A 30-year-old woman from Scotland who moved to a Greek village to open a souvlaki shop said she enjoys near-constant sunshine and Mediterranean food but has been surprised by the insects and wildlife she encounters.
Jess, who moved from the United Kingdom in 2024 with her partner, has documented her life in a small village about two hours from Athens on TikTok, where her videos have attracted hundreds of thousands of views. She cited faster-drying laundry, more outdoor time and a growing appetite for dishes such as pork souvlaki among the benefits of the move, and said she does not regret leaving the U.K.
Despite the positives, Jess told viewers that local wildlife has been a persistent downside. She said she is “terrified of every single bug on the planet” and was alarmed when a lizard entered her home and hid under the sofa. She added that locals sometimes call such reptiles a “lucky lizard,” but said she did not feel lucky with one roaming her house.
The move has changed everyday routines. Jess said damp clothes that once took days to dry in the U.K. now dry in a few hours in Greece after she hangs them on her balcony. She also noted limits on what she can eat because she has celiac disease, and said she spends time searching for gluten-free restaurants and bakeries. Living in a small village means fewer options, she said, and she often travels to Athens for a wider selection.
Jess described missing family life in Scotland, including being physically present for nieces, nephews and friends’ celebrations. "Missing home will be a feeling I feel for the rest of my life," she said in a video. She described mundane comforts she misses, such as browsing familiar shops and late-night supermarket walks.
She also addressed practical differences in public services. Responding to viewers, she said she had not yet needed medical care in Greece but noted that health services are not free in the same way they are in the U.K., and patients must pay for care in many cases.
Jess said she is learning Greek to better integrate into her new community and continues to post videos about the differences between life in Britain and Greece. While she acknowledges trade-offs, she said she is glad she made the move and is building a life around the restaurant she runs with her partner.