When you buy a home in Chania, it won’t take long to settle in. You will hear English being spoken and the warm weather on Crete will encourage you to get out and about and make new friends. Both the expat community and local Greeks are welcoming to newcomers and are at hand for advice.
Why buy a home in Chania city?
With a city population of 55,616, Chania is comparable to a large seaside town in the UK. It has a charming old town as well as all the facilities you need for year-round living. There are shops, supermarkets, restaurants, businesses and a large a hospital. It also has the benefit of an international airport just 17 minutes’ drive away.
Since Chania airport began international flights in the 1970s, local tourist figures have gone from strength to strength. This makes it an attractive destination for expats seeking a permanent residence or a lucrative vacation rental investment. Chania’s property market has exhibited consistent growth, particularly in prime locations like the charming Old Town and beautiful coastal areas.
Are homes in Chania affordable?
Chania has a robust property market charged by its flourishing tourism industry. In the city, the average price per square metre is €3,567 (£2,954), but prices vary greatly depending on location and condition.
For example, a two-bedroom apartment can cost anything from €150,000 to €670,000. A two-bedroom sea view apartment can cost around €300,000 and town houses €380,000. However, you can generally get more house for your money around the villages outside the city. Rural locations are worth considering, if outside space, peace and quiet and panoramic views are important to you.
Where do the British live in Chania?
There are English-speaking residents in the Old Town of Chania and in the city centre and port areas you might find the digital nomads. The Chania regional unit has a population of over 111,000 in total and incorporates numerous villages.
Located between Chania and Rethymnon is the Apokoronas district, which is popular with the British, especially retirees looking for a quiet location. Here you’ll find countryside with hills sloping down to the coast and properties with great views of the sea and mountains.
Popular villages in this area include Plaka, Kalyves, Kokkino Chorio, and Almerida. To the west of Chania are also the lovely beach areas of Kolymvari and Tavrinitis. Follow the links to see plots of land and property for sale in Kalyves and Kokkino Chorio.
Villa with panoramic views in Kalyves
What’s life like in Chania?
Expats that have made the move to Chania speak warmly about how lovely the people are and were surprised at how many of them speak English. A home in Chania allows you to meet other locals for coffee in the morning and live a more relaxed way of life. With activities and clubs to join, there are many opportunities to make new friends.
After a morning shopping in the pleasant, pedestrianised streets, you can enjoy a relaxing lunchtime stroll along the waterfront or a healthy dip in the salty waters. Summers are long and there are many evening events and a lively nightlife.
Does Chania close in winter?
While there are some restaurants that only pop up in the summer, there are plenty that open year-round. One of the benefits of a large population is that shops are open all year round. Those who live in Chania particularly enjoy the autumn months when the temperatures are still warm and there are less tourists around. The spring and autumn months are a great time to explore the island.
What activities might we do?
The area offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming and water sports, making it ideal for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. Hiking through the gorges is a popular pastime. There is even a group of English speakers who go hiking together. The most well-known trail runs through Samaria Gorge, but there are many other tracks to explore.
If you like visiting gardens, you’ll love a trip to the botanical gardens. They grow so many different varieties of fruit, nuts and flowers. Plus, you can taste some of their produce in the restaurant.
Where can we do our shopping?
As well as local greengrocers, there are colourful farmers markets. Here you can buy the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables. You’ll be amazed how much more flavour they have compared to those in UK supermarkets. There is nothing tastier than fruit ripened by the Cretan sun. And the selection of olives is incredible.
There are also several banks, supermarkets and hardware stores in Chania. Among the clothes shops you will see some familiar names, such as: H&M, Marks & Spencer, Zara, Next and Benetton. And when you run out of books to read, the Mediterraneo bookstore has a selection in English.
Where can I take my guests?
When friends and family visit your home in Chania, you will want to show them all the tourist sights and beaches, while spending quality time together. There are so many lovely places to visit on Crete, you need to live here year-round to have the time to see them all.
