Moving to Athens – What to look out for

Closing a chapter and opening a new one, making life changes and figuring stuff out are normal processes in life that people of all ages and of all stages go through. The whole point of living is trying things out and seeing what makes you happy.

If you are thinking about moving to a new city, you should definitely go for it as there is no better way to learn about a different culture but also about your own self than travelling and challenging yourself.

And if Athens is the city you’re thinking of moving to, you should definitely give it a go as the capital of Greece is a European city with many fun things to do. In this article we will try to make the transition from your hometown to Athens a bit easier by noting down a few things that you should know about Athens before moving there.

1. Language

As you may know, the official language of Greece is Greek. As with any country in the world, locals appreciate it when tourists or people who want to become permanent residents make an effort to speak the official language. However, most Greek people speak English fluently and there are signs in the streets in both Greek and English. This means that you shouldn’t hesitate to go to civil services for whatever reason or ask for directions. If you are interested in learning Greek after your move to Athens, you will find many private language schools in the city where they can offer you language lessons at your own pace.

2. Business

Although you probably won’t have any problems with the people, you should know that you’ll probably have to show patience with the excessive bureaucracy. In order to be sure that you follow all the procedures properly and save some time, you should go to an Athens law firm which specialises in international issues of individuals and businesses moving from one country to another, and of course, in your case to Greece. In addition, if you have a lawyer in Greece you won’t have to worry about doing something wrong or illegal because of ignorance or differences in the legislation.

3. Money

The currency in Greece is Euro. Although most clothing stores, coffee shops and restaurants accept card payments (they accept both credit and debit cards), you should always have cash on you. It is pretty common for taxi drivers, kiosk owners or vending machines to only accept cash.

4. Working Hours

Working hours for stores are different depending on which Greek city you live. In Athens, shops in shopping malls are open from 8:00 to 21:00. In the city centre, large brands, chains and supermarkets are also open all day until 9 pm. Coffee shops and restaurants are usually open all day and they close after midnight. Banks and civil services are usually open from 8:00 to 2:30 only on weekdays.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.