Comparing the good and bad bits of living in GC

[maxine]

imagine what its like for us who live, nearly equal to the pound, but the wages are no were like equal,but still everythings going up except the wages,,
making it very hard to servive, i remember when we came 3yrs ago it was 1.5 to the pound.
God knows whats happing................

[rab_c.]

imagine what its like for us who live, nearly equal to the pound, but the wages are no were like equal,but still everythings going up except the wages,,
making it very hard to servive, i remember when we came 3yrs ago it was 1.5 to the pound.
God knows whats happing................

youve lost me there maxine surely if you decided to move to gc then you have to accept the canarian way of life therefore the pound becomes forgotten likewise the uk as you adapt to your new life earning and paying by the euro it is impossible to work both ways.
whereas on this side of the water prices are dealt with in sterling to the euro and as the pound gets nearer to the euro prices for holidays rise drastically as does the euro when you exchange it. the only way people over there should be affected is by the lack of tourist bringing there hard earned cash in to the country.affecting bars and hotels other than that life should carry on I think!!!!!:blush:

[mary]

It all has a knock on affect really. Although my euro still buys the same amount of stuff as it always has done here. But if there are less visitors, so income is down, so less money for the residents, so less money to pay for things like a decorator or furniture or medical care!!

I dont get anything from the uk and dont think in pounds anymore. I cant compare my income to what I had in the UK. I have more things in my life than I did and its not the posh cars and big house. Its freedom, cheaper private education for my son, freedom for him, more relaxed lifestyle. i'd prefer to live here with less money in my pocket and for my son to be surfing all weekend, than be in the UK where he'll still be surfing (the net) all weekend. I havent bought new clothes for years, we saved up for 10 months to buy new furniture, I dont ever seem to get to the hairdresser, my nails are all my own (I'm embarrassed to say) and I wouldnt have it any other way.

[rab_c.]

we all love you the way you are mary.:blush:

[maxine]

It makes a difference as it makes it harder for us to visit our familys as flights seem to be going up and we can only see our familys at christmas.
Also things have risen, for eg, my daughter wanted a nintendo DS for bday, ive been looking here and it would cost 149.99 e in the uk only £87.99 a saving of in 44.99 euros.
So when things rise higher than the Uk its scary as the wages are far less than the UK.
It seems theres no balance at the moment and things have to change for all not just me, as when we leave here there will still be people suffing the pinch more than you know.
Food has risen here and so has clothes.
Its ok if your happy with plodding along gradually cutting things out to get by, but life is to short for that and you must get everything that the world can offer, and the world is not this island alone its a huge place out there. i feel for the locals here they are suffering i have canarian friends here who are very worried, they have no chance of buying property as its so expensive.
Mary you are one of the very lucky ones, i thin you have a lovely family and they are here with you, but the tourists are stopping coming as its very expensive now to live in the uk let alone travel. I know that the aparments are quite empty in the south, and agents are very worried, this needs to come to a solution and quick.

[redswanlady]

I have to disagree with you Maxine things in the UK are more expensive than here especially food if you shop like the locals and in the markets then I can feed my family for half of what it was costing me in the UK. We are taking more year on year than last year and have been making enough money we dont feel that we are plodding along as you put it. We came here for a change of life and when I see my kids playing on the beach interacting with their spanish friends and looking so healthy I know I did the right thing by moving, money isnt everything and I know for some people they cant cope with the way of life here but for us and many others this is home and will stay that way for a long time.

Tourist figures are up on last year and the flights are still coming into the island people are still coming here, but they do want different things, we just have to ensure we give them to the visitors.

