Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
With the longest coastline in the Mediterranean Basin and a unique geography full of islands and peninsulas, Greece’s reputation as a bona fide beach destination is well-founded. Among the thousands of islands in Greece, Corfu stands out as one of the best.
Known as Kerkyra to locals, Corfu’s history is ancient. So ancient, in fact, the origins of civilization on the island can’t be traced.
Several historical accounts float about. Some say the first reference to Corfu comes from the Mycenaean Greek word korokuraijo (meaning man from Kerkyra), from 1300 BC. Others insist that the island of Scheria in Homer’s “Odyssey” is really Corfu.
Fertile lowlands and its strategic position between the Greek mainland and Magna Grecia (the areas of the Southern Italy coast that were heavily populated by Greek settlers) made Corfu an important island, causing growth and prosperity to flow here.
Corfu has long held a reputation as an idyll, especially in regard to its beaches, which rank among the best in Greece … They vary in style, from empty to developed for tourism, but regardless, all are graced with the piercing blue waters of the Ionian Sea.
At its core, the island remains traditional. You get a sense of the authentically Corfiot way of life in its many charming villages, particularly the inland mountain ones, where life is still carried out the same way it was generations ago.
Children still play in the streets. Nuns don their black habits and make their way to church in the early hours of the morning. People gather in the town square after dark to chat with their neighbors.
It’s a very safe, simple way of life — the type of place where you can leave your front door unlocked and not worry about a thing.
Often cited as Greece’s greenest island, Corfu is a place of bountiful produce, with various fruits and vegetables grown locally and vineyards turning out award-winning wines. The local grapes are unique to the Ionian Islands and pair perfectly with the cuisine, which is some of the healthiest, most delicious on the planet.
It doesn’t matter which village you visit in Corfu — you’re almost guaranteed to find a handful of expats living there. They came to the island as tourists, fell in love (either with the place or with a person), and extended their trip indefinitely.
It’s a common story, and it’s not hard to understand why. The cost of living is low, the scenery is stunning, and the climate is great. Corfu offers the opportunity for an all-around easy lifestyle.
Some Greek islands have a reputation for being expensive, even over-priced for what they offer. Corfu isn’t one of them.
Here you can enjoy a high standard of living for a low cost, especially considering it’s in Europe and a major beach destination. Your lifestyle will determine exactly how much you pay, but about $2,000 a month should be enough for a couple to live comfortably.