Greece is a country full of mystery for most of us, with its myths, civilization, and beautiful sea views captivating us. Today, we will unveil the mysteries of Greek immigration for our friends, to understand the daily life of the goddess, including supermarkets and prices!
In the city center of Athens, there are many supermarkets, including Carrefour from France, AB from Greece, and LiDL from Germany, which are the most common. Besides these three, there are many other brands. LiDL is known for its low prices, AB is popular among locals because it is a domestic brand, and Carrefour has the largest presence, often found near comprehensive shopping malls, with small Carrefour Express stores in communities. There are also places similar to domestic markets where you can buy vegetables and fruits at very low prices.
Fruits and Vegetables
The variety of fruits and vegetables here is extensive, covering almost everything people eat daily, and the prices are not high. Cucumbers cost about 1.2 RMB per kilogram, and large watermelons are less than 1 RMB. Domestic apples are priced at 0.75 euros per kilogram, approximately 3.38 RMB per pound. Not only are the prices reasonable, but the food is also very fresh and safe; a quick rinse with water is usually sufficient, and some fruits sold in supermarkets can be eaten right after a quick rub!
Meat and Fish
Overall, meat products are comparable to those in China. The cheapest is chicken (including chicken breast, thighs, wings, and whole turkeys), with a whole chicken costing around 15 RMB. Pork is 23 RMB per kilogram, and beef is 50 RMB per kilogram. There are various forms of minced meat, meat chunks, and steaks available. The types of fish mainly include sea bass and salmon, along with many varieties that are less known to the Chinese.
Alcohol
Greeks drink alcohol just as much as the Chinese do; wine is a must during meals, and it is essential to drink to one's heart's content. What does drinking to one's heart's content mean? It means waking up the next day without remembering what happened the night before, which is referred to as a blackout in Chinese. The alcohol here is genuine and reasonably priced, with good quality Greek wine available for around 200 RMB.
Dairy Products
This is something they take pride in; there is an astonishing variety of dairy products and cheeses. Of course, we may only recognize the word "cheese" and know little else.
Olive Oil
This deserves special mention; the olive oil here is excellent and very affordable, with high-quality 500ml bottles costing around 40 RMB.
Frozen Fast Food
This is probably the cheapest item here, very convenient and suitable for those who prefer to be lazy, but it is advisable to consume it sparingly to avoid weight gain.
Regarding other living necessities, here are a few points:
The price of mobile phones in Greece is similar to that in China, but it is a one-way charge. If calling from mainland China to Greece, the recipient does not incur charges. A 10 euro IP phone card can allow approximately 30-50 minutes of calls to mainland China (depending on the time period), while a regular phone card costs 0.5 euros per minute for calls to mainland China.
Most locals in Athens own private cars, while Chinese residents generally use buses, subways, and taxis, which are relatively inexpensive. Additionally, there are seasonal, monthly, and weekly tickets for buses and subways, which are more economical. Generally, monthly incomes for workers in Greece range from 500 to 1500 euros. If living requirements are not high, monthly expenses are about 300 euros per person. For a family of three living in Greece, a budget of 500-600 euros per month is sufficient for living expenses. Of course, this figure represents a middle-income level; consumption can be limitless, and there are many wealthy high consumers in Greece.
In the European Union, Greece's daily living expenses are also relatively low. Among food items in Greece, milk, bread, eggs, and chocolate are quite affordable, with prices comparable to those in Beijing, generally ranging from 0.5 to 1 euro. Beef, fruits, vegetables, and seafood tend to be relatively more expensive.
In supermarkets, a 600ml bottle of mineral water costs about 1 euro, a 300ml bottle of beer is around 1 euro, and a 600ml bottle of soft drink ranges from 1.2 to 3 euros. Cigarettes generally cost between 1 to 2.5 euros per pack (Marlboro is 2.5 euros).
In Greece, low-value consumables such as soap and shampoo are relatively inexpensive, while bedding is more expensive, and clothing is affordable. Electrical products tend to be pricier (e.g., rice cookers).