Sojourntraveller

I am looking for a village to spend a few months in on a Greek island as the start to my time in Europe.

My ideal would be a small village right on the water where I can rent a furnished (fully) apartment by the month. A large enough village to have some bars/restaurants/shops etc. but not a major tourist village if possible. I don't expect no tourists, just less tourists.

My budget for the apartment would be around $1000 US./CAD/AUS per month including water/electric/internet. I expect to spend the months of May through July at least.

Can anyone give me any personal recommendations for somewhere that fits the picture?

janisj

>>I expect to spend the months of May through July at least.<<

All of May, June and July is more than 90 days . . .

hetismij2

Ah but they plan to spend a week elsewhere an return on a different passport remember.
Small matter - you will have to register with the authorities if you rent a place for that length of time. That will instantly screw up your plan.

I am wondering if this poster doesn't live under a bridge?

janisj

Sojourntraveller

Let's just call it 89 days even though I will no doubt pay for 3 months rent. It's cheaper that way obviously. I do not intend to overstay the 90 days before leaving.

Are you saying a visitor cannot stay beyond a certain length of time under 90 days without registering as resident hetismij2? I know of no country that requires you to register when you enter as a tourist, unless you plan to stay beyond the time they allow tourists.

Do either of you have any villages to suggest or do you just want to try and tell me I cannot visit for 90 days? Have either of you been to Greece or are you just wasting my time?

clausar

There will be no need to register with any authorities in Greece ias long as you just stay somewhere without working.

You will of course have to deal with the allowed length of stay in the Shengen zone.

Your budget is realistic, the best way to do it is to search on the spot. Most accomodations that are rented by the month and have a good price are not advertised anywhere.

I have done that on Crete, Lesbos and Santorini ( in Oia).

May is for many islands the beginning of the season, and there will be plenty of studios and apartments for rent.

It is up to you to decide which island or group of islands attracts you the most... The Cyclades will be more expensive than Rhodes or Crete, and the islands in the Northern Aegean will be less expensive.(Samos, Chios, Lesbos, Thassos, Lemnos)

The choices are endless

hetismij2

You could always buy a place in Greece and solve all your problems. Except the healthcare one that is.

Maybe in Greece you don't have to report to the police if you are staying more than a couple of weeks, but in many European countries you do, and in some countries if you are legally renting a place the landlord must tell the police you are there - and they have to collect and pay tourist tax on you.

Maybe you can obtain citizenship of an EU country through a parent or grandparent and add to your collection of passports. Some are easier with that than others.

brotherleelove2004

Sikinos is a small island easily reached from Santorini and Paros. There's not much there except for a few beaches and a couple of restaurants in the village, no nightlife or souvenir shops. I loved it.

Sojourntraveller

Thanks clausar, thanks brotherleelove. I'll have a look at what I can find on Sikinos although it sounds like it might be a bit too small for 3 months. I'm not looking for isolation, just a quiet place but with all the usual amenities available if needed.

Hetismij2, what is your problem? It is a simple question about a 3 month visit to a place. You are inventing problems that don't exist.

janisj

>>Hetismij2, what is your problem? It is a simple question about a 3 month visit to a place. You are inventing problems that don't exist.<<

but Hetismij2 read your other thread . . . and IF brotherleelove or clauser had . . they wouldn't have helped you either.

brotherleelove2004

Actually, I did read it, and before I posted here. I'm not concerned with any moral or legal issues arising from this situation. It's none of my business. If Sojurntraveller accepts the potential risks and consequences implied and has the money to finance such a stay then far be it from me to object.

brotherleelove2004

It will be difficult to find decent accomodations from May-July for $1000/month when locals with rental property know they can get a lot more during those peak summer months.

Check Antiparos, Anafi and Folegandros as well.

dulciusexasperis

I don't think I would agree that finding a place for $1000 will be all that difficult brotherleelove.

For example I would suggest the village of Haraki on Rhodes island as a possible fit. While prices will vary depending on the property, I do know that I have rented a 'studio' in the past for 25E per night based on a 2 week rental.

