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Cost of Living on Crete
First and foremost, the cost of day-to-day living in Crete is 'cheaper', not 'cheap' compared to almost anywhere else in Western Europe for resident expatriates. Secondly, the daily lifestyle can be quite different to the way of life in the UK and Eire caused by the basic cultural difference: the Cretan concept and use of "time". Along with the rest of Greece outside of Athens, today means "maybe tomorrow"; tomorrow can be "a week to 10 days", and ten days is often a polite way of saying "never". Yet when a Greek wants something it can be very fast indeed.
Seasonal Life
Working and business life in Crete tends to be structured around the tourist industry in summer. Basically, that means from Easter until the end of October. The rest of the year is devoted to agriculture and farming. Chania and Heraklion, the two most populated towns on the Island of Crete offer urban living and all the supporting infrastructure. Yet, Cretan lifestyle values seem to be consistent whether you are in towns of villages.
Yet, Cretans are part of today's modern Europe and fast catching up with state-of-the-art online banking, using the Internet for social contact, new media and communicating via broadband and mobile services. Greece overall has a high penetration of handheld phone users with virtually 100 per cent geographic coverage of the country. Broadband is improving, if more slowly, reaching every school under a government educational directive.
Traditional Way of Cretan Life Meets Today's Modern Advances
Against a background of long traditions in Cretan society, modern technology advances enable foreigners and ex pats to bring all the attributes of their present lifestyle when coming to reside on Crete. One of the best answers to the question: "What have you been doing all day?" from a Cretan neighbour, is to respond with "Sto Computer" - on the computer. They may not understand anything about the IT generation but it puts their mind at rest that you are using your day productively and not just being an idle "rich" foreign resident in their village.
Shopping in Crete
 Photo: Champion Supermarket, Aghios Nikolaos. Gerald Brown ©
In the past 10 years there has been a shopping revolution with the introduction of high turnover supermarkets. Today, Crete's Supermarket chains include: Carrefour, Europe's largest super market group - with a hypermarket in Heraklion The same group includes budget chain, Dia which has Spanish product lines, as well as Champion, in joint venture with the family-owned, Marinopoulos Group. Then, there is Lidl with its German oriented product line. The locally Cretan-owned, Xalkiadakis, Chalkiadakis (Ariadne / Spar) has many store outlets across Crete.
In Western Crete, the Chania-based, family run, INKA Supermarket chain specialises in products from the area.
Local Co-op Stores
There are regional "co-operative" super markets owned and operated by local prefectorial associations - a throw back to Greece's socialist days. They stock harvested, fresh and packaged items from local produce. These outlets are open all year, and not oriented to the tourist economy. It is noticeable that prices edge up in the summer months, and come down again for the winter when there are many promotional offers.
Tourist Resorts - Corner Stores
Many mini-marts, mini supermarkets and mum and pop outlets cater to the visitors during the long Summer Season also. They have one advantage: they generally open longer hours and can sell postage stamps.
The disadvantage: most close in winter. The price for a convenience store pn street corners in the holiday areas: higher prices. Liberalised shop opening hours in Greece has also meant the big supermarket chains open key stores 24/7 in peak periods. For example: Chalkiadakis in Malia.
Makro (also known as Metro Cash and Carry)
There is also a Makro in Heraklion but you need to obtain a Makro Card to shop there. That you can do if you own a business that requires it. They accept Makro Cards from Britain and issue a "day pass" (at the enquiry counter) as you enter to shop in the local store. This is simply a piece of handwritten paper provided by the reception counter staff that you give to the cashier on check out.
Watch the price tags they are usually quoted without VAT, so you have to add that on top to obtain the final price you will need to pay the cashier. That is 9 per cent on food and associated items and 19 per cent for everything else.
You can buy most things from any of Crete's main shopping areas. Prices are comparable to the UK. Some things are cheaper, some things (imported items usually) are more expensive. Shop around for the best deals.
British Retail Outlets around Heraklion
BiC can't speak for the other Crete towns, but in Heraklion there is a Marks and Spencer's, a Virgin Megastore, The Body Shop and Next Clothing. Vodafone - Panafon shops are everywhere and some of the designer clothes shops are fabulous (if you're into that sort of thing). In winter it's difficult to get more unusual things locally if you don't live in a city, so get stocked up for the winter. Greece's "Winter Sales" season takes place right after Epiphany - January 6.
U.S. Multi-national Names
During 2007, Starbucks.gr Coffee opened three storefronts in Heraklion in partnership with Marinopoulos Bros S.A. offering wi-fi hotspot Internet connections through the Marinopoulos Bros S.A. through the Trustive Wireless support network. Starbucks is the second multinational after MacDonalds which has opened fast food Crete based outlets in Heraklion, Malia, Hersonissos and Rethymno.
Sweden's IKEA
IKEA - the household furnishings and interior design kit supplier has yet to make an appearance on Crete (as of May 2008). The nearest store is in Athens. IKEA has an online catalogue for Greece and will arrange mail order deliveries to Crete addresses handled via their English language website for Greece.
The Cretan Diet - Fresh and Varied
For eating -- our advice if you possibly can, is to try and leave some of your UK eating habits such as fast foods behind and consume fresh Cretan produce whenever possible to take full advantage of the famous healthy Cretan Diet. A gyros once in awhile is acceptable, made as it is from fresh local produce. If your food regime permits it, like the Cretans, ensure you include copious amounts Olive Oil in your diet from the island's famous Olive Trees - (Olea europaea L) and Lemons (Citrus limonum L).
Other Useful Reference Pages on Ex Pat Living in Crete:
Schools for Foreign Children
Being part of the EU, Greece through state organisations has sponsored Schools for Foreign Children, including the EU, European School Heraklion. A true experience of bringing the kids over in "Making the Leap with Kids".
Public Utilities
Public Utilities - Electricity and Water. Explanation of billing procedures.
Living in Winter is Different
Crete - you know the weather is good that is why you come to Southern Greece but Crete also has a winter climate and its house heating implications.
PTT - Post and Telecoms
Telephone, Internet and Postal Services - what you need to know.
Healthcare and Medical Services
Essential reading, including the private Cretan Medicare Centres.
Cretan Culture
Retaining language and customs yet making foreigners feel inclusive along with choices in local TV Viewing.
Citizens Advice Bureaus in Greece (K.E.P.)
Your short cut to the Ministries and who is responsible for what.
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