Athens, Greece with Steve Gantzos and Ken Cook

Where Do Gays Retire Podcast

Summary

Athens, Greece is a vibrant city with a rich history and modern amenities. It offers a mix of ancient ruins, world-class museums, delicious food, and lively nightlife. The city is known for its welcoming LGBTQ+ community, with a gayborhood in the Ghazi neighborhood and a variety of gay-friendly establishments.

Both expats and locals find it relatively easy to make friends, especially through activities and social events. While speaking Greek is not necessary to live in Athens, it can be helpful when dealing with government agencies and utilities. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and among healthcare professionals.

Athens offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, with theaters, music venues, museums, and festivals. The city has a variety of outdoor theaters and concert venues, including the ancient theater of Epidaurus, known for its exceptional acoustics. The museums in Athens, such as the Acropolis Museum and the Benaki Museum, are top-notch. The city also has a good public transportation system, including metro, buses, trams, and taxis. Housing costs in Athens vary depending on the neighborhood, with apartments ranging from 500 to 1000 euros per month.

The city has a low crime rate, with theft being the most common crime. Overall, Athens is considered a safe city for residents and tourists. They mention that crime is low in Athens, especially violent crime and that it is safe to walk around the city at any hour.

They also talk about the healthcare system in Athens, highlighting the low cost of medical services and medications. They mention that there are enough doctors in Athens and that it is relatively easy to get appointments. They also discuss the different types of visas available for living in Greece and the tax implications of becoming a resident.

Steve Gantzos

Steve Gantzos is a Greek-American currently living in Athens running a business as a real estate broker serving foreign and Greek clients to find their dream home in Greece. Born in the ancient Roman town of Esslingen, Germany, given the Byzantine name of Stylianos belonging to his late grandfather, the family moved to the USA in the latter months of 1969, settling in the Philadelphia area, where his mother's family settled years before, and had established themselves in the Greek community of Upper Darby, a suburb of the city.

As was the norm in the Greek community of the early 70's, the families steadfastly clung to traditions and the language, where Steve grew up speaking Greek as his first language, while enjoying the rich cultural background of his family and ancestors. Greek was the only language he spoke until entering grade school where the challenge of learning English in school turned into both a daunting and exciting task for a young child whose parents depended on his language skills at later stages of life.

Steve spent most of his life living in the Philadelphia area then a career opportunity took him to Miami, where he spent 12 years in the tropical sun, enjoying the gentrification of the region in the mid-90s. Realizing his heart was always in Europe after numerous visits, he ventured into the process of successfully obtaining ancestral citizenship in Greece to initiate the dream of living in his continent of birth, yet the dream took many years to come to fruition. At the peak of the pandemic, and the realization that life is much too short, the dream to live and work in Europe became reality with the move to Greece in early January 2021. Steve spends much of his time enjoying the richness of his ancestral land, traveling for business and pleasure to places he learned of in his youth, and making wonderful friends along the way while enjoying the remarkable adventure that is his life in Greece.

Steve Gantzos

Owner and Founder

www.GreekPropertyFinders.com

License Number - 168584103000

Greece: [phone]

Use WhatsApp or Viber for free calls and messages

Address:

Plateon 55

Pi55 Building

Athens 10435

Ken Cook

In "Greek Life Getaway: Live the Life You've Imagined in Greece," readers embark on a journey rich with insights into the transformative experience of settling in Greece, guided by the wisdom and personal stories of Ken Cook. Beyond his professional accolades and contributions, Ken's life story is deeply intertwined with the vibrant culture and spirit of Greece, a connection that has grown stronger over the years, especially through his marriage to an American/Greek dual citizen.

Ken first set foot in Greece in 1987, an experience that ignited a lasting passion for the country's stunning landscapes, ancient heritage, and dynamic lifestyle. His bond with Greece was further cemented in 2017 when he purchased his first apartment in Athens, and again in 2022 with a second property, a penthouse acclaimed for its spectacular Acropolis view, featured in the New York Times "The Hunt" on February 19, 2023.

Ken's journey in Greece has been enriched by his partnership with his Greek spouse. Together for 15 years and married for eight, their shared life is a testament to the beauty of cultural fusion and mutual growth. This intimate connection to Greece and its people has profoundly influenced Ken's perspective, infusing "Greek Life Getaway" with authenticity and depth.

As the President of KEC & Associates, LLC since May 2019, Ken leverages his expertise to assist Greek expatriates and those aspiring to become one. His endeavors extended to founding the Next Gen Greece Foundation, Inc. in May 2021, a non-profit aimed at empowering Greek youth to pursue meaningful careers within their homeland, thereby encouraging them to remain in Greece post-education.

Ken's extensive background, spanning from his service as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps to his executive roles in quality management across various industries, equips him with unparalleled leadership and strategic skills. His academic credentials, including a degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University and an Executive Development Certificate from the University of Minnesota, complement his practical experience.

Ken's journey exemplifies the enriching process of cultural integration and personal discovery. Through "Greek Life Getaway," Ken shares not only the logistical considerations of relocating to Greece but also the emotional and relational dimensions of building a life there. His narrative is a compelling invitation to explore the possibilities that Greece offers, underscored by his own life's testament to the joy of embracing a new culture alongside a beloved partner. This guide is an indispensable resource for anyone drawn to the prospect of a vibrant, fulfilling life in Greece, illuminated by Ken's experiences and insights.

People listening to the podcast can get a FREE copy of my book by emailing me at [e-mail].

Website: Www.greeklifegetaway.com

Greek Life Getaway FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555012101646&mibextid=YMEMSu

Greek Life Getaway IG page: Kenneth E Cook (@greeklifegetaway) • Instagram photos and videos

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@GreekLifeGetaway?si=Cm7BVjd9Gbx3cP1P

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenneth-cook-298b3b11

New York Times Article:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/16/realestate/athens-greece-apartment-retirement.html?smid=url-share