Job Discussion Forums

[handog44]

Wow, its been a while since somebody posted in this forum...so I figured I would get things going.

Regarding the city of Medellin, where I am moving about a month and a half....what are some good neighborhoods for a relatively broke english teach to live in? From what I've read Laureles/Estadio seems like a safe neighborhood yet not as expensive as Poblado. Are there other areas like this? I'm hoping to live in a place where I feel safe at night, yet still pay around 200,000 - 350,000 COP /month for a room in an an apratment (hopefully with some outdoor space).

Also I was hoping to eventually find an apartment to live in with other young people like myself (20s)...what is the best way to find this dream apartment, and what neighborhoods should I look at?

Finally, does anyone have any insight on the soccer scene in Medellin. I've lived abroad before, and playing in a nightly pick up game of street soccer was my best way of making local friends. Anyone know of any good games are fields where finding consistent game is possible?

Thanks so much for any help!!!

[spanglish]

I think you have the right idea with the neighborhoods. I walked through Laureles one time when I was visiting the UPB university in Medellin and it looked like a nice, calm, middle-class neighborhood. I don't know what the crime situation there is like now, so you'll have to ask around once you hit the ground in Medellin.

Compartoapto.com was fairly helpful for me in Bogota. You could also check out couchsurfing posts to see if people are renting on there. The bonus of that is you might have a slightly better idea of what you'd be getting yourself into.

If you're sharing with a few other people, I think you'll be able to get what you want within your budget. One word of warning: I don't recommend anybody who's broke to show up in Colombia. I would advise you to postpone moving to Colombia a year in order to save up money and work in the US. You'll still be able to live on a budget.

I don't know anything about soccer in Medellin, but am sure you'll find plenty of opportunities once you get there.

[chromium]

Hello,

How much start up money do you think one needs to move to Colombia without a job, but live a decent furnished apartment until I find one? I'm thinking of Medellin.

I know you can't be specific, but would $5000 USD be sufficient, assuming I could find something paying around 2,000,000/mo. within a month or two?

Thank you for your help!

[The Internationalist]

[leretif9]

So, for Medellin, 600USD a month is enough to find housing and live frugally?

[The Internationalist]

500-600 usd minimum a month living very frugal / local.

[leretif9]

So, $700 is comfortable? I'm not talking conspicuously consuming bourgeois piggie-style, either.

[The Internationalist]

700 usd isnt really comfortable considering 500-600 is the bare minimum.

800-1,000 usd would be more "comfortable".

[leretif9]

Hi,

What are the best times of the year, or ideal months, for me to land in Medellin and look for a job as an English teacher? I'm from San Francisco, have a BA in English, and, as yet at least, I don't have a CELTA. The plan is to get one, though.

[The Internationalist]

I wouldnt bother getting a CELTA unless you wanted to make ESL a career or something you wanted to do for the next 5-10 years. In that case you might as well find a cheap MA TESOL. Very few jobs in Colombia require a CELTA. You got people teaching without even a degree. You have a BA in English which is better than most.

As for the times to look for work.

Schools start in January, and August. So you need to start applying about 2 months prior. Language Institutes hire year round.

[robertokun]

[leretif9]

I'm glad to hear about to No-CELTA option. But, what do those who know recommend in terms of having some idea of what I'm doing when I first find myself standing at the front of a classroom?

[The Internationalist]

[damn_my_eyes]

[ctorres626]

Are you thinking of being there longer than 6 months on a tourist visa?