Experience in Athens, Greece by Elpida (Nadia)

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

Although architecture is not at its best Athens keeps a lot of beautiful corners especially in the center but also in several areas. The metro lines have improved a lot the trasportation in the city linking several neibourhoods. In general it not an expensive city neither in rents neither in food and entertainment- especially compared with other european capitals. Cultural events, sunny weather and entertainment are the advandage of this vivid and open to foreigners mediterrenean capital.

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

Athenians and especially young people are very open to make friends of different origin so the life of a foreign student becomes easy and rarely someone can feel isolated. Nightlife is intense for those who are interested.

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

For the greeks who are undergoing a prolonged financial crisis life has become expensive and the super market prices are relatively high. On the other hand rents, transportation and nightlife are not so high. For someone who doesn't pay taxes, 600 euros is an amount with which you can cover all your needs.

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

Accommodation is starting to get more expensive lately. Greeks want to have people in their houses that will pay their rent steadily. Thats a reason why they prefer foreign students.

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

There is a variety of ethnic cuisines in affordable prices so you can choose from my favourite roasted lamb to impressive boiled or fresh salad mixtures.

What places would you recommend visiting in Athens?

Appart from the various archeological site seeing, there are numerous areas such as Thisio, keramikos, Gazi, Exarheia, Kypseli and of course the sea front that worths the pain to visit.

What advice would you give future students heading to Athens?

I would advise them to choose carefully and according to their needs the neibourhood were they will live and always ask for the cost of something before buying.