Only a few years ago Greece had one of the weakest currencies in Europe and finally the drachma fell to the point where it took 30,000 to make one dollar. However, Uncle Sam came to the rescue and backed the Greek currency. The Greek government, to simplify things, merely lopped off the last three zeros in 1984 and the money has remained firm ever since. There is little if any advantage in bringing free market money into Greece. You might as well change your dollars at the bank or at your hotel. WORK PERMISSION. You are not allowed to work in Greece without government permission which is seldom granted if a Greek can do the job. In some areas, such as Rhodes, which is only a few miles from Turkey and consequently a military zone, and near the Turkish frontier you are not even allowed to buy property. However, this is usually accomplished when desired by buying it through a Greek friend and in his name. The officials almost always blink at the practice. There is little if any difficulty in starting up a business on your own especially if it is the type that will bring dollars or other foreign currency into the country. Greece is anxious for the introduction of foreign capital into her poverty stricken country. § PRICES. As I have already said above, prices are probably as cheap as anywhere in Europe. Even in such tourist resorts as Rhodes and Corfu it would be quite possible for a couple to retire on a hundred dollars a month in relative comfort. Add another fifty to that and you could afford a full time servant and to drive a car. Prices will vary considerably between Athens and the other large cities and the small islands seldom touched by foreigners. An apartment, American style, in Athens would probably run you $475 and up which isn't exactly cheap, but I have been told that on such islands as Cos in the Dodecanese, you could find a cottage or small house for as little as $700 a month and a mansion for $2500. When I stayed on the island of Rhodes I paid $600 a month for my two bedroom apartment. This was no luxury flat, however, it came
|
Last Updated: