Florida couple retires early to $461K Greece home bought sight unseen
Both worked in hospitality and had a comfortable life but as retirement loomed they started to think about living abroad. From Florida to Greece A
Both worked in hospitality and had a comfortable life but as retirement loomed they started to think about living abroad. From Florida to Greece A holiday that altered their plans Selling their life in Florida Beginning again from the ground up Greek way of life education Understanding the local culture A new chapter for Greece Two years ago, Greece was just a vacation destination for Jeffrey Davidson and Walter Zak. Today it is home. A Florida couple who spent three decades building a life near Orlando decided to retire early and move to the Peloponnese after one trip to Greece changed their plans for the future. Their story, reported by CNN Newsource, is an unusual case of how a vacation can lead to a total lifestyle change. Now living in the coastal area of Akrata, the couple has swapped Florida's theme-park vibe for ancient ruins, seaside views and a slower pace of everyday life. They bought a house in the village of Platanos for 400,000 euros, or about $461,000 US, without ever seeing it in person before they bought it.Jeffrey, 62, and Walter, 57, met 32 years ago and lived most of their adult lives together in Florida. Both worked in hospitality and had a comfortable life but as retirement loomed they started to think about living abroad. It was no flight from the United States. Instead they wanted to experience another culture and create a different kind of daily life.
Their first choice was the Caribbean island of St. Martin, where they used to go and have a great time. " But the expense of relocating there, and the fear of hurricanes, made them change their minds.For the couple, Greece had not been a leading point for possible retirement locations. That changed in 2024 when the couple visited the country to mark their 30th anniversary. The trip was two weeks of exploring Greece, including a 10-day cruise around the Greek islands and a visit to Thessaloniki, the birthplace of Walter’s grandfather. The trip gave them an opportunity to experience the culture, people and pace of life of the country. Instead of deciding to move immediately, they spent the next year investigating whether a permanent move was a realistic option. Walter dug into the financial and legal requirements and found that they could potentially qualify for Greece’s Golden Visa program through a qualifying real estate investment. The couple took the plunge about a year after their trip.The decision was more than two plane tickets. Jeffrey sold his Corvette a week after agreeing to retire early and move. The couple also sold their three-story townhome in Florida and scaled back greatly on the amount of belongings they planned to bring with them. They viewed a few properties, and settled on Akrata, in the Peloponnese, for its milder climate and proximity to the sea. Then came one of the biggest leaps of faith, buying their new home without seeing it in person.The Platanos property was listed at €400,000 fully furnished with one bedroom main house and a separate one bedroom guest apartment.
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