When a promised flight on a private jet fell through, Kevin and his wife found themselves on a commercial flight to Greece instead โ and that twist of fate led them to their dream home in Kalamata.
Sometimes lifeโs best adventures start by accident. For Kevin and his wife, a last-minute change of travel plans opened the door to a whole new life chapter in southern Greece. Theyโd holidayed in the country for years, but a spontaneous trip to Kalamata in 2019 changed everything. “We wouldnโt have gone there otherwise,” Kevin recalls. “My wifeโs boss had generously offered us a flight anywhere in Europe on his private jet, but that fell through and the offer was swapped for Avios flights instead. At short notice, the only seats available were to Kalamata โ and thatโs where our adventure began.”
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Falling for Kalamata
Located on the Peloponnese Peninsula, Kalamata has long been a favourite with Greeks for its walkable city centre, sandy beaches and backdrop of the Taygetus mountains. “Itโs an amazing city,” Kevin says. “Itโs got everything โ a university, hospital, the infrastructure you need as you get older. The mayorโs really forward-thinking. Theyโre turning the city into an eco-friendly hub โ replacing streetlights with LEDs, making it greener. It just feels like a place with momentum.”
That sense of progress, along with Kalamataโs year-round energy, appealed to Kevin and his wife, who were ready to simplify their lives. “Weโd been in a big Victorian house in the UK, three floors, a basement โ lovely but it needed work again,” he says. “We decided to downsize, release some cash and use it to do something exciting abroad. We thought about a stone house on the Mani Peninsula at first, but realised we wanted something easier to manage, close to amenities.”
Finding the right property
By 2023, they had made up their minds: a new-build apartment in Kalamata. “We wanted a one-bedroom, top-floor apartment with a decent balcony,” Kevin explains. “That combination barely exists now โ developers put a premium on higher floors โ so we were lucky to find it when we did.”
They discovered the property through a local estate agent. “Theyโve been brilliant,” says Kevin. “We first saw their listings online and got referred to the Kalamata office. The ownerโs been with us right from the start โ itโs made all the difference having someone local who knows everyone in town.”
Their new-build development was just breaking ground when they signed. “We actually saw the excavator put the first bucket in,” he says. “It was exciting but also nerve-racking โ we were committing based only on the floor plan!”
Buying off-plan in Greece
Buying a property under construction can be daunting, but it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice among overseas buyers. Our recent survey found that around a quarter of readers would buy an off-plan property in Greece and a further 40% would consider it โ proof that many see the value in locking in a new-build home early, often at a better price and with flexible payment stages. Just be aware of the pros and cons, and, if youโre paying in instalments, watch the exchange rate. Locking in your rate can protect your budget and give you peace of mind throughout the build.
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If you decide to go ahead, Kevinโs advice is to stay closely involved. โWe went out four or five times a year while it was being built,โ he says. โWe met the developer, made payments, chose finishes. We could pick the flooring, the kitchen design, the colours โ far more flexibility than weโd ever had buying new-builds in the UK.โ
That involvement paid off when they spotted an issue other buyers might have missed. โOne day we noticed a wall was missing in our flat that was there in the others,โ Kevin recalls. โThe kitchen wouldnโt have worked properly. Because we were on site, we flagged it straight away โ the developer put the wall up within a day and re-engineered the kitchen. If weโd waited until completion, it would have been a big problem.โ
His takeaway: โIf youโre buying off-plan, visit often and keep eyes on the build. Photos help, but thereโs no substitute for being there.โ
Navigating the buying process
Like many buyers, Kevin found the taxes and legalities the hardest part. โEven with an accountant, getting exact figures was tough,โ he says. โThereโs 3.9% property tax, VAT on some costs, and a few other bits that add up. The key is to budget conservatively so nothing takes you by surprise.โ
The couple worked with a local lawyer in Kalamata, using power of attorney to handle signatures while they were in the UK. โShe was brilliant โ a one-woman practice, but she knew everyone. The tax accountant, the notary, the developer โ their kids all go to the same schools! In a city of 70,000 people, everyoneโs connected.โ
For their currency transfers, they used Smart Currency Exchange. โThey were really helpful,โ Kevin says. โThe market updates they send are great โ Iโm not a trader, but I learned when to act. I even took out a forward contract so I could lock in a rate early. Everything was simple and clear.โ
Making it home
They took the keys in July 2025 after two years of visits, payments and design decisions. Before that, theyโd already spent nine weeks in Greece during the build. โMy wife was on sabbatical from work, so we stayed nearby while waiting for it to finish,โ he says. โWeโd visit the site daily, check deliveries โ probably too often for the buildersโ liking!โ
Since completion, theyโve started enjoying the place properly. โWe went back in September, my sister came out in October, and weโve booked New Yearโs Eve there,โ says Kevin. โNext year weโve already planned May, June and September trips. It finally feels like our home from home.โ
Lessons learned and advice for buyers
Kevinโs story is full of encouragement for anyone thinking of buying abroad:
| Tip | Why it matters | Kevinโs experience |
|---|---|---|
| Visit often during the build | Youโll spot issues early and build trust with developers | Noticed a missing wall and got it fixed before completion |
| Work with local experts | They know the right people and processes | Local lawyer handled paperwork and knew everyone involved |
| Stay flexible | Timelines often shift โ patience pays off | Completion was delayed by two months, but quality was worth it |
Kevinโs final piece of advice? โGo with your gut, but donโt overstretch. Treat it as an adventure, not a guarantee. We looked at it as roll-the-dice money โ if it worked, great; if not, itโd be a story to tell. Thankfully, it worked.โ
The next chapter
With plans for long stays in Greece once his wife retires fully, Kevin sees Kalamata as part of their long-term lifestyle. โItโs not just a holiday home โ itโs somewhere we can picture spending months at a time,โ he says. โItโs got everything we need and it already feels like home.โ
