Find High Customs and Low Costs at Nafplio

Editor’s Note: This story appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.

For six to eight months each year, you’ll find Jacelyn Holmes at home in Nafplio, a seaside town in southern mainland Greece.

Why?

The weather!

Jacelyn is from Toronto … where part of the year is cooooold.

“Nafplio is for people who love the sun and love to be in the water and surrounded by nature,” said Jacelyn.

“This place is a paradise for art lovers, like me,” he continues.

“The best of all Greece in one place.”

If you ask locals to name their favorite place in their country, Nafplio is usually the answer.

Nafplio may not be what you expect from Greece. It doesn’t feature the white-washed buildings and curved green roofs of Santorini or Mykonos.

Instead, Nafplio boasts neoclassical mansions, narrow lanes, a castle, and colorful multi-story houses with small balconies. It can feel more Venetian than Mediterranean.

Modern Living and Accessibility

Jacelyn lives in a new town, where life is quiet and the presence of tourists is less intense.

“The new city is modern and convenient, and you have the opportunity to see the mountains, the sea, and the palace.

“Most everything I needed, from a grocery store, a gym, a bakery to a gas station, restaurants, and shops, is within five minutes of my house.”

One of the best parts about settling in Greece, says Jacelyn, is the accessibility of everyday life.

“I go to the farmer’s market with all my fresh produce, I buy a week’s worth for 10 to 15 euros.

“When I don’t want to cook, I have endless options for incredible food.

“It’s refreshing to be able to do the things I enjoy so much at such a low cost, unlike living in Toronto, where I could only 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 very good.”

To enhance the opportunity to live a little better by staying in Nafplio, many cultural events are free.

What other way do the villagers keep themselves happy?

“In downtown Nafplio, you’re within walking distance of a lot of entertainment,” says Jacelyn.

“For those who love sports, you have outdoor gyms, a large track field, tennis and basketball courts, a swimming pool, a soccer field, and indoor gyms.

“I do a 12 kilometer walk that starts on the sandy beach at Karathona harbor and leads you through the pines along the path along the sea and cliffs, winding towards the old town. I like to stop to swim at one of the small secret beaches along the way.

“Sailing and boating are big parts of the lifestyle. We host World Yacht Week in May and many other events on the water.”

Island Hopping And The Expat Community

One of Jacelyn’s favorite activities is island-hopping. Greece has 6,000 of them.

Across the sea from Nafplio are Hydra, Spetses, and Poros, all idyllic escapes. What could be better than the tranquility of a peaceful, sun-kissed island surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea?

At home in Nafplio, that can be your day to day.

Due to all its attractiveness and accessibility, especially compared to cities with a Mediterranean brand name, the popularity of Nafplio is increasing.

“More people are discovering Nafplio, and the outdoor community is growing,” Jacelyn said.

“I regularly meet for lunch with various groups of expats and I see them every day in restaurants and bars, walking around the city, and at local markets, events, and community events. You will always meet friendly, familiar people.

“But this is still a true Greek city. Expats in Nafplio are like me. We like to mingle with the locals. Most of my friends are Greek.”

Jacelyn rents a nice home for 1,000 euros a month, including utilities. The place comes fully furnished and is within walking distance of everything.

Jacelyn says: “I could rent for less, but I was happy to pay more to make things easier for us.”

He continues: “If someone had told me four years ago that I would be spending half a year in Greece, I would not have believed them.

But, if you set your goals and fully commit to them, anything you can do, even your worst nightmare.

If you are serious about living and investing in this glorious part of the world, know that it is possible.