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Living the Island Life before Wealth - An Arduous Journey that's switching to the Fastlane!

McAdam

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Note: The following text is a summary version - "Full Story" will be added over time!

Just over 2 years ago I made the choice to live in the Canary Islands, a Spanish Archipelago off the coast of Morocco, Africa.
At 36 years of age, currently working as a Product Manager with a SaaS Unicorn - Its easy for people to look from the outside and say "Damn, he's really made it!".

Yes I have beaches everywhere, I get a cushy $10k+ in my account every month & I can work hard and can play hard - but if we look at control, that's where I am poorest, and where changes need to be made.

The islands are mostly inhabited by locals, but there's at least 30% of non natives living here. Of this 35% only 10% (a guesstimation) are below the ages of 45 - so its mostly people who have chosen to "Retire" after their 40 years of trading 5:2 and 401k's. It's always interesting to observe and interact with people who spent so long on the slow lane, that they have forgotten how to enjoy life!

During the last 2 years, I really changed my mindset and thus my life (and way of) around. But I know there's potential for more, I have potential for more, I am capable of more - I just need to take it.

I still have a few years before I reach 40, but I am determined to exponentially grown my wealth before then - thus, Money Trees are becoming my new obsession!

The journey to get to where I am has not been an easy one, but there's been valuable lessons gathered along the way!

As a tech person, my money trees will almost all revolve around the internet and tech - excited to learn from others in this space, and to share whatever I can
 
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MJ DeMarco

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Welcome aboard, @MTF just did a stint in the Canary Islands. I couldn't tell if he loved it, hated it, or in between.
 

MTF

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Welcome aboard, @MTF just did a stint in the Canary Islands. I couldn't tell if he loved it, hated it, or in between.

Visited all the islands. Some were nice (like La Gomera), others were horrible (like Gran Canaria). In general, I wouldn't want to live there for a variety of reasons. I mean, it's okay but it's definitely not what people would imagine when they would think about some subtropical islands in the ocean. Particularly now with the covid craziness it can be really frustrating at times to be there.

I assume that @MrTechie lives on Tenerife which is IMO the best option out of all the islands when it comes to variety and convenience.
 

sojeer

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Note: The following text is a summary version - "Full Story" will be added over time!

Just over 2 years ago I made the choice to live in the Canary Islands, a Spanish Archipelago off the coast of Morocco, Africa.
At 36 years of age, currently working as a Product Manager with a SaaS Unicorn - Its easy for people to look from the outside and say "Damn, he's really made it!".

Yes I have beaches everywhere, I get a cushy $10k+ in my account every month & I can work hard and can play hard - but if we look at control, that's where I am poorest, and where changes need to be made.

The islands are mostly inhabited by locals, but there's at least 30% of non natives living here. Of this 35% only 10% (a guesstimation) are below the ages of 45 - so its mostly people who have chosen to "Retire" after their 40 years of trading 5:2 and 401k's. It's always interesting to observe and interact with people who spent so long on the slow lane, that they have forgotten how to enjoy life!

During the last 2 years, I really changed my mindset and thus my life (and way of) around. But I know there's potential for more, I have potential for more, I am capable of more - I just need to take it.

I still have a few years before I reach 40, but I am determined to exponentially grown my wealth before then - thus, Money Trees are becoming my new obsession!

The journey to get to where I am has not been an easy one, but there's been valuable lessons gathered along the way!

As a tech person, my money trees will almost all revolve around the internet and tech - excited to learn from others in this space, and to share whatever I can

Living my dream mate. I love Canary Islands, been multiple times in Tenerife and Fuerteventura and used to work remotely from there.

However I decided to move to Ireland since then, as I don’t feel secure working for somebody, with the feeling that someone could end my dream whenever he wants.
I’m working as a UI designer and it’s not too difficult for me to find something new remotely, but instead of it I decided to build something which I can control in a stable country, also pursuit the passport first and then live on my own terms.

