Which is the best area in Tenerife to live if...

[RogerT]

... yeah, I know this is very subjective and everyone has their own criteria and opinion.

We're a family of 4, children are 6 and 8, home-schooled, smart and curious but joined at the hip to laptops.

We have a vehicle, finances and work, we're moving for a change of lifestyle, specifically for the kids.

We're looking for the 'best' places to book, say, one month accommodation before arriving, so we can explore the island and find the places we're most drawn to before committing to emigration and a more long term rental. If we're a good fit for Tenerife and vice versa, we'd probably eventually buy (or build) a home.

[Megaloo]

To be honest you have probably answered your own question as people living in the North live there because they prefer the North and visa versa although I did read a comment from somebody living in the
south that they prefer the North but their work keeps them n the South :)

[RogerT]

I don't live in Tenerife but it seems like a large place with almost a million inhabitants, so I'm guessing North or South doesn't really narrow the accommodation field down very much ;)

I was really looking for a discussion of various areas on the island and their pros and cons based on our personal criteria of wanting to be in a good initial location to go scouting, and given we have 6 and 8 year old children, a car we'll be bringing (or a hire car) and no significant restriction on location regarding work or available finances.

Does that help?

Kindly
Rog

[cressrt]

There are lots of places you can choose to live, you need to have/give an idea of what type of "life" you are looking for, do you want to integrate into a Spanish life or prefer to live in a Little Britain or a mix? Why Tenerife? Is good internet speed essential, over here it is nothing like the UK, nor are most services. Home schooling is not a standard option here, only I believe in special circumstances, I'm sure someone else will have more information on this, your age children would probably be able to cope with Spanish school and pick up the language quickly.

[RogerT]

thanks for the reply.

At this point we are simply looking for a place for a month or so to give us time to check out the island.

So the criteria is:

1. easy access and well connected to services and facilities
2. safe and friendly for children

no concerns about schools, prices, expat or spanish locations etc. for the initial month - we can work that stuff out once we are on the ground

btw, we aren't coming from the UK so we won't be comparing services to UK standards (wouldn't know what UK standards are anyway ;) )

[Ecky Thump]

You need to say if you want a rural area with limited services or a city/town dwelling...maybe read the multitude of books that are available about the island, for myself and wanting to get a feel of the country and its people, then I would consider Santa Cruz as a starting point, but certainly away from the tourist resorts.
Like anywhere else in the world, children are only totally safe when they are in your company.

[Megaloo]

I live in Puerto de la Cruz and love it I am not right in the centre but in La Paz I can walk to the centre in 20 minutes would not walk back as it is hilly but probably would do if I was younger My Son and his Wife always walk there and back
But I have lots of lovely restaurants and supermarkets 5 minutes away so I do not really need to go to the Town centre very often
Canarybird has lived here many years and lives close by to me perhaps she could give you a few pointers

[canarybird]

I can only echo what Megaloo and others have said. I have also lived in Puerto de la Cruz many years and love it here.

If at the moment you are just looking for a rental property for a month, then there are many businesses available with offers.
Look at a map of the island and ask about areas that might interest you. Santa Cruz is the capital and is therefore the largest city on the island.
La Laguna, a historic university town is second in population I believe.

Puerto de la Cruz is also a large town and there are several areas in the south with similar populations.
Availability of apartment rentals would depend on which month you intend to come. Winter is the busiest tourist period so rentals are scarcer at that time.

The south of the island is a busy, developed tourist destination with many hotels and good beaches. The north is more Spanish, a little cooler and greener.

There are schools, shops and facilities wherever you go on the island and the local bus transit service is very good making it easy to travel from any point on the island to another.

Back to you. :)

[RogerT]

Thanks for all the replies.

Can anyone recommend good resources for information about the island other than this forum. Google returns many thousands of websites but getting accurate and non-partial information isn't so straightforward.

Eckythump, which of the books you mention would be your first recommendation?

Kindly
Rog

[delderek]

Google this: J a n e t A n s c o m b e (without the spaces) where to live or buy You will find descriptions of many places in the South and West.

[canarybird]

Something to look at and read online:

http://therealtenerife.com/about-us/

and some photos of the island from the same folks:

https://twitter.com/NativeTenerife/media

[Ecky Thump]

Thanks for all the replies.

Can anyone recommend good resources for information about the island other than this forum.

Ecky Thump, which of the books you mention would be your first recommendation?

A Book called......

Tenerife Lifeline
Leslie Beeson

Here are a couple of reviews/description.

