Why Greece?

A few evenings ago, a friend messaged me and asked—if all the Estonians are moving to Spain, then why did we choose Greece? Maybe someone else has wondered the same, so we’re happy to answer—because without a doubt, this is our favorite country!

The People
It’s hard to put into words, but Greeks are just… different. Friendly, kind, attentive, helpful, curious, fair, direct, and positive. Sometimes it can be hard to make a real connection with locals who are worn out by hordes of tourists—but when it happens, they take friendship very seriously. They’re not superficial. We feel more cared for among the people here.
When we first came to Greece by motorcycle from Turkey, we stopped at the side of a street. Tuljo laid down for a quick nap. A little lady from the house behind us came out, invited me inside, and put her finger to her lips—“Shhh!”—so my husband could sleep. She didn’t speak English, but inside, I helped her make two frappés, those delicious iced coffees. She filled a tray with fruit and sent me back outside with everything. We were completely enchanted!

Outlook on Life and Values
There’s no “keeping up with the neighbors” mentality. For Greeks, human connection and social life are deeply important. People help and care for each other. Children are cherished and held in the highest regard. The lifestyle and values here suit us perfectly. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive. No one gives you a strange look if you go to the bakery in your slippers. At the grocery store, the person ahead of you in line will wait so they can help you pack your bags while you’re juggling kids.
The little things just don’t matter. Even if there’s a problem, the attitude is: it’ll work out. People genuinely enjoy the simple things in life. Be joyful, be thankful, be happy—if only for the sun shining. Children are seen as a source of life’s joy, and people celebrate their presence. I loved when a friend here once said to me: “Now that you’re in Greece, you don’t need to worry anymore.”
Wealth isn’t a priority, and flaunting a lavish lifestyle is even slightly frowned upon. What matters is family, friends, and time together. Things are sorted out over the phone or face to face—they’re not much into email. If a Greek has something, they’ll always share it. We feel like we have so much to learn from them!

The Food
If food comes from more than 100 kilometers away, the locals aren’t interested. Everything has to be fresh and local. The abundance and access to fresh ingredients is incredible! We feel so much better eating the food here. Even dining out is affordable for the whole family, and Greek cuisine suits our taste perfectly!

Beaches and Nature
80% of Greece’s landscape is mountainous and unsuitable for settlement. The mountains and little winding hiking roads are breathtaking. There are waterfalls, rivers, and in Northern Greece, plenty of pine trees that make the air feel so special and enjoyable!
And oh, the beaches—how many there are with their deep blue waters! Greece has 13,000 kilometers of coastline! Around every corner, another magical little beach is waiting to be discovered. Many are sandy, and a lot of them have gentle, shallow waters where children can happily splash around.

The Climate
Yep, summer is hot—which can be a bit much for someone from the north—but just do as the locals do and turn one day into two. Wake up super early, get things done in the cool morning hours. In the afternoon, hide away in your stone house from the sun and take a lovely nap. A new day begins around six or seven in the evening and stretches into the night.
Winters here are absolutely delightful! At least for us. Based on our experience, during winter there are maybe 4–5 short spells where daytime temperatures drop below 10°C and it rains. Of course, in the mountains there’s snow—and yes, there are ski resorts even in Greece. But this so-called “winter” usually only lasts a few days at a time. Most days are sunny, with temperatures up to 16°C, and nighttime temps around 5–9°C. It’s like eternal Estonian spring weather. I personally love it, especially knowing that the hot season is still to come.

So yes—some love the mother, some the daughter. Some choose Greece, some Spain. Let us know in the Facebook comments—which country is your favorite?