Every day I’m thinking that I can just pack my stuff in any minute and just go there…

Do you feel comfortable working for somebody? Are you going to build something while enjoying the sun or you considering to move somewhere else?
 
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Last edited:

McAdam

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Visited all the islands. Some were nice (like La Gomera), others were horrible (like Gran Canaria). In general, I wouldn't want to live there for a variety of reasons. I mean, it's okay but it's definitely not what people would imagine when they would think about some subtropical islands in the ocean. Particularly now with the covid craziness it can be really frustrating at times to be there.

I assume that @MrTechie lives on Tenerife which is IMO the best option out of all the islands when it comes to variety and convenience.

@MTF I do agree its not quite the image of subtropical islands - but has many of the benefits!

I am 5 minutes drive from miles upon miles of beaches with Caribbean style emerald waters! And there's beaches like that all over!
We have great weather all year (last week was 27c/81F and we went snorkeling without suits on).
Fresh seasonal fruit and veg all year round!
And happy locals who are not stuck rushing around!

Im actually in the north of Fuerteventura - the island with the most and best beaches, the flattest, and the one with the most open spaces!

This island has been really chilled with Covid recently - if there are restrictions, you really don't see it here!
Some others are far far too cautious - having to show proof of vaccination/booster to even walk into a shop!
Living my dream mate. I love Canary Islands, been multiple times in Tenerife and Fuerteventura and used to work remotely from there.

However I decided to move to Ireland since then, as I don’t feel secure working for somebody, with the feeling that someone could end my dream whenever he wants.
I’m working as a UI designer and it’s not too difficult for me to find something new remotely, but instead of it I decided to build something which I can control in a stable country, also pursuit the passport first and then live on my own terms.

Every day I’m thinking that I can just pack my stuff in any minute and just go there…

Do you feel comfortable working for somebody? Are you going to build something while enjoying the sun or you considering to move somewhere else?

I agree with you - giving the control to someone else is something painful. I hate that I had to do it, but its a small price to pay for the time I've gained without living constantly stressing and worrying about "what's next".

Here is a very stable country - part of Spain and the EU, developed infrastructure (1gbps fiber on most islands), safer than most of Europe (I lived in London, Berlin, Milan and random places throughout).

> Every day I’m thinking that I can just pack my stuff in any minute and just go there…

I did just that!


Came for 2 weeks to unwind (really unplanned), stayed for 6 weeks, flew back to Berlin and sold 2 cars and a whole bunch of stuff, and came here with 5 suitcases and no plan - best decision of my life.

This is our "Final Destination" - waiting for markets to crash a bit, will buy some land, and build our dream home.

I will build something new soon - already started working on it - and there's nothing better than sitting in a hammock working on an iPad planning a business :)
 

MTF

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Im actually in the north of Fuerteventura - the island with the most and best beaches, the flattest, and the one with the most open spaces!

Glad to hear you enjoy it.

The island is a love it or hate it kind of a place IMO.

I was there as well (in the north, too) and found it depressing and the wind drove me crazy :smile:

The open spaces are definitely a big advantage and I can imagine you can buy a huge plot of land for a low price.
 

McAdam

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The island is a love it or hate it kind of a place IMO.
I was there as well (in the north, too) and found it depressing and the wind drove me crazy :smile:

Yup, I do have to agree! - some people say "Where's all the nature?"

For me, the freedom to walk in the wild (or go off-roading in the wild), Dunes right around the corner, with a second set in the south I can drive through (and have fun) and the landscape is just breathtaking.
And the crystal clear water is spectacular for snorkeling or diving!

They've started to use the island for a lot of film sets - when its not windy season (late June till October) :)
 
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McAdam

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Canary Islands
Oh!

And I forgot to mention the taxes :D

4% corporation tax!
Within the EU, but outside of EU VAT zones
45% Deduction in Tax Quota for Tech Companies (effective 1.8% Corp Tax)
Its a major reason why so many big name production companies are moving their bases here (Netflix, Apple, etc)
 

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