Why Thassos? Reasons to consider
owning a holiday or retirement home on this beautiful island.
Climate
Thassos has mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Average maximum
temperatures hover around 30°C (87°F) in the summer,
but the heat is often tempered by the northeast wind known as
the meltemi. Winter begins in mid-November and lasts to mid-February.
Normally the wind comes from the west, and then the temperatures
range from 14°C (53°F) to 21°C (67°F). Occasionally,
the wind comes from the North or East and the temperatures can
drop to below 0°C (32°F) for a few days at a time. This
is the time that Thassos may accumulate some snow, which may
linger for a few days.
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 Northern Greece. 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. 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, the property tax 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 Thassos 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 Thassos is pristine. The
local hillsides are covered with olive trees. The water of the
Aegean, sea is clean and transparent, and was 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 on Thassos. Armed robbery is unheard
of.
Nightlife
Seaside cafes, bars, tavernas and restaurants abound. In the
summer, locals swarm to the beachfront's 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.
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 Northern Greece.
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. |
