Marcia and Ron Gibbs moved to Crete in 2023. They’d dreamt of spending their retirement in the sun for many years and are really happy they did it – “we just wished we’d done it sooner,” says Marcia, a former nurse.
The couple swapped their home near Torquay in Devon for Drapanos, a village in north-west Crete close to Plaka and Vamos. The area is very popular with expats for its easy access from Chania’s city and airport but also for the beautiful sunsets across Souda Bay.
They fell in love with the Cretan laid-back lifestyle after holidaying there and - like many others - prized it for its size, amenities and climate. says Marcia. Even in February it’s T-shirt weather. There is also the famous Cretan hospitality - one of their Greek neighbours left a huge bag of oranges on the door step not long ago, says Marcia, who loves having Greek lessons at one of the local tavernas.
The couple found their home through A Place in the Sun after flying out in June 2022. Their budget was £255k but bought their three-bedroom, two-bath home for £218,000, and since added the much-needed swimming pool.
Their timing also made their move over to Greece the following year much easier. They were able to apply for a golden visa to get Greek residency before the minimum qualifying purchase price of a property in Crete was raised from €250,000 to €800,000 at the end of 2024.
The move has been pretty seamless, once a few legal issues on the house were sorted out by their lawyer. Ron, 71, a former welder, has been working hard building the 9x5m pool which cost more than they thought but is where they spend most of their time during the scorching summers. “It gets so hot we really needed the pool. We raised the level so you can get a sea view and amazing sunset views,” says Marcia.
Their close-knit family also get the gather at the home – the couple’s two children and four teenage grandchildren, whom Marcia and Ron helped look after for many years.
Since the pool has been completed, Ron has also been landscaping and making a wrought-iron gate and gazebo. Meanwhile Marcia volunteers for one day a week at a charity shop, the Syllogos in Plaka run by Lesley and where everything is sold for €1 and the proceeds go to help local causes such as schools. “Everyone has made us feel very welcome here,” says Marcia.
They’ve found life in Crete inexpensive and healthy. “We adopted two stray puppies - there are lots of dogs and cats for adoption,” says Marcia, who loved walking in the hills around the village, with the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Village life has not lost their traditional charm, despite the area’s popularity with expats. “We go out to eat two or three times a week and meals are inexpensive, she says.
Meals in local tavernas cost around £7-9 each, and half a bottle of the local wine around £3. Marcia has also joined a ‘knit and natter’ group every Monday which she loves. ‘It’s great for catching up on the local gossip over tea and cake.’
All in all they are so pleased they made the move. “Life is easier and healthier. It moves at a slower pace. At first it felt like we are on holiday all the time – especially we have guests over from the UK – but you have to keep an eye on the budget too,” she says.
