Corfu, Greece

Tourism dominates Corfu's economy, pulling in hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and driving most service-sector jobs. Olive oil production, citrus farming, and wine-making remain traditional pillars, though they employ fewer people than they once did. Shipping and maritime services add stability. Remote work is viable here—reliable internet exists in town—but local job opportunities are thin unless you speak Greek fluently and work in hospitality or tourism. Most expats either freelance, run online businesses, or live off savings.

A one-bedroom in Corfu Town runs €780/month; outside the center, €550–650 is realistic. Utilities add €80–120 monthly. Public transport is cheap but infrequent; a car or scooter is nearly essential. Healthcare is solid—public hospitals are free for residents, private clinics cost €50–100 per visit. Greek bureaucracy is real: residency permits require patience, multiple office visits, and documents in Greek. English is spoken in tourism areas but not reliably elsewhere. Winter ferries to Italy and Albania can be rough.

Summers are hot and dry; winters mild but rainy. Food is excellent—fresh seafood, local olive oil, Corfiot pastries—and eating out costs €8–15 per meal. The expat community is small but tight, mostly retirees and remote workers. Weekends mean beach swims, hiking the interior, or day trips to Albania. The UNESCO old town is genuinely beautiful but crowded July–August. Corfu suits people seeking affordable Mediterranean living who don't need a large expat social scene and can tolerate Greek administrative friction.