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  1. #1
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    Postcard From Athens

    I decided to remove myself from the UK to investigate a plan to buy an apartment in Athens.

    The city has had a rough time recently. Invaded by Eastern European hordes in the early '90s, raped by Germany in the 2000s and now also overrun with migrants bringing all their third world habits with them.

    That said, you can buy an OK 2 bed apartment in the City Centre for under £100k euros. I like the idea of a winter bolt hole (I've gone off Asia) where I can hop across to the islands or spend a day at the beach at the drop.

    Buying a property is a "permitted' reason to travel. I'm already vaccinated and tbh, Blighty can get fucking miserable when there's little to do apart from pick litter off the beach and experiment with French cooking at home.

    BA are operating a 787 on the LHR-ATH route. Book a business class seat for just £70 extra and you get the nice comfy bed for the 3.5 hour flight. I didn't. Overcome by the "you can buy a lot of Metaxa for £150 return extra I booked economy. £40 for breakfast at Gordon Ramsay T5 (rather than the usual bacon butty in the lounge) underlined the false economy.

    You have to show a negative PCR test to enter Greece. The Sofitel at T5 has a spit n scoot package for £199. So I stayed overnight, in a nice room and because of the plutonium Accor card had comp canapes and four beers delivered free to the room at 630pm. Nice touch. You hand the completed test kit back to reception after a bit of pallaver with QR codes and registration. The result was back at 4am (12 hours later).

    There's a bit of paperwork in addition to the PCR negative certificate. I had to download the UK travel form (no-one asks to see it). The Greek form is on-line. You register where you're planning to stay with contact and where you have to "self quarantine" for 7 days. I brought along some proof of intent to be looking at investment property too.

    No food or drink on the flight, except a bag of crisps and a bottle of water.

    On arrival all passengers were tightly corralled into a holding pen and a nasal swab taken. We were then told to wait for the results. Five minutes later we were told we could all proceed. Go figure.

    As a subject of Her Majesty I was directed away from the unwashed EU swarm to take another Covid test. This one a throat swab cross referenced against the QR code on my Greek registration papers. Then, front of the line (comme il faut) for immigration and a stamp in the passport to say I was in Greece.

    I stayed at the Intercontinental, in case I was totally confined to barracks for quarantine. Fortunately no-one much knows, or cares. Athens is quiet, but not dead. The takeaways are busy, but all bars and restaurants closed. The weather is 20C and sunny today. Perfect for a stroll.

    There is a prohibition on travel between provinces which is observed. Otherwise you are obliged to carry a piece of paper stating the reason for being outdoors. "Daily exercise" covers most eventualities I think.

    I will be chasing the real estate broker for some viewings later today.

    Pics to follow.

  2. #2
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    Interesting thread, thanks for sharing.

  3. #3
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    A sound decision but your claim that the Greeks were 'raped' by the Germans in the Noughties suggests a screw loose in your frontal lobe.

    Many years ago in a former life I shot the breeze with a Graeco-American taverna owner who had returned to his home island of Kalymnos after making his fortune in New York. We spoke of many things and drank our Metaxa shots in the late afternoon in some conviviality which soured slightly when he claimed Alexander the Great to b a Greek and a fine man to which i countered he was nothing of the sort but was a Macedonian and a poof. Nevertheless, he did volunteer an insight into his fellow nationals attitude to social fiscal obligations " You wanna know wha' Greeks think of tax? It's something you use to stick paper to a noticeboard".

    Said it all really, but twenty plus years of rampant financial self abuse and the wheels finally fell off. Fuck all to do with the Krauts.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    A sound decision but your claim that the Greeks were 'raped' by the Germans in the Noughties suggests a screw loose in your frontal lobe.
    Their own ineptitude, lazyness, filled with entitlement and self-importance allowed them to blame Germany . . . without whom they'd be in an even worse state than they are now.

  5. #5
    I am not a cat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lostandfound View Post
    £40 for breakfast at Gordon Ramsay T5 (rather than the usual bacon butty in the lounge) underlined the false economy.

    .
    Saw a while back he was getting hammered for his 25 quid breakfast in London. Was this any better?

  6. #6
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    No. In fact the ingredients seemed on the cheaper side. I think the actual plate was £18. But add in an orange juice, double espresso, cup of tea, service etc and it was £38.

