The Kefalianos family has traded the fast pace of life in Australia for the quiet charm of a small Greek island, saying the move has given their children greater freedom and a stronger sense of community, according to au.news.yahoo.com.

Zoe Kefalianos, 36, and her husband decided to leave Darwin in 2024 after feeling they were “constantly chasing our tails” while raising their five children. They sold their home and relocated more than 15,000 kilometres away to Kalymnos, a Greek island with a population of about 18,000.

“Living on a small island gives our children, aged 9, 8, 4, and 2, the opportunity to have more freedom and feel a sense of safety,” Zoe said.

She said life on the island is far less structured than it was in Australia.

“In Australia, they always had a schedule we had to keep up with.”

“On the island, we live in a tiny village with about 400 people. Our days are slow here,” she added.

After two years in Greece, the family says they have no intention of returning to Australia.

“We know everyone in our village, and the community here is so beautiful,” Zoe said.

The Kefalianos family’s move reflects a broader trend of Australians seeking a better work-life balance overseas or in regional areas, driven by rising living costs, housing affordability and the desire for a slower, more community-focused lifestyle.

Source: Greekherald.com.au