Tenerife: the largest and most populous island within the Canaries. It attracts more than 6 million visitors a year from all around the world, with many of them returning time and time again. In fact, what may have been an initial family holiday often results in the start of something special. Despite being an incredibly popular holiday destination, Tenerife is also an ideal place to call home. Moving to Tenerife is one of the best things you may end up doing. And with so much to do and see here, it’s easy to see why so many people look to relocate to Tenerife.

Why buy in Tenerife?

Golden beaches lined with palm trees and clear waters, lush greenery within the countryside and mountainous backdrops are scattered throughout Tenerife, offering a wide array of awe-inspiring scenery for you to enjoy. No matter your preferences, you’re sure to find a property in Tenerife that suits your lifestyle.

Moving to Tenerife and buying a property here is generally a good investment opportunity. Many buyers will purchase a property and live here at certain points during the year and rent it out to others when they are not there.

People from all around the world move to Tenerife, so you’re sure to experience a mix of cultures while here. It’s generally a safe place to live, with very little crime happening compared to other places within Europe.

10 Reasons Why You Should Move to Tenerife

1. The Climate and Year-Round Sun

Attractive, warm and sunny: one of the main attractions for moving to Tenerife is the weather. Situated just off the coast of North Africa, you’ll be able to enjoy a subtropical climate while living in Tenerife. Summer is a very comfortable 28ºC on average, with the winter months rarely seeing temperatures drop below  20º C. Because of this, it’s no wonder that Tenerife is one of Europe's most popular year-round tourist destinations. The weather has seen it gain the nickname of the “Island of Eternal Spring”.

Moving to Tenerife ensures you won’t be living a life of cold weather, rainy days stuck inside or grey, gloomy skies. You’ll be able to wake up to the guarantee of glorious sunshine pretty much every single day. Thanks to this, you’ll be able to say goodbye to thick, knitted jumpers, big coats and wellies, though it may still be best to make sure you have some clothing like this in your wardrobe just in case.

2. It’s Close to the UK

You can travel to Tenerife from the UK in around 4 hours. Flights come in leaps and bounds, with more than 200 of them leaving from 30 different UK airports a week. Thanks to this, you’ll be able to decide to travel to and from the island at short notice, and without you having to pay a fortune for the flight either. The cost of flying between the UK and Tenerife is relatively low, with returns being spotted for less than £100.

As it is in such close proximity to the UK, you can generally feel quite at home straight away. What’s more, there are around 30,000 UK residents out of a total island population of 600,000, so there are a lot of British-related home comforts on the island, including food, newspapers, TV channels and books.

3. You Have Peace of Mind

With Tenerife being such a popular holiday spot, you can be sure that security is high here. The whole of the Canary Isles is deemed safe and there aren’t any specific no-go areas listed in Tenerife. It’s a fairly peaceful island, other than a few party towns that may see some late-night drinking occur.

4. A Low Cost of Living

Wherever you live on the island of Tenerife, you’ll generally find that the cost of living here is pretty low. You’ll find food shopping and eating out costs less that many other Spanish islands, with gas and other essentials and merchandise being relatively cheap too. Utility bills are low and because the weather here is warm year-round, it means you won’t have to crank the heating up every day. You’ll also find you spend less money on clothes when you move to Tenerife because there’ll be no need to buy both a summer and winter wardrobe. Tenerife real estate is much more affordable too, meaning you get to live better for less.

5. The Range of Things to Do

When moving to Tenerife, one of the deciding factors is that there’s plenty to keep you occupied. With breathtaking vistas and varied landscapes to enjoy and explore, the range of things to do in Tenerife is endless. From climbing to the summit of Mount Teide and witnessing the dramatic views of the island from a volcanic peak to wandering through lush tropical forests, Tenerife offers  something for everyone to take part in. No matter which part of the island you choose to relocate too, you’re sure to be enchanted and in awe every single day - all thanks to Tenerife’s magnificence. Some of the most popular activities include:

• Visiting Mount Teide National Park
• Relaxing on one of the beaches adorned with golden sand
• Paying a visit to Siam Park and Loro Parque
• Looking for whales and dolphins on a boat ride
• Hiking round one of the many famous walking trails
• Enjoying some thrill-seeking water sports

6. Canarian Culture & History

Tenerife is bursting with rich history. Many of the historical landmarks on the island often remind you of its past, which includes the Guanches arriving from Africa in the first century B.C, Christopher Columbus witnessing Mount Teide erupting in 1492, Spanish conquistadors taking over the island from the natives in 1494, General Nelson losing his arm in the battle of Santa Cruz in 1797 and General Franco’s plotting to overthrow the Spanish Government in the 1930s.

7. Stunning Architecture

There are a number of contemporary and traditional buildings located throughout Tenerife. No matter which town or city you’re strolling through, there’ll be something impressive close by for you to look at.

One of the most popular architectural landmarks is the striking Auditorio de Tenerife, an opera house situated in Santa Cruz. It’s full of technological innovation and home to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. What’s more, world-famous performers have took to the stage here and a number of cultural events are often held here.

Other well-known bits of Tenerife architecture include:

• CajaCanarias Head Office
• Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands
• Tenerife Council Building
• Olympic Athletics Stadium
• Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Basilica
• The Church of La Concepción
• The Mother Church of La Concepción

8. Fresh Food and Cuisine

Moving to Tenerife provides you with plenty of opportunity to wine and dine. Whether you’re someone who enjoys going out for a delectable meal or would rather be at home in the kitchen, a lot of the food and produce here is sourced locally. Much of what you eat will come from farmers and fishermen who also reside on the island, so you can always be sure that the food here is clean and fresh. There are farmers’ markets when you can go and pick up local produce such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and meat.

Restaurants here cater for everyone. So, whether you’re someone who enjoys a hearty full English breakfast or want to try more specialist Canarian or Spanish cuisine, you’re sure to find something on the menu you’ll love. 

9. A Relaxed Way of Life

From the moment you move to Tenerife, you’ll notice the relaxed way of life that the locals enjoy so much. The daytime siesta has been a tradition in Tenerife for decades, with some shops and restaurants closing for a long lunch in the afternoon to enjoy some wind-down time. Moving to Tenerife may mean you have to adapt to this. Though working days can be quite long, it is generally split into two parts so that you can take a break from the midday heat between 2pm and 4pm. Some of the more popular holiday resorts’ shops and restaurants are open from 9am right through to the night to please tourists. The siesta was designed to allow agricultural workers a break from the midday sun. However, as many parts of Spain are becoming less agricultural and more touristy, the siesta may become a thing of the past.

Living by the sea can also be very calming. Walking barefoot through soft sand and dipping your toes in warm, crystal-clear waters has a certain appeal to it. As the sun shines and days become brighter, moods are lifted and stress is washed away.

10. Better Health & Wellness

There’s something about Tenerife that just screams happiness. The way of life in the Canaries is more relaxed, with people on the streets being friendly and always willing to smile and say hello when you look in their direction. What’s more, because you’re more than likely going to spending a large amount of time outdoors, you’re guaranteed to feel healthier down to being more active.

Tenerife Property Market

Properties in Tenerife are ideal because there’s something for everyone, meaning that the property market here has always been fairly buoyant. From rural country homes to luxurious seaview villas, there are plenty of opportunities for you to find a new home here. What’s more, house prices aren’t that high, which means moving to Tenerife doesn’t have to be expensive.

After large price falls during the financial crisis, house prices have now become steadier. On average, a small one-bedroom apartment can be found from as little as €125,000.

Take a look at the latest properties for sale in Tenerife.