An Australian family has left the busy lifestyle of Darwin for the slower rhythm of a small Greek island, saying the move has given their children greater freedom, safety and a stronger sense of community.
Zoe Kefalianos, 36, and her husband decided to leave Australia 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 to Kalymnos, an 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 described daily life on Kalymnos as far less structured than 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.”
After two years in Greece, the Kefalianos family has no plans to return. “We know everyone in our village, and the community here is so beautiful,” Zoe said.
Their decision reflects a growing trend of Australians seeking better work-life balance by moving overseas or to regional areas. Rising living costs, housing affordability pressures and a desire for a slower, more community-focused lifestyle are driving many families to make similar changes.
Photo credit: Zoe Kefalianos / zoe_unapologetically, Bert Christiaens, pexels.com
