ABSTRACT

This chapter aims to provide a study that investigated issues pertinent to the impact of population influx due to migration on small cities, towns and communities. The population influx has exerted a great pressure on housing availability in the city, especially affordable housing. It is evident from the survey results that long-time and newly arrived residents have both, similarities and differences, in their perceptions regarding Crete's quality of life. The migration of persons from various ethnicities may have presented challenges to Crete leaders and community residents; this has also given opportunities to engage in more cultural diversity dialogues and events. Crete residents enjoy a good quality of life. In the majority of the survey results, residents expressed an appreciation for the good quality of life in Crete, and said that there is a 'sense of community' in Crete, and cooperation among neighbors.