Living in Lanzarote
Jun 28th 2004, 12:03 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Living in Lanzarote
Has anyone any information on living in Lanzarote. My family and i are really interesting in moving out for a need i say "Better quality of life", fed up with the rat race here and heavy mortgages and really interested in taking the plunge.
Would really like information on residential areas of British Expats, good British schools, work, renting, etc.
We would like to rent for about a year before buying our own place.
We are going out in July and would like to look at residential areas, schools, etc so any info would be great.
thanks for looking
Would really like information on residential areas of British Expats, good British schools, work, renting, etc.
We would like to rent for about a year before buying our own place.
We are going out in July and would like to look at residential areas, schools, etc so any info would be great.
thanks for looking
Jun 29th 2004, 8:42 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Lanzarote
Posts: 52
Hi debi-jane
good move!
The main residential areas of British Expats are Tias , playa blanca
pto del Carmen, and coasta Tiguise. But anywhere you go you will find poms ,plus rents are a lot less out of the main areas. There are lots of places to rent .
Long car rentals about 400€ p/m
On schools, Our lad has been in the British school of Lanzarote ( unifroms ,strictness small classes) for 6 years now
There's one more Colegio Hispano Britanico ( no unifroms ,call the teachers by their first names) in pto dei Carmen .It is really up to you which one feels best .Both are about 4000€ a year . All spanish schools are free.
Work ?what do you do ,do you have spanish, do you need to work?
hope is helps.BSoL SCHOOL HERE
good move!
The main residential areas of British Expats are Tias , playa blanca
pto del Carmen, and coasta Tiguise. But anywhere you go you will find poms ,plus rents are a lot less out of the main areas. There are lots of places to rent .
Long car rentals about 400€ p/m
On schools, Our lad has been in the British school of Lanzarote ( unifroms ,strictness small classes) for 6 years now
There's one more Colegio Hispano Britanico ( no unifroms ,call the teachers by their first names) in pto dei Carmen .It is really up to you which one feels best .Both are about 4000€ a year . All spanish schools are free.
Work ?what do you do ,do you have spanish, do you need to work?
hope is helps.BSoL SCHOOL HERE
Jun 29th 2004, 9:24 am
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Hi, thanks for your reply.
The reason for us making the move is purely for a better quality of life. We both work hard and feel that we work to pay the bills here and dont have much else. My husband works in the construction industry and i am a PA. I have worked since having my kids and really dont want to work unless i have to.
We would hope to sell our house and move to Lanzarote and rent for quite some time until we find where we want to stay and then buy something.
My main concern is my 14 year old. He is currently ending yr 9 here and starts year 10 in Sept which is the last two years of school, really its the start of his O'level course work, etc. He's a bright kid and i feel he would adapt but i dont know if im doing him any favours moving him at this stage.
I dont know whether to move within the next 6-12 months or wait until he finishes school but then i have my daughter to be concerned with as she starts secondary school this september.
Its mind boggling!! What would be your recommendation?
So how long have you been on the island. Any regrets?
We dont speak spanish at all but we are willing to try and learn whilst we are waiting to go. Do we need it?
If you was to sum up living in Lanzarote and give me advise, what would it be? There are not many topics on lanzarote when browsing through expat forums.
On looking estate agent websites for property in Lanzarote, they seem expensive. Is this because they are more like holiday homes? Is there cheaper properties in more rural areas? We dont want to live on top of all the tourism parts but dont want to be in the hills either.
look forward to hearing from you
cheers
Debi-Jane
The reason for us making the move is purely for a better quality of life. We both work hard and feel that we work to pay the bills here and dont have much else. My husband works in the construction industry and i am a PA. I have worked since having my kids and really dont want to work unless i have to.
We would hope to sell our house and move to Lanzarote and rent for quite some time until we find where we want to stay and then buy something.
My main concern is my 14 year old. He is currently ending yr 9 here and starts year 10 in Sept which is the last two years of school, really its the start of his O'level course work, etc. He's a bright kid and i feel he would adapt but i dont know if im doing him any favours moving him at this stage.
I dont know whether to move within the next 6-12 months or wait until he finishes school but then i have my daughter to be concerned with as she starts secondary school this september.
