What's the best way to get around Greece?

Getting around Greece is relatively easy, with many places within walking distance or a short bus ride away. You can also use taxis or rent a car if needed.

How do I apply for a residence permit in Greece?

To apply for a residence permit in Greece, you'll need to submit an application to the local police station, along with the required documents and payment. It's a bit of a process, but the Greek government has a helpful website with all the details.

What's the best time to visit Greece?

The best time to visit Greece is during the spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. Summer can be hot and busy, while winter can be chilly and quiet.

What are the top things to do in Greece?

Greece has a wealth of things to see and do, from visiting ancient ruins to enjoying the beautiful beaches and scenic landscapes. Some top recommendations include exploring the Acropolis in Athens, visiting the ancient city of Delphi, and taking a boat tour of the islands.

How do I stay safe in Greece?

Greece is generally a safe country, but as with any place, it's always a good idea to take some basic precautions. Be mindful of pickpocketing in crowded areas, and avoid walking alone at night in dimly lit areas.

What's the best way to learn Greek?

Learning Greek can be a challenge, but there are many resources available to help. You can take language classes, use online resources, or even practice with a language exchange partner.

What's the best way to get a job in Greece?

Getting a job in Greece can be competitive, but there are many resources available to help. You can search for job openings online, network with locals, or even consider freelancing or starting your own business.

What's the best way to navigate the Greek bureaucracy?

Navigating the Greek bureaucracy can be a challenge, but there are many resources available to help. You can use online resources, visit the local government offices, or even hire a lawyer to help with the process.

What's the best way to deal with the trash situation in Greece?

Unfortunately, the trash situation in some areas of Greece is a bit of a problem. However, there are many initiatives underway to address the issue, and you can also do your part by recycling and properly disposing of waste.

Greece Travel Guide: Tips, Tricks, and Advice

I'm still in awe after six months in Greece - it's like a dream come true. The warm climate and stunning scenery still take some getting used to, but the locals have been super friendly to us, making the transition a breeze.

When we first arrived, we had to apply for a residence permit, or Volo, as the Greeks call it. We got a 30-day visa, which was a bit of a challenge, but we managed to get everything sorted out just in time. To make things easier, we had a special permit called 'veveosi' that let us stay in the country while we waited for our documents to be processed.

Before long, I got a call to come in for fingerprinting, and I had to bring the paid receipts for the fingerprinting service. A few weeks later, the police came to our home to verify our documents and check that we were living at the address we'd given them. After that, I had to go in for an interview at the police station, where they asked me a bunch of questions. They also sent me a request for additional documents, including health insurance for me and a birth certificate for my kid.

It took around two months, but we finally got a notification that our documents were ready. The residence permit is initially issued for five years, with the option to renew. I talked to a local lawyer and found out that we can apply for citizenship after five years, but we'll see about that...

We live in a small town about 35 kilometers from the border with North Macedonia. The locals often head there to shop and fill up their gas tanks, since it's cheaper on the other side.

Taxes.

I have to admit, the tax system here is a bit confusing. Every resident has to pay taxes, and the payment month is calculated based on the first letter of the taxpayer's surname. For example, if your surname starts with 'a' or 'b', you pay in January, and so on. This way, the tax authorities avoid a year-end crunch.

Filling out your own tax return is a nightmare, so everyone goes to an accountant. There are plenty of them in our city, one in every neighborhood. I even have a friend who's an accountant, and his services cost 35 euros.

Housing.

Finding a place to live isn't a problem, prices start at 200 euros plus utilities. Utilities are expensive, though - our water bill was 21 euros last month, and our electricity bill was 128 euros. We don't have gas, so we have to cook on a gas stove with a gas cylinder. One cylinder lasts a month and costs 24 euros. We don't have central heating either. At the start of the heating season, Greeks fill up special tanks with fuel, which are usually located in the basement, along with the boilers. One of these tanks holds 500 liters of diesel, which costs around 1000 euros.