Given the current state of Greece and tourism, a guaranteed 25E per night (about $1000 per month) could well be acceptable. The studio I rented was right over a little mini-market right next to the 'square' and church. It had 3 single beds, a minimalist kitchen (adequate for my needs) and a large balcony (table and 4 chairs on it)overlooking the waterfront.

There are quite a few places like the one I rented where they only have one or two rentals and are not used by any of the tour companies etc. or even have an online presence. They rent simply based on word of mouth. I am 99.99% certain I coul find a place in that village for $1000 a month or less based on a 3 month rental.

Here is some info on the village written by a fan (not me).
http://www.haraki.eu/index.html

I think finding similar places on other islands such as Crete would also be relatively easy to do. I also think picking a bigger island with more rental properties to choose from will make finding one easier. Just because an island has a lot of tourism doesn't mean you can't avoid the majority of it if you want to.

clausar

There are plenty of studios and apartments for rent on a montly basis, that are not being offered necessarily to tourists. In resorts and generally places that attract tourists, there are many people from other parts of Greece ( and not only ) who are working in the tourism industry and rent them during the season.
Have done that quite often my self.This kind of accommodation is not being offered through websites etc, and the cost is much lower to everything else that is being rented by the day.

Since Greece ( both mainland and the islands ) has endless places that fit the bill, it makes no sense to send everyone to Haraki.

The best way to search is on the spot, at the beginning of the season.

brotherleelove2004

Yes, I realize I should have been more specific. Yes, you can find someplace to rent for €1000/month. The question is: Where? As Clausar states, go at the beginning of the season and search on the spot. Eventually you'll find something. On Crete search along the southwest coast around Loutro and Paleochora.

nanabee

I would stay on the isle of Hydra. It is an hours ferry ride from the port of Athens (so not terribly expensive cost wise). It has no cars on the entire island, everything is walkable (just in case they have donkey's for transport), the restaurants are wonderful, the town square is charming and a wonderful place to witness Greek daily life. The beaches are numerous and lovely and clean.

nanabee

^^^^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYxbEHrcU8g

Sojourntraveller

Clausar, I didn't read the comments by dulciusexasperis as suggesting 'sending everyone to Haraki'. I read it as an example he/she? thought would fit my criteria. The word example was used after all. Haraki does look like a place that I might like.

If you have any suggestions as to other places that would fit the bill, I would be happy to hear about them. I didn't post my question for you to disagree with other posters. I posted for you to answer my question if you have any answers to offer.

Dulciusexasperis, thanks for the suggestion. It looks quite interesting. I like that the seafront is kept car free. I also like that you have first hand knowledge that says I could find a studio for $1000 or less per month.

Brotherleelove, thanks for the additional suggestions. Loutro looks surprisingly like the pictures of Haraki. I do read though that there is no road access. That sounds a bit too isolated and difficult to enjoy the rest of the island from. Paleochora again look surprisingly similar and with easy access. It seems like these kinds of villages are quite common.

Nanabee, thanks for the Hydra island suggestion and video. I get the impression the island may be a bit small for a 3 month stay. The port town is too big and I had a look at the village of Kamini but wasn't too impressed with what I could find online. Any other suggestions elsewhere?

I don't expect anyone to guide me right to 'the' apartment to rent, I now have two villages that seem to fit the bill. Haraki, Rhodes and Paleochora, Crete. I would not rent before seeing what I was renting in any case. If someone wants to suggest specific apartments to look at that's fine. Does anyone have any more villages to suggest?

I'll do my own homework on what each island has to offer, I just think those who know an island may know which village/s would be a good choice.

nanabee

Sojourntraveller,
I don't, next trip to Greece will include a lot more island hopping so I am following this thread carefully.

My daughter & her two kids stayed on Hydra for 3 months and loved it. The port town is actually very small just one long main street. It does feel small compared to probably some of the other isles that have larger populations and better nightlife. The nice thing for them was that it was a short ferry ride back & forth between Athens where they also had an apt.

clausar

Sojourntraveller

This is a forum where people can agree or disagree, feel free to follow any advice you think is the best for you.