Its mind boggling!! What would be your recommendation?
So how long have you been on the island. Any regrets?
We dont speak spanish at all but we are willing to try and learn whilst we are waiting to go. Do we need it?
If you was to sum up living in Lanzarote and give me advise, what would it be? There are not many topics on lanzarote when browsing through expat forums.
On looking estate agent websites for property in Lanzarote, they seem expensive. Is this because they are more like holiday homes? Is there cheaper properties in more rural areas? We dont want to live on top of all the tourism parts but dont want to be in the hills either.
look forward to hearing from you
cheers
Debi-Jane
Originally posted by milky bar kid
Hi debi-jane
good move!
The main residential areas of British Expats are Tias , playa blanca
pto del Carmen, and coasta Tiguise. But anywhere you go you will find poms ,plus rents are a lot less out of the main areas. There are lots of places to rent .
Long car rentals about 400€ p/m
On schools, Our lad has been in the British school of Lanzarote ( unifroms ,strictness small classes) for 6 years now
There's one more Colegio Hispano Britanico ( no unifroms ,call the teachers by their first names) in pto dei Carmen .It is really up to you which one feels best .Both are about 4000€ a year . All spanish schools are free.
Work ?what do you do ,do you have spanish, do you need to work?
hope is helps.BSoL SCHOOL HERE
Hi debi-jane
good move!
The main residential areas of British Expats are Tias , playa blanca
pto del Carmen, and coasta Tiguise. But anywhere you go you will find poms ,plus rents are a lot less out of the main areas. There are lots of places to rent .
Long car rentals about 400€ p/m
On schools, Our lad has been in the British school of Lanzarote ( unifroms ,strictness small classes) for 6 years now
There's one more Colegio Hispano Britanico ( no unifroms ,call the teachers by their first names) in pto dei Carmen .It is really up to you which one feels best .Both are about 4000€ a year . All spanish schools are free.
Work ?what do you do ,do you have spanish, do you need to work?
hope is helps.BSoL SCHOOL HERE
Jun 29th 2004, 10:16 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Lanzarote
Posts: 52
HI ,
This is best way.
knowing ours son's BSoL ( he's 15 )school ,I would say yes, like wise your daughter .It's a very friendly school .
six years ,No!
yes! we had large prices rise's 2 years ago but they have /are building lots more so it has levelled out.Also lanzarote is quite small so nowhere is very far.
have a look at the local mag www.gazettelive.com
¿¿geoff¿¿
We would hope to sell our house and move to Lanzarote and rent for quite some time until we find where we want to stay and then buy something
My main concern is my 14 year old. He is currently ending yr 9 here and starts year 10 in Sept which is the last two years of school, really its the start of his O'level course work, etc. He's a bright kid and i feel he would adapt but i dont know if im doing him any favours moving him at this stage.
So how long have you been on the island. Any regrets?
On looking estate agent websites for property in Lanzarote, they seem expensive. Is this because they are more like holiday homes? .
have a look at the local mag www.gazettelive.com
¿¿geoff¿¿
Jun 29th 2004, 1:23 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Lanzarote
Posts: 52
Originally posted by Mercedes
Just curious why would anyone want to live in Lanzagrotty, I thought it was the worst island of the Canary Islands,
Just curious why would anyone want to live in Lanzagrotty, I thought it was the worst island of the Canary Islands,
some pics of lanzagrotty
Last edited by milky bar kid; Jun 29th 2004 at 1:31 pm.
Jul 1st 2004, 12:57 am
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 11
Hi Mercedes
Just one question.
Where do you stay?
Just one question.
Where do you stay?
Jul 1st 2004, 9:17 am
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 11
It has indeed. Just the answer I was expecting. In other words proving the point that we all like different things in life and that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What makes your chosen place to stay "better"?
I'm afraid I would hate to live where you stay. I too have been all over Europe but chose Lanzarote to live in. You see, I have no desire to live in the mountains, miles from anywhere. I would find that depressing and boring. I would much prefer to stay where I do, in a quiet location by the sea so I can look out at sea, rocks and islands, go for walks by the sea, and to be within a short drive of what many would consider to be spectacular and breathtaking scenery with views of mountains, cliffs, beaches and coastline. If you read one of Debi-Jane's posts, she says she doesn't want to live in the hills either.
