Many foreigners, of all ages, are contemplating a big life change—leaving behind the city life and work they know to seek a slower pace, closer to nature, on an island like Crete. Jess and Kostas, a young couple currently based in Canada, are considering making the move. To gather insights, they reached out to an online community of Greek expatriates with a simple question:
“What should we expect?”
“My name is Jess. My partner, Kostas (who is Greek), and I live in Quebec, Canada. We both work in hands-on, creative fields. I’m in entertainment, events, and tourism, while Kostas is a plumber and a cook. We’re visiting Crete this September, possibly with plans to move next year. Honestly, we’re tired of the culture and politics back home—we’re ready for a big change and hope to find support and community through the expat network here. We’d really appreciate your honest opinions: what are the real pros and cons of living in Crete? What should we expect?”
Dozens of people—locals and expats who’ve already made the leap—responded to help Jess and Kostas make the right decision.
“You’ll find work easily”
One local, born and raised in Crete but who spent half her adult life abroad, shared:
“The weather here is wonderful—much warmer than Canada. The food and local products are truly magical, allowing you to eat healthily without sacrificing flavor. Cretans are generally open and sociable, and there’s a large expat community, so you won’t feel isolated. It’s a safe place with low crime, and it’s easy to go for a swim even if you don’t live right on the coast. Most importantly, given your professional backgrounds, I think you’ll have no trouble finding work.”
“If you need everything to be organized, it’s not for you”
Tourism is a huge part of Crete’s economy, and there’s always demand for staff—especially for cooks and plumbers, who can earn a good living year-round (by Greek standards, not Canadian).
Cons: Bureaucracy—honestly, it’s one of the worst things in Greece. There’s also a general lack of organization; if you’re the type who needs everything scheduled and running perfectly, Greece might not be for you. Summers bring very high temperatures (over 40°C/104°F for short stretches), especially in July and August, and water shortages are common due to the climate and limited rainfall—especially in Eastern Crete.
Most homes and businesses have water tanks for storage in case the municipality shuts off the water for a few days, so you’ll probably be fine thanks to these precautions.
“Cretan driving—oh my!”
Driving in Crete is… an experience! Forget what you know about rules of the road—just do as the locals do. It takes some getting used to, but you’ll adapt.
Housing can also be hard to find, especially in the cities, though not impossible with enough searching.
Crete, with all its drawbacks, is a wonderful place—it has a strange power to draw you in. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you!
“The best decision we ever made”
A retired couple from the Netherlands wrote:
“We’d dreamed of this for 30 years, and now we’re living in Rethymno after retiring. It’s the best decision we ever made!”
“Guns, but also warmth and generosity”
Another person added:
“Traffic laws aren’t really respected, so be careful. And yes, there are guns… But you’ll also find warm, generous, and welcoming people, outstanding home-cooked local food, and places of breathtaking natural beauty. Crete is a little paradise, slowly disappearing due to mass tourism and the lack of strict environmental and animal protection laws—or lack of enforcement of those that exist.”
“Be prepared for culture shock over animal mistreatment”
One Canadian shared:
“If you’re coming from Canada, you should think about how ready you are for some culture shock. The hardest part for me is the mistreatment of animals—including poisonings. People throw live animals in bags and dump them, shoot strays, and you see abandoned puppies on highways and in fields and dumpsters. These aren’t isolated incidents.
So yes, the food is amazing, the views are stunning, and the weather is great year-round. But be prepared for a culture that hasn’t quite caught up in some ways.”
“Dreaming of six months a year in Crete”
Someone else, now living in Vancouver, wrote:
“My fiancé and I own homes in Greece and dream of spending six months a year there. Healthcare in Crete is accessible, the food, beaches, and infrastructure are world-class, and the island’s airports make traveling anywhere easy.”
“Mass tourism affects Crete’s charm”
A woman observed:
“Because of mass tourism, the coasts can be crowded with visitors arriving on charter flights, which takes away from Crete’s authentic charm. Stay in the mountains with a sea view, swim in the evening, and return to enjoy the silence of your own little paradise.”
“Expect great hospitality”
Another commenter emphasized:
“Expect real hospitality—Cretans are famous for it. They love life and are open people. But be respectful. Blend in—learn a bit of Greek and improve day by day. I started studying Greek from home in Denmark and perfected it in Greece. Now I speak fluently. I wish I could return; those were the best years of my life.”
“The best people I’ve met—and I’ve traveled a lot”
A Californian recently back from Crete said:
“The lifestyle is fantastic. You truly feel like part of a community.”
Another summed it up:
“Cretans are among the most wonderful people I’ve ever met—and I’ve traveled a lot.”