Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
Six to eight months each year, you’ll find Jacelyn Holmes at home in Nafplio, a seaside town in the south of mainland Greece.
Why?
The weather!
Jacelyn hails from Toronto … where part of each year is cooooold.
“Nafplio is for people who love the sun and like to be both on the water and surrounded by nature,” Jacelyn says.
“This paradise spot is also for lovers of art, like me,” she continues.
“It’s the best of Greece all in one place.”
If you ask locals to name their favorite place in their own country, Nafplio is usually the answer.
Nafplio might not be what you expect from Greece. It doesn’t feature the white-washed buildings and curved blue roofs of Santorini or Mykonos.
Instead, Nafplio boasts neoclassical mansions, narrow lanes, a fortress, and colorful multi-story homes with slim balconies. It can feel more Venetian than Mediterranean.
Modern Living And Affordability
Jacelyn lives in the new downtown, where life is quiet and the tourist presence is less intense.
“The new downtown is modern and convenient, and you have the possibility of having views of the mountains, the sea, and the castle. I am lucky enough to see all three from my terrace!
“Most everything I could need, from a grocery store, a gym, and a bakery to a gas station, restaurants, and shops, is within a five-minute walk from my house.”
One of the best parts about basing herself in Greece, says Jacelyn, is the affordability of day-to-day living.
“I go to the farmers’ market for all my fresh produce. I buy a whole week’s worth for 10 euros to 15 euros.
“When I don’t feel like cooking, I have endless options for unbelievable cuisine. A typical meal is 15 euros to 20 euros per person, including drinks.
“It’s refreshing to be able to do the things I enjoy most at a reasonable expense, unlike living in Toronto, where I was barely able to afford to go out to dinner once a week.
“All in all, you can live here for 2,000 euros a month or less, depending on your spending habits, and the quality of life is superb.”
Enhancing the opportunity to live well for less by basing yourself in Nafplio, many cultural events are free.
How else do residents keep themselves entertained?
“In downtown Nafplio, you are within walking distance of many entertainment spots,” Jacelyn says.
“For those keen on sports, you have outdoor gyms, a big track, tennis and basketball courts, a lane swimming pool, a soccer field, and indoor gyms. I love to walk and swim.
“I do a 12-kilometer walk that starts at the sandy beach bay Karathona and leads you through the pines along a pathway that hugs the sea and the cliffs, winding its way to the old downtown. I like to stop for a swim at one of the secret little beaches along the way.
“Sailing and boating are huge parts of the lifestyle. We host International Yacht Week in May and many other events on the waterfront.”
Island Hopping And The Expat Community
One of Jacelyn’s favorite activities is island-hopping. Greece has got 6,000 of them.
Just offshore from Nafplio are Hydra, Spetses, and Poros, idyllic escapes all. What could be better than unwinding on a tranquil, sun-kissed island surrounded by the twinkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea?
At home in Nafplio, that can be your day-to-day.
With all its appeal and its affordability, especially compared with the Mediterranean’s brand-name cities, Nafplio’s popularity is on the rise.
“More people are discovering Nafplio, and the expat community is growing,” says Jacelyn.
“I meet for drinks and lunch with different groups of expats regularly and see them daily at restaurants and bars, walking around town, and at the local market, festivals, and community events. You’ll always be bumping into friendly, familiar folks.
“But this is still very much an authentically Greek town. Expats in Nafplio are like me. We like to mingle with the locals. Most of my friends are Greek.”
Jacelyn rents a lovely home for 1,000 euros a month, including utilities. The place came fully furnished and is within walking distance of everything.
“I could have rented for less,” Jacelyn says, “but I was happy to pay a little more for the convenience and the turn-key situation.”
“If someone had told me four years ago that I’d be spending part of every year in Greece,” she continues, “I wouldn’t have believed them.
“But, when you set your intentions and commit to them fully, anything is within your reach, even your wildest dream.
“If you have your sights set on living and investing in this glorious part of the world, know that it’s possible. It’s definitely worth the effort.”