At the same time, I am also within easy reach of top class restaurants, cafes, shops and an infrastructure which makes most things here easily accessible, including the UK where my wife and I have family.
But the most important reason for staying in Lanzarote, which for your information is regarded as the most "upmarket" of the Canary Islands, is the climate. The Islands are called the "Fortunate Islands" because of their climate. Whilst Spain is having to cope with temperatures over 100F just now, we are kept nice and cool at around 80F by the constant breeze off the Atlantic. Whilst you will have to put on your heating in the winter, temperatures here rarely fall below 70F. We have no heating in our house at all. Whilst you will have quite a number of wet days for a good part of the year, we have virtually none. That's why we don't have the greenery you will have. I'll admit to missing that greenery, but then you can't have everything.
That's why it's "expensive", Mercedes, because many people want to live here! It'll be cheaper where you stay because not so many do. By suggesting that there are "better" places to go and live and that Lanzarote is a "hole", is suggesting that your preferences are somehow better than other peoples'. I don't question your decision to live where you do. I don't think you should question ours.
I'm afraid I would hate to live where you stay. I too have been all over Europe but chose Lanzarote to live in. You see, I have no desire to live in the mountains, miles from anywhere. I would find that depressing and boring. I would much prefer to stay where I do, in a quiet location by the sea so I can look out at sea, rocks and islands, go for walks by the sea, and to be within a short drive of what many would consider to be spectacular and breathtaking scenery with views of mountains, cliffs, beaches and coastline. If you read one of Debi-Jane's posts, she says she doesn't want to live in the hills either.
At the same time, I am also within easy reach of top class restaurants, cafes, shops and an infrastructure which makes most things here easily accessible, including the UK where my wife and I have family.
But the most important reason for staying in Lanzarote, which for your information is regarded as the most "upmarket" of the Canary Islands, is the climate. The Islands are called the "Fortunate Islands" because of their climate. Whilst Spain is having to cope with temperatures over 100F just now, we are kept nice and cool at around 80F by the constant breeze off the Atlantic. Whilst you will have to put on your heating in the winter, temperatures here rarely fall below 70F. We have no heating in our house at all. Whilst you will have quite a number of wet days for a good part of the year, we have virtually none. That's why we don't have the greenery you will have. I'll admit to missing that greenery, but then you can't have everything.
That's why it's "expensive", Mercedes, because many people want to live here! It'll be cheaper where you stay because not so many do. By suggesting that there are "better" places to go and live and that Lanzarote is a "hole", is suggesting that your preferences are somehow better than other peoples'. I don't question your decision to live where you do. I don't think you should question ours.
Jul 1st 2004, 12:57 pm
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 11
All very interesting and very good advice, but totally missing the point about why you should question someone elses desire to live in a certain place. I've been to the Marbella area a few times on holiday and would never dream of actually living anywhere near there. But I don't come on to a forum and question someone living there because it's a hole, depressing and boring. That's individual choice.
Your last post is the advice Debi is looking for.
Your last post is the advice Debi is looking for.
Jul 1st 2004, 1:57 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Lanzarote
Posts: 52
I live 10 minutes to Marbella, and the house next door to me is selling for 2 million Euros. I live in a Spanish community and most live in very expensive houses and those that arent are their second houses I only have 5 houses right around me, but they are not always there. Mine is detached, but the neighbours are close enough if I want to say hello. . I have some very top restuarants, around me if I choose, beaches, shopping Centres, It is in demand because the prices of the area reflect that people want to live here. I would have no problem in selling it tommorrow for a profit if I wanted to
My parents had a house near San Pedro for 20 years ,one reason for selling up was the " look i'av got better things than you ! " lot, al Harry Enfield . Which is how your post comes across . And why the coastas are not for me.But northen spain any time.
Jul 1st 2004, 4:38 pm
#10
C.G.D.S
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
My only advice, having been there done that, would be to not sell up in the UK. Rent your place out and give it a try. If it doesn't work out you still have somewhere to go back to.
