The rules have changed and the stakes are rising The prices of an apartment exceed even the amount needed for basic salary!
A few years ago, if you told someone that rentals in Koukakidistrict would be more expensive than those in Ekali or Vouliagmeni districts, they'd just laugh at you not caring about your feelings. Bu today, you'd the one laughing.
The short-term lease, the so-called Airbnb, has set up a price rally. How else can you explain that a 50 sq.m. apartment in Koukaki that has a price-rent of 1,000 euros per month? At the same time, a few kilometres away, in another fast-growing area, in Metz, a furnished studio of 32 sq.m. costs 650 euros per month. That's awesome, isn't it? Yes, that's awesome. But it is the current reality that those looking for a home to stay are faced with.
Those looking for permanent residence, discover that rents have reached unseen heights in many areas of central Athens. Characteristic is what was reported a few days ago in a newspaper, namely, "The News": Apartments range in prices that are extremely difficult an employee, a student or even a couple to cover. Prices even exceed a basic salary.
There are many examples. A 50 sq.m. apartment near Hilton hotel is rented for 900 euros. A studio of 44 sq.m. in Metz costs about 850 euros. The list goes on and on. You need a good stomach to look at the unreasonable demands of tenants who base their hopes on the possibilities offered by Airbnb.
Of course, Airbnb isn't the only cause, if we want to be perfectly accurate. In the years of the crisis, which were neither one nor two, building construction was mercilessly hit. The lack of newly built properties, then, helps in the price increase of today's rentals. Real estate has changed. The leader in the increase of the prices is Athens and its centre. It is estimated that growth rates are as high as 15% per year.
The classic sign "ROOMS FOR RENT" has disappeared from the streets of Athens. The rules have changed and the stakes are rising. And now, Koukaki district is more expensive than Ekali or Vouliagmeni districts. It is unbelievable yet real.
