Why Chania and Crete?
Living in the prefecture of Chania offers many advantages, one of the most important being the weather. The climate is primarily temperate, boasting mild winters and long, sun-filled summers. Average temperatures range from a low of 12° in January and February to a high of 26°C in July and August. Chania also has the largest amount of water in Crete, resulting in rich vegetation and an abundance of olive and citrus trees, grape vines and locally-grown produce.
Crete’s highway, the National Road, connects all the larger towns along island’s north coast while an extensive network of secondary roads serves the outlying villages. An extremely efficient public bus service offers convenient and comfortable travel within the prefecture.
The cost-of-living in Chania, as in the rest of Crete, is comparably lower than that of other Mediterranean countries and 30-40% cheaper than the UK. At the same time, the standard of living is quite high and the economy is stable. While the price of real estate in Crete has been increasing steadily since 2000, property here is still inexpensive in comparison to other European countries. And Crete is safe: the crime rate is just 3% of that of the UK.
Undeniably, Crete’s best natural resource is its people. There is a long-standing tradition of hospitality and welcoming strangers. They will go out of their way to make you feel at home. Cretans are proud of their cultural traditions and are more than willing to introduce you to their music, dances, and arts and crafts. English is widely spoken and communicating is seldom a problem.
Next step: Where to invest in Chania