6 Useful Tips
You’ve made your decision, and are serious about moving to Lanzarote… you’ve told friends and family… the crates are all but packed… and you’re almost on your way! These tips will help a little in getting you settled.
1. Rent before you buy
You may have fallen in love with a certain area as a visitor to the Island, but do you truly want to live in it for 365 days a year? Don’t commit to buying immediately, unless you know the area extremely well - and it is going to suit you long-term.
We chose to rent first, for that very reason. As it was, we have been very lucky, and we adore the area we are in. We are far enough away from town to have peace and quiet for 99% of the time… and yet close enough to walk if something happened to the car etc. But we may not have been so lucky - and would now be trying to sell a home in an area that didn’t suit us.
There are a large number of rental properties available on the Island… so take your time and choose wisely. Maybe look at properties that are slightly geographically out of where you were considering? The prices can be lower, which will help you save those extra euros for when you do make that big purchase. Always wanted a pool? Then consider a complex where the pool is shared. this will help to keep your costs down, but may also offer much more in the way of shared facilities. It also means you may make some friends in the communal areas that you wouldn’t otherwise.
When you are ready to buy your home - do it properly. The legal system of conveyancing is fairly straightforward in Lanzarote - but do get a good lawyer. Ask friends and neighbors for their recommendations. This is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life - so you’ll want to get it right!
2. Sort your life out!
Relocating to another country doesn’t change who you are… or what problems you may have had in your past… you’ll more than likely still have to work… and you’ll still have irritating neighbors, gossip mongerers, and unsavoury people around you. Keep this in mind. Sort your financial affairs out, and make sure you have enough money in the bank to buy you time in your new home. Your expectations may be high, but make sure that they are still within reach.
Of course unless you have pots of money in the bank, you will need to work here. And it is not always easy to make this happen. Aside from the obvious language barrier… you may also find that there is no demand for the industry you know and love so much. Do your homework.
3. Homesickness and visitors
Despite there being regular flights to and from Lanzarote - it is still not always practical to “nip back” to catch up with friends and family. You will find that the prices can fluctuate quite dramatically - so do shop around. We like Skyscanner for our flights, and find it gives us the flexibility on dates all under one roof.
You will certainly find that friends and family will want to come and see your new home, and do encourage them to do so. those little things that you didn’t realise you’d miss will jump up and bite you - but having loved ones popping out will help to ease that. Friends and family that come to visit us generally bring items from our shopping list with them. You can get most things here (at a price!), but we are still excited by the prospect of something so simple as a steak and kidney pudding, or banana flavored Nesquik. These things may sound silly to you now… but you wait until you can’t have them anymore without taking out a mortgage to buy them.
Remind your friends however, that you still have a daily life to carry on whilst they are over. Of course you can take some time out to spend with them. But if you are having lots of visitors out to see you, you will find that it cuts into your work life. Most of your loved ones will please themselves during your working hours - there’s certainly plenty for them to do. And then you can all get together in your leisure time. Why not save going on the excursions and to various attractions until your friends arrive? Then it is nice and fresh for you too.
Have a look at something like Skype, or MSN Messenger - where you can communicate online, in real time, with your loved ones. Not everyone we know back in the UK has an internet connection, so we find that making Skype calls for 1 pence per minute helps us to catch up with what’s going on.
4. Settling in
Don’t expect to move into your new home, and for all your neighbors to automatically welcome you with open arms. Many people move to the Island every year, and a large number don’t stay. This makes people naturally wary of newcomers, and that’s just between the Brits, let alone the language barriers you’ll face with other races. But stick with it. Be friendly, be helpful, invite them around for a cuppa, or for dinner. It takes time - but it’s very worth it. But still be on your guard. Take a good look at that person you’ve just got to know. Would you be friends with them back in Blighty? No? Then chances are you won’t here either. Trust your own instincts.
5. Learn the lingo
You are moving to Spain after all! It shows politeness and respect to make the effort to learn Spanish. But it will also make your move to Lanzarote all the more enhanced. The Lanzaroteans have a very strong accent compared to mainland Spain - and even some mainland Spanish have problems making themselves understood here. Picture the differences between a Geordie accent, and that of a Cockney accent, and it’s about equivalent. But don’t worry… as time goes on, you’ll find that you pick it up. There are countless online lessons that can help, or you could consider private tuition. For the moment, we have simply thrown ourselves in at the deep end - and just got on with it. We are disappointed to meet people who have lived here for 10 - 15 years, and still can’t get beyond the real basics. They expect the Spanish people to speak English. Note: There is no British Empire anymore! These are the same people that would criticise the Punjabi lady in their local shop for not speaking English - yet they do exactly the same here.
6. Quality of life
Remember why you moved to Lanzarote. For most, it was to enhance their lives, and to escape the ratrace of the UK. So don’t overdo it. Take time out to enjoy this stunning island. Take those strolls along the beaches. Admire the stunning volcano views. Enjoy the cuisine. Revel in the laid-back atmosphere. Get involved. But above all… enjoy!