Jul 3rd 2004, 3:48 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Malaga
Posts: 126
[QUOTE]Originally posted by milky bar kid
Wow you guys get uptight, don't you. I thought her initial post was said tongue in cheek. So she went, saw and didn't like the place. If someone has experienced other countries, it opens their eyes to be able to offer comparisions. There is beauty, and there is uglyness and some people have good taste and others don't. If you guys like Lanzarote what does it matter what anyone else thinks. If she had said the place was wonderful, you would have accepted it.
Reading her posts I read them that she was answering Lances post where he made the assumption she lived miles away from civilisation in some cheap shack and her pastime was probably yoddling to the sheep.
I didn't read her saying she was rich nor any mention of her friends or who she socialised with. So she lives in a nice area so what. There are very expensive houses next to not so expensive houses. Some have big plots some have small plots. I think its very hard to make judgements just on the small amount of information she gave you. Take that potato off your shoulder before it turns into a chip. lol..
Emails can be read with so many different views, unless you know the person, it can often be wrong. They don't give the expression of whether someone is joking, being serious, etc etc etc.
It's is great if you're on a pension and can choose where you want to live, but some of us are also dictated by having to earn a crust. I sometimes fly in to a meeting in UK in the morning and fly back out at night. Location is therefore important also to me. I hate the cold, so northern europe is a no go area for me and anything further than 2 hours flying is a no go zone as well.
In fairness I know Mercedes and I know what she does for her crust and why she is in Marbella opposed to Barcelona or Madrid. As she stated in her post its about income and location. Sterotyping her you wouldn't even get close to who she is, but like many of us she doesn't socialise with the Brit expats and she is one of the very very few people I would personally trust. She calls a spade a shovel and apart from those she respects she doesn't give a flying F what anyone thinks of her. But I know she is thought of highly by many who do actually know her and she has my vote and why I am defending her. I also know she is away at the moment so won't reply.
The one thing I like about Malaga area there are more younger people coming down here now, especially professionals. So it's appealing more to younger people and their families instead of just old foggies with zimmer frames lol. Some of the other coasts tend to have too many retirees and are therefore boring if you are younger.
Enjoy Lanzarote, and keep smiling it exercises the wrinkles.
Wow you guys get uptight, don't you. I thought her initial post was said tongue in cheek. So she went, saw and didn't like the place. If someone has experienced other countries, it opens their eyes to be able to offer comparisions. There is beauty, and there is uglyness and some people have good taste and others don't. If you guys like Lanzarote what does it matter what anyone else thinks. If she had said the place was wonderful, you would have accepted it.
Reading her posts I read them that she was answering Lances post where he made the assumption she lived miles away from civilisation in some cheap shack and her pastime was probably yoddling to the sheep.
I didn't read her saying she was rich nor any mention of her friends or who she socialised with. So she lives in a nice area so what. There are very expensive houses next to not so expensive houses. Some have big plots some have small plots. I think its very hard to make judgements just on the small amount of information she gave you. Take that potato off your shoulder before it turns into a chip. lol..
Emails can be read with so many different views, unless you know the person, it can often be wrong. They don't give the expression of whether someone is joking, being serious, etc etc etc.
It's is great if you're on a pension and can choose where you want to live, but some of us are also dictated by having to earn a crust. I sometimes fly in to a meeting in UK in the morning and fly back out at night. Location is therefore important also to me. I hate the cold, so northern europe is a no go area for me and anything further than 2 hours flying is a no go zone as well.
In fairness I know Mercedes and I know what she does for her crust and why she is in Marbella opposed to Barcelona or Madrid. As she stated in her post its about income and location. Sterotyping her you wouldn't even get close to who she is, but like many of us she doesn't socialise with the Brit expats and she is one of the very very few people I would personally trust. She calls a spade a shovel and apart from those she respects she doesn't give a flying F what anyone thinks of her. But I know she is thought of highly by many who do actually know her and she has my vote and why I am defending her. I also know she is away at the moment so won't reply.
The one thing I like about Malaga area there are more younger people coming down here now, especially professionals. So it's appealing more to younger people and their families instead of just old foggies with zimmer frames lol. Some of the other coasts tend to have too many retirees and are therefore boring if you are younger.