[MARCUS]

We have a " world recession" and everybody is worried about what will happen.The Holiday business is very badly affected.(The locals told me on my recent trip to " Thailand " that they are also finding it difficult! I have photos of empty beaches and not a tourist in sight!) It's worldwide!
The Figures for the amount of tourists that enter the islands " are completely false"(That's official) and is on a " downward slump" (Amadores beach this afternoon was extremely quiet and very few tourists about) Businesses are closing on a " daily basis" some " estate agents" haven't sold a property in 6 months! and if you think that's bad then let me tell you that " This is just the beginning!"
I " hate" the uk i think it's bloody miserable,bloody expensive and people seem to be to wrapped up in the material things and take life far too seriously).Life is never about " money " you can live like a " king" on a poor wage over here(i know because i do)You can have a " far superior " life living in the canaries.Why do you think i have been here for 18 years???
Mr M x
:wink:

[rab_c.]

very good and sensible posts by Mary, Redswanlady & Marcus both mary and swanny have given their kids a chance of life that I wish I could have had many years ago when I was a kid as for marcus he just makes me jealous cause he is still living life like a kid. but!!! hey when I get over there I get in to the same kid mould lol. anyway back to the thread although the euro is sitting steady at around the 1.23 mark you can still buy more with it in gran canaria than the pound here and as marcus says its bloody miserable bloody expensive & if I can add to those comments bloody freezing cold here in the good old uk.
so why worry be happy.

ps B/O/E exchange rate is 1.2666 this morning

[maxine]

hi there, you are lucky then, thats not what ive been hearing from the bussiness people who own large companys on the island, property markets and companys like construction, factorys for food like the bread company, paint company, people who own apartment complexs..
so it maybe swings and roundabouts then!
As for food i find asda so much cheaper,
i do love it here , but you definatly need more money to enjoy the place, and i have been coming here for 10 yrs before i lived here having family here married into a canarian property owning family.
so i do have some insite. But again you have your familys here my daughter stayed in the UK as the career propect here was null for her. She by the way went to a normal school, in a normal area, didnt play on the computor all day, always was out with her group of friends who she still sees now.Did activitys dancing, drama, youth work, was always involved with one thing and another, didnt hang around street corners,went to Uni ,backpacked around the world and now is very happy in her apartmant in canary wharf, working for saatchi & saatchi,so you dont need the beach and a private school. its not all doom and gloom in the uk its not brilliant and has loads of probs, but its not all bad.
i had friends from privates schools who dont have work now. Nothing wrong with wanting more out of life, i feel living here was a great adventure in my life and a turning point, it teachs you to be more mellow, and more considerate, it opens your eyes to the constant moaniing in the uk, my dads always saying its to rainy , to cold , now to hot :-s
It also gave me time to study for my degree, which would be of no need here, so i have to move to progress with that.
its great for a chill out period in your life, its great if your retired and can do the 6mnths here and there like loads do.
im not getting at anyone you what you want and good for you, but im still wanting more.but i do thinks its wrong to paste over the cracks like many do...........................people give up there lifes to come here.

[redswanlady]

hi there, you are lucky then, thats not what ive been hearing from the bussiness people who own large companys on the island, property markets and companys like construction, factorys for food like the bread company, paint company, people who own apartment complexs..
so it maybe swings and roundabouts then!
As for food i find asda so much cheaper,
i do love it here , but you definatly need more money to enjoy the place, and i have been coming here for 10 yrs before i lived here having family here married into a canarian property owning family.
so i do have some insite. But again you have your familys here my daughter stayed in the UK as the career propect here was null for her. She by the way went to a normal school, in a normal area, didnt play on the computor all day, always was out with her group of friends who she still sees now.Did activitys dancing, drama, youth work, was always involved with one thing and another, didnt hang around street corners,went to Uni ,backpacked around the world and now is very happy in her apartmant in canary wharf, working for saatchi & saatchi,so you dont need the beach and a private school. its not all doom and gloom in the uk its not brilliant and has loads of probs, but its not all bad.
i had friends from privates schools who dont have work now. Nothing wrong with wanting more out of life, i feel living here was a great adventure in my life and a turning point, it teachs you to be more mellow, and more considerate, it opens your eyes to the constant moaniing in the uk, my dads always saying its to rainy , to cold , now to hot :-s
It also gave me time to study for my degree, which would be of no need here, so i have to move to progress with that.
its great for a chill out period in your life, its great if your retired and can do the 6mnths here and there like loads do.
im not getting at anyone you what you want and good for you, but im still wanting more.but i do thinks its wrong to paste over the cracks like many do...........................people give up there lifes to come here.

