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| Climate |
The Peloponnese has mild wet winters
and hot dry summers. Maximum temperatures hover around 30°C (87°F)
in the summer, but the heat is often tempered by the northerly wind known as
the meltemi. Winter begins in mid-December and lasts to mid-February,
when the maximum temperatures range from 14°C (53°F) to 21°C
(67°F). The climate is not humid. |
| Cost of Living |
The cost of living is a fraction of
that in the US or northern Europe. The basic monthly expense
budget for two people maintaining a house is about 900 euros in the
southern peloponnese. The exceptions is luxury goods such as high-end
automobiles and designer clothes. |
| Property Taxes |
There are no annual taxes to pay if
the total value of your property in Greece does not exceed 200.000 Euros
(US$190,000). Valuations for every type of
property are published by the government. These are usually below the
actual property value. For properties valued over 200.000
Euros (US$190,000), the property tax is is still very low at 0.25% of
the assessed value. |
| Government |
The concept of democracy
was conceived and nurtured in ancient Greece. Today Greece is a thriving
democratic state with a modern economy, and is a member of both NATO and
the European Economic Community (EEU). As in the U.S. and Europe, Greek
law is based on codified Roman law. |
| Economy |
Greece is a member of the
European Economic Community (EEU). Outside of the cities, the economy is
both agriculture-based and merchant-based, driven by many small
family-owned businesses. Local products such as cured olives, olive oil,
wine, honey and figs are exported worldwide—just as in ancient times
the same products were exported to Asia Minor, the Middle East, to
coastal Mediterranean areas and then later to the entire Roman empire. |
| The People |
The people of the
Peloponnese are very friendly, very social and very family-oriented.
Cafes are ubiquitous and filled with groups of friends and family
enjoying refreshment and animated conversation. Almost all Greeks speak
some English, hospitality workers speak it fairly well, and educated
Greeks speak it fluently. English is now the second language of choice
in Greece. The country's literacy rate is 98%. |
| The Environment |
What little heavy industry
Greece has resides in the north. From an ecological perspective the
Peloponnese is pristine. The local hillsides are covered with olive
trees. The water of the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas is clean
and transparent, and these seas were chosen as one of the best in the
European Continent, by the European Union. Children play and adults swim
in the ocean, leaving behind the stresses of life. |
| Crime |
Greece has historically
enjoyed a low crime rate. Violent crime is almost non-existent, even in
a large city like Athens. Armed robbery is unheard of. |
| Nightlife |
Seaside cafes, bars,
tavernas and restaurants abound. In the summer, locals swarm to the
beachfronts to stroll on the boardwalks, mingle with friends at a
seaside cafe, or to take a dip in the warm ocean waters of the sea.
Local tavernas and cafes are dispersed through even small villages,
where some of the best authentic Greek dining can be found. |
| Travel |
Traveling throughout Greece
by automobile, airplane, bus, train and sea-ferry is very easy, as is travel to other parts
of Europe. Locally, fast ferry service is available to Italy, Crete and
other locations in the Aegean Sea. |
| Food Markets |
The foods of Greece reflect its
land, people, and cultural history. Textures of the foods reflect the
landscape, the earth, the sea, and the sky. The vibrant colors of
flowers, tomatoes, fruits, and herbs blend with the white feta, bread
and yogurt as paints on a canvas. Vivid sunlight infuses the lemons,
olive oil, grapes, tomatoes and vegetables with intense flavor. Almost
all fresh fruits and vegetables are locally grown. And the flavors
awaken the senses - salty, sweet, sour, bitter. From garlicky skordalia,
to cinnamon-spiced kapama, to tasty vegetable dishes and the many
varieties of baklava-like desserts. |
| Recreation |
Fishing, boating,
snorkeling, tennis, swimming, walking, hiking, gardening, exploring the
many historical sites and visiting country villages are just a
few of the activities one can enjoy in the Peloponnese. Cultural events
such as theater, cinema, dance performances, and concerts are common weekly
offerings in Kalamata. |
| Living in Greece |
Could not be more delightful! The
people are very friendly and it is relatively easy to be accepted into
your local community. Language is not an issue as most Greeks speak some
English and many are quite fluent in English and German. Of course it
helps to speak some Greek and one cannot help but pickup commonly used
words and phrases. |
