This was my first guest post in what has become an ongoing series of ‘Sunday’s Stories’ about people’s lives taking unexpected turns, and ending up in inspired places.
My very first guest is Mike CJ, of Mikeslife.org, a professional blogger and author, with a passion for helping beginner bloggers get ‘up and running’ with their own blogs.
Since this interview was first published Mike has published yet another book called Beyond Blogging. A long term collaboration with Nathan Hangen, Beyond Blogging delves into the lives of 15 top bloggers from around the world.
Mike is also a fellow expat, having moved from the UK to The Canary Islands. He gives us a brief look into how one holiday changed his life forever.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I was born in Hong Kong, lived there until I was 12 (but went to boarding school in UK from age 
and then moved to UK when my Dad retired. I started off in Dorset, then gradually moved north with my job and ended up in Cheshire before we emigrated to Lanzarote in The Canary Islands nine years ago.
Where do you consider your home to be?
Home is Lanzarote for sure, but Madrid is now our second home and we spend a lot of time there.
How many addresses have you had?
21! That’s scary!
What jobs or careers have you had? Can you tell me a bit about them?
After serving in The Royal Air Force, I worked for the Motor Industry. Initially with Toyota, then Ford Motor Company and finally Volkswagen Group in Europe. When we moved to Lanzarote, we started a real estate business which grew and grew. We sold off the operational side of that business last year, and I now concentrate on my career as a blogger and author.
Can you describe the decision process behind your move to Lanzarote?
Not very scientific! My wife Julie and I had both had jobs in UK which required a lot of travelling and were pretty high pressure. We realised that neither of us were really enjoying the lifestyle and that our kids were not getting the best from us. We came on holiday to Lanzarote and instantly fell in love with the island and agreed we wanted to live here. We put the house on the market with a “If it sells, it’s meant to happen” attitude and it sold in three days! We were back her living within three months of the holiday.
What do you enjoy most about the Island?
So many things. The weather here is amazing, we love the watersports, it’s a great environment for our kids who have grown up healthy, strong, confident and bi lingual. But above all, it’s the social side – family and friends are so much more important than money or possessions.
Is there anything you miss about ‘back home’? If so what is it?
I can honestly say there isn’t really anything. It used to be Marmite, but I can get that here now!
How has becoming an expat changed you as a person?
My values have changed completely. Once upon a time I wouldn’t be seen dead in anything but Hugo Boss or a super flash car. I’m happiest in shorts and flip flops, riding my scooter these days. Being able to speak Spanish is great as well, and means travelling on the mainland or in most of South America is a whole new experience.
How has your lifestyle changed?
The lifestyle here is much more family focused. In UK we used to socialise in the pub with our friends, and occasionally see their kids on an outing. Here we tend to socialise in each other’s houses and the kids are always along as well. So I’ve enjoyed getting to know our friend’s kids and watch them grow into adults.
Did you travel with your family?
Yes we came here with Josh, who was 12 at the time, Lucy who was 8 and Tia our Old English Sheepdog, who is now very old, but still with us.
How has the move affected your family life?
Totally, completely and utterly. We’re a much closer family than we were before we moved here. Lucy is totally Canarian and will probably go to university here in Spain. Josh has now moved out and is travelling himself in northern Europe.
Any last words…..?
Over the years, both personally and through our business, we’ve helped a lot of people move to Lanzarote. Some fail and some succeed. The most common cause of failure is when people move abroad thinking it will solve problems they have back home, in their relationships, with money etc. It doesn’t and the truth is any problems are exacerbated by the stress of a move. But as long as those things are sound it can be a great decision. Go with your heart though, if it feels totally right do it, if not wait until you find the place that is right for you.
I would like to say thankyou to Mike for taking the time do this interview.
You can find out more about Mikes journey to Lanzarote with his family in his book, Living in Lanzarote.
Or see his work with beginner bloggers at Mikeslife.org
If you’e interested in finding out more about the Island of Lanzarote itself Mike and his wife Jules also write Lanzarote Information which is a comprehensive guide for visitors and residents alike.
Oh and don’t forget to check out Beyond Blogging
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