Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. Although somewhat smaller than Athens with a population of 320,000 (720,000 if considering the entire metropolitan area), the city serves as a major cultural, economic, commercial and political center in the southern Europe region.

Retirement and Living in Thessaloniki, Greece: Location and Geography

Thessaloniki is located in the northeastern part of Greece, on the Thermaic Gulf which is part of the Aegean Sea. The region is geologically active and has experienced earthquake activity over the past century.

Thessaloniki is located in an area dominated by the Mediterranean climate, which is known for a distinct rainy and dry season, with mild temperatures throughout the year. Because of its northerly location near the mountains, Thessaloniki’s climate is influenced by a cooler highland environment as well. Average temperatures range from 44 to 77 degrees Farenheit, but can drop below freezing during winter months.

The mild climate makes Thessaloniki, Greece ideal for retirement living. However, one should evaluate the geologic risk of the area, or at least take precautions against earthquake activity if selecting Thessaloniki for a retirement destination.

Retirement and Living in Thessaloniki, Greece: History and People

Thessaloniki was founded in Macedonia in 315 BC and evolved into a major city in the kingdom. When Macedonia fell to the Roman Empire, Thessaloniki became a free city and a major trading center in the empire that connected Rome with Byzantium.

Eventually, Thessaloniki emerged as the second most important city of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) after Constantinople. Its importance as a trading center along a major trade route also resulted in many political changes for the city throughout the Middle Ages. In the 1200’s with the fall of Constantinople to the Crusade, Thessaloniki emerged as the heart of the Thessalonica Kingdom.

In 1224, Thessaloniki once again fell under Byzantine rule. It was later absorbed into the Bulgarian Empire in 1230, the Nicaean Empire in 1246, the Republic of Venice in 1423, and a part of the Ottoman Empire in 1430. Throughout this time, the city remained the major trading hub in the region.

During the First Balkan War, Thessaloniki was occupied by Greece in 1912 and later annexed in 1913. The Greco-Turkish War ended in 1922 with a major transfer of Greeks and Turks between the two countries. In 1941, Greece was occupied by Nazi Germany until 1944.

The population of Thessalonika reflects the complex history of the city. Today, the population of the city is essentially ethnic Greek, but in times past the city had sizable numbers of Turks and Jews who left their imprint on the city.

Retirement and Living in Thessaloniki, Greece: Lifestyles

Cost of Living in Thessaloniki: As a country, Greece has a moderately high per capita per capita income (ranked 23rd in the world). With respect to the human development index, Greece is ranked 29th in the world, suggesting a fairly high level of government investment in education and healthcare for a Greece retirement.

The cost of living in Thessaloniki is lower than in New York. Major savings occur due to the lower cost of rent and groceries. Prices are significantly higher than living in Southeast Asia, but for a European retirement, prices tend to be among the lowest for Europe. With the current economic problems in Europe the price of housing in Greece are likely to remain low for the foreseeable future.

Healthcare in Thessaloniki: Greece is a country that attempts to provide universal healthcare to its population. As in other countries employing this type of healthcare model, access to healthcare services may not be the best in Thessaloniki. Your typical expatriate is likely to opt for more expensive private medical care rather than the universal public health care the country provides for one’s Greek retirement.

Housing and Social Amenities in Thessaloniki: Rent is about a fifth that you would find in New York. Purchasing property will tend to be high however, but with the current economic crisis, property prices will probably be declining. Like in most countries, experiences will vary with one’s lifestyle requirements.

As a developed country, Thessaloniki’s infrastructure is relatively modern and in decent condition. Police, fire and medical services are present and operate well. There are widely different points of view however about the quality of public healthcare. One should evaluate these differing points of view carefully before opting for a retirement in Greece.

Shopping in Thessaloniki: For the American minded, malls are available for the convenience of that kind of shopping experience. For others, the city will provide a broad selection of shops and markets that offer a wide range of products – that run from upscale to lower cost items, from international goods to local produce. Overall, shopping provides the retiree with a wide range of option in their Greek retirement.

