Why Some Americans Are Looking to Greece for Their Next Cohousing Home

As housing costs soar and political uncertainty lingers, more Americans are turning to cohousing abroad, not just for adventure travel, but for the support of community when migrating. For a growing number, Greece is calling. And for some, cohousing may be the key to making a move abroad possible.

Years of pandemic-fueled reflection and rising unaffordability have driven many to search for alternatives. In the wake of the recent U.S. election, record numbers of Americans are moving to Europe. With Spain and Portugal ending their Golden Visa programs for real estate, they are no longer options for investing in intentional community and living there past 90 days.  Greece has become the last—and best—option in Europe for Americans to gain residency, and all its benefits, through intentional community homeownership.

Thus, in Greece, cohousing isn’t just a lifestyle—it’s a way to make the leap abroad more doable, less overwhelming, and with support.  Rather than navigating complex logistics alone, forming groups pool their resources, support one another, and draw on a strong foundation Pare has put in place—permitted projects, trusted professionals, and a roadmap for moving abroad that makes the process easier to manage and more grounded in real relationships.

Pare Gerou (Evi), a Greek-American attorney who once helped refugees find safety and rebuild their lives, is guided by the same passion today—helping people create new homes and better lives, this time through intentional community and with the tools to navigate moving abroad.

Inspired by her former cohousing experience in Michigan, she began this work during the pandemic and has since built a foundation that makes community-led living in Greece achievable. By structuring the project so that buying a home qualifies participants for permanent residency, and by offering the services people need to map out their move—immigration, financial, legal, and emotional—she helps make the transition smoother and more secure.

Group members support one another and pool resources to mutually support each other’s move abroad, building on Pare’s networks and expertise to co-create their villages. The projects they rally around aren’t abstract dreams—they’re grounded in real steps forward, including permits in place for some and other key elements already in place, making it easier to invest in and move ahead. 

One couple, currently living in a cohousing community, joined Greek Village Cohousing to offer their children the access to permanent residency that comes with homeownership in cohousing in Greece. They sought access to the many high-quality, affordable universities across Europe, healthcare, and the freedom to further their business in the Schengen zone.

Another retired member is seeking the slower pace, the Mediterannean seasonable food diet, and the longevity offered by the Mediterranean lifestyle.

They’re inspired by Greek village design—where narrow, walkable paths are scaled for conversation, not cars, and pink bougainvillea spills over limestone walls. You can hear the click of backgammon pieces on the plateia during the day and catch the scent of fresh bread from the shared fourno ovens in the evening. These clustered homes and shared outdoor spaces aren’t just picturesque—they echo the same design principles cohousing communities intentionally recreate. Whether it’s the mountain agrihood setting of Laconia, the historic Old Town charm of Rethymno, or the laid-back beach town vibe in Corinth, each location brings the spirit of traditional Greek village life into the present—with community at the center.

And the window is narrowing. With Golden Visa programs for real estate investment ending across Europe, Greece is the last country offering this pathway for community-minded homebuyers—and interest is surging.

Greek Village Cohousing helps make the leap not just possible, but successful. The community-building process starts long before anyone arrives. Participants get to know each other through online gatherings, visit Greece on tours, and begin co-creating their village together. By the time they move, they’re not just landing in a new country—they’re arriving into a community they’ve helped shape.

Curious About Cohousing in Greece?

Start by booking one of our friendly online Info Coffees—you’ll meet others, hear more about what we’re building, and get your questions answered. Click on “Request Information” or fill out the form at the bottom of each website page.

From there, many people decide to join one of our 2025 Cohousing in Greece Tours—to explore locations, connect with others, and experience what life here could be like. You don’t need to be a member to join a tour.  Those who are Explorer members meet professionals and help shape the village om the tours, and the nonmember “cohousing curious” simply soak up the beauty of the locations.

👉 Head to www.GreekVillageCohousing.com to book an Info Coffee or Tour—or just fill out the quick contact form and we’ll be in touch to help you get started.

Category: Creating Cohousing

Tags: Launch Community Member Spotlight

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