Country Article / Postcards
A second home in sunny Crete?
Date: 02/26/2007
The ancient island of Crete enjoys some of the longest summers in Europe, explaining part of its appeal for visitors from the north. So popular has the eastern coast become that it is now almost completely given over to mass tourism. The rest of the island, however, still has a few hidden treasures that should appeal to those looking for a place in the sun.
Three areas poised for growth
Most Cretan property and homes are still undervalued, and the island seems poised for an explosion in value over the next few years. The following areas in particular are attracting home builders in greater numbers and worth checking out.
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Chania
Due to the U.S. military base at Souda Bay, this area on the northwestern coast is popular with the relatively few Americans buying property on the island. The coastline is crowded with hotels and development, so most buyers go into the hilly interior to the south to build their houses, or farther west to the town of Kissamos. If health care is an issue, Chania has the best hospital on the island, routinely treating foreign patients.
Mesara Plain and Tymbaki
The as-yet unspoiled southern coast of Crete attracts both Greeks and expatriates and offers two well-equipped towns, Tymbaki and Mires (Moires), handy for construction supplies, repairs, minor medical care, and other necessities. This area is popular with Germans and other northern Europeans looking to purchase property. If you fantasize about growing your own grapes or olives, the soil in the Mesara Plain is the best in Crete. The area around the small village of Pitsidia is drawing interest and boasts boutique shops alongside traditional Greek markets. However, buyer beware. Even European Union environmental laws and the presence of the endangered Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting grounds may not be enough to stop a joint Greek-Chinese container port project under consideration for Tymbaki. The impact on this region would be immense.
Northeast coast: Chersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, and Sitia
Far enough away from Heraklion, yet lively enough in its own right with ferry service to other islands, this area is attracting many British and Dutch expatriates. The town of Chersonissos and the small cities of Agios Nikolaos and Sitia are attracting builders and renovators. Rumors of a new international airport at Sitia may make this region more accessible if it goes through, and if you can’t bear to be away from a golf course, the Crete Golf Club is located at Chersonissos.
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