How old is your daughter Maxine times have changed I dont know a lot of parents that let their kids out to play on the streets in the UK now and I certainly wouldnt have. Asda might be cheap for ready meals and certain foods but for fresh produce it is far cheaper here, to say it is not all doom and gloom it is getting that way my son lives just outside London he has to pay the congestion charge, the emission charge and then parking on top of his road tax which has gone through the roof and the petrol prices which are mad. He cant afford to get on the property ladder because of soaring house prices and by the time he has paid his tax and NI he does wonder why he is working at all! When he picked me up from Gatwick an hour in the carpark cost him £8 an hour in LPA is 55c the Uk has gone mad with charges and taxes and it just isnt a place I want to be or bring my kids up in, my kids dont go to private school but do love the beach and if you ask my daughter she much prefers living here.

I dont think we paste over the cracks all places have there faults but I know that when I look out at the beach as the sun is setting enjoying a drink after a days work there are far less faults here!

[MARCUS]

Maxine!
I totally agree with your view.We all look at life with a different angle, and we all want different things from life.I don't look at life like most people do.I am Privately Educated to a " high level" (my father still reminds me of how he" wasted his life savings" on an education that i really wasn't interested in.The Canaries is not the " most perfect " place to live in the world but i enjoy it!
If i am honest i am finding things dificult like most people at the moment i would describe my situation as
" HOLDING THE WOLF BY THE EARS " (think about it.....)
I could return to the uk and get job " poncing about all day " in a "Tony Hadley" style suit and a " Lotus Espirit " parked in the drive.
But i don't want that kind of life. I value the " simple things" in life.

Mr M x
:eyebrow:

[maxine]

My daughter is 23.
My sisters twins are 10 and play outside with no worries.
I know it is bad but not everything is.
As why do the brits come here and live in british eviroments with the kind of touristy people there trying to escape from, buying british food, and using british, service, going to the uk to buy british products to bring back, never learn the language, so many here dont, and ive found some brits who dont even like the spanish??? etc etc.
I know its not fantastic in the uk, thats why i moved, when i go back i know it wont be for long as when and fingers crossed i graduate then it will take me across the waters, but all im saying its very very hard here more than people let on.
And people sell there houses and leave there familys to come here, only to find when they go back they cant get back on the property ladder. and i know we can not make people really responable for there disisions we should put the cards on the table.
It is lovely here, but usually those who say you dont need money already have it.
I have friends here who own mansion type houses or even 2 & 3, and 2 cars, private education for kids, cleaners, nannys and they still moan they dont have any money...
The big prob here i think is to many people dont pay.
they let you do the work and then they dont pay you, after you pay out for materials etc. My friend has a lovely patisserie and does private parties, they had a function to do and on the day it was cancled.
my husband paints complete houses then they say oh sorry i have no money at the moment.
which means im tight. so it makes it hard for people with real lives.
and with the euro almost the same as the pound, it will make everything equall but for the wages.
i dont think wanting not to worry about how to pay the bills and eat is material.
yes i also would like to now and again buy a new dress or a pair of shoes but thats not wrong either.
i am very scared about going back as im worried i will go from bad to worse, im afriad of the crime etc but we have that here, but i have to try it for a while then i will go on, as lifes is all about whats round the corner no-one knows.
All think is that people should be more up front life is a big enough struggle as it is, and i say good luck to those wh make it.
My father would put us in private ed, he was very ranking in the police, but wanted us to learn the old fashioned way.didnt believe in paying all that money he said its down to the child if you want to learn you will, if not then you wont.
I think you have to be there for your kids in times of needs , know were there going be a friend and a mother together, and then you should so them the right path.
most of the people here send there kids to the UK for uni anyways and then they get jobs off the island.
the £ is a big influence on the euro, so it is a very big worry. i feel for the poor everyday canarian who cant escape...............

[rab_c.]

two sides to every coin maxine but at least you have tried the canarian way which is more than 99% of people ever will from the uk.
but lets not knock the ones that are living their life at the moment over there or the ones that still live the dream to move over.
I honestly think that when you move back over here you will be shocked at many of the things that are happening now. and that in time you will realise whilst gran canaria is not perfect it is still cheaper to live there than here, if not then why am I like many others still venturing to pr at least 2-3 times yearly. it is cheaper for me and my family to have a fortnight in pr than one in blackpool and that includes drink food flights etc.

