Why I Left Everything Behind for a New Life in Greece (UK Expat Interview)

What does it really take to renovate a historic home in rural Greece? 🇬🇷🏠 In today’s video, we’re sitting down with Michael, a UK expat who did exactly that. After moving to a small Greek village, Michael took on the monumental task of restoring a traditional property, blending modern comforts with deep historical roots. This isn't just a renovation story, though. Michael shares the emotional journey behind the project, how he honored his late wife’s memory through the design, and why he’s now opening his doors to young artists from around the world. In this episode: 🛠️ The Renovation: The highs and lows of restoring a stone house in Greece. 🎨 The Artist Retreat: How Michael is giving back to the creative community. 🇬🇷 Expat Reality: The truth about learning the language and integrating into village life. 🏠 Property Tour: A look inside the stunning finished home (and that incredible terrace!). Michael’s story is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to start a new chapter and create something meaningful. Support The House Hoppers: If you enjoyed this interview, please like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments—should we do more expat interviews like this? Check out Michael’s project: https://gaiaartistresidency.com/ In this video: 00:00 Meet Michael: The Scottish Architect in Greece 01:15 Moving to Greece in 2007: No Regrets? 02:30 Learning the Greek Language (and the Alphabet Tip!) 03:32 Adapting to the Greek Way of Life & The Heat 04:19 The Architect’s Perspective on Traditional Crafts 06:26 Creating an Artist Residency in a Rural Village 08:26 Full House Tour: The Studio & Ground Floor 10:17 Renovation Details: Handmade Tiles & Local Craftsmanship 12:17 Upstairs Tour: The Airbnb & Garden Plans 14:44 Master Bedroom & The View of the Mani Sunrise 15:12 Final Goodbye If you're interested in Greek house renovations, expat life stories, or traditional Mediterranean architecture, make sure to subscribe to The House Hoppers for more! #LivingInGreece #ExpatLife #GreeceTravel #HouseRenovation #GreekVillage #UKExpat #StartingOver #Peloponnese #TraditionalHome #TheHouseHoppers 🔗 Find out more about the artist residency www.gaiaartistresidency.com https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16456056... 👍 If you enjoyed this video Like 👍 Subscribe 🔔 Drop a comment if you’ve ever thought about moving abroad! #LivingInGreece #ExpatLife #Peloponnese #MovingAbroad #greecetravel CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Michael's story 03:22 Challenges of new life in Greece 04:44 Typical day in the village Giving back to the local community 06:59 Bringing an old building back to life 08:25 House tour: artist residency 12:10 House tour: rental apartment 15:13 Leaving the housesit