Moving to Tenerife: Pros and Cons

Are you thinking of moving to a warmer climate or living on an island? If so, you should consider moving to Tenerife.

Tenerife is the biggest and most visited of the seven Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.

Although the Canary Islands politically belong to Spain, geographically they are part of the African continent since they are closer to Africa than the European continent.

As someone who lived in Tenerife for one year, I believe I can show you some good and bad sides of this beautiful island.

Here are The Pros and Cons of Moving to Tenerife!

♦PROS♦

Tenerife Climate

Tenerife is known as ”the Island of the Eternal Spring”. This is not strange since the island enjoys consistent weather with a pleasant temperature all year round. The island has a Mediterranean-subtropical climate, with summer temperatures between 24ºC and 33ºC, and winter temperatures between 18ºC and 21ºC.

There are multiple microclimates on the island, so you’ll need clothes for different seasons.

The first time I visited San Cristobal de la Laguna, which is only 7 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, I experienced a big temperature change in a short distance. The temperatures in La Laguna can be 3 to 6 degrees lower than in Santa Cruz.

The southern part of the island is warmer and less windy than the northern one.

The island of Tenerife usually has a cloud-free sky due to the wind which blows across the Atlantic. It rarely rains here, and when it does, it’s usually just a light rain. October is considered the wettest month of the year.

However, there is a big disadvantage of the weather in Tenerife, known as ”CALIMA”. It’s the hot wind from the Sahara that brings dust and sand, and it can happen anytime. This is the main reason why you’ll not be able to see as far as usual. The temperatures become higher and the humidity falls rapidly, so it’s necessary to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.

The Cheap Life

Everything is cheaper in Tenerife than in other places in the European Union.

Eating Out

If you want to eat like a local you should visit typical restaurants, known as Guachinches, which serve traditional homemade food and local wine. Many of these places are far from the main road and aren’t easily accessible. Sometimes Google Maps will not work, so you’ll need to ask locals for directions.

Although it’s not easy to reach Guachinches, it’s definitely worth the effort. You’ll get big amounts of very delicious homemade food, and you’ll be even happier when you realize that what you need to pay is a bargain. Lunch or dinner for 2 people will cost you around €15.

If you want to eat at a regular restaurant, you’ll need to spend more money (somewhere between €20 and €25 per person), but still less than in some other places in Europe.

Transportation

When it comes to getting around the island, I recommend you rent or buy a car, so you can easily reach rural areas. Fuel prices are low as well as car rentals, so it can be cheaper than using public transportation.

Anyway, if you prefer to travel by bus, and you are a resident and under 30, you should consider buying the Young Travellers Monthly Season Ticket, which costs 30 euros and allows unlimited travel by tram or bus anywhere on the island for 1 month.

However, if you are above 30, you’ll need to go for a less cheap option. You can buy a single ticket for each journey (a tram ticket costs €1.35 ) or get a Virtual Wallet card which you can top up with sums between €5 and €100. This option is much cheaper, so for example, you’ll need to pay €1.05 on trams instead of €1.35.

Renting an Apartment

Finding a cheap apartment depends on many factors. In the city center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can find a one-bedroom apartment for about €700, while a two-bedroom apartment will cost you somewhere between €800 and €1000. Idealista is the best rental website in Spain, so you can check current prices or make an appointment to see an apartment. Alternatively, you can go to an Inmobiliaria (real estate agency) and talk with a local real estate agent.

Once you find your apartment, you’ll have to sign a one-year contract and have to pay a deposit equivalent to one month’s rent.

Fresh Tropical Fruits

The thing I love most about Tenerife is that there are all kinds of fresh tropical fruits at every market. The island is also well-known for its banana plantations which you can see everywhere. One of the most famous farmer’s markets in Tenerife is Mercado Nuestra Señora de Africa.

Endless Sandy Beaches and Mountain Ranges

Exploring Tenerife is a very pleasant experience due to its natural wonders and breathtaking landscapes. The island is home to long sandy beaches, mountain ranges, an abundance of flowers, and the amazing Teide volcano. With so many things to do in Tenerife, you’ll never run out of new places to discover on the island. There are so many outdoor activities you can enjoy- from swimming in natural pools to climbing Mount Teide, from relaxing on beautiful beaches to enjoying water sports, and much more.

Traveling Between the Islands is Easy and Cheap

Due to the close proximity of the islands, Tenerife is the perfect base for island-hopping. There are two airlines flying between the islands: Binter and CanaryFly.

However, if you prefer traveling by boat you can choose one of two companies, Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas, which operate between Tenerife and all other Canary Islands.

Discounts for All Canary Islands Residents

The best thing about becoming a resident in Tenerife is that you will be eligible for a 75% discount on all air and ferry travel between the Canary Islands and between the archipelago and mainland Spain.

Besides the travel discount, you’ll get various discounts on hotels, museums, and attractions.

High-quality Healthcare

Spain’s public healthcare system is rated among the world’s best, and Tenerife is a good example of extraordinary medical and aesthetic services. Due to that, the island is becoming a popular medical tourism destination.

As an expat you are entitled to free state healthcare if you are:

a resident in Spain who is employed or self-employed and pays social security contribution,
a resident in Spain and receiving unemployment benefits,
a pensioner,
under 26 and studying in Spain,
a child resident in Spain,
a resident in Spain and a relative of an insured person,
staying temporarily in Spain and having an EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card).

♦CONS♦

Island Life is Slow

Life in Tenerife can be boring, especially if you are used to a hectic lifestyle. Nothing happens fast here. When you need something NOW, you are probably going to have it tomorrow. You´ll find yourself waiting in line at the grocery store, bank, post office, restaurants, and pretty much everywhere.

However, if you are over 60, you’ll probably like the island life. Many retired expats from the UK and Germany moved to the island to enjoy the great weather and the calm life.

Too Touristy and Difficult to Integrate

A large number of people visit the island every year. Due to this, you’ll often be treated as a tourist, even though you live here. It’s also very difficult to make friends with locals and feel at home.

Island Fever

After just a few months of living here, I felt stuck on the island, and I just wanted to get away. Although I used to go to the Spain mainland every month, it wasn’t enough.

It´s very frustrating that you can´t just take a car and get away. Instead, you´ll need to travel by plane or boat.

The Nightlife Isn’t So Good

As someone who really likes going to parties, I must say that the nightlife in the capital of Tenerife is the worst I’ve ever seen (it’s just my opinion, but you may like it). There are a few nightclubs in the city, such as Cine Mas Copas and Terraza Isla de Mar, which have a very bad atmosphere.

However, there are many good nightclubs in the south of the island.

As you can see, there are more PROS than CONS of moving to Tenerife. It’s a beautiful island and one of the best places to live in Europe because of its affordability, pleasant climate, great healthcare, and diverse landscapes.

But I personally think that moving to Tenerife can be fun only if it’s short-term. I hope this will help you make the right decision.