Transportation and Communication in Thessaloniki: Retirement in Thessaloniki, Greece pretty much comes with access to fairly modern transportation and communication systems. Transportation systems include travel by rail, bus, taxi, and air. The city hosts an international airport with flights leaving to many destinations. A Thessaloniki, Greece retirement insures that you will remain well connected to the world.

Access to television, radio, telephone and internet is good within Thessaloniki.

Retirement and Living in Thessaloniki, Greece: Things to Do

Cultural Activities in Thessaloniki: the city is the cultural center of the country for those who desire cultural activities in their Greek retirement. The city hosts a large number of museums that cover over 1000 years of history in Thessaloniki. The history of the city is also displayed in its architecture, some old, some new, and some rebuilt that range from Roman palaces to Byzantine churches. In addition, there are theaters, science and cultural centers, and tours that will provide an educational and entertaining experience. Of course, with its modern transportation hub, visiting nearby cities by rail or plane is easy and a retirement in Greece can include travel throughout the Mediterranean region and Europe as well.

Dining Out and Nightlife in Thessaloniki: as the cultural center of Greece, Thessaloniki offers a wide range of options for dining out and night life. Most restaurants and taverns will be open until the early morning hours, and one can choose from nightclubs, cafes, piano bars. There is also a casino available for those who desire some gambling in their Greece retirement.

Outdoor Activities in Thessaloniki: recreation outdoors are primarily focused on urban outdoor activities that include day tours and activities. In nearby towns and suburbs, the choice of options expand greatly to include beach activities, parks and gardens.

Retirement and Living in Thessaloniki, Greece: Summary

Strengths: one of the advantages of retirement in Thessaloniki, Greece is that the city is a major cultural and transportation center. There are a wide variety of cultural activities in the city, and it is relatively easy to visit other cultural centers in neighboring cities. The cost of living (primarily rent) can be low, but other costs are relatively high – as one would expect with a retirement in Europe.

Weaknesses: healthcare is widely available, but the typical American retiree might find the public system a bit too crowded. Private medical care is available, but at a higher price. For a Mediterranean destination, there are not too many ocean activities in the city proper, but water and beach activity can be easily accessed in nearby towns and suburbs.

Analysis: Thessaloniki, Greece is a nice retirement destination for someone who desires a warm Mediterranean climate and urban life with a lot of cultural activities. The risk of natural hazards exist (earthquakes) but it is on a par with the west coast of the United States. The current economic crisis in Greece/Europe will probably see housing prices depressed for the foreseeable future. The cost of living is low (in European terms), but higher than in other retirement destination in Central America or Southeast Asia. A retirement in Thessaloniki, Greece can be a very positive experience for someone who enjoys history or a vibrant nightlife on the Mediterranean coast.

(photo by: dimodi)

References and Bibliography

Cost of Living in Greece-in Numbers, homegreekhome.com

Geography of Hellas, Macedonia,Thessaloniki

History of Thessaloniki, Macedonia

Major Greek Earthquakes, CivilEngineering

Thessaloniki Cultural Crossroads, Greece

Meteora monastery located in the mountainous regions of Greece

The physical geography of mainland Greece is dominated by mountains and at sea, it is dominated by over 7,000 islands. It has a distinct Mediterranean climate and throughout its history has played a role in the early emergence of city states, the rise and fall of a Greek empire and the development of a maritime economy.

Greece’s Physical Geography: Size and Location of Greece

Greece is not a large country (about 130,000 square kilometers) but has historically had an influence on the development of much of the western world. At its peak, the early Greek empire reached as far as India, but today is limited to the southeastern corner of Europe.

Greece is bordered to the north by Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria. To the east it borders Turkey. The country itself is bordered by the Aegean Sea (east), Ionian Sea (west), and the Mediterranean Sea (south).

Greece’s Physical Geography: Geology and Regions of Greece

Western Greece: the western part of Greece is dominated by the Pindus Mountains which runs in a north to south direction. Sometimes known as the spine of Greece, it historically has been known for an agricultural economy. In more recent years, the cold mountain climates has made some areas popular for skiing and tourism.