[maxine]

No im not knocking the people to live there, but they think its the be all and end all, and yes its cheaper for you because you have UK wages.
But living is completely different.
i just dont thnk its fare to lure people into false ideas. thats all.
And holidays are very different to living.
well if 5 euros is cheap for a drink which is about £4.5 im shocked.
dont forget the average person here only gets about 900 euros a month.
about 800 pounds
rent bills etc.
rent is very high. but hey the circle will go on.....
all im saying with the euro getting eqaul to the pound what about the wages becoming the same. problems would be solved then,

[redswanlady]

Where on earth do you buy your drinks maxine???? I never pay 5€ for a drink a pint of cider here is 2.50€ in the uk a pint of cider is nearly £4.

Rent and mortgages here are cheaper I couldnt afford the house I live in here in the UK but because mortgage rates are cheaper it is a bargain. You also want for a lot less than the uK so spend less.

[mary]

I agree that wages are low but i still think cost of living is much cheaper here. A waiter earning 17 € a day, a bar worker, 35€a night. Delivery guy - 8 hour shift 900€ a month. Its terrible.
Its not so much the cost of things in the shops is the other costs. We dont have road tax, council tax and all the other taxes at the same rates as the UK. A bottle of wine for 1.60€ is cheap in my eyes and a bottle of gin for 10€ is cheap too. We dont have heating bills and although we have aircon everywhere, our electricity bills are lower than that in the UK.
We choose to send our son to private school. In the UK we paid about 3,000 pounds a term - we pay about 2,000€ a term here (and most of that is the cost of the school bus). Still cheaper to me.
I will admit that Puerto Rico wasnt my dream when I was sat in the uk planning all this. I thought I'd have a villa in the mountains, with a pool etc. But we live where the work is. We could commute but then that eats into 'our time'.
I have family in the uk,parents, brother, neices etc. I havent seen some of them for a year or so. But if i lived in scotland and they were in wiltshire, i probably wouldnt see that much of them either.
GC isnt the be all and end all. And we certainly dont suggest that life here is perfect - its hard work. Whenever people come on this forum and say what about buying a bar or setting up a business, we try and say it like it is but who are we to dash someones dream. They'll do it anyway. Noone wants to end their days saying 'what if '- and sometimes people have a chance to have a go.
I am really sorry that it hasnt worked out for you. You've had some bad luck along the way - landlady and jobs not paying for example. I wouldnt wish anything like that on anyone. All I can say, its a shame but you've had a go, its all part of life's rich tapestry and perhaps when you are back in the uk, you may be able to look back at parts of your experience here and smile.

[russ]

thought i might aswell add my opinion so get ready for the snipers to come flying out of the woodwork.

about food to feed familes its so much cheaper in teh uk now. asda tescos etc the fruit and veg here is very expensive compared to home and less quality.

when i was last in england my daughter was sick in the car on our way to a night out. we stopped at tesco and andi run in with her for a change of clothes. i gave her 80 quid thinking it was the same as here she got a skirt tights t shirt and jacket for 11 pound. now here that would have cost 30 odd euros for sure and they took her to the staff area and helped clean her up.

over here everything is expensive cause it has to travel a long way, a golf club here is 270e i want in the uk 97 pound in madrid 199 e.

as i put on another thread about how bad things are here i know of about 15 business's closed this year and about 50 on the verge of it. i have been offered 6 locals recently to open but obviously i turned them down as why would i want to lose money. far better sitting on my balconey eating fruit . oh thats not me thats marcus lol

anyone who tells u everything here is all hunky doorey is lying anyone who says they are making ends meet and maybe making a bit is more or less spot on. i will have a public discussion on here with anyone who thinks everything is great. not just here in florida house prices have dropped by nearly 50 percent in 18 months. because of the world problems. and petrol is now nearly 1 e a litre.

cheers russ

[2-islandangie]

"Petrol almost 1 Euro a litre" Just filled up the car (in UK) 46.18 litres £53.98.
Looking on the bright side at least we were able to get some.
But things are bad in the Canaries I wouldn't like to be starting a business right now.
We noticed a big difference this last 6 months with the exchange rate falling away.

