with the UK just in case the move doesn’t go as planned.” Then there’s Alison and David
Beecham who are very much living their dream following their move from London in the early noughties. David, a keen angler, spotted a gap
in the market and Carp Fishing Gran Canaria (
www.carpgrancanaria.com) was born. They currently live in a lovely duplex in El Valle, Puerto Rico. To follow in their footsteps in setting
up your own business, Alison warns aspiring entrepreneurs not to overlook the smallprint. “Check all legal requirements and paperwork before going ahead with anything,” she advises. Although this is not Spain’s version of Florida (that would be Tenerife), expats do retire in Gran Canaria, and the healthcare is good. Fifty-something West-Midlanders
Roy and Kim brought a one-bed apartment in Puerto Rico six years ago while on holiday. Three years later, Roy retired from his teaching position and Kim from her decorating manager job in the UK, and they decided to move here for good. They fi nd living in Gran Canaria
cheaper than the UK – especially for food. The couple recommend budget supermarket Mercadona – where you can pick up a litre of milk for 60 cents (50p), or a hefty loaf of bread for just over a euro (about 85p) - they’ve noticed the savings on their weekly shopping bill. Roy raves about the local produce.
“With excellent-quality fresh food we eat in most nights,” he says. “But then again we live here and aren’t on holiday (although with the sun shining everyday, it certainly feels like we are).” We can certainly relate to this too. As for us, Alex, despite requiring tri-annual check-ups, is well and playing for the same football club as big brother Dani. We have since bought a three- bedroom apartment near to our old fl at. It was a bank sale and cost €140k (£116k), reduced from €240k (£200k). Who says it’s not the time to buy property abroad! We bought mainly to accommodate the new member of the family, Tom, who joined us in 2010. Which goes to prove the only way doesn’t have to be Essex.
FOR MORE HOMES IN GRAN CANARIA
www.aplaceinthesun.com/canaries 50
aplaceinthesun.com
CANARIES ROCK
So how do the other major Canaries weigh up? Matthew Hirtes island-hops between Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Tenerife.
BEST FOR
CULTURE VULTURES: LANZAROTE
Painter (but no decorator), sculptor, and architect Cèsar Manrique (1919-1992) convinced the Lanzarote authorities to ensure any new developments were built no taller than two storeys high. He also convinced them that residential properties should be painted white and draped in bougainvillea, the
ornamental clambering plant typically fl owering into a shock of pink. Although prices have increased as the island continues to shed its undeserved Lanzagrotty tag, you’ll still be able to fi nd apartments under €100,000 (£83k). Don’t expect any change from a cool €1,000,000 (£833k) however, if luxury villas are more your thing.
Rentals are best in the main resorts: Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.
BEST FOR NIGHTLIFE: TENERIFE
BEST FOR BEACHES: FUERTEVENTURA
Tenerife beaches need to import sand from the Sahara, and whilst Lanzarote has some stunning shorelines, the likes of Caleta de Famara for example, Fuerteventura boasts kilometres of tropically-white sand beaches fl anked by turquoise waters. Indeed so idyllic is this island, holidaymakers have been known to put down a deposit on a place to live during a short break. Expect to pay as low as €70,000 (£58k) for a one- bedroom apartment or bungalow in a residential complex with a shared pool. The expat communities tend to be concentrated in the holiday resorts of Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste where you’ll fi nd a range of property, extending from studios up to luxurious villas backing on to the island’s two golf courses.
CANARIAN CONSUL MARIA LENG SHARES
Although Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said a late team night out on the Veronica strip wasn’t to blame for the FA Cup upset against Brighton, it wouldn’t be the fi rst time this lively neon-lit area, a panoply of dazzling bars and clubs, caused a hangover. A miniature continent because of its microclimates like its neighbour Gran Canaria, sun shines over the southern resorts whereas the sky is distinctly cloudier over the north including the
capital Santa Cruz. Prices in touristy Playa de las Americas start at
€90,000 (£75k) for a one- bedroom fl at with swimming pool. In more residential (northern) areas you can buy a villa from a knock-down €180,000 (£150k) rising to over €1,000,000 for larger, more exclusive properties. Rentals are generally very strong in these resort areas.
SOME TIPS FOR HAPPY RELOCATION. • Register with the local authorities: so you can vote in local elections, access welfare services and get 50 per cent discount on travel within the Islands.
• Healthcare: register with your local health centre: your EHIC will only cover you for emergency treatment during a holiday.
• Consider private Health Insurance, especially if in the event of serious illness or death, a policy covers repatriation back to the UK.
• Export a pension or benefi t from the UK: register with the INSS. Visit
www.seg-social.net • Learn the Language. Obvious but important; don’t worry about making mistakes, that’s the learning curve! • Go Local: try local restaurants and shops instead of expat hangouts. For more information and tips, visit the British Embassy in Spain’s website
ukinspain.fco.gov.uk and fi nd us on Facebook.
CANARY ISLANDS
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