Enjoy Lanzarote, and keep smiling it exercises the wrinkles.
Jul 3rd 2004, 7:27 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Lanzarote
Posts: 52
Emails can be read with so many different views, unless you know the person, it can often be wrong. They don't give the expression of whether someone is joking, being serious, etc etc etc.
And in her own words "she did'nt come across well.
Btw where have Mercedes posts gone ?
Last edited by milky bar kid; Jul 3rd 2004 at 7:37 am.
Jul 3rd 2004, 8:53 am
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 11
I can only assume. Milky Bar, that she has removed her posts. Whilst I can understand that she perhaps doesn't want to get involved in any arguments, I'm afraid that if she has done that, then that is wrong. When posts are removed after people have responded to them, then it can make other posters look a bit stupid and sometimes in the wrong. This debate has been carried out in a friendly, controlled manner and she should have the courage of her own convictions and defend her corner if necessary. If someone else has removed her posts, then of course I withdraw these remarks.
Dolphin, I quite agree with you when you say that anyone is perfectly entitled to express their view of any location. That is not the point at issue. Debi-jane came onto the forum looking for advice on re-locating to Lanzarote. Mercedes response was to question why she'd want to stay there, and use provocative language like "grotty" and "Lanzarote is a hole." I'm afraid I didn't read it as "tongue in cheek", but as her personal opinion. Milky Bar took the same view as me. Mercedes gave no advice whatsoever in her initial post which is what I responded to. If I had been the questioner, my reply to her would have been that I didn't ask for someone's opinion on Lanzarote but advice on how to re-locate there. This is the point at issue in this debate and what I was responding to.
I'm sure Mercedes is a good and trusty friend and is thought of very highly, but we all say things we later regret. If, and I repeat if, she has removed her posts because she regrets her remarks then that's fine, although it would have been much better just to have said so. If she removed them for another reason, I'm sure she'll tell us.
Dolphin, I quite agree with you when you say that anyone is perfectly entitled to express their view of any location. That is not the point at issue. Debi-jane came onto the forum looking for advice on re-locating to Lanzarote. Mercedes response was to question why she'd want to stay there, and use provocative language like "grotty" and "Lanzarote is a hole." I'm afraid I didn't read it as "tongue in cheek", but as her personal opinion. Milky Bar took the same view as me. Mercedes gave no advice whatsoever in her initial post which is what I responded to. If I had been the questioner, my reply to her would have been that I didn't ask for someone's opinion on Lanzarote but advice on how to re-locate there. This is the point at issue in this debate and what I was responding to.
I'm sure Mercedes is a good and trusty friend and is thought of very highly, but we all say things we later regret. If, and I repeat if, she has removed her posts because she regrets her remarks then that's fine, although it would have been much better just to have said so. If she removed them for another reason, I'm sure she'll tell us.
Jul 3rd 2004, 11:32 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Living in Lanzarote
I see that you Dolphingirl and Mercedesand have the the same pastimes
and share a love of Dolphins ,nice
I wonder....no ! cant be ;)
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
and share a love of Dolphins ,nice
I wonder....no ! cant be ;)
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Jul 3rd 2004, 11:48 am
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Malaga
Posts: 126
Lance she will be out of the country for a while. If the posts were deleted by her, it would have been a tidy up exercise before she left, she may have felt they gave too much info about herself. I doubt it had anything to do with the debate nor to make anyone look stupid. Sometimes too much info can identify a person especially if they live in an area and this is the net at the end of the day.
There was a post replying to milky bar from her and I know that gave way too much info,but it wasn't on for very long and maybe it was why she decided to delete, if it actually was her. It also could have been one of her colleagues, they also have access to her computer - who knows. You can ask her when she is back online.
Well keep exercising those wrinkles with a smile.
There was a post replying to milky bar from her and I know that gave way too much info,but it wasn't on for very long and maybe it was why she decided to delete, if it actually was her. It also could have been one of her colleagues, they also have access to her computer - who knows. You can ask her when she is back online.
Well keep exercising those wrinkles with a smile.
