If you have ever dreamed of spending your days in a romantic little Greek fishing port, your dreams could be coming true. The government of a Greek island called Antikythera is paying new residents a monthly stipend just for moving in. Before you begin packing your bags, though, there are several details of which you should be aware.
Antikythera is a small Aegean island located approximately halfway between Crete and the Peloponnese. The whole island measures only 24 square kilometers (fewer than 10 square miles) so it probably wouldn’t take you long to see all the sights.
Forty years ago, more than 300 people called the island home, according to the Greek news outlet Iefimerida. But that number has dwindled over the years, and the current population is about 24 permanent residents, which increases to 40 residents during the summer.
The demographic is primarily older adults. A family with three children recently moved to the island, prompting the primary school to reopen after standing empty for nearly a quarter of a century.
“We are looking for many families to ‘revive’ our island,” Andreas Harhalakis, president of the island, told Iefimerida.
In fact, the Diocese of Kythera and Monemvasia, in cooperation with the municipality and the local community, is currently offering 500 euros a month (just over $560) for shelter and food to people who settle in Antikythera.
As mentioned, though, there are some caveats. Large families with young children are primarily being sought. In addition, the community is looking for people with specific careers.
“The specialties of the people we seek are baker, builder, fisherman and breeder,” Harhalakis told Iefimerida. “These people could secure a decent payday in Antikythera.”
Ready to sign your lease? There are a few other things to know about Antikythera before you pack your bags:
There is no grocery store.
There are no gas stations.
No taxi service is available.
You can take a ferry to the mainland, but high winds can prevent them from making trips back and forth.
There is no official application method posted for those who would like to live on the island, although Harhalakis has received a handful of calls from interested parties.
“I tell them to come here to see the place,” Harhalakis told Iefimerida, even offering to host them while they visit.
The island and its surroundings are home to some interesting sights, including a shipwreck that was discovered in 1900 and featured on Jacques Cousteau’s “The Cousteau Odyssey.”
Antikythera was also once inhabited by Cilician pirates between the 4th and 1st centuries B.C., and their fort is still seen there. There’s even a prison cave near the pirates’ old castle, which has been partially preserved.
Tricia Goss is a Texas-based writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience. She is passionate about helping readers improve their skills, gain knowledge and attain more happiness in life. When she’s not working, Tricia enjoys traveling with her husband and their dog, especially to visit their five grandchildren.
