stuckinfrance
28-12-2014, 14:18
Hi all, Merry Christmas etc.!
We are looking at relocating to Tenerife in September of 2015. A few things to mention first: 1. My husband is an offshore worker so finding work on the island won't be necessary. 2. We are already ex-pats currently living in Brittany, France, so have already made the move from the UK, four years ago to be precise.
We have really enjoyed living in France for the last four years with our two children, 5 and 3 years old, in a big old house in the middle of nowhere. We now feel though it is time for a change. We have been country people all our lives, living in rural Devon before moving to France, but are now starting to crave a bit of life with our kids and to show family when they come to stay, for restaurants, bars etc. to be open at times of the day other than 12 - 2pm Monday to Friday, and places that may be open at the weekend when you actually want to use them!!! We have regularly holidayed in the south of the island, but are interested to hear different opinions from people based anywhere. We are planning on renting from September, preferably based out of town as we have dogs to bring with us (3 bed villa with garden and perhaps pool, budget up to 1800 euro per month if anyone has any suggestions!), with a view to buying somewhere within a couple of years if we decide the move is a good one. We have found it difficult to integrate in France for some reason. I speak French, our children go to the local school and we are involved in every activity it organises, we go to village functions, but we still feel as though we live on the fringes of society where the people who aren't politely civil are actually outright rude and the village baker still doesn't smile at us after seeing him six days a week, every week for nearly four years. Maybe we have just been unlucky with the area we chose! What are your opinions on the friendliness and accepting nature of the locals in Tenerife? What are your views on the island and the best places to live? And have you got any general advice for us bearing in mind we won't be looking for work and definitely don't see the UK as an alternative for living/we won't be homesick...
Many thanks in advance.
We are looking at relocating to Tenerife in September of 2015. A few things to mention first: 1. My husband is an offshore worker so finding work on the island won't be necessary. 2. We are already ex-pats currently living in Brittany, France, so have already made the move from the UK, four years ago to be precise.
We have really enjoyed living in France for the last four years with our two children, 5 and 3 years old, in a big old house in the middle of nowhere. We now feel though it is time for a change. We have been country people all our lives, living in rural Devon before moving to France, but are now starting to crave a bit of life with our kids and to show family when they come to stay, for restaurants, bars etc. to be open at times of the day other than 12 - 2pm Monday to Friday, and places that may be open at the weekend when you actually want to use them!!! We have regularly holidayed in the south of the island, but are interested to hear different opinions from people based anywhere. We are planning on renting from September, preferably based out of town as we have dogs to bring with us (3 bed villa with garden and perhaps pool, budget up to 1800 euro per month if anyone has any suggestions!), with a view to buying somewhere within a couple of years if we decide the move is a good one. We have found it difficult to integrate in France for some reason. I speak French, our children go to the local school and we are involved in every activity it organises, we go to village functions, but we still feel as though we live on the fringes of society where the people who aren't politely civil are actually outright rude and the village baker still doesn't smile at us after seeing him six days a week, every week for nearly four years. Maybe we have just been unlucky with the area we chose! What are your opinions on the friendliness and accepting nature of the locals in Tenerife? What are your views on the island and the best places to live? And have you got any general advice for us bearing in mind we won't be looking for work and definitely don't see the UK as an alternative for living/we won't be homesick...
Many thanks in advance.