A remote dream life in Thessaloniki: the story of Tim and Tess

A big switch

We wanted to move abroad because we noticed that here in the Netherlands, we no longer had time to enjoy the little moments. Days flew by, life mainly consisted of work and meeting others' expectations. We felt there was more to life, more to discover! Working abroad seemed like the best step: it's the chance to see more of the world and break out of the 'tourist bubble'.

"We always felt that there was more to life, we wanted to discover more"

We chose Thessaloniki because of the price differences during the warmer seasons. Athens is a bit more expensive, and in Thessaloniki, you won't miss out on the views, experiences, and culture. The people here are incredibly hospitable and always emphasize that the city has become more beautiful with the arrival of new residents! The weather is also truly fantastic. 🌴

Living in Thessaloniki

We find Thessaloniki to be a delightful city, there's always something to do! Along the coast, you have a beautiful view of the water and the mountains beyond. You'd think you'd get used to it, but we continue to admire it with wonder. Coziness can be found on every street corner. We especially notice how relaxed the Greeks are here. We always say that Greeks here think, "If it doesn't happen today, it will happen tomorrow." It's a thought that would give Dutch people a stomach ache!

In the beginning, it was really a matter of getting used to; the city is busier than we expected. We had to figure out how to get to a certain place without Google Maps. We challenge everyone to do the same, and believe us, it's a difficult challenge, but it helps you feel more at home in a new city. The history here is rich, and there are countless statues we've walked to admire. There's never a dull day here, and we experience something different every day!

Adapting to a new culture

Honestly, saying goodbye to family and friends was difficult. The move went smoothly thanks to the relocation package, but at first, it still feels like you're on vacation. After a while, you start to feel a bit homesick, especially when you see your friends in the Netherlands moving on with their lives. The best way to deal with this is to stay busy and do enjoyable things yourself. It's the little things you miss, like giving your mom a hug or visiting your favorite pub. But this beautiful adventure is worth it!

"No matter what day or time it is, people are always sitting on the terrace here with a glass of wine"

The language, pffff, that's still a bit difficult. We'd like to learn it, but it's not that easy. Making friends is also a challenge; you need some courage to approach someone out of the blue. We sometimes ponder over it a bit because the young Greeks speak really good English, and we've had some great conversations with them. So, we still need to overcome that hurdle!

Unnecessary doubts

Now we both work remotely, so from nine to five, we're behind our laptops. It's taking some time getting used to working with a new program and assisting clients over the phone. Initially, we had quite a few doubts and uncertainties. Would we find an apartment in time? Is this really the right choice? Eventually, everything worked out fine; we found our apartment within just three days! Without Yobbers' help, we wouldn't have come this far. There was a lot of communication, and every question was addressed, which was comforting. We're glad we went through Yobbers for this!

If you're still hesitating about working abroad, we highly recommend just going for it. A good friend of ours once said, "Money comes and goes, but memories stay." With that in mind, we set off for Greece. It's quite an adventure to develop yourself and be able to share your experiences with others. Many people who want to work abroad but don't take the leap later regret not doing so. Don't listen too much to those who sow doubt; this is your adventure, and you're the author of your own life. So, what will your story be? Good luck and success!

Feeling inspired after reading Tess and Tim's story? Discover what Thessaloniki has to offer, or check out our job openings abroad and apply directly! 🗺️ 

P.S. If you go abroad with your friend or partner, you receive €1.000! Read more about our referral program here.