Northeastern Greece:  the Rhodope Mountain Range is the dominant physical feature of northeastern Greece. Mining (lead and zinc), hydroelectricity, timber, and winter tourism are the economic mainstays of the region.

Eastern Greece: lowland plains are the main physical features of eastern Greece from Thessaly to  Thrace.  Rivers running through the plains deposit rich alluvial soils that support major agricultural activities in the region today.

Greek Islands: there are well over 6,000 islands off the coast of the Greek mainland. In the Aegean Sea, the major island groups are the: North Aegean islands, Eastern Aegean islands, and the Sporades islands.  South of these island groups are the: Saronic islands, Cyclades islands and Dodecanes islands.
In the Mediterranean Sea, the major island is Crete. In the Ionian Sea, the major island group is the Ionian islands.

The Mediterranean region is geologically active due to the ongoing collision between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. The heavier African tectonic plate is being subducted under a lighter Eurasian tectonic plate. In this subduction zone, there is both volcanic and earthquake activity on a recurring basis. Some of the Greek islands are part of a volcanic island arc that has a handful of active volcanoes and occasional activity as a result of being in this subduction zone. Despite the potential hazards the Greek islands play an important role in the country’s tourist economy.

Greece’s Physical Geography: Climate

The Mediterranean climate is the dominant climate for most of Greece. This climate is characterized by a distinct rainy and dry season and is comparable to the climate of Southern California. Agriculturally, Greece has much in common with California as far as crop production is concerned. The Mediterranean climate is the dominant climate for most of the Greek islands and for the low lying coastal regions of the country.

In the more mountainous regions of Greece, the climate becomes cooler and may become a cold, highland alpine climate. In the northern regions of the country a more temperate type of climate can be found where winters are cold and summers are dry and hot.

Greece’s Physical Geography: Natural Resources

Greece has some petroleum and natural gas deposits to help meet its energy needs. Hydroelectricity is also a source of energy production. Bauxite and iron ore are the major minerals for production.
The mountainous country does have an abundance of forested land. Agricultural land is less than 20% of the country’s land area, but makes major contributions to food production.

Greece’s Physical Geography: Summary

Greece is a very mountainous country but has some important agricultural plains along the eastern seaboard. The colder mountainous regions and the Greek islands have been emerging as major tourist destinations.

Although the country is located in a geologically active area, the major hazard is most likely to be earthquake activity. The level of risk is comparable to the risks in California.

The mild climate and maritime orientation of the nation makes it an increasingly popular destination for expat living and a retirement abroad.

(Photos: alaskapine)

References and Bibliography

Climate and Geography of Greece

General Info About Greece

Greece

Greece Geographical Regions

Greece Geography

Acropolis in Greece.

One of the more popular retirement destinations in Mediterranean Europe is Greece. Although not quite as affordable as Portugal or Spain, a Greece retirement is still one of the more affordable options in the western half of Europe.

Greece Retirement – Greece’s Economy

Nearly 60% of the Greece’s population work in the service sector. About 20% are in manufacturing industries, with the remaining 20% in agriculture. Although 20% in agriculture seems small, it represents a relatively large value when compared with your typical developed nation with less than 5% of the workforce engaged in agriculture.

Typical agricultural produce from Greece reflects its Mediterranean climate and includes wine, olives, wheat, corn, beef and dairy farming. The manufacturing sector of Greece’s economy is dominated by food and beverage processing, textiles, chemical and metal products, petroleum products, construction, and mining.

The vast majority of the Greek economy is based on shipping and tourism. Its shipping related services make it one of the largest in the world and the number of tourists visiting the country annually exceeds the country’s population.

During the past decade, Greece was in a major growth mode and exceeded the average growth of other European countries. However, the recent global financial crisis has produced a major decline in its growth rates. The slowdown has contributed to a major problem with its public debt and an increase in unemployment.

