Named after the Hellenic Goddess Athena, the ancient Goddess of Wisdom, Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the most beautiful and oldest cities of Europe. It is a city with a lot of history and culture, the birthplace of democracy, art and the source of inspiration for the Renaissance, which is why it such a unique city!
What makes Athens a good choice for expats? First off, there is a lot to fill your free time with. From cultural tours to rich nightlife areas, and amazing sights, Athens has it all. It has must visits such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon, as well as great food and an amazing atmosphere. Athens also has a typical Mediterranean climate, with wet, mild winters and dry, hot summers, meaning that you will get to see the Sun for most of the year.
High Standard of Living With a Low Price Tag
The quality of life in Athens is very high considering the cost of living is low. The prices for food and drinks are considerably cheaper, and that’s true for the costs for accommodation as well. Greeks value family time, good food and respect for traditions and the inhabitants of Athens often all have a relaxed lifestyle and schedule.
Along the Green subway line, from Agios Eleftherios to Moschato, you can also find affordable accommodations with the added benefit of not having to change lines often to go to work. These places are also centrally located, making them perfect for walking around the city and not being far from home.
Getting Through the City
Athens is a big city with a great public transport system. No matter where you decide to live the metro is a short walk away, making it very easy to get around. The metro is often on time and extends out to the city limits (or Piraeus, the closest port).
Subways and trains all cross the centre of the city with the Green line, which goes to Pireaus. There is also the Red line, which goes from Metaxourghio to Neos Kosmos, and the Blue line, which goes from Ampelokipi to Monastiraki. The distance between each subway is roughly 2 to 5 minutes of walking.
Beyond that you will have to book buses or other public transport. Starting from €15, you can get a monthly pass for all means of public transport. A standard single ticket will cost you €1,40 for a ride of up to 90 minutes. Another option is to buy a daily pass for unlimited travelling with all the services for €4,50 or a 5-day ticket for €9.
Athens has an amazing social life
Since Athens is a metropolis, you will meet a lot of new people quickly. Although this probably starts with your new colleagues or housemates, bars and clubs will almost always be full, every day of the week, allowing you to meet new friends and open your social circle a trivial matter. Social Media makes this even easier, with many Expat Groups active in Athens and beyond. The Greeks themselves are easy going, welcoming and friendly, and you will become friends with locals in no time.
Safe and Accessible
Athens is considered a safe city, for the young and the old. The crime rate is low and as long as you take the normal roads, you will have few problems. Athens is also easy to reach worldwide, all international flights arrive at the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). In case of emergencies, making it back home will always be possible and easily accessible.
Athens is a Great Place to Build Your Career
Athens has welcomed lots of foreign companies after the recent crisis and these companies are looking for multilingual speaking professionals all the time. There are many career opportunities available in international companies who are looking for new team members to take up roles in their Sales, Business Development, Account Management, Digital and Content Marketing. English is widely spoken throughout the city and is therefore essential, but any other languages you speak will always be a bonus!