4 ms·
Ask HN: Anyone moved to/currently in the Canary Islands?
I was wondering how the tech scene is doing there. The climate seems lovely and cost of life doesn't look too high.
Is that a good place for digital workers?
Does anyone have experience with freelancing and/or starting a company there?
- emteycz 5y agoYes, it's a good place for digital workers, but don't expect some incredible tech scene. The expat community is alright. I recommend southern Tenerife, but many people are on Gran Canaria too. Any company you start there will have to do business outside. There are excellent tax conditions, but not a lot of workers and very few customers, if any. Same goes for freelancing, you'll have to work with clients outside the islands if you expect more than 10% of a usual tech salary.
- labarilem 5y agoFrom what I understand, Gran Canaria is more chill than Tenerife (so cost of life might be a bit lower?). Is that right? Do you know any companies there with distributed teams?
- emteycz 5y agoTenerife has better weather and you're going to notice if you're staying for more than a short while. That makes Tenerife a hotspot of tourism, especially around Playa de las Americas/Los Cristianos. I recommend less touristy places, but stay near if you like parties. Los Gigantes is cool and cheaper a bit. I never really stayed for long on Gran Canaria so I can just say it is nice. No contacts unfortunately, I'm not staying there permanently and when I do I just work with my clients from mainland EU.
- labarilem 5y agoThanks for the tip! I'm looking for the best weather since that's one of the main reasons I'm having a look at the Canary Islands. Are there any cafes/co-working spaces to work in?
- berdario 5y agohttps://github.com/zupo/awesome-lanzarote https://github.com/zupo/awesome-lanzarote
- labarilem 5y agoLots of info here. Thanks a lot!
- tetek 5y agoa lot of polish tech folks go there for Jan-Feb to hide from the winter. Although the climate is nice, I always perceived this place as a temporary hideout for most europeans.
- avion23 5y ago- I've been to tenerife multiple times and worked there for 3 months. In Santa Cruz. That wasn't good, they are not prepared for digital nomads. Also I was totally alone. - From what I gathered Gran Canaria is much better suited - I'm in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria now. It's a bit cold at 19-20°C, but sunny. People are friendly and some speak english. There is a mix of totally different people. Even a digital nomad Community: https://live-it-up-las-palmas.mn.co https://live-it-up-las-palmas.mn.co - The south is too touristy for me - Las Palmas is a big city, with spanish culture and not only tourists, and 2 beaches in the city. That is difficult to top in Europe.
- labarilem 5y ago- Why isn't Santa Cruz prepared for digital nomads? - How's the beach in Las Palmas?
- avion23 5y ago- Santa Cruz is mainly for locals and day-tourists, not in between. People are really friendly, but in the end, they don't invest in you, because you are not born there. Also not really english speaking. All roads are steep because it's built into a mountain. - The beach in Las Palmas is nice. There is a promenade next to it, it is protected by a reef, has white sand, has some wildlife You could start in tenerife if you wanted to experience both. I like the nature there more, it's less crowded, greener, and more variety. The ferry is not too expensive, 50€?
- labarilem 5y agoGot it. Where do you usually work there? (e.g. co-working spaces, cafes)
- avion23 5y agoThere are a lot of cafes here and the people are chill in general. I like working in Cafes. Juicy Avenue here is my preferred place. Good view, slightly expensive food, and you can always order a tiny bit. I booked work-labs as a coworking space. It's the only one with windows. I slacked off too much and now I need to get something done. Here is an outdated list of coworking spaces: https://lavidacanaria.de/digitales-leben/coworking-spaces-in-las-palmas/ https://lavidacanaria.de/digitales-leben/coworking-spaces-in...