Lanzarote Relocation

We have recently had the immeasurable pleasure of getting to know Ben and Diane Austin from San Bartolome, Lanzarote. So we were very pleased when Ben was keen for the opportunity of being featured as a case study on this website. Enjoy reading!

Name
Ben Austin

Where did you move to Lanzarote from?
Bristol

When was this?
Feb 2003

Where on the Island do you live now?
San Bart

Did anyone move over with you?
My wife Diane, and 2 children

Why did you decide to move to Lanzarote?
My father was already here so we had support already on the island. I came here for spiritual reasons really – I came to help my father. It was a chance to get to know him better. We definitely achieved this… although he has now returned to the UK. We spent a good five years together and our bond is now very strong.

How long before deciding to move, did you actually arrive?
1 year. We came on holiday to check out what it was like – and then moved over a year later

Did you rent or buy your first home here?
Lived with my Father in La Florida for a couple of years, in a finca. Then we bought a new-build in San Bartolome.

Is there anything you miss from UK?
Family – but apart from that there is nothing else I miss.

How often do you return to UK?
As little as possible. It has been once a year, but now I think it will be much less often

What are the real benefits to you personally in having made the move?
Safety for the children growing up. The lifestyle in general is far superior to what we would have ever had in England. Much healthier lifestyle. For the kiddies – they can be outdoors. They are not stuck indoors because of the weather, and safety of course

What are the downsides if any, of having made the move?
Spanish bureaucracy. It has also opened my eyes up to racism, being on the other side of it. My wife is black, and back in the UK, Diane was used to racism… But I had never experienced it until I moved here.

Your friends in Lanzarote – what country are they from, predominantly?
The majority of my friends are English and Spanish – there’s a real mix though of all countries

Could you speak Spanish before you arrived?
Not a word

How is your Spanish now?
I am not fazed by getting into a conversation. I do get the gramnmar wrong – but I can certainly understand and communicate 70% of the time.

Is your lifestyle healthier, or less healthier, since moving to Lanzarote?
Definitely healthier.

With hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?
No

Tell us about the church services at the Marina Rubicon, and how you are involved?
At the moment I am part of the leadership here. I am currently on a trial with the Spanish pastor. Because I am new, they are seeing how I get on – and hopefully I will be a Pastor here eventually. At the moment, it is mainly tourists who come along. But we are trying to build up the local contingent more too. It is good to have a network of people that live here that can welcome and support our visitors. The services are every Sunday at 6pm. They are in the chapel at Marina Rubicon, in Playa Blanca.

Tell us about what you do for a living here?
I am a carpenter by trade, but we have built up an excellent Property Management portfolio – as Dove Lanzarote

We hear that you are in a band – tell us more!
Los Rubarboos – the band was put together because the lead singer (Ben Atkinson) wanted to encourage his daughter (Talullah Ruby) with her singing. At age 11, she was already developing a tremendous voice. So Ben Atkinson encouraged all the musicians he knew to come round and have a jam. From that jam, it turned out that Ben could also sing. So that is how the band formed. There were 5 of us in the band – all of whom had been friends for quite a long time. We have now been together since spring/summer 2009. We have the label of “Brit Rock Band”, however we play 60s / 70s / Rock / funk / soul music. We have also written half a dozen of our own numbers, which are more of a funk style.  We are getting a really good following – and every performance is a great one.

Will you stay living in Lanzarote?
I don’t know. For the foreseeable future yes. But who knows what the future holds? Never say never.

What is your website address where people can contact you?
www.dovelanzarote.com

Elle: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Ben – we look forward to spending some more time with you and Di very soon!

We are always looking for more people who would like to share their experiences with our readers – if you would like to see yourself featured – then contact us via this website, so we can make that happen.

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