  7. #7
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    Postcard From Athens-c981c521-d4c4-42e1-9bf4-24b5124696bb-jpg

  8. #8
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    Postcard From Athens-f5eda36b-e95b-47ab-af2b-f32f84dea688-jpg

  9. #9
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    Postcard From Athens-2f56b039-6c06-4fdb-84b5-42d122024848-jpg

  10. #10
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    Postcard From Athens-e45e60d4-c37f-443b-a060-30b97a04f8db-jpg

  11. #11
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    The city is eerily quiet. Police are everywhere, including riot police.

  12. #12
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    No pic of the eye watering, gut busting £40 breakfast?


    This thread reminds me of that TV programme, A place in the sun.

    You have a budget and location, the TV presenter sources 4 properties to view. Then the buyer picks one and makes an offer.

    This has the makings of a damn reasonable thread.

    Good show and happy hunting L&F
    Shalom

  13. #13
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lostandfound View Post
    As a subject of Her Majesty I was directed away from the unwashed EU swarm

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lostandfound View Post
    The city is eerily quiet. Police are everywhere, including riot police.
    Perhaps you missed it but the police beat the shit out of a protester a couple days ago and it got recorded leading to a tsunami of protestors seeking justice.

    Presumably, you are now experiencing the aftermath.

    Greeks are not noted for their equilibrium, swinging between fascist oppression one year to left wing skulduggery the next but the army tends to clean up most times, bit like the chickenheads.

  15. #15
    Making people dance. :-)
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    Looks nice and clean, if a bit sideways.


    The first plaza could do with some repaving, and cleaning the graffiti. But I guess that's the 'house' of the neighbour that lost his job 20 years ago and has been unemployed and drinking Ouzo in his stained vest since. Actually reminded me of Camden.




    The Greek Fluke seems content.



    Are there any beaches near your planned place?

    Can't beat a bit o' winter sun.

  16. #16
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    We are looking to move to Greece also., but we are in the US and as of now Americans are not allowed to travel there. I was able to provide proof of my Greek ancestry from my parents and the Greek Embassy has issued me and my wife permission to travel, good for two months.As soon as I get there I will be able to provide additional documentation and get a Greek passport.
    I just got the first shot of the vaccine, second one April 2, and waiting to see when the wife who is younger will be vaccinated.
    We used to split our time between the US and Thailand, but the 24 hour trip is becoming a bit too much for me, Greece to Thailand would be a lot easier. Once I get there I would be be able to provide additional documents and will get a Greek passport.
    Both my Brother and Sister have moved there a long time ago , so I have Family and friends there.Also speak the language relatively well.
    250,000 euro investment in real estate would get you Greek citizenship.Citizenship by Investment Greece
    We are looking to get a place in Oropos , which is 30 min outside of Athens , to be near my sister, but we are also considering a place at the Island of Salamis which is only a 15 min ferry ride from Perama. But Aegina sounds interesting also.

    Perhaps we will see you there.
    Last edited by Buckaroo Banzai; 16-03-2021 at 06:41 AM.
    The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up.

  17. #17
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    Crete is my favourite Island then Rhodes second and Corfu third.

    So many beautiful and interesting islands.

  18. #18
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe 90 View Post
    Crete is my favourite Island then Rhodes second and Corfu third.

    So many beautiful and interesting islands.
    Yet you go for the three package tour magnets.


  19. #19
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    The Greeks are opening up the smallest islands first, to develop its post Covid tourist industry.

    Pent up demand in N Europe may mean that tourists will discover these islands for the first time. They're likely to like what they find.

    Having spent 4 years living on a boat sailing the E Med, my punt would be Kythira as a hot spot.

  20. #20
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Joe will never be able to leave Plebos.


  21. #21
    Thailand Expat YourDaddy's Avatar
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    Please report from the island of Lesbos

  22. #22
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    I was in Lesvos in October. All seemed normal, albeit almost no tourists.

    The migrants hang around in Mytilene. Ungrateful scum, leaving litter everywhere, complaining that their free food, free accommodation, free clothing, free healthcare, free pocket money and free education not being up to their high standards.
    Last edited by Lostandfound; 16-03-2021 at 03:27 PM.

  23. #23
    Making people dance. :-)
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    ^ An immigrant complaining about immigrants.


    You've got a good plan though, may well spend my last 20 years somewhere on the Med. Will wanna stay clear of the likes of Macedonian gypsies and Chitty though.

  24. #24
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    I must admit that I did complain about my accommodation on a recent visit. But then again I was paying 1550 euros a night for the privilege of the three rooms at the GB Athens.

    Complaining when it's free is quite different.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Yeah, ungrateful wretches, how dare they complain, it’s free after all! Whaddya they think, they get hooman rights or something?

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