The Grass isn't always greener : Things you should think about if coming to Tenerife

jaypeeps · 23rd July 2007, 22:50

Hi

The grass isnt always greener on the other side.

So many people move here & have to return to the UK, especially those with children of school age. It has happened to several friends of ours.

Thankfully we never made the mistake of selling our home in the uk; we rented it out instead so that gives us an income too.

Hope you have jobs lined up as it can be a REAL STRUGGLE here. I talk from experience as we have nearly moved back to the UK twice in the past 6 years
due to the work situation. Its a great life here for those who can afford not to work or are retired. When you have to work, the hours are VERY LONG for poor wages. When you work full time you can be expected to work a 6 day week with low pay & no rights.

It helps to speak the language too.

Please be careful as you must take proper advice & not listen to people talking in bars.

The British Consul in Santa Cruz are very helpful too.

So do not make the mistake a lot of us did & not research EVERYTHING FULLY before you get here.

We rent here & would never buy, the beauracracy is a nightmare.

Good luck, you will need it

Jaype

Janet · 24th July 2007, 00:55

Hope you've got the barricades up, Jaype ... I suspect a barrage .....

treble99 · 24th July 2007, 01:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

Hope you've got the barricades up, Jaype ... I suspect a barrage .....

A barrage of TRUTH Janet.

The post is, in my opinion, correct. Following my survival guide post I am regularly contacted by people who want to come and live the dream. I tell it as I find it. I cut to the chase and have made a few people very unhappy by slashing their dreams. I don't care that I have cut to the bone with many people, because what I tell them is the truth as I see it. They ask my opinion and I tell them.

I am sick and tired of telling people that if you want to live here and require work to do so, then you stand more of a chance of failing than succeeding. I have seen it time and time again.

I have then get the replies like, "we will be OK, I can pull a pint and my hubby is a handy man. We will have no probs finding work!!!" Yeah, like all the rest of them moving over!!!!!. They still come, and are gone within a year.

I know of 6 people within the last 7 days who have returned to the UK,4 of them with kids.

How many times do we see posts from those who are struggling and need help etc. How many posts do we see from people desperate for work. Lots!!!!

It is a hard place to forge a living. Think long and hard before up rooting and moving here. Mind you having said that, most believe it will be easy and will still come!

Janet · 24th July 2007, 01:29

I agree Treb, but we have to get the facts totally straight. And it is simply not true that "When you work full time you can be expected to work a 6 day week with low pay & no rights." Low pay, yes, compared with the UK, but with full time work, there are contracts and, more importantly, rights.

It's also true, in my opinion, that anyone who is already on the forum before moving over has made a large step in the right direction ... and is less likely to have to resort to taking advice from people in bars. Many of those returning now didn't come across the forum until they got here ... when it was often too late.

And it is simply idiotic (sorry, but it is) to say "we rent, would never buy, because the bureaucracy is a nightmare".

I think it's possible to advise, and even warn, people, without "slashing their dreams".

treble99 · 24th July 2007, 01:59

Point taken Janet. I agree the forum is a valuable tool for those wanting to move here.

My dream slashing remark is born out of chatting to those who seek my advice on moving here. I tell them as I see it. I'm honest with them. Yet they still reply with remarks about " oh we will be ok because hubby has his forklift license and will get work in a warehouse and I have secretarial skills so will get admin work" etc etc. They do, not all, but some, look through rose tinted specs.

Not many of you know this. I had a chat with a bloke a while back (8 months or so) who desperately wanted to move his family over for the right reasons. He lived with his wife and 3 kids in South Wales on a run down council estate. His kids could not go out to play due to the other kids and his wife worked part time in a newsagents on the estate. She worked from behind bars on the counter, there to protect her. He earned 12.7k per annum as a warehouse assistant manager. Their life was hell. I really did feel for them.

He did not own his council house and was convinced he could find work with his wife over here. I said "what makes you think you can find work here?" He replied "if you lot can do it so can I. I have been on holiday and seen the Brit communities over there".

He asked me about how much money he would need to bring to get straight. I said as much as you can find. It will take you 2 months just to get legal. I said you need to bring 6 months worth.

He said "that's ok I have savings". I enquired how much. He told me 3700 quid.

I even spoke to Sab about this as I have with others who have contacted me. I tried to tell him that with 3 kids in tow and to think about his chances were not good. He still maintained "ill be ok, I can work in warehouses"

He came and lasted less than 2 months.

Kathie · 24th July 2007, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by treble99
Point taken Janet. I agree the forum is a valuable tool for those wanting to move here.

We were a couple of very very lucky people who found the forum some time before moving out here and it was a saver really it was, Treble's survival page a must & oh how some of it has come true...........Forearmed is forewarned!!!!!!!!! Luckily we were both!!!!!!!!

The folks on this forum have a mine of information and we have devoured soo sooo much it set us in very good stead and we're indebted, once again thank you .......................What a fab community.

On a more positive note, I know it's early days but we love the island and the people on it..........................

Oh & best of luck on the island Jacknjill

jaypeeps · 24th July 2007, 08:24

Hi

Everything I stated Janet is true. I know from the past 6 yrs experience of living here.

My husband HAS to work a 72 hour week on a temporary contract. he has to leave next month as his year is up & he will not be offered an idefinite contract as the boss does not give them, he just replaces the person leaving.

Fortunately the job my husband does makes it easy for him to get another, so he is having a rest for a few weeks before starting again. Probably on 2 x 6monthly temporary contracts again.

Most people we know who work here are either on temporary contracts or no contracts at all & just paid cash.

Most contracts are where you receive a nomina show fiddled hours & amounts, with the rest of the wages paid in the well known 'black money'. We either have to accept this or not work at all; & those of us of working age need to work to live.

I am sorry if this upsets anyone, but it is the reality of living in Tenerife.

Jaype

Janet · 24th July 2007, 09:33

Sorry, Jaype, but although it may be true for you, it is not necessarily true for everyone. Yes, many people work long hours, and many people work two jobs too to make ends meet. This is true of the Canarians as well. Many employers try to get away with such tactics. BUT the law protects anyone with a contract ... of any kind. To say it does not is simply wrong. Brits without Spanish might not know this, but it does not make it untrue.

You say that "Most people we know who work here are either on temporary contracts or no contracts at all & just paid cash", but I can actually say the complete opposite. Most people I know are self-employed, or on contracted employment (sometimes temporary, but often permanent). This simply means that one CANNOT make such definitive statements. There is a range of various experiences here ... it couldn't be otherwise! As would be true anywhere, incomers have to compete with natives for work, and often end up doing the more menial or lowly paid tasks.

There are three key elements to moving here and maximising the chances that it will be successful: research, learning the language, and financial backing.

PeterRayner · 24th July 2007, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

There are three key elements to moving here and maximising the chances that it will be successful: research, learning the language, and financial backing.

Can tick all those boxes

plus will have UK based work available via internet.

and I am still feeling slightly nervous as the impendng move falls slowly into place early 2008.

Daughter moved into new house at the weekend with room for the dog.... and a spare room for us to us as a crash pad.

Son invited to house share in Northhampton with full time job available for him and partner.

Janet · 24th July 2007, 09:45

And you are one MORE example of those who have made, and will make, a success of life here. And, as you say, you have the three elements in place. Research, learning the language, and financial backing ... and more, you have a PROFESSIONAL qualification that will allow you to work in a variety of ways at your choosing, either independently, or online, or for an organisation ...

You are the exactly what proves my point!