Hot water is a concern for homeowners, not the utility company like in Russia. Each house has a solar panel on the roof and a large water tank that gets heated there too. But on cloudy days, we have to use an electric water heater, which is an expensive luxury.

Internet and telecoms.

To get Wi-Fi, you have to wait two months after submitting your application. We use Cosmote and pay 39 euros a month. Our local SIM card is also from this operator, and it costs 13 euros. This includes 200 minutes of calls, 5 GB of internet, and 500 texts. I'm good with that, since I only use my home internet. I don't send texts to anyone.

Public Transportation.

I don't use public transportation because everything is within walking distance, it's easier for me to just put the kid in the stroller and take a walk. But overall, throughout Greece, there's an international company called KTEL that runs the buses. We took their bus when we first arrived in the country, and it was super comfy and convenient. There was an English-speaking instructor on board who explained the stops. A ticket from Athens to Thessaloniki cost 40 euros, and there's no discount for kids, so the kid had to pay full price.

The city buses run from 6 am to midnight, and even longer during the season. There are also taxis in the city, but I haven't used them, so I don't know about the prices.

Medicine and Insurance.

We had to visit the doctor once when the kid's temperature shot up and he started acting weird. We had to wait a while to see the doctor, but they did a check-up and took some tests, just like it's supposed to be. At that time, we didn't have health insurance or a residence permit.

Private health insurance costs 70 euros per person. I bought it for both of us, which not only allows us to get free medical care but also gives us a discount on many medications.

You can't call a doctor to come to your home like in Russia. The ambulance only comes if someone's in danger, whether it's a heart attack or an accident.

The universal medicine for all illnesses in Greece is 'Depon', which they use to treat everything. It's like a Paracetamol. Antibiotics are only prescribed when Depon doesn't work. You can only buy them with a doctor's prescription.

Food and Prices.

Greek cuisine is super simple and healthy. The main ingredients they use here are meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, cheese, and olive oil.

I've discovered that every city has its own specialty farmers' markets, and in our town, it's on Thursdays. You can get affordable produce, fruits, fish, and many other things there.

Here's a breakdown of prices for basic products in our town:

Bread - 1.98 euros,

Milk - 1.24 euros,

Chicken - 2.99 euros per kilogram.

Pork - 7 euros,

Beef - 12-13 euros,

Eggs - 2-3 euros per dozen. That's why everyone heads to Skopje (North Macedonia) on weekends, where prices are lower and you can fill up on gas, plus grab some groceries.

Greece has a well-developed fast-food scene, with gyros shops on every corner, especially in the city center.

During siesta time, many shops close from 2 pm to 6 pm, and everyone takes a break.

Weather.

We visited in May, and it was a bit chilly, but a week later, the sun came out, and it got scorching hot. In June and July, it would reach up to +44 degrees Celsius. Now in December, the weather isn't always sunny, and it's been dipping down to -2 degrees Celsius at night, with a constant breeze. According to locals, snow is a rare occurrence, and when it does happen, it melts quickly.

Locals.

Greeks are super friendly and love to chat about everything from the weather to their work. Women enjoy talking about cooking, while men discuss politics.

One thing that's true is that Greeks never rush anywhere.

Young mothers, in particular, seem to be lacking. I often take my kid to the playground or stroll around town. I've witnessed some disturbing scenes: three young mothers sitting on the playground, sipping beer, while one of their kids is crying in a puddle and crawling around in it - they just sat there, oblivious to the child's distress.

I've learned to take my coffee to go and enjoy the city while strolling with my stroller. It's not always easy to find a spot to sit and relax in the center of town, especially in the evenings when all the tables are taken.

And that's a wrap.

Living in Greece is a world of difference from living in Russia - even in a smaller city like St. Petersburg. But I've adapted pretty easily, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.

I know this review is a bit lengthy, but I wanted to share my thoughts and give a glimpse into what life is like here in Greece.