Despite these problems, Greece maintains a fairly high standard of living. Average income is about $32,000 USD, placing it in the top 25 countries in the world. On the downside, for the typical retiree, Greece’s cost of living is the highest among the western Mediterranean countries (Spain, Portugal, and Italy). It is still possible to retire abroad to Greece since the average income in the USA is about $45,000 but the cost savings are not as large as many Central American or Southeast Asian retirement destinations.

Greece has a low birth rate and like many other European nations is experiencing an aging of its population. To offset the aging population, immigrants now make up nearly 20% of the labor force. The cost of the country’s pension system is high and steadily growing and the government is hard pressed to reform the system with strong opposition from the elderly and labor unions (not all that different from the USA.

Overall, Greece has a stable economy – despite some problems and should be a reasonably safe and developed region for anyone who decides to retire abroad in the Mediterranean region. Despite problems with the current financial crisis in Europe, Greece is likely to survive this challenge and remain one of the best places to retire in Southern Europe.

Greece Retirement – Greek Cuisine

Greece’s location and history has established a cuisine that reflects the culinary traditions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. And in the same way, it has influenced cuisines throughout Europe as well.

Greek cooking centers around the use of olive oil in preparation of the meals. Sheep, goat and seafood are basic protein sources in the diet. Wheat and barley are the common grains in the diet. Meals are prepared with vegetables such as the tomato and eggplant combined with a variety of spices such as oregano, garlic and mint.

The retired expatriate living in Greece will have no problem enjoying local Greek cuisine or a more international cuisine catering to the country’s tourists.

Greece Retirement – Greece’s Healthcare System

Although Greece has a capitalist economy, the country maintains the strong influence of socialism in the region. This is well reflected in the country’s healthcare system. National healthcare is available to the entire Greek population as well as foreign citizens.

As in most national healthcare systems, there is some concern about the quality of the healthcare provided due to underfunding of public health care services. Expatriates living in Greece will probably want to take advantage of private health care services.

Greece Retirement – Housing Costs in Greece

Expatriates are able to purchase property in Greece although there are a few areas where foreigners are prohibited from acquiring property. Land costs remain relatively low, with properties nearer to the sea being more expensive.

Athens also tends to be a more expensive than surrounding cities although rents are typically lower than rents in Western and Northern Europe. However, the current problems with Greek finances suggest that it may be a wise move to wait things out to see which way prices go before making investments and purchases in Greece.

Greece Retirement – Social and Political Issues in Greece

Greece has a democratic government with a president, prime minister and cabinet, and parliament. Overall, the country is relatively stable and should make for an ideal retirement destination.
Potential sources of problems that may result in protests or demonstrations are the problems with the economy (such as unemployment) and the growing number of migrant laborers brought into the country. However, these are not seen as major problems that would be likely to have an adverse affect on anyone choosing to retire abroad in Greece.

Greece Retirement: Greece’s Communication and Transportation Infrastructure

Greece’s basic infrastructure for communications and transportation are modern. Outside of the major cities, transportation networks are less well developed. Within the major cities, bus systems are available. Major investments are being made to improve the country’s overall transportation network. The air transport system is very modern.

Greece Retirement: Summary

A Greek retirement will provide expatriate living in a mild Mediterranean climate with access to the sea. The cost of living is lower than the USA and the northern/western parts of Europe. However, the costs are the highest among the Mediterranean countries.

The country is relatively stable and the infrastructure in the major cities are modern. Healthcare is modern as well, but will tend to present issues to the retiree since it is primarily a public funded system. However, privatized healthcare is also available.

Greece’s dependence on tourism suggests that money will continue to flow into improving the country’s infrastructure over time. With the exception of the higher cost of living and current problems with financial systems, Greece is one of the beter places to retire in Europe.

(photo by: Christine Zenino)

References and Bibliography

An Introduction to Greek Food and Cooking

Expats In Greece

Greece Economy Worse Than Predicted, BBC

The Greek Debt Crisis, an Economy of Excess, The Economist

Healthcare in Greece