Living in the Canary Islands in Spain

The Canary Islands are quite possibly the only true winter sun destinations in the whole of Europe.  If you go as far south as you can in Europe looking for a hot country you arrive in Cyprus, but even Cyprus is cold and wet and grim in January and February.  So if you’re thinking of moving to live abroad and you want to live basking in warm sunshine all year round, why not think about living in the Canary Islands in Spain – after all, the islands are so close to the West African coast that they benefit from this continent’s climate.

A recent survey by the award wining Spanish property portal Kyero.com has shown that that the likes of Fuerteventura and Tenerife are topping the internet searches by four out of five holiday makers at the moment and even potential expats are examining the islands closely.  It’s no surprise to us that the Canary Islands are so popular – after all, you have the benefit of living in Europe but you can add to this the advantage of living in almost year round sunshine.

This news is also of interest to those thinking about buying Spanish property as an investment asset as it suggests Gran Canaria and Tenerife are fantastic areas to buy an apartment or villa in as these can be let out year round to either holiday makers or newly arrived expatriates who are searching for their own property in Spain or who are waiting for an off plan apartment or house to be finished.

The main inhabited and visited islands that make up the Canary Islands are all very different in flavour, feel and appeal.  You have Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and La Palma. 

Tenerife is the largest of the islands and it attracts the greatest interest among expats and holidaymakers alike.  The temperature in the summer is on average 24 degrees centigrade and this only drops to 18 in the winter so as you can see it is an island for all seasons.

Expats living in Spain in Tenerife say they enjoy the pace of life on the island which is quite lively all year round.  Those who choose Gran Canaria on the other hand prefer it for the landscape because there are desert and sandy areas as well as mountains with lush, tropical vegetation on this particular island that makes it a nature lover’s paradise. 

Lanzarote is a striking location with many commenting that it is like living on the moon in Lanzarote so bizarre is the landscape!  But those who love this island also love the fact that they have managed to cultivate the land and grow large plantations of fruits and vegetables.  There are even vineyards in Geria on the island and these green areas contrast the volcanic ash strewn landscape elsewhere and make Lanzarote an incredibly striking place to live.

Fuerteventura is actually more pleasant in the winter because in the summer it has solar winds which can get quite fierce.  If you’re looking for a place in the sun that you will only use in the grim Northern European winter months, Fuerteventura could be the right location for you then.  And finally you have La Palma – many expats believe La Palma is the most beautiful of all the Canary Islands as it is so green and has amazing mountains and stunning beaches.

Whichever island you prefer – if you think living in Spain is the right lifestyle choice for you but you want guaranteed year round fabulous weather, the Canary Islands are worth a closer inspection.