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Recently arrived Brit couple adore Greek life despite crisis
| Published: | 6 Jul at 6 PM |
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Although Greece’s desperate situation has sent many expats on the homeward journey to the UK, a recently arrived couple now settling in Crete are overjoyed with their new life.
Ken and Val Povali from Runcorne, Cheshire had planned to move to their newly bought house in the western Crete village of Kalidonia as soon as their UK home was sold. Finally, after having to wait three years due to the financial crisis’s effect on the UK housing market, the couple arrived in Crete and settled in.
According to Ken, life in the picturesque village is exactly how they imagined it, without even the need for a car as two tavernas and a mini-market are close by. A regular bus service to the nearby towns of Kastelli and Chania takes care of the weekly shop.
The couple spent some time considering the possible effect on their Greek dream if the country devalued its currency by reverting to the drachma after leaving the Eurozone. Deciding that the worst scenario for the country would have made life cheaper for them although the value of their new home would also drop, they went ahead.
As far as Val is concerned, she’s thrilled by the quality of the local vegetables and meat in the market and is also able to get English brands in the larger supermarkets. Ken is equally pleased with the saving on fuel bills due to the warmer weather and the fact that they have installed a solar water heater.
Property taxes are a fraction of the UK’s council tax, as is house insurance and, although they miss their friends, they don’t miss the UK. They’re both sure that family and friends won’t miss a chance to visit them and see Greek life for themselves.
Ken and Val Povali from Runcorne, Cheshire had planned to move to their newly bought house in the western Crete village of Kalidonia as soon as their UK home was sold. Finally, after having to wait three years due to the financial crisis’s effect on the UK housing market, the couple arrived in Crete and settled in.
According to Ken, life in the picturesque village is exactly how they imagined it, without even the need for a car as two tavernas and a mini-market are close by. A regular bus service to the nearby towns of Kastelli and Chania takes care of the weekly shop.
The couple spent some time considering the possible effect on their Greek dream if the country devalued its currency by reverting to the drachma after leaving the Eurozone. Deciding that the worst scenario for the country would have made life cheaper for them although the value of their new home would also drop, they went ahead.
As far as Val is concerned, she’s thrilled by the quality of the local vegetables and meat in the market and is also able to get English brands in the larger supermarkets. Ken is equally pleased with the saving on fuel bills due to the warmer weather and the fact that they have installed a solar water heater.
Property taxes are a fraction of the UK’s council tax, as is house insurance and, although they miss their friends, they don’t miss the UK. They’re both sure that family and friends won’t miss a chance to visit them and see Greek life for themselves.
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