LOCATIONS: NORTHERN SUBURBS

Drossia/Dionysos

Not far from Ekali, these rural areas are very green and full of trees. They are fairly well situated for the schools in the north but quite a distance from Athens City centre. If you work in Pireaus, the Lamia National Road has an exit at Ekali.

Ekali/Kastri

One of the most exclusive and expensive suburbs of Athens. Well situated for the schools in the north, the area is green, rural and boasts some of the finest villas in Athens. In the summer, it is cooler here than in coastal areas and it is convenient for walking. Snowfalls in the winter have been known to be heavy and it is not unusual for the area to be cut off for a day or two during particularly cold spells.

The Ekali Club is in the area with swimming pool and tennis courts but membership is necessary. There is a large supermarket to the west of Ekali off the National Road, which has a back entrance, and Kifissia is close by with some very good shops. Access to the National Road, which runs south to Piraeus, Corinthos and the Peleponnese and north to Thessalonika, is very easy and many people use it to commute to work in Athens and Piraeus from here.

Kifissia/Nea Erythrea/Kefalari

Kifissia is a major shopping area and boasts some of the finest shops and restaurants in Athens. Originally established as an area where Athenians used to have their summer houses, people now live permanently in these districts. Slightly closer to Athens than Ekali, many foreigners live here as it is close to St Catherine's school, Campion school and not far from ACS and the Lycee Francais. The train line to Piraeus starts at Kifissia (and connects with the new underground at Attiki and Omonia stations on Line 2) so it is convenient for travelling in to Athens. Kifissia and Nea Erythrea have a great deal of traffic but you can find some quieter areas. Kefalari is quieter. Most residences in the area are apartments but you can find some houses. Rents are on the high side.

Vrilissia/Melissia

Relatively new areas of Athens with many new, large apartment buildings under construction. Out of town with fresh air and very easy access to the foreign schools in the Northern Suburbs, these areas are a good alternative to Kifissia, Ekali etc as the rents are lower and good value for money.

Psyhico/Philothei

Approximately half way between Athens and Ekali, Psyhico is expensive but green and attractive with both houses and small blocks of apartments (there are no high rise buildings). It should be noted that there are no corner shops in close proximity to houses and it is not a very practical area if you are unable to drive. However, there is a supermarket on Kifissias Avenue (the main highway up from Athens) and several good shops, hairdressers (Freestyle has stylists that speak a number of different languages) and restaurants. Psyhico is also situated close to all the main hospitals. Many Embassies are located in the area.

Politea

Parts of Politea are very high and, therefore, it is a very attractive area with some wonderful views of Athens and the surrounding mountains. As with Ekali and Kifissia it is cooler in the summer and there is a chance that you could be snowed-in in the winter. Taxis do not like to go up some of the very steep roads, especially in winter. There are new apartment buildings in the area and a much greater number of houses and maisonettes are available than in other areas of Athens; rents are high. Kifissia shopping centre is easily accessible by bus and there are some good restaurants in the area.

Papagou/Holargos

Approximately thirty minutes by car from Athens (depending on the traffic), Papagou and Holargos are fairly new districts where you can find nice apartments at lower rents than other northern areas. It is also a cool and fresh area, especially if you live on the mountainside and away from main roads. There are not many houses with gardens available. Both areas have good shops and supermarkets with many local corner shops.

Halandri/Ag Paraskevi

These districts are very built up in parts and, although there are some houses, you will find mainly apartments, some high rise, and a great deal of traffic. Many foreigners chose to live here because ACS and the French Lycee are close by. There are some very pleasant residential areas close to the French school. There are numerous shops of all kinds in the area and good bus services. Ag Paraskevi is fairly close to the Attiki Odos and, therefore, accessible to the airport at Spata. It is also not too far from the port of Rafina and Campion school. However, congestion on Messogion Avenue can lead to long traffic queues and delays.

Kolonaki/Athens Centre

If you want to live in the heart of Athens, there are apartments available in the Kolonaki area and behind the Presidential Palace. The buildings are not modern but there are some wonderful penthouse apartments available. The centre of Athens is hot, noisy and polluted but is close to offices, embassies, theatres, cinemas, shops and restaurants. Rents are also high and parking is very difficult. Apartments are also available in the Hilton area, at the top of Vas Sophias. Rents are lower than in Kolonaki but the same difficulties apply. Apartments can also be found in the old parts of Athens, Plaka or Monastiraki, which have seen a revival over the past twenty years. There are some beautiful old buildings on both sides of the Acropolis and many good restaurants round about. However, as before, parking is a problem and the centre of Athens is not practical for the majority of foreign schools and nurseries.

