I'm thinking of working in Gran Canaria

[rachelc]

Hey all.

I have just got back from a weeks holiday in Puerto Rico and loved it. Weather was great as were the people. Since getting back I have realised how restless I am here, have been wanting to work abroad for some time.

I am considering going back to either Puerto Rico or try Playa de Ingles to look for work. I can get out there again at the beginning of May soonest - hopefully, and will probably book a weeks holiday for this time to search for work.

Can anyone tell me if this is a good time to go out and when's the latest you would recommend going out in search for work? I am looking for bar work in particular, how easy would it be to get this kind of work & do many places also offer some kind of accomodation?

If any one can help that would be great!

Thanks!

[mary]

May is a good time. I understand that this is when the season begins to get going again after all the scandi have gone. I wouldnt think you'll get accomodation with a job but other workers will help you.

[rachelc]

Thanks Mary.

Also do you think it's a good idea to go out there with some money saved up, if so what you suggest as a minimum to get by on? As I'm wondering if the wages of say working in a bar would be enough to cover the cost of living to begin with...

Ta,

Rach

[mary]

definitely have some money to fall back on. Most rentals ask for 3 months rent up front and another as deposit and another for the agents fees. Depending on what you rent, that can be anything from 500 - 800 euros a month.
I dont know what you get for bar work here - i've been told its about 40 euros a night but I'm not sure on that. if you have paid your rent in advance then I assume the wages would be ok but if you have to pay rent out of the wages and anything else, then you may struggle

[roxy]

Thats if you use an agent i dont think many of the people out there just for the season would, why pay agents fee's you are better dealing direct

[rachelc]

Thanks for this info.

Do you know how important is it to be able to speak Spanish when looking for bar/resturant etc. work in Gran Canaria?

Does anyone have any experience of working in a bar/resturant which they could share info, advice & tips on?

Ta!

[J1969]

It's illegal to demand more than 1 month's rent in advance.

[mary]

ah ha thats probably where i got the 3 months from - one agent fees, one for rent and one for deposit.
Some people may feel more comfortable dealing with agents - feel they have some sort of guarantee etc. Not always the way but suits some

Ok I know i dont get it right all the time and am happy if someone jumps in and gives better answers

[rachelc]

Can anyone also tell me when the best times are to look for work in Gran Canaria i.e when the quiet times are. Mary has already informed me that April/May is a good time, any other times later in the year?

Ta!:grin:

[johnse15]

May and June are good, July is okay, but come August its mainly families with young children holidaying around PDI and so the bars are quieter and so not that good a time to get bar work.

September picks up again.

There are also the "other" seasons to think of, and thats the nationality ones. English tend to be there mostly from May to August/September, then you get the Germans and then the Scandis'. Most fo the staff working all year round can spot which nationality you are and have a learnt a few phrases to be sociable but nothing much more than that. The Canarian staff are all very polite and helpful and they do their best to communicate with everyone. The "essential" Canarian can be picked up really quickly - Ive friends that work there and in 2 months they were happily chatting away in Canarian, German and Scandi !

[shirley]

What you have to think about in coming to work here,is that the wages are very poor, do not really cover your living expenses, Rent etc,living in the resort areas ,all the canarian waiters/bar/staff,etc Never live in the resorts,They live in there own home areas, Where the rents are much cheaper,local restaurants and so on a lot cheaper also.This is how they can survive on the pay here for such work. They do get mortgages on that pay, a local bank manager tells me that there tips are very much considered, on applying for mortgages here. And this is how (THEY) can afford to stay in there own country here. So there is no reason why anybody else cant have the lovely life here whatever nationality you are. of course you go mad at first in the resorts. (who wouldnt)?? coming here?? But regard the first two weeks here as just a holiday then get stuck in as though you were in england,And be sensible about it. I have read all about the school places problem here and i wonder if it would (me suggesting) That couldnt other areas here be tried for your children to find a place in school here???? surely they couldnt all be as overcrowded as the ones in the resort areas??Where the system is so overloaded now
with us foreigners. Just a thought thats all.Perhaps you could spread out and live in the villages, a cheaper way of life, Cheaper rents,and maybe a place there for your children in school. And then travel to the resorts for work just like the canarians do?

[Dane-cb]

I was talking to a lad who works there and he said he was on €40-45 an night 6 nights a week, he was having to share with a friend to get his appartment but he said he got by fine out there

[PatriceMcG2006]

hey,
i am just after reading your bit on this site and i was just wondering if you did go out to work? if it was easy for you to get a job? wat sort of job you did? wat age you were when you out? wat part did you go to? and if you went alone? please reply asap as im thinking about doing it summer 2007. i am the same as you i am just back from a 2 week holiday in playa del ingles and have been very restless since i got back!!

thanks in advance patrice xx

(Hope to hear from you soon) :grin: