Safety a Top Priority for Property Buyers in Greece, Say Real Estate Experts

Athens, Kolonaki. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

Safety, access to parking and to public transport are the main factors affecting decisions to buy or rent property in Greece, according to a country-wide study released this week by real estate experts Spitogatos.

According to Spitogatos Insights data collected from 10,000 user reviews, the neighborhoods rated with inspiring stronger sense of safety in the wider Athens include Pangrati, Kolonaki, Nea Smyrni, Kalamaki and Glyfada.

In Thessaloniki, the areas of Martiou, Ippokrateio, Agia Triada, Botsari, and Perea got thumbs up for safety. Elsewhere in Greece, Katerini, Trikala, Rhodes, Alexandroupolis and Corfu were cited.

Thessaloniki, Greece. Photo source: Visit Greece

In terms of access to public transport, areas getting high reviews in Athens included Panormou, Kallithea, Attiki Square, Hilton area, Fokionos Negri, Agios Eleftherios and Argyroupoli, and in Thessaloniki included Nea Paralia, Agia Triada and Martiou.

One of the greatest challenges for buyers is finding parking particularly in cities. According to Spitogatos data, in the wider Athens – Attica region, Porto Rafti, Ano Ilioupoli, Glyfada, and Vrilissia received the best reviews.

Also high up on buyers’ considerations are access to parks, schools, markets, entertainment, recreation, and offering pedestrian- and pet-friendly infrastructure.

A Dog Park in Athens.

Meanwhile, the same study found that property prices for most of the areas mentioned range from 288,000 euros to 500,000 euros for a 100m2 home in a safe neighborhood, with access to public transport and schools and parking spaces.

The top areas meeting these requirements in Athens include Kato Glyfada, New Smyrni, Kalamaki, Ano Ilioupoli, Kolonaki, Hilton, Argyroupoli, Pangrati, Ano Glyfada and Vrilissia.

Rents in these Greek neighborhoods for long term rental range between 9.3 euros to 17 euros per square meter or on average up to 1,700 euros per month.

Property prices and rents in Greece have been on a steady rise with average selling prices for properties up by 7.2 percent in 2022 compared to 2021 and rents by 6.7 percent.