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Unsolicited opinion warning! Apologies in advance.

We are keeping away from the islands because we are thinking about long-term support. From talking to Greeks who are from the islands, they have warned us about medical access and even food in the shops. Depending on the island, you may be extremely limited to what medical services you may have access to, even more so in the off season. If you have any preexisting conditions or expect your needs to be more demanding down the line, this may be worth a long look at. Likewise, bad weather, or strikes, protests, etc. might mean you have no fresh food in the stores as the ferries/boats carrying goods do not run. I would not be so worried on the larger islands (e.g. Crete). But something to factor into your search.

That said, if your budget planning stretches to access to a private helicopter, disregard the above!

@speakerchalets98

Thanks for your answer, since I have progressed in my search I was indeed beginning to look at Crete as a viable solution (there is an apartment for rent at Sitia for Euros 500/month, advertised on this forum), but I dowloaded the app Spitogatos on my Android mobile phone and found some apartments and even houses for rent at between Euros 350 to 700 per month at Argos or Messini, so on the mainland.

Anyway we still have to go to Greece (probably in 2027) and visit a few places before we do decide to stay long term (or not) and where to stay.

Yeah, we have relied on that app too for our search, a brilliant resource. Crete you should find everything you need. If nothing else, Spitogatos leads you to the local estate agent websites, which have more again on their sites. That said, I am not 100% who populates the information on Spitogatos. In several properties, we inquired about, the information was just plain wrong, from the pricing to features at the properties. Nothing beats being on the ground, meeting the agents, and seeing what your money actually gets you.

@rogergarinmichaud

Good evening

You are from which nationality? I am french but I have the chance to speak English because, here, nobody speak french!

I just arrive here(LAGONISI south of ATHENES)  to  seetle here to stay for many years but you must know that it is very very difficult to organize our life because the greeks does not speak english every where and I feel that they dont like the foreigners.......

Everything is written in greek and the people don't make any effort for us!

For example, the opening hours of the shops are written in greek and most of the time ,schedules change every day.That is complicated......

I did not think it was so difficult  to settle in Greece

If you dont speak greek ,you need someone to help you. Everything is very very slow

I will try to adapt but I am not sure I will succeed.

We can continue to contact each other privately

Best regards

matoureveur

@matoureveur

While travelling I have found the Google Translate app to be brilliant. I was at a ceremony in Loutraki today and using the conversation feature in the app it was live transcribing what the speakers were saying. It has a camera function that lets you translate pictures of signs or menus to your preferred language too. I would highly recommend that app.

Going to take me years to be anywhere comfortable with speaking (never mind reading Greek) but will get there!

Many thanks for your reply

where can I get the "google translate app"?

That is very interesting

matoureveur

Which type of phone do you use?

The website is here:

If you go to the App Store for your type of smartphone, and just look up Google Translate, then you should find the app free to download and use.