About Crete | Plakias Resort Property Investment


	Crete is the largest of the all Greek islands and has a personality all of its own. Although the economy is mainly based on tourism, Crete still has a strong cultural tradition and there are large areas of the landscape unspoiled and indeed unchanged for hundreds of years. The cost of living in Crete is significantly lower than the UK. Cretan people really are warm-hearted and hospitable, and like having neighbours of any nationality.

3rd June 2007

Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of buying property on Crete, whether as an investment or as a home, is the current cost of properties with prices running considerably lower than other popular Mediterranean countries. When thinking about purchasing property you should consider the market trends and with house prices increasing by between 10 and 20%, depending on the location and type of property, there has never been a better time to buy in Crete.

It isn't only house prices which are lower. The cost of living in Crete is also 30 – 40% lower than in most northern European countries. Just eating great food in a beautiful setting at a wonderfully affordable price comes as a welcome treat. Buying fresh local produce at one of the many weekly street markets is not only economical but also a sure way to find the best of what is available. Crete has everything to make life happy, healthy and as exciting or peaceful as you want it to be.

Since Greece relaxed its regulations for the purchase of property by foreign nationals, buying property has become a simple process, especially for EU nationals, as Greece is a full EU member. It also offers EU nationals free health care through the Reciprocal Insurance for Health Care for EU Citizens.

Average annual GDP growth from 1995 to 2006 was 3.78%, among the highest in the EU and OECD. One of the reasons was that bureaucratic impediments that were blocking the country's fullshare of EU funding have been overcome.

Tourism in Greece is growing - 2007 was a record year, over 16 million people visited the country. Greece has low unemployment and the unemployment rate has fallen dramatically in recent years.

	Excellent highway and public transport infrastructure connecting all regions of the island.
	Ferries to mainland and other islands
	Frequent flights from 2 airports at Heraklion and Chania (plans are in place for a third at Lassithi).

	Population approx 624,000.
	Main export olive oil.
	Fresh water is plentiful
	Family and community is central to the Cretan way of life
	The crime rate is low.
	English taught widely (a surprisingly large number of Cretans can speak English).

	Crete is blessed with a perfect Mediterranean climate
	Long, hot summers lasting well over 6 months and short mild winters
	Average of 325 days of sunshine each year.

May 2008

Construction of harbour to the west of Plakias town is now well underway. Click below for more.