[russ]

lol my car takes 90 litres.

they reckon withing 18 months 2 pound a litre.

[karen]

Its not just the euro causing problems, businesses in Glasgow are making redundancies every week. Big building firms finishing first phases and not starting a second, Surveyors making redundancies, my work made 7 while I was on holiday. Things are tight. Banks and Building Societies arent lending as much as they used to. They are expecting purchasers to put down bigger deposits and joe bloggs doesnt have big deposit. So people cant buy houses and therefore people cant sell houses.

I can see more repossessions happening again.

[maxine]

For what its worth,
Yumbo centre 4.50 for a bottle of beer. 4.75 for a red Bull.
8 in the clubs for a red bull only and the same for a bottle of water.
up in the north, the british club which is suppose to be a cheap club house about 5 for a coke and rum.same for a beer
in bars 5 for a beer. in the clubs in las palmas. 8 for a rum and coke.
and sometime 9e.
so with the euro and the pound on par about equall.
when im in a london club i dont even pay that.
i supose it depends were you go.
i do love it here, i just feel sad that its been made hard by so many dishonest people we've been unlucky to have delbt with that made it impossible to get on.It doesnt help with the people who come here and dont pay there taxs etc that has a knock on effect for the bussiness people as it means the moneys not being put back into the communitys.
And a big precentage dont.

[rab_c.]

here is a recent survey done across spain and the canaries. it does not say it in the survey but las palmas is the 2nd most expensive city to live within spanish cities and does state that you must live like a local.
think thats where a lot of expats go wrong they still treat their move across like a holiday drinking in tourist areas buying in shops that sell uk brands etc.those living in gran canaria will know if these figures are near to the mark.
What has now come to my mind is all those people that have retired to spain, the canaries etc who have their pensions transferred will be hardest hit as the pound tumble 1.50 euro to the pound a few years back to the present 1.26 b/o/e rate making them 240 euro a month worse of on a £1000 monthly pension. they are the people who will now have to carefully consider their retirement in spain.



The results of a Cost of Living in Spain survey prove it is cheaper than the UK, especially if you live like a local.
The Cost of Living in Spain survey, from Spanish property portal Kyero, reveals on average a couple can live on €644 per month in addition to any rent or mortgage payments.
Taken from a wide range of locations in Spain and calculating average monthly figures, visitors responding to the survey gave the following figures:

Monthly Charges:
Buildings & contents Insurance €25
Council Tax €20
Community Fees €20
Administrative Fees €7
Electricity €50
Gas €12
Telephone Standing Charges €20
Telephone Calls €30
ADSL €40
Mobile Phone Calls €28
Car Insurance €35
Car Road Tax €7
Car Service Costs €30
Grocery Bill €300
Satellite TV Subscription €20

Monthly Total: €644

The figures were collated from across all regions of Spain and some regions such as the Canaries came in with a lower figure due to such things as better home and car insurance premiums because of the low incidence of crime.The results of a Cost of Living in Spain survey prove it is cheaper than the UK, especially if you live like a local.
Another fact that came out of the survey was the substantially lower cost of a night out, with again the Canaries working out very inexpensive, possibly due to the duty free status of the island.

[maxine]

Yes then take into consideration most earn an average of 700- 900 euros and have rent on top of that, of about 700e.
Its easy to see why its so hard. And you cant afford to not be paid, even for one week...

[redswanlady]

Yes then take into consideration most earn an average of 700- 900 euros and have rent on top of that, of about 700e.
Its easy to see why its so hard. And you cant afford to not be paid, even for one week...

But rent isnt that expensive Maxine friends of mine rent their apartment for 350€ a month.

[maxine]

There very lucky then, we have been looking for a down grade to ours which is 750E and even in the south we have only be able to find 680 plus!!!
750 is cheap for the north were we are average 1000.
but in the south i have been looking at ground floor places for 650 and more.
for a house well its rediculas more than 1000 a month.
Bungalows are 1000 to.
i even looked in Vecendario which is a rough area and its about the same.
but i supose its right place right time thing.......... or maybe im just unlucky as everyone else seems to have everything so much cheaper!!!!!!!

