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With the weather, cost of living and quality
of life experienced in the Canary Islands, it is understandable
that more and more people are buying property in Tenerife – either
as investors, as a holiday home in the sun, or as a permanent
home as residents here.
Here are just a few reasons why people move to Tenerife:
- To enjoy a better lifestyle,
a better quality of life, or for health reasons (eg to eliminate
stress)
- As an escape from harsh
winter weather, snow and ice, frosty winter mornings, dark depressing
evenings (and the heating bills!)
- Escaping the 9-5 job
to work for yourself (or not working at all if you can afford to!)
- To spend a greater amount
of time with your family, or to pursue hobbies that you have always
dreamed about (eg fishing or snorkeling)
- To live a more luxurious
style than you could at home
- To live in a place where
crime is less prevalent and there is more freedom for your children
- To have your own business
and pay less tax.
- To learn another language
and experience a different culture
How to Move
Moving can be a difficult and
radical challenge – you should
expect a great deal of confusion, soul searching and mind changing
along the way. Just escaping from the problems of the “old
lifestyle” will probably not be a good enough reason or ensure
success. Be prepared to give the move time, at least a year before
you re-evaluate.
Decide if you want to move to your new country full time, or live
there for just certain parts of the year. Also, you’ll need
to decide whether or not you’re going to keep a property
at home. These decisions will have an effect on what you take with
you and of course may have tax implications at home.
Expectations
Don’t expect the locals to speak
perfect English and to understand you!
Don’t expect the convenience of swift banking, payment
of bills or installation of services such as electricity, as
these tend to be less swift and fraught with a many pitfalls!
Nowhere is perfect - if it were, then it would have no room for
you! No climate is perfect, no area totally free of crime and
violence.
So,
you have decided to make the move, where will you settle? Some
people wish to live by the beach with lots of people; others want
to take to the hills or even be near the summit of Mount Teide,
enjoying the cool crisp winter mornings in the Canary Isles. Obviously
you will benefit from better prices if you locate out of popular
areas. The higher you are, the less hot you will be in the summer
months, but the cooler you will be in the winter! It isn’t
easy to choose and the only correct answer is the one that suits
you and your family’s requirements.
If you suffer from ill
health, ensure you are able to continue with the treatment you
need either by the social system or via private cover. Ensure that
the island offers you the level of comfort that you are used to
or aspire to.
Check on the internet for various articles
and links, but remember authors do not list pitfalls. We strongly
recommend a visit before you make the final decision and feel
it would be better to rent in the short term until you are convinced
the island is exactly what you have been looking for. Try to
visit at the worst possible time - the noisiest, the hottest,
the wettest, depending on your outlook. Speak with other expats
as much as possible. Try to meet up with as many estate agents
as you possibly can and pick up copies of property papers, The
Tenerife Property Guide is
the largest and only English-speaking publication dedicated to
property and business sales on the island and has an up to date
web page with many of the most recently listed properties for sale
in Tenerife.
So, you have finally made the decision to relocate.
You clearly must set a date for the move and now need to organize
what items to ship, if any. Or are you going to start a completely
new life and buy all new items on arrival! Importing your car
really needs professional assistance for example.
If you are flying
to the Canaries be sure that your baggage allowance is not exceeded,
airlines are really becoming quite strict on this and excess baggage
is costly. If you are leaving everything behind, ensure that all
your credit card bills are paid off, or a forwarding address for
this and all other mail is put in place. Similarly, if you are
keeping a property or links back in the UK, then you need to ensure
that direct debits, standing orders and all financial arrangements
are made with your bank with regard to utility bills, mortgages
and credit cards. If you like your existing bank, check to see
if they have an office in Tenerife, (for example, LloydsTSB and
Barclays have branches) and arrange for an account to be set up
(needed to pay local bills). You will also require an NIE number
upon arrival in order to gain access to most services
Remember to
cover yourself and belongings with adequate travel insurance and
ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after
leaving the UK.
Tenerife is not “third world” and all
types of British foodstuffs and beverages are available, so there
is no need to ‘stock
up’ on your favourite foodstuffs or toiletries.
Medical/ Dental
check ups
Visits to the dentist, optician and doctor are a worthwhile investment
before leaving home. Any vaccinations for the children should
be arranged before departure. If you take prescription medicines,
obtain the prescriptions before leaving. If you have children
of school age, check with their new school to see what information
they require.
Moving
Remember; don’t take what you don’t need!
Pets
If you’re bringing pets with you, please ensure that you
have checked well in advance with the airline on transportation
requirements and Pet Passports.
Various
Try to dispose off all unwanted items well in advance via a car
boot sale or through local jumble sales
On arrival- your new life
Chat with people who have been through the experience before you
and ask their opinions on the best of everything. Set up your utilities
bills, open your bank account, and obtain your NIE number. Take
language lessons or continue with them. Remember that your children,
should they attend a Spanish school, will probably lose their English
skills unless you continue to write and read English as well as
Spanish with them. It is a good idea to read the press, thus improving
your language skills, this, whilst time consuming at first, will
pay big dividends.
Make
certain that you explore your new environment, visiting the old
towns and historic sites as well as the beaches and shops. By
trying to view the wealth of flora by driving around the island – from
sea shore to the mountains, experiencing local cuisine, and participating
in local cultural events and activities, you will soon become a ‘local’ rather
than just another tourist! You will then look back on your decision
to move and wonder why you had not come to the lovely warm and
welcoming shores of Tenerife many years ago!
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