The number of British and Irish residents planning to relocate to Lanzarote has jumped by 35% in the second quarter of 2008.  That’s according to figures released by leading Lanzarote property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook, suggesting that the darkening economic situation in the UK and Ireland looks likely to lead to a growth in the number of people seeking a brighter future abroad.

An analysis of the enquiries for property for sale in Lanzarote received between April and June this year reveals that long term rental enquiries have jumped dramatically compared to the first quarter of 2008, now accounting for almost 44% of all enquiries.

Most of those looking to escape rising household bills and falling disposable incomes are seeking apartments to rent on a long term basis in the island’s main resort of Puerto del Carmen, which apart from being the epicentre of both the British and Irish expat communities on the island is the main hub for employment opportunities for most new arrivals.

With a cooling housing market and rising rents in the UK, rental accommodation in the resort and across the island in general is certainly a more cost effective alternative - with one bedroom apartments starting from around the €500 per month mark (currently around £400).

Lanzarote also offers much cheaper food, fuel and utility costs.  As you might imagine, heating bills are non-existent!

There has been a 35% fall in mortgage approvals across the province of Las Palmas, leading to a fall in demand for property for sale and lower prices, as local banks tighten their lending criteria.

The bulk of prospective buyers are currently seeking property at the cheaper end of the market - with 77% of all enquiries received focusing on listings priced below the €300,000 mark.

Geographically, Puerto del Carmen remains the most sought after location for British and Irish based overseas buyers - accounting for 41% of all enquires received.

Visiting Lanzarote is an interesting situation for me linguistically, as I speak all three of the main languages that you hear on the island: English, German and Spanish.

Which language do you speak as a tourist? My rule of thumb is to use Spanish as much as possible - in supermarkets, shops and restaurants. Of course the people serving could speak to me in my mother tongue, but I find it better that way.

It can often be to my advantage as well. Some locals are more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language. At Teguise market you can often get a better bargain for making the effort and an even better one if you are fluent in Spanish. In restaurants the waiter’s English may only extend to taking your order and presenting you with the bill - it may not extend to sorting out complaints.

Obviously if I’m talking to an English or German national, then I will talk to them in their language. But it gets very interesting when sitting in a restaurant where I talk in Spanish to the waiter, English to my parents and German to my wife! It can confuse the staff as well!

But it can also be very funny, as being able to read all three versions of the menu I often find translations that have gone wrong.

I just haven’t got round to learning Swedish yet…

I’ve blogged before about the free guide book that can be downloaded from the site lanzaroteguidebook.com.

Well, now the summer edition for 2008 has been released and it has got even bigger - now an incredible 112 pages of free information to help visitors prepare their visit to the island, or to help them find their way around whilst there.

The book contains information about the towns and resorts on the island with details of things to do and places to go, but it also has details of forthcoming events on the island and - for those who decide to make their stay more permanent - information on buying property.

If you’re heading to Lanzarote this summer then before you go out and buy expensive - and maybe even outdated - books about the island, download the guidebook and start planning!