I prefer the big city. I will pick Athens, Paris, New York etc. three seasons of the year (excluding summertime) than any small, "peaceful" little paradise. Actually, after living in Athens and places such as Paris, Birmingham, Marseilles and Pisa (alright not so big) for 17 years, coming back to my hometown has been a 15-month NIGHTMARE for me.
Ask me this question in 30 years from now and I may have changed my mind. At this point of my life though, I really look forward to move back to Athens again at some point (soon I hope).
There's no rest for the restless :-)
Bro trust me Athens is a great city (I live there ) but you ll enjoy its beauty only if you live in south coast or north.Everything else between just drives you crazy.
But since you've lived in so big cities,I assume Athens would suit you just fine since you lived here as well
Me and Athens have a long history together!!! Really long. Goes back to the mid-80s when my two older brothers moved there for studies (and work later). They first lived in Palaio Faliro and then Glyfada (from 1985 to 1992). I spent whole summers and TONSSSSS of weekends there.
Then, back in 1999 I moved there (Asklipiou and Massalias near Kolonaki) for studies and work later on. I picked the road Massalias because in Greek it means Marseilles and it's where my French grandma comes from (always fun facts with me lol). I spent in Athens on and off (excluding my military service, Masters and some Euro "adventures" in the meanwhile) a total 17 years. I left my apartment back in January of 2017. I found it in August of 1999, so this is more than 17 years actually.
My love for the historic district of Athens is bigger than life. When I go there now and see my old neighborhood and apartment I cry. No shite lol!!! I will kindly disagree with you though. For all its beauty in the South, coming from a place like Corinth and Loutraki, I was never impressed by Southern Athens; Sure it's BEAUTIFUL, but I will pick Plaka, Kolonaki, Rigillis, Thiseion, Zappeio, Dionysiou Aeropagitou and Koukaki any time. Let's just pray that Steemit makes us (and me) wealthy enough to rent a nice apartment near Acropolis somewhere ;)