| Ten years ago people from abroad looking for | | | | they knew told them they could not understand |
| property in Crete were not that many. However, | | | | how they could leave their families and home |
| real estate develops and today it is quite a | | | | town to move to Crete. Now they tell them they |
| popular destination. Among the reasons attracting | | | | are very lucky to live in a place with such |
| villa and property seekers in a place, is its unique | | | | excellent weather conditions. Many, still ask them |
| character and natural landscape. Therefore, a | | | | "Is it worth it?". Tony and Mary answer: "Yes but |
| question is generated: what happens today, when | | | | you need to be careful when selecting the |
| most areas have more and more houses built not | | | | company you are going to work with. We also |
| for locals but other nationalities too? | | | | recommend coming here for holidays first and |
| In an article published in the local Cretan | | | | then in deciding if it suits you". |
| newspaper "Haniotika Nea" on the 19th of April, | | | | Another interesting aspect is supplied by some |
| 2008, the testimony of Tony and Mary | | | | local neighbors and friends of Tony and Mary: |
| Shuttleworth is featured, a couple from Wales in | | | | Vasili and Eleni. Eleni says "The majority of the |
| Britain. Tony and Mary bought a property in the | | | | people coming here become part of the local |
| area of Apokoronas and moved into their | | | | society by building relationships and learning the |
| property on January 2008. | | | | traditions, customs and even the language. They |
| Tony said "We had visited other places in Spain, | | | | are also impressed by things like the Free State |
| Portogual and Turkey but this was the one. We | | | | owned Health or Medical Center services offered. |
| were coming to Crete for holidays for ten years. | | | | In their home countries they were used to paying |
| When we retired, we decided that we wanted to | | | | for everything". |
| live here permanently. First of all, people here are | | | | From the above, it becomes obvious that the real |
| special and friendly. We recall the day we were | | | | estate development has not tempered with the |
| expecting some of our belongings to arrive from | | | | Cretan spirit or its culture. At the same time the |
| Wales and the banks were closed so we could | | | | strict legislation confining building outside housing |
| not withdraw money to pay the transport | | | | plan has helped in maintaining with the originality of |
| company. They delivered them to us and said not | | | | the landscape. |
| to worry about it and that we can pay them | | | | However, the article in "Haniotika Nea" also |
| whenever we have the money. This is something | | | | mentions how there has been an increase in |
| that would never happen in England!" | | | | complaints from international citizens who bought |
| Mary also added that "Of course the weather is | | | | new build houses from construction companies |
| excellent as well". Tony agreed and mentioned | | | | and are facing problems. |
| that when he sent some photographs from his | | | | This is where Real Estate offices may supply |
| house to some friends from the south, the snow | | | | substantial help to all property seekers with |
| caped mountains could be seen, while from the | | | | additional options of key ready houses or advice |
| north laid the sea and Souda Bay. "My friends | | | | on how to deal with construction companies. They |
| were amazed on how a single place can enjoy a | | | | may also operate as an additional local |
| winter view combined with a summer view." | | | | communication channel for the home owner. So |
| Another aspect in which they both agreed was | | | | buying a property and living in Chania, Crete, |
| security. "Criminality in Crete is so small compared | | | | either permanently or for holidays, can be an |
| to England. Additionally, in the village we can find | | | | excellent experience as long as you choose the |
| most of the things we need while the city of | | | | right persons to help you do it. |
| Chania is only 20km away". Originally most people | | | | |