 Writers' Community! |
|
| Home Page Two Columnists Q&A Submit an Article FAQs Contact Author Login |
Property in GreeceClaire May (186)     Claire's Messinian Properties What Is The Cost Of Living In Greece?Posted Wednesday, November 07, 2007 (2 years 2 days ago.) Viewed 35 times. In Greece the average cost of living is not easy to estimate and is largely dependant on individual circumstances and lifestyle. In resent years Greece has enjoyed a stable economy and the latest government figures show that the Greek economy continues to grow even though many other countries are heading for recession. If you are planning to live or retire to Greece take care not to underestimate the cost of living which has increased considerably in the last decade. Nevertheless the cost of living in Greece is still considerable lower than in most other EU countries. The Economist has ranked Greece as 23rd in the world quality of live index. Recent studies indicate that the cost of living in Greece is about 30% lower than Cyprus ' and Cyprus ' is 30% lower than Spain 's and Portugal 's. Over and above the lower cost of living, those who purchase property in Greece will have noticed that house prices though increasing rapidly are still reasonable. In addition Greece has a very low crime rate, low pollution, and plenty of sunshine. All things considered purchasers of homes in Greece have an extremely attractive package. The following examples are designed to give you an idea about how far your euros will stretch. Annual Income Requirements A couple living permently in Greece can expect to require an annual income of around €15,000 (£10,517.76). Calculations are based on an exchange rate of €0.66 to the pound. Example; House running costs + food €6750 £4455 Two people eating out 2x per week €2600 £1716 Garden maintenance €900 £594 Car insurance & road tax €550 £363 Petrol 10,000 KM per year at €0.98 per litre €666 £439.56 Return trip to the UK to visit family and friends €970 £640.20 Contingency fund €3500 £2310 Total per year €15,936 £10,517.76 Breakdown of house running costs for two people per year. Food €5200 £3432 House Insurance €500 £330 Electric €400 £264 Water €150 £99 Heating (oil) €450 £297 Total per year €6700 £4455 Water in Greece is precious, charges are dependant on consumption and there is a small standing charge every two months. Electricity (220 Volt) is charge likewise and includes a community charge for street lighting and refuse collection. A deposit is payable when electric is transferred into your name. Telephone and Internet are charged as used (Standing charge applicable). There are several different packages available so it's a good idea to shop around for the best deal. Food Prices Prices have risen quite steeply since the introduction of the Euro in 2002. Locally grown produce is cheap when in season. Imported and processed foods are often highly priced. Generally the cost of food is lower than in other European countries and for those of you who enjoy growing your own fruit and vegetables can live fairly frugally. Furniture/Appliances To give you an idea of the price of furniture and kitchen appliances, here are some examples for a typical starter package; Electric cooker €500 (£350) Fridge freezer €500 (£350) Washing machine €500 (£350) 1 x double bed €400 (£275) 2 x single beds €500 (£350) Dinning table & 4 x chairs €500 (£350) Three piece suit (1 x sofa 2 armchairs) €1200 (£730) Patio furniture (plastic table & 4 chairs €150 (£90) TOTAL COST €4250 (£2963) Shopping Tip: Shopping for luxury items such as TV's, computers, stereo equipment, camera's and other electrical equipment can prove to be more expensive than in other European countries. Try looking on the internet. It gives a much wider choice and it can save you a considerable amount of money. Consumers Rights If you should be unlucky enough to buy a faulty product in Greece you have the same rights of complaint against a Greek retailer as in any other EU country. For further information or advice contact INKA, free tel: 11727 or 210 363 2443. Car Running Costs To purchase a small saloon car in Greece (Fiat Panda or similar) would cost around €8,000 (£5,500) Fully comprehensive insurance and road tax is likely to be about €500 (£330). Petrol is about €0.98 per litre (£0. 67p) Car Rental will be €30-€45 (£19.80-£29.70) per day, depending on size and duration of hire. For 15 days plus, the smallest might cost €26 (£17.16), and a 4WD between €38 & €50 (£25.80 and £39.60) 
Permalink Comments (0) New Tourism and Golf Course Developments in Messinia, GreecePosted Thursday, October 11, 2007 (2 years 29 days ago.) Viewed 933 times. Messinia has recently become an important area for new tourism and championship golf developments. In fact it will have the largest golf resorts in the whole of the Balkans and Mediterranean . Particular attention is being focused in the areas of Finikounda, Methoni, Pylos and Velika. The region of Messinia is situated on the Greek mainland in the southwest of the Peloponnese . This lesser know province is full of cultural history, important archaeological sites and is rich in colourful, traditional towns and villages. It has an abundance of outstanding natural beauty and some of the best beaches in the whole of Greece . Petros Doukas, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance and Dimitris Avramopoulos, Minister of Tourism are eager to see more tourism and golf prospect in Greece . Messinia is one of the principal provinces to benefit from these plans. Interest in Messinia has increased largely because the Government is actively encouraging investment here with new laws aiming to stimulate local revenue. Government studies have shown that more than 200,000 visitors to Greece annually are potential golf tourists. Private sector investors have also been buying large plots of land in Messinia and have been building holiday rental units. It is estimated that over the next 3 year Finikounda alone will have accommodation for over 2000 tourists. Tourists will also benefit from a new Thalasso therapy centre (seawater treatments) that will soon be completed. So its easy to understand the current interest in developing this high-end attraction in one of the world's most attractive climates. The Tourism Enterprise of Messinia (TEMES) is currently constructing a state