy for people wanting more exposure.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, as the sidewalks are generally a mess and not all buildings have easy access.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, it's affordable. Metro/buses are 1.40 euro per 90 minutes, but you can buy a month pass if using it daily for around 30 euro. Most people use taxi beat app or have embassy security reception call taxi for them if needed. Uber not as popular or common in Greece.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Take a car you are ready to ding up.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes for high speed internet--embassy sets up for you.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
There are lots of pay as you go options where you top up. It's very easy. We have WIND. That and Vodafone are the two more popular options.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes--we don't have pets, but people are happy.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots of volunteering opportunities, and can work with the refugee community in Athens.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
The work dress code is business.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Normal pickpocketing, car break-in issues.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is great and medevacs are very uncommon given quality of local care.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is moderate. Athens sits in a valley so there can be a brown haze in the city if it gets built up. We haven't seen a lot of health issues that are air quality related like asthma exacerbations, etc.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
A lot of people are affected with seasonal allergies in Athens. The local ambulance response times are slow so make sure you have an EpiPen with you for food allergy issues. Be prepared to drive to the hospital.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and dry in summer, cool/cold in winter. It rarely snows and the snow doesn't stick. It rains in winter season.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are multiple international schools in Athens. Our kids attend elementary at ACS, and are very happy there with a lot of emphasis on creativity and play in early years, and more academic focus as they progress into later elementary. There are a lot of great after school recreational activities and sports for the children and organized teams once they hit middle school. We have had an overall positive experience there.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
From what we know, the two main schools make accommodations.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Preschools are affordable from what I know.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, the schools have programs and neighborhoods have a lot as well if you can figure out how to navigate the Greek environment.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The expat community is medium sized. Morale is generally good.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Great family post.
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Traveling, islands, skiing. It's a beautiful country outside of the city. Our kids are very happy at school as well.
