Experience in Athens, Greece by

What is it like to live in Athens? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Athens is a typical big city that almost half of the population of Greece lives there..this fact can make it really interesting or really chaotic.although, there are a lot of things to do or to see, especially if you speak a little bit of greek or if you hang around with Greeks. I feel that it would be nice to stay for a short period mostly for students because the majority of Greeks are really nice people and helpfull and the weather and the food are great :-)

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

The students in Athens have a lot of oppurtunities to enjoy thenselves even though is very essencial to speak a little bit of greek or to hang around with Greeks.There are a lot of things happening around if you have your ears wide open and have the right contacts..but this you get it very easily after a little bit of time!
a nice site to see things is: www.artandlife.gr (sorry fellows..it is in greek) with a lot of free activities, concerts, theatre, parties and e.t.c.
The academic system is a little bit chaotic but i don't think that you want to make a carrer as a student here:-)))) so you can handle it!!!

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

This is a very interesting question:-))).
You can find a lot of cheap places to eat or to go out, but in general is a little bit expensive if you move in the ''popular-turistic'' places. All these things are depending on the economical situacion of each individual, of course. Considering the greek wages, it is expensive. There are a lot of flea markets of food that you can get cheap vegetables and lately there is this thing with the direct sale from the producers that you get a nice big basket of organic vegetables that can keep you easily for a week with just 10 euros.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Athens? Is there any advice you can give?

I wouldn't say that is difficult to find an accomodation in Athens, especially now that the rent prices fell down due to the economical crisis.Although, there are some ''popular'' places like Ano petralona and Thiseio that they forget all this crisis:-))))).Maybe you have a little bit of problem of finding a place because most of the rental advertisments are in greek...Ask a greek to help you with this:-)))))

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is excellent with a lot of variety even for a vegetarian!!!
I am a vegetarian as well and i always find some dishes wherever i go that make me happy.
I love 'gemista', 'kolokithokeftedes', 'melitzanes sto furno', 'mpugiournti', ' feta cheese','fava','falafel','ntolmadakia'...i couldn't forget to say about the spinach and cheese pies!!!!

What places would you recommend visiting in Athens?

It is really nice to visit all the old part of Athens which is Monastiraki, Thiseio, Plaka and Acropoli...
The filopapou hill and the Pnika hill situated in Thiseio are really nice places to walk around..be careful with the thieves especially in the night time who might try to steal you without even noticing them.
Then, Parnitha mountain is a really nice place that you can go to have a pic-nic there and do some trekking if you are into it.
Penteli mountain is a really nice place to see eventhough you have to have a car to go there.
Kaisariani is a perfect place for bicycle riders and people who like to walk in nature.
The little forest-park in Halandri is nice to see as well.
Sounio and the temple of poseidon is worth to visit.
And last but not the least the lake in Bouliagmeni.

Is it good to eat out in Athens? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

The best places for me to go and eat out are in:
KERAMEIKOS, with a lot of nice 'mezedopoleia' as we call them..
EXARCHEIA with a lot of places that sell the typical 'suvlaki' (a nice cheap solution) and food that your mother would cook:-)))).
PSIRI.. a little bit more expensive.

Is the nightlife good in Athens? Where is good to go?

I am not the best person to talk about it since i have stopped to visit bars and clubs.
Although there are a lot of parties going around that you can see in the posters that they put all around Athens, especially in the centre.

What advice would you give future students heading to Athens?

Enjoy all these moments of your life because they are not going to be repeated:-))))
Get into the greek culture, meet greeks and you will know more about the place you are.
Avoid some specific areas,especially in the night time around the centre but don't get paranoid...these forbidden places exist everywhere.
Try, experiment and feel free!!!!!