So what's it really like living in Lanzarote?

[elp]

Hi.  My wife and I have been a couple of times to the island and have fallen in love with it, so much so we are giving serious consideration to moving out.  We are coming over in February next year on a serious fact finding mission but it would be great if we could get some unbiased feedback on what's it really like to live in Lanzarote from those who have already done it!  I am sure the question has been asked many times before (and will be asked many times again no doubt!), but it would be great to know a little bit more about the place, the cost of living and anyone with information on the English speaking school in PDC would be much appreciated (we would have a 17 and a 13 year old girl too).  Thanks!

[Clanky]

A lot will depend on whether or not you need to make a living here, which can be difficult (but by no means impossible with the right skills) at the minute.

The things you need to be looking at when you come out are, in no particular order and by no means an exhaustive list.

• Where do you see yourself living
• What kind of property you will need and the cost to rent / buy
• where the kids will go to school and the costs involved
• how you will earn a living if you need to
• how much medical insurance might cost you
• what your tax situation might be

As for what it is like to live here it depends a lot on how much free time you have, if you are working 12 hours per day 7 days per week it will be like the UK, but hotter, if you have a lot of free time and are prepared to use it wisely it's an amazing place to live.

[smokie]

Hi elp, it's worth a look at the relocation site that's run by Elle (as is this forum) for some good advice.  http://www.lanzaroterelocation.co.uk/

[John B]

A good starting point is if you are coming because you love the island ( as we do, and you say you do) rather than to get away from problems (except weather!) in the UK. 

[Karen13]

A good starting point is if you are coming because you love the island ( as we do, and you say you do) rather than to get away from problems (except weather!) in the UK. 

Very well put John

[elp]

Thanks for replies so far!  To expand a little, yes we do need to make a living I'm afraid and only working 12 hours per day 7 days a week sounds great because that's two hours a day less than in the UK!!!  Seriously though, we are not going into this with rose coloured spectacles and my wife worked in the Canaries (though not Lanzarote) many years ago so she more than I knows how tough it can be.  It would be interesting if you could expand on what skills you think the island does need?  We are looking at the business route to make a living and whilst we would look at most things we don't want to find ourselves in a position where we are working to 2am every day running a pub.  (No offence to anyone who reads this who has a pub by the way).  On the other hand, neither of us are afraid of hard work so it's about finding the right balance really.  We had looked at Elle's website and it's great and informative but I feel we cannot get enough information so if you have time to respond to this keep those opinions coming please!  Thanks again.

[Flash]

Do you speak Spanish, that's got to be level one.

[John B]

What to do about the children is an interesting one. Your son will be 18 by the time you get here, and will either want a job, or to go to university (presumably in UK). He would need to learn Spanish pretty sharpish if he's to get a job here, unless working in a totally British company, where he'd probably be able to pick it up as he went along.  Your daughter would be starting a GCSE course, and there are ways of doing the UK syllabus here. Going to a Spanish school at that age would be pretty intense, unless she learned Spanish first.

What do they think about your plans?  Depending on their personalities, they could find it boring/ isolating here.

What do you plan to do on your fact finding visit?  Where are you looking, and have you contacted anyone who might advise you?  There is a group here called the Lanzarote Business Association (Google them) that might give you some help, and several members of this forum run businesses of one sort or another.

[elp]

John - thanks for the tip about LBA.  We have already contacted Atlantico, Grupoestupendo and Business Finder Lanzarote and all say they are preparing a shortlist of businesses that meet our criteria so we can view when we are over.  Hopefully, they won't all come up with the same list!  Location wise (at least from a business perspective) we think it probably has to be CT, PDC or PB.  We are both self employed at the moment so going into business isn't new to us.  We also intend viewing some house rentals just to see what we can get for our money (we think renting first makes more sense than buying).  We also intend to visit the English speaking school in PDC to see what that is like and what activities and social things there are for the kids (both are girls by the way).  We also need to find out a bit more about the health system over there.  Beyond that, we really need to establish what it is going to cost us on a month to month basis to live taking food, bills, rent, school fees, health care costs etc etc into account.  I know Elle has a rough calculator on her website to give an idea of how much per month it could cost but we need to get a better feel for it.  We are therefore keeping a very open mind on all of this and by no means have made the decision to move.  We are well aware that visiting a place as a tourist is light years away from living in a place, but we do love the island and the pace of life does seem more relaxed.  If it isn't meant to be then it isn't meant to be, but not to at least look into the possibility will surely only lead to regrets in later years that we didn't even take the time to find out.  Is there anything else we should be considering?

[Bob Cunningham]

Good luck elp.

[richt71]

Elp,
It's a great island to live on but unfortunately things are tough (very tough) for many expats trying to make a living at the moment here. I think you'll find that private schooling will be costly (or so my mates with kids say) and also health care here needs careful planning as the spanish version of national insurance is pretty costly (especially if you're not on contract or self employed and have to cover a family of 4).

[elp]

Thanks to all for your input...Richt71, you shoot from the hip but that's always the best way I think.  We kind of gathered it will be tough but can't wait until February to come over and look....Happy New Year to all.