We had a dream ….

Our journey began back in 1987.  I was returning to Rhodes with my partner (and now husband of nearly 20 years) having visited the island first in 1982 when Tsambika had become my favourite beach.  Just before we came into land I had a very strong feeling I was returning home and turned to Alan and said ‘Do you think we’ll be able to live here one day?’ and he replied ‘I don’t see why not!’

So began our quest and over the last couple of decades we have stayed on or visited over 30 Greek islands, as well as staying at locations on the mainland.

 
Taken in Athens in 1996 on one of our sojourns through Greece

Although we usually went on holiday in July or August we had, on various occasions, stayed in places in September, October and November so we were getting a good idea of the weather at these times of the year too, which only confirmed that we wanted to move out permanently when we had found somewhere.

Our goal was for Alan to retire early and as the time approached we decided to home in our search to Rhodes or Crete and returned to both islands, but to different areas to where we had stayed before.  I have to admit I had always secretly hoped we would end up on Rhodes as it has so much to offer.  Not just the things in common with the rest of Greece: beautiful scenery, wonderful climate, food and wine and very friendly people but places such as Lindos, the Mandraki Harbour and Rhodes Old Town, to name but a few, are all very special.

In 2004 we stayed near Lindos (in fact at Psaltos where Aegean have a new development), but at this time there was only a hotel and only a few houses for sale which seemed overpriced.  I had noticed the Aegean Homes office at Kalathos and when I got home I checked out their website.  In July 2006 we decided to stay at Kolymbia to explore Rhodos further.  Before we left the UK I had noticed an Aegean Homes advert in a free Tesco magazine and again downloaded some information from their website prior to our visit.

The first week at Kolymbia we relaxed and then hired a car for a few days at the start of our second week.  We started the day by visiting Tsambika Panagia and took in all the wonderful views and then we headed for Harari where we saw an estate agent with some land to sell but they were closed.

With only 5 years to go until Alan planned to retire we knew we had to do something soon but I found the thought all rather daunting on how we would go about buying some land and arranging for our future home to be built.

We continued our drive with the aim of exploring Lindos and further south but I suggested we call into the Kalathos office – it was probably the best decision of our lives !!

We met Peter Knight who had only recently come out to the island to work for his Father, David Knight.  We explained that we were looking to buy a villa in five years time and Peter explained all about the process including buying the land, building a villa, mortgage arrangements, guaranteed rentals, maintenance and furniture packs, which sounded very good as we would not have to sell our home in the UK until we were ready to move out.

Fortunately it was ‘change over day’ and Peter took us on a tour of Kalathos Heights and we fortuitously met David as they were making a start on Kalathos Gardens.  We were extremely impressed with the quality of the villas and Alan said ‘Now we know who’s going to build our villa, we just need to decide where!’

We spent the rest of the afternoon with Peter exploring Pefkos, Psaltos and Tsambika but none of the sites felt quite right for our retirement needs.  Peter explained that not only did they want their customers to choose the villa design that was right for them but that the location was just as important.  Rather fortunately David had just put a deposit on a piece of land at Tsambika which was also not that far from Archangelos and when we saw the site we were smitten and knew our trek through Greece was reaching a conclusion.

 
The Plot at Tsambika Panorama

So we spent the remainder of our ‘holiday’ signing contracts and doing as much of the legal work that could be done at the time, as well as paying a small deposit to secure the plot of land and arranging a potential mortgage.  Peter was a real gentleman picking us up when we didn’t have a car and escorting us to the various offices in Rhodes Town and the police station at Archangelos.

We celebrated on our last morning with a Champagne breakfast and returned to the UK ecstatic and broke open more Champagne!  I never dreamt that it would be so easy to fulfill our long held dream!

Everything had happened so quickly but we never had a second thought or doubt.  Unfortunately, although there was still lots of progress happening there was also a lot of red tape to go through as Aegean had just literally bought the plot of land, so building didn’t actually start until January 2008.  As Peter pointed out there’s a new meaning to GMT – ‘Greek Maybe Time’.  But I was taught that ‘maybe’ in Greek is more positive so it WILL happen … eventually. 

Our only real worry through this period was whether we would have to find another plot of land but fortunately, due to the expertise of Aegean Homes, this was not necessary.  We also met up with the Aegean team at various events in the UK and have enjoyed several breaks at Kalathos Heights, in Aegean Villas, reviewing progress and discussing how we would like to customise and furnish our own villa.

 
At an Expo with Peter and George at the NEC

In fact the delay has been very positive for us as it gave us lots of time to think about, and save up for, the extras we have decided to add to our villa (such as under floor heating, a heat pump for the swimming pool and an outdoor chess board amongst other things).

 
Visiting the site in April 2008

The construction team are very helpful and nothing is too much trouble for them.  In fact all at Aegean Homes are delightful people and treat you as part of the family.  The team sends regular photographs of the villa development and building which allows us to keep in contact even though we are some 1700 miles away.

The villa may be complete in October 2008 for when we next visit Rhodes, but will definitely be finished for us to stay in before it is rented out in 2009.  The most difficult thing will be returning to the UK when the Villa is finished  – if only we could win the lottery so that we could retire earlier than planned and move out straight away!

So far it has been a wonderful, exciting adventure and all at Aegean Homes have been fabulous in transforming our dream into reality!

Alan and Cathy Carr