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I came to Athens last summer and spent 4 nights in the city staying in an AirBnB style rent. I thought it would be better doing this than giving my money to a g

I came to Athens last summer and spent 4 nights in the city staying in an AirBnB style rent. I thought it would be better doing this than giving my money to a generic international hotel chain but you disagree apparently. I find your solution unworkable personally. When I travel I like to have somewhere private I can come back to after a long day, the coach surfing model doesn't appeal to couples.

aloukissas 6y ago
Unfortunately, most of the owners of Airbnb and other short-term rentals in Greece are non-Greek citizens who got a "golden passport" in the recent years, buying off a huge chunk of the apartment inventory in Athens and elsewhere. Re: couch-surfing -- probably a bad metaphor on my end. I meant the "rent a room in a house" model that Airbnb offers.
- swarnie_ 6y ago
  I had no idea. Thinking back I doubt the place we stayed was ever intended to be a rental, it felt like a very large house which had been portioned up in to 4 flats and a make-shift reception area added. Cool city but some worrying experiences, might check out some islands next time.
  - aloukissas 6y ago
    One such reference: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/16/mass-evictions-athens-government-offers-golden-visa-incentive/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/16/mass-evictions-a...
- kofejnik 6y ago
  > Unfortunately, most of the owners of Airbnb and other short-term rentals in Greece are non-Greek citizens who got a "golden passport" in the recent years, buying off a huge chunk of the apartment inventory in Athens and elsewhere. why is this unfortunate? I thought investment is good for economy?
  - cool_dude85 6y ago
    No wonder you hear so much cheering from Skid Row whenever the stock market has a big day. "Things are looking good for GDP growth!" they shout, from their tents.
  - swarnie_ 6y ago
    Greece have been bought, sold and bought again. Economic slaves of Europe at this point.
iagovar 6y ago
In many cases you're also paying to a generic international investor. I'd recommend aparthotels for that matter. Searching around my area, they are all locally owned, or seem to.
cool_dude85 6y ago
Sorry, can't afford your rent? I find your solution - to raise costs a bit for me, to be unworkable.
ck425 6y ago
Then get a hotel. While tourism may be important and economic interests of local residents need to come first and AirBnb and it's like are harming local residents.

aloukissas 6y ago

Unfortunately, most of the owners of Airbnb and other short-term rentals in Greece are non-Greek citizens who got a "golden passport" in the recent years, buying off a huge chunk of the apartment inventory in Athens and elsewhere. Re: couch-surfing -- probably a bad metaphor on my end. I meant the "rent a room in a house" model that Airbnb offers.

swarnie_ 6y ago
I had no idea. Thinking back I doubt the place we stayed was ever intended to be a rental, it felt like a very large house which had been portioned up in to 4 flats and a make-shift reception area added. Cool city but some worrying experiences, might check out some islands next time.
- aloukissas 6y ago
  One such reference: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/16/mass-evictions-athens-government-offers-golden-visa-incentive/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/16/mass-evictions-a...
kofejnik 6y ago
> Unfortunately, most of the owners of Airbnb and other short-term rentals in Greece are non-Greek citizens who got a "golden passport" in the recent years, buying off a huge chunk of the apartment inventory in Athens and elsewhere. why is this unfortunate? I thought investment is good for economy?
- cool_dude85 6y ago
  No wonder you hear so much cheering from Skid Row whenever the stock market has a big day. "Things are looking good for GDP growth!" they shout, from their tents.
- swarnie_ 6y ago
  Greece have been bought, sold and bought again. Economic slaves of Europe at this point.

iagovar 6y ago

In many cases you're also paying to a generic international investor. I'd recommend aparthotels for that matter. Searching around my area, they are all locally owned, or seem to.

cool_dude85 6y ago

Sorry, can't afford your rent? I find your solution - to raise costs a bit for me, to be unworkable.

ck425 6y ago

Then get a hotel. While tourism may be important and economic interests of local residents need to come first and AirBnb and it's like are harming local residents.