Tenerife Lifeline, the only book about moving to, working in & living in Tenerife. If you are thinking of moving to Tenerife successfully, then there's a lot to consider, good preparation & this book will make sure that you have the facts to hand. Tenerife is not like life on a permanent holiday. You'll need to register yourself as a resident, get an NIE tax number and become fully registered in the system to benefit from health services, schools & pensions. You'll need to find a home, maybe find a job in Tenerife or even start your own business. But that's just the beginning. Even if you have been living in Tenerife for 20 years, you'll still refer to this book. You'll be able to find out how to get the most out of Tenerife Life & save yourself time and money. Tenerife residents know better than anyone that things change. Just because you queued at one window a few years ago to get that piece of paper, doesn't mean you will have to do so today. Laws and taxes change, and ignorance isn't an excuse. Read the facts, don't listen to the poolside "experts" or rumours. 248 pages packed with information and advice. 18 chapters covering everything from health and money to property and working in Tenerife. Tenerife Lifeline covers almost every aspect of life such as jobs, as well as all paperwork and taxes... in fact everything you need to know from birth to death. Over 200 residents have contributed their knowledge and experience to make this the essential guide to living in Tenerife. Hundreds of hours of research and writing has ensured that the facts are correct and up to date. Experts have been consulted: lawyers, accountants, property experts, business owners and many more specialists have contributed their knowledge and experience. It is the only book to help the huge English and Irish expatriate population of Tenerife. Although published in 2009, this book is still full of current information and helpful tips.

This is EVERYTHING you need to work and live in Tenerife.... Whether permanently or SOME of the year.. this is a MUST. I found this book VERY helpful when I considered living there part of the year....Life there is SO much better because 95% of the year there is sunshine and Spainish people (Espec Tenerifians) are very laid back and hard working...and THIS is why us from the UK espec who ARE laid back want to be part of that' scene'..there are a lot of retired people there but folk DO go to Tenerife to re-start their lives and choose to work...SO this 'bible' shows you how to be successful when you DO live/work in Tenerife...Tax ..Insurance, starting up a Bank Account...rents...buying property...life style...the list goes on.
Everything is here that you would need to be LEGAL and have a successful life in Tenerife....working OR retired. I recommend it.

[RogerT]

Thanks again to everyone, especially the last 3 posts with resource links and book recco.

I'll absorb that information and come back to ask questions :)

R

- - - - - - - - - - merged double post - - - - - - - - - -


A Book called......

Tenerife Lifeline
Leslie Beeson



Shame, I can't find the book in e-format, the author's website is no-longer functioning and the facebook page doesn't have a post since 2010. I'm not a great fan of paper and print books (terrible eyesight!)

No doubt the general advice on emigrating is still valid but I'm wondering how current the island information will be if it's already 7 or 8 years old. I've moved from country to country several times, the psychological aspects of relocation aren't really an issue, it's all about accurate unbiased information about the 'venue' at this point :)

[Ecky Thump]

Thanks again to everyone, especially the last 3 posts with resource links and book recco.

I'll absorb that information and come back to ask questions :)

R

- - - - - - - - - - merged double post - - - - - - - - - -



Shame, I can't find the book in e-format, the author's website is no-longer functioning and the facebook page doesn't have a post since 2010. I'm not a great fan of paper and print books (terrible eyesight!)

No doubt the general advice on emigrating is still valid but I'm wondering how current the island information will be if it's already 7 or 8 years old. I've moved from country to country several times, the psychological aspects of relocation aren't really an issue, it's all about accurate unbiased information about the 'venue' at this point :)

I can only find it on Amazon in a paper edition.
I'm sure if you look on the Amazon sight and search for books about Tenerife life, you should if you read the reviews find a book or two to suit your needs.:dontknow:

[Ricman]

You seem to have the right idea of how to do it i.e. come & try it for yourself as you & your family are really the only ones that know what suits you & what you want from Tenerife.

A good time for renting is April, May & June as the prices are cheaper with better availability & the swallows have gone back to the UK.

I have lived in the south for 15 years & love it. However those in the north have their own ideas. What is certain is that the weather is dryer & warmer in the south.

Perhaps you may consider renting around the Los Cristianos area as it is easily accessible to the motorway for exploring the whole island.

Whatever you do good luck to you.

[warbey]

.
.
I have always stayed in the South in Las Americas area but have been to Loro Parque twice which is in the Puerto de la cruz area.

I have had a few trips by Bus to Santa Cruz too.

Both these Places are nice and have existed for many Years.

The South, being drier, was not built up along the coast until the 1950's and is mostly newer and brasher.

I honestly think the Total area of the Island would be very difficult to Judge in a single Month.

I would be inclined to try and arrange some time at each Major point, withy a week at each Location and the last week to assess choices.

All the Best!