[clarobel]

For what its worth,
Yumbo centre 4.50 for a bottle of beer. 4.75 for a red Bull.
8 in the clubs for a red bull only and the same for a bottle of water.
up in the north, the british club which is suppose to be a cheap club house about 5 for a coke and rum.same for a beer
in bars 5 for a beer. in the clubs in las palmas. 8 for a rum and coke.
and sometime 9e.
so with the euro and the pound on par about equall.
when im in a london club i dont even pay that.
i supose it depends were you go.
i do love it here, i just feel sad that its been made hard by so many dishonest people we've been unlucky to have delbt with that made it impossible to get on.It doesnt help with the people who come here and dont pay there taxs etc that has a knock on effect for the bussiness people as it means the moneys not being put back into the communitys.
And a big precentage dont.

You're probably right Maxine it does depend where you go. I'm shocked at these prices!! The Europa centre is far cheaper by comparison. People always expect to pay more in night clubs and you will always find them more expensive but this doesn't put people off. The average price for a pint in Europa Centre bars is between 90 cents to 1.50 during the daytime and between 1.50 to 2.50 (for local beer) at night or when there is entertainment on. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong about prices). In most of the bars you can get specials on the local spirits - say 2 spirit and mixer for 5 - 6 euro. Bearing in mind the measures are larger this is still reasonable in my opinion. Lots of the bars also have special offers on bottled beer and cider etc. It's all about personal choice really and with the euro exchange rate as it is at present, people will shop around for the cheaper prices and who can blame them for that!! Let's just hope that everyone can still enjoy their holidays and have a great time while they're here.

Anne (Angelo's Family Bar)

[mary]

you can get some apartments for around 350 - as redswan says - but i expect you are looking for somewhere with a garden etc for your dogs, and that'll put the price up. A 2 bed place on our complex is 650 now (it used to be 750) - thats furnished no garden but with a balcony.
Vecindario isnt that rough - behind there in Sardina there are some great communities.

[redswanlady]

you can get some apartments for around 350 - as redswan says - but i expect you are looking for somewhere with a garden etc for your dogs, and that'll put the price up. A 2 bed place on our complex is 650 now (it used to be 750) - thats furnished no garden but with a balcony.
Vecindario isnt that rough - behind there in Sardina there are some great communities.


I agree Mary vecindario isnt that bad!

Also friends have just rented a two bedroom villa with garden in Tauro for 700€ a month which is cheap.

[mary]

I've moved the posts from euro exchange that have been a bit off topic, to here.

[2-islandangie]

here is a recent survey done across spain and the canaries. it does not say it in the survey but las palmas is the 2nd most expensive city to live within spanish cities and does state that you must live like a local.
think thats where a lot of expats go wrong they still treat their move across like a holiday drinking in tourist areas buying in shops that sell uk brands etc.those living in gran canaria will know if these figures are near to the mark.
What has now come to my mind is all those people that have retired to spain, the canaries etc who have their pensions transferred will be hardest hit as the pound tumble 1.50 euro to the pound a few years back to the present 1.26 b/o/e rate making them 240 euro a month worse of on a £1000 monthly pension. they are the people who will now have to carefully consider their retirement in spain.



The results of a Cost of Living in Spain survey prove it is cheaper than the UK, especially if you live like a local.
The Cost of Living in Spain survey, from Spanish property portal Kyero, reveals on average a couple can live on €644 per month in addition to any rent or mortgage payments.
Taken from a wide range of locations in Spain and calculating average monthly figures, visitors responding to the survey gave the following figures:

Monthly Charges:
Buildings & contents Insurance €25
Council Tax €20
Community Fees €20
Administrative Fees €7
Electricity €50
Gas €12
Telephone Standing Charges €20
Telephone Calls €30
ADSL €40
Mobile Phone Calls €28
Car Insurance €35
Car Road Tax €7
Car Service Costs €30
Grocery Bill €300
Satellite TV Subscription €20

Monthly Total: €644

The figures were collated from across all regions of Spain and some regions such as the Canaries came in with a lower figure due to such things as better home and car insurance premiums because of the low incidence of crime.The results of a Cost of Living in Spain survey prove it is cheaper than the UK, especially if you live like a local.
Another fact that came out of the survey was the substantially lower cost of a night out, with again the Canaries working out very inexpensive, possibly due to the duty free status of the island.

