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I spend half the year in LA and the other 6 months in Greece. Here are 8 of the biggest differences I've noticed.

Joanna KalafatisApr 14, 2024, 18:23 IST

I live in Los Angeles and Greece.Joanna Kalafatis

I split my year between Los Angeles and Athens, and the cities are quite different.
Beach culture and public recreational spaces tend to be more lax in Greece than in the US.

I spent the first few years of my life in Greece and then moved to the US.

But just like the influx of travelers helping to set record-breaking tourism numbers on the islands, I couldn't stay away from my beautiful birth country for long.

I currently split my time between Los Angeles and Athens for work — six months in the US and the other half of the year in Greece.

Now that I've been going back and forth between the countries for a few years, I've noticed a lot of stark differences.

I find Greek people much blunter than Americans.

Greece's social culture is different from what I've experienced in LA. Joanna Kalafatis

I can party all night (and into the morning) in Athens.

The clubs in Greece stay open very late. Joanna Kalafatis

Beach life is handled very differently.

The beaches aren't secluded from shops and restaurants in Greece. Joanna Kalafatis

LA has more regulations for recreation and public space.

There are only certain times when people are supposed to be allowed on the public beaches in LA.Joanna Kalafatis

LA's streets are much wider.

Some of the streets in Athens are crowded and narrow. Joanna Kalafatis

What Greek people consider bad traffic is amusing to me now.

Traffic is the norm in LA.Joanna Kalafatis

Athens has a lot more foot traffic.

I walk more when I'm in Greece.Joanna Kalafatis

Restaurant service works very differently.

My dinners out in Greece usually last longer.Joanna Kalafatis

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