Paleo Faliro/Kalamaki

Paleo Faliro is on the coast at the end of Syngrou Avenue coming from Athens. Ideally suited for those who want to live by the sea, be within a reasonable distance of Athens or Piraeus and do not mind high-rise blocks of flats. Once a summer resort, nearly all the small, old villas have now gone from Paleo Faliro and have been replaced by seven/eight storey blocks of flats. If you rent an apartment on the sea front you will have a magnificent view. The streets, however, are narrow and parking can be a real problem. There is a good shopping area in Flisvos, near the hippodrome (horse racing track) with an Alpha Beta supermarket, dress shops, restaurants and hairdressers. There are two other large supermarkets in Paleo Faliro, Marinopoulos and Sklavenitis but neither has car parks and it is difficult to park. At one time Paleo Faliro was a beach resort but nowadays, the sea is not really clean enough to swim in (although many people do!). Some buildings are quite old but the majority are of a good standard and rents are reasonable.

Kalamaki is very close to Paleo Faliro on the road leading towards Glyfada. It is close to the Alimos Carrefour supermarket and to Praktika DIY store. Housing is very similar to Paleo Faliro with reasonable rents and bright apartments with good views if by the sea.

Glyfada

Glyfada has grown over the past twenty years and is now one of the leading residential areas of southern Athens. Glyfada has also become a commercial centre as many major companies have opened up offices in the area in an effort to avoid the pollution and traffic/parking problems of central Athens. There is plenty of property to let in Glyfada and many of the buildings are new and in good condition. You can find villas and maisonettes to rent as well as apartments of all sizes. Rents vary depending on the age of the building and on the location (Ano Glyfada/Terpsithea/Argyroupoli are generally cheaper). A new tramway is being built from the centre of Athens, which will make travel to and from the city much easier. Glyfada has the only golf course in Athens. There is a major shopping area and every type of restaurant that you can think of. There is also an abundance of nightclubs on the sea front although many only operate in the summer months.

Voula

Voula is close to Glyfada and very similar. There is a small shopping centre and a pleasant children's' park/cafe on the sea front. Rents are similar to those in Glyfada with landlords asking for higher rents for properties in Panorama which is on the mountainside and has stunning sea views. You can find houses with swimming pools but there are not many and rents are automatically pushed up because of this.

Vouliagmeni/Kavouri

Slightly further down the coast you come to Kavouri and then Vouliagmeni. Both areas are primarily residential and rents are high. Many people come to Kavouri and Vouligmeni to swim as the beaches are reasonably well maintained and the water is much cleaner than in areas such as Glyfada and Paleo Faliro. For non-drivers, the area is not practical as there are no corner shops and no major supermarkets. Vouliagmeni is very good for all water sports and has a fresh water lake (below sea level), which is used for bathing all year round.

Vari/Varkiza

Vari is an area under development and rents are much lower than in other coastal areas. It is well situated for the airport but also suffers from heavy traffic because of this. There are apartments for rent but they are usually no bigger than 140 sq m. Small maisonettes can be found in Miladesa and Korbi but they have very little garden and are generally quite small.

Varkiza, until recently, was a summer resort with mainly apartment buildings. Rents are quite high considering the distance from Athens and the area is not practical if you have to use public transport every day. There is a daily fish market on the sea front and most basic shops (Vari has an Alpha Beta supermarket). The area is quiet in winter but livens up in the summer with many open-air restaurants and cafes. Varkiza has a new cinema which is a good alternative to those in Glyfada as parking is easy and children's' films are shown in English as opposed to being dubbed.

Ag Marina/Lagonisi/Saronida

If you really want to get away from crowds and traffic/parking problems, Aghia Marina, Lagonisi or Saronida are good alternatives. 50% of those who live in these areas are now permanent as opposed to summer residents. That said, it is still quiet in the winter. A car is essential as public transport is not good. There are some very nice properties with swimming pools for rent and many apartments/houses have good sea views. New roads have recently been built which make access to the new airport and to the North of Athens, via the Attiki Odos, quick and practical (particularly if you want your child to attend Campion or ACS). There are many good Greek tavernas in the area but no major shops or supermarkets (Saronida has a Metro supermarket) and few petrol stations. Most people go to Glyfada to do their shopping. There is a good tennis club in Saronida and several open-air cinemas in the summer.