Moving to Ibiza
This week’s introduction to moving to Ibiza from Matthew Hirtes keeps us in the Balearics for a while. Enjoy!
Your future’s bright on the White Isle
Ups
The north-south divide. If you want to gyrate to the latest choons, visit the southern resorts. Hit the north for a coastline that’s lower on clubs and bigger on natural highs.
Downs
Ibiza, and indeed the Balearic Islands in general, are not a cheap option. Don’t expect an island version of the Basque Country. Instead, you’ll discover production’s minimal if not non-existent. As a result, goods have to be imported from the mainland which again drives prices up.
In and out
7km southwest of Ibiza Town, you’ll find Ibiza airport (IBZ). This also serves neighbouring Formentara. Adapt to the slow pace of Ibizan life with a leisurely cycle round around its interior
Education
Founded in 1973, Morna International College teaches the UK National Curriculum to children aged three to 18. However, term time follows the Spanish system with the school calendar starting in early September and ending in late June. Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera in the centre of the island is the nearest village which affords Morna 35,000 square metres of campus space.
Shop until you drop…
With later closing times than in the UK, Ibiza Old Town is a great place to hit when the sun starts to go down. Relax as the evening’s comparative cool makes shopping far less stressful. As well as the usual high-street shops, Zara’s cheaper here than in Britain, there are more independent market stalls to browse too.
Property types
Singletons will enjoy the apartments with beach views. Families though may prefer a place in the country. Which comes with a sizeable chunk of countryside included.
Market watch
One-three bedroom apartments, €40,000-€400,000. Detached Villas, €250,000-€1,000,000. Country fincas €1,000,000-€20,000,000.
In Praise Of
“Ibiza is a great place to relocate to. Not only is it a stunning island visually, but one can also enjoy a more relaxed way of living. And there’s some lovely weather thrown in too.” Ryan James Lock (success coach)
“Ibiza is for everybody and is a fantastic island to live. There’s cosmopolitan nightlife or more relaxed rural locations. The island has different faces to suit all tastes.” Virgil Brewster (holiday PA/concierge specialist)
“Living in Ibiza’s a lifestyle choice with its laidback atmosphere and small informal villages. The winter months are quiet but the summer transforms the island into a cosmopolitan hotbed of millionaires, supermodels, party people, and deluded wannabes. It’s a game of two halves – both as diverse each other and equally rewarding. Try it if you dare.” Martin Makepeace (estate agent)
• Are you an expat in Ibiza? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.
Matthew Hirtes, our resident broadsheet journalist, moved to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria back in 2004. He’s travelled extensively through Spain, covering it for such publications as Telegraph Travel, Metro, and The Independent. The author of Going Local in Gran Canaria: How To Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home, Matthew truly is a resident expert.
Matthew writes for two sections of Spain Buddy: Moving to Spain and Spanish Football as well as providing Reviews