Community costs 20 Euros per month !!! Does anybody in the Canaries get it that low a month?
Our Communidad is 142 Euros a month + 8 Euros derrama for the lift!!
We viewed a property that we were interested in buying in May & were told by the agent that the communidad was 2000 Euros a year. We have since spoken to another owner & he said it was nearer 4000 Euros a year. This is for a property where there is not even a swimming pool on the complex!!! :veryangry:
Sadly all our income is derived in UK & so the falling exchange rate is a pain. For all that we have tried out spending 6 months at a time in GC & know that we prefer to be there.
To wake up to glorious blue skies nearly every day ....Priceless
At least it doesn't cost us an arm & a leg keeping warm in the winter.:boozy:

[maxine]

Not forgetting Tax & National Ins, more than 250 a month.

[rab_c.]

would I be correct or wrong in saying thay most properties than can be rented from cardenas includes all communal charges water and electricity in the package price
an example here with garden seems very reasonable.
http://www.cardenas-grancanaria.com/infoPropiedad_Ingles.asp?tipoPropiedad=R&referencia=10338&idioma=Ingles&aumenta=1&notHome=1

however at the other end of the market how about a luxury penthouse suite above reception in the dunas amadores on sale at only 972.000.00euros and a 350 euro a month community charge that gives you full run of the hotel as a part owner.and there are only 5 apartments.
on sale here http://www.paradiseliving.info/detalle.php?id=556

[maxine]

Yes you can find them few and far between.
i just need a one bedroom really to tied us over till we leave.
pueto rico not pratical would cost to much in fuel every day getting to las palmas for work.
still crazy price though, my daughter brought a house in uk for renting out and she charges only £600 month for a hugh 3 bedroom house semi , garden, in good area of the city and thats about average.Not much difference really i supose its always going to be the pain of our lives paying rent or morgages :eyebrow:

[mary]

our communidad is 35 a month but we dont have a pool on our complex. Somewhere with nice gardens, pool, reception etc can have a much larger comunidad

http://www.segundamano.es/vi/10958167.htm?ca=35_s&st=u
This is 850 /month in arguineguin (which is alot for what it is, but it all inc. furniture and everything) but there are alot of places on this site. Some are through agents and some are private lets. This site in general is great for second hand anything.

http://www.segundamano.es/vi/11221905.htm?ca=35_s&st=u
This a bit prettier, cheaper but in a touristish zone

http://www.segundamano.es/vi/11134648.htm?ca=35_s&st=u
This is 3 rooms, accepts animals and is in Sardina/vecindario.

Sorry I'll stop now - I get a bit enthusiastic!!

[MacTaliy]

............. for fear of being carded..... This really despite the economic climate which is similar here in GC as is in Uk, I'm led to believe, at the moment; is why I choose to be here...........

I found this beautiful winter poem and thought it might be a comfort to you .
It was to me, and it's very well written.
ENJOY!

' WINTER '
a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre
http://a7.vox.com/6a00c225280961549d00e398c9e34f0005-500pi
http://www.pension-moewe.de/en/page6/files/page6_2.jpg

F**k Me!
It's Cold!

[karen]

Carla i love your sense of humour. You should be on here more often.

:fatgrin:

[2-islandangie]

Cheers Carla ...Best laugh I've had for ages!!!
:rose: :boozy:

[claire P]

Excellent!!!!lol!!

[rab_c.]

............. for fear of being carded..... This really despite the economic climate which is similar here in GC as is in Uk, I'm led to believe, at the moment; is why I choose to be here...........

I found this beautiful winter poem and thought it might be a comfort to you .
It was to me, and it's very well written.
ENJOY!

' WINTER '
a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre
http://a7.vox.com/6a00c225280961549d00e398c9e34f0005-500pi
http://www.pension-moewe.de/en/page6/files/page6_2.jpg

F**k Me!
It's Cold!

now thats what I call chilling out lol

[xxxjojoxxx]

Thats what I call normality for us this side of the border brrrrr lol. Would need snow chains for that one :fatgrin:

[maxine]

Fantastic for Skiing!!!!!!!!!