This quote from Ronia Anastasiadou, a resident of the island of Sifnos , is representative of tehconcerns that local residents have about development on the islands. Sifnos is not alone – we hear this type of lament everywhere – but rarely so well articulated:
“I think it all starts with how easily the land is sold. 20 years ago, you couldn’t find anything to buy, nobody was selling. Now the exact opposite is happening, because people came and offered exorbitant amounts, much more than the real value of the properties. At the same time, whatever rules exist are not respected, there are no controls, indecency prevails. Whoever has money, does what he wants. But even if they are not illegal, you can see how out of place they are: they build huge houses and because the white looks intense, they also put some walls in exposed stone, which here they only use in the stables. And then whoever built the behemoth on top of a mountain or in the middle of nowhere has a requirement for electricity, water, drainage and the limited resources of the municipality must serve these too instead of the needs of society. Together, our society is changing. Once upon a time the islands were brought to life by the civil servants who were appointed there, or those who decided to leave the city life behind. Now all of them can’t find a home – since everything is on Airbnb – and they’re leaving. I don’t know how this can be stopped.”