The city itself boasts a rich history, with Venetian, Turkish, and Greek influences, which is evident in its architecture and culture. There are historic sites and local festivals to enjoy too.
Favourite places to see are the Venetian port, lighthouse and Firka Fortress. Then there are alleyways and gift shops to explore in the Old Town, and museums and churches. Along the coast, there are also some great beaches, such as Balos Lagoon and Frangokastello beach.
What’s the community like?
As well as established expat communities that offer advice and social opportunities, many locals are friendly and welcoming to foreigners. In summer there are outdoor events, such as food festivals, traditional dancing and concerts. If you attend the community events you will learn so much about the local culture and start to feel at home.
What is healthcare like in Chania?
There are doctors in the city and surrounding villages, plus pharmacies and medical centres. Pharmacists are well trained and speak English. They can even dispense some medications that may require a prescription in other countries.
On the city outskirts, there is a large general hospital with a 24-hour A&E department and there are two private hospitals. Private consultations with a doctor can be quick and not as expensive as you might think.
Eating out
When you live in Chania, you’ll find a good selection of Greek restaurants to eat at. Cretan cuisine really celebrates the fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes. The local diet includes plenty of vegetables, seafood, cheeses and olive oil.
But when you get a craving for a curry, there is an Indian restaurant, and a handful of other countries are represented too. Rumour has it that some English speakers also gather in an Irish pub in Chania old town, to watch matches, jam and have a Guinness. Once you make a few friends, it’s lovely to take turns going to each other’s homes for dinner and a good chat.
Chania’s charming Old Town
Where can I make contacts before I move?
You can start making friends in Chania even before you move there. By joining Facebook pages related to the city and asking questions, you’ll meet some great people who have already made the move and are happy to share what they have learnt. You could then arrange a meet up with them during your viewing trip.
Facebook groups that have a lot of followers include “Living in Chania group” with 10,000 members and “Expats in Chania/Crete group” which has 5,900 members. There is also a public group called simply “Chania Crete” which has 73,600 members.
“Chania Crete” is more of a guide to the city, but you can ask questions of the locals and get recommendations for places to eat and what’s on in the city. People share some lovely photos of parts of Chania not usually on travel guides. Before Christmas, there were photos of the Christmas lights and the events programme for the festive season. The municipality organised a road train, concerts, traditional dancing, workshops and more.
Making new friends
By joining clubs relating to your interests, you will also find like-minded people. Options include sports, gyms, language lessons and even Cretan dance classes. If you enjoy hiking, you could join the “Happy wanderers of Crete”, a local hiking group that gets together for Sunday walks followed by a taverna for lunch. There is also a small group of writers that meet up. Plus, the animal welfare groups are always needing volunteers.
Digital nomads
With more people now able to work from home where-ever they lay their hat, it has become possible for some to come to Chania as a digital nomad. It’s actually a great idea to rent accommodation for a few months out of season to get a feel for which neighbourhood you would like to buy a home in. Just make sure the property has heating, as it can get chilly at night in the winter. At the end of December, the forecasts were between 15°C and 18°C (59°F and 64.4°F) during the day, but between 8°C and 10°C (46.4°F and 50°F) at night.
A great group, mainly aimed at digital nomads and remote workers, is called “Digital Nomads of Chania”. They have a weekly dinner, karaoke nights, craft events, painting, hiking and boating groups. Through their Facebook page, you can make contacts and get recommendations of places to work, rest and play.
Do we need a car?
If you buy a property outside the main bus routes or want to explore the island, a car is recommended. However, the local KTEL buses do run fairly frequently and serve both tourist and non-tourist areas.
On urban routes, tickets cost €1,20 or €1,60, depending on the zone. It costs more to buy the tickets on the bus than from a ticket booth or bus station. Taxis are reasonable too – just make sure you agree a price before setting off.
Chania has such a good variety of properties and locations, from smart seaview apartments to charming village houses. You are sure to find a place where you will feel at home. This is “Why you will love life on Crete”. Start your Chania property search here with Your Overseas Home.
