Hello all,

I have been reading about Island life in different parts of the forums and thought I would ask a question about Spanish island life here, just out of interest.

So, Spanish islands, where are they and what is it like to live on one of them?

quite a few "Spanish" islands, give us more of a clue.

Not bothered, no preference, share what you know with us

"So, Spanish islands, where are they ?"




THEY ARE IN THE PHILLIPENES!!!!!!!!!

Never actually lived on any 'Balearic and Canaries' but I have spent time working on most of them over the years, my top of the list is:

Located off Barcelona coast:

Majorca *****, not the tourist side but the North West and West sides of the island are beautiful, Pollensa, Port de Pollensa, Soller... I loved them. This island tends to be fairly expensive compared to other Spanish Islands. I worked on Majorca a couple of times in quick succession about 8 years ago, I was prepared to sell up in the south and have moved there at the time I liked it so much... only my girlfriend wasn't interested.

Ibiza ***, this is actually a nice Island although it can be a bit mad in the Summer while a little deserted and tranquillo in the winter 'if you like that sort of thing'. I didn't take to the locals as much as I did to those of Majorca but I liked the Island.

The following are located just off Morocco, apart from being all volcanic they are * very * touristy and can be windy too often for my liking:

Tenerife **, very basic apart from tourists and Bananas (They have a great carnival though), didn't like it although the people where friendly and the volcano was interesting if you like that sort of thing, wouldn't be too worried if I never got back to it.

Grand Canaria *, very basic apart from tourists and Bananas, didn't like it although again the people where friendly, would have no interest in visiting again.

Lanzarote *, very basic although it was unusual, again no interest in visiting again.

Fuerteventura *, very basic although it was unusual, again no interest in visiting again.

El Hierro *, very basic although it was unusual, nice to have seen but wouldn't be too worried if I never went back.

There are others but I haven't been to them so I can't comment and the visits to the above where all for work and lasted between 2 and 8 weeks at a time although with Majorca I actually made a point of staying for a few days after I finished what I went there for. Just have a look on Google earth, off the coast of Barcelona and off the coast of Morocco.

BTW, most of the islands are connected by domestic flights and in many cases ferries, if not a little outdated... or at least the Ibiza ferry was when I was last on it.

Hope this helps.

Clever guy?

Econ,

Many thanks for your contribution, which I found to be of great interest.

My post probably didn't answer your questions well but to be honest everyone has a different opinion and liking as far as island life is concerned. What I was trying to say in my last post was that I wouldn't want to have to live on any of them except Majorca and maybe, just maybe 'if I had to' Ibiza.

I adore Mallorca, and a little odd for me, I love Palma, but I know shed loads of people in Menorca and they absolutely love the place, very family orientated and Anglicised in a good way.

It spend a while under English rule 'or ownership' if that's the right word (mid 1700's I think), the English built defences at that time and I beleive some of which are still standing, maybe this is where the connection comes from.

Its one of the places our love of Gin comes from too.

Yes ...... I've been there a few times

I knew the second I mentioned Gin you would appear!

Do u think Tenerife is safe for families? Is there other islands in the area?Is there any inexpensive property? thanks for any info!

All the Canary islands are quite close to each other, so you have Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura all a relatively short ferry trip away. Cost of living and housing is somewhat more expensive than mainland Spain, also flights to and from are much more expensive as there are, to date, none of the 'low cost' airlines flying there, those airlines that do are all holiday charter flights. Cost of living is higher because the vast majority of food etc has to be flown in or come by boat. Have been to all except Tenerife, and they are all touristy as their main source of income is the tourist industry.