of the art luxury resort at Navarino Bay . Troon Golf, the worlds leading high-end golf development, marketing and management company will be managing both the championship and standard courses. The golf courses themselves will be designed by Robert Trent-Jones II Inc the Californian based Golf Course Architects. Currently it takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive to the new golf resorts from Athens, but this time will be reduce to under 3 hour when new roads are in place. In accordance with the governments guidelines for the Good Road Plan a new motorway is under construction from Tropoli to Kalamata and is nearly completed. Another new major road is planned between Kalamata and Methoni further opening up the area. Plans indicate that between Kalamata and Petalidi the new road will run 700m away from the beach, although plans have not yet been released for the later section as yet. A new road running from Pygros to Pylos has already been marked out. In addition Kalamata has its own airport approximately 6km from the town providing direct access for visitors to Messinia. Currently the airport is open from April to October, but this period is set to increase allowing tourists better access to the area. Also there are regular trains (including a new line to Messini) and express bus directly to Athens and connections for Athens Airport . The city of Kalamata is the main city for the southern Peloponnese . It has all the modern facilities that you would expect to find such as hospitals, doctors, schools, banks, theatres, cinemas, gymnasiums, sport facilities, hotels, restaurants, bars, all main shops, etc. The Family Beach Resort Romanos The construction of this resort is well underway and the cranes can clearly be seen from the beach at Romanos. The resort is due to open with a televised event in spring 2008. The resort is located 50km from Kalamata airport on the beautiful beach of Romanos and has fabulous views of the Ionian sea . The site covers 141 hectares of land on a gently sloping plateau. The resort has a variety of family accommodation surrounding a village street with restaurants, tavernas and shops. This complex offers an 18 hole championship golf course, numerous swimming pools, a tennis club and an exclusive thalasso therapy centre over looking the sea. For the children there is a childrens club, a mini golf course and a gymnasium. This project had been on going for the last twenty years. A total of approximately 1.2 million m2 of land has been acquired from 1,300 individual holders of deeds. Already two of the largest private reservoirs have been built in order two water the golf courses. Building permits and documents have been filed with the Town Planning Department. The approximate area of the buildings amounts to some 100,000 m2. Understandably the paperwork for this project has been a mammoth task in itself. Achilles Constantakopoulos, the Managing Director of TEMES has stated that by 2015, Navarino will be Greece s premier golf destination. There will be seven courses within half-an-hours drive of each other. The investment for phase one totals 180,000,000 and at least 3 separate hotel units, 1 in Pylos and 2 in Romanos. The chain will be manage by a well know international chain. Country Club Resort - Pylos The ground work has already started for this resort and the resort is due to open in 2010. The resort is location at Gialova to the north of Pylos and 40km from Kalamata airport. The resort is set in 148 hectares of land with rolling hills, spectacular views of the historical Navarino bay and is adjacent to the new marina. The architects have designed the resort ensuring that it is not obtrusive to the landscape and in keeping with the traditional styles of the area. The development will include 2 luxury hotels and individual holiday homes. There will be a championship golf course, several swimming pools and terraces, surrounded by landscaped gardens with numerous pathways leading to the sandy beach. The total capacity of this resort will be 2,400 beds for tourist. The complex will have a conference centre which will accommodate 1,200 delegates. There will also be and environmental protection and development centre. The Mountain Retreat Kynigos The resort at Kynigos is the largest of the Navarino projects and covers 295 hectares. It is situated on a high plateau overlooking Pylos and the Bay of Navarino , Kynigos and is the most remote of the resorts. It is a secluded location perfect for visitors who are looking to get away from the humdrum of everyday life. The rugged landscape of Kynigos accommodates two 18 hole championship golf courses, a tennis centre, an equestrian centre, a health spa hotel, a sports hotel, golf clubhouse.. The Seaside Village Rizomylos This resort is located on the gulf of Messinia and is easily accessible from Kalamata with its international airport, which is 10 km away. There will be five hotels; an all-inclusive Club Hotel, three Holiday Villages and a small Boutique Hotel. Each hotel has its own private beach frontage. The hotels will be part of the urban area linking the resort village and public spaces. Visitors will be able to enjoy a boardwalk with tavernas, restaurants shops and amusements. In the middle of the site there will be extensive river gardens with an amphitheatre for outdoor performances. Additional facilities includes a water park, a tennis centre, and a 9-hole golf course. Rizomylos is intended to attract foreign tourists and national visitors alike and would suit visitor looking for entertainment and excitement. For further information about the Messina region of Greece follow the link Blog.r-and-c-pms.biz ABOUT US R & C Property Management provides a wide range of information regarding buying a property in Greece and the Messinia Prefecture . It aims to help home buyers though the minefield of purchasing property in Greece by giving general advice, information and tips on buying property as a home or for investment. http://r-and-c-pms.biz
Permalink Comments (0) |
Archives:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home |
Page Two |
FAQ's |
Contact |
Terms of Service |
Article Submission Guidelines |
Questions & Answers |
Privacy |
Mission / About
Copyright © 1999-2009 SearchWarp.com, All Rights Reserved - SearchWarp.com is an IcoLogic, Inc. Company