Job Discussion Forums

[theoriginalprankster]

I am totally fed up with China and am looking to make an exit around August of this year or Feb of next year.

I'm definitely heading for a coastal town - Nah Trang or Danang. City living away from the coast and mountains has done my head in (never believe anyone of they say Shanghai is all that. It's crud!)

Need to figure out how much I need for say the first 2-3 months.

Flight: around $450
Visa: ?
Accommodation: something clean, safe, quiet, central or close to the institution I'll work at.
Food: I'll eat out, nothing too fancy, with plenty fruit and veg, water and juice
Getting around: preferably I'd like to buy a scooter, new or used
Nightlife: a couple nights out a week to meet new people, watch sport
Daylife: beaches etc are free

Missing anything?

If there's been a post on this please refer me. Otherwise I appreciate your input.

Cheers
TOP

Edit: If I come in early-September I should have about $5000, if I come in February of next year I should have about $10000.

[RustyShackleford]

$5000 for a couple months is probably okay, if cutting it a bit close depending on how life goes (two-month deposit took a nice chunk out of my spending money when I first moved here). $10,000 be very very very nice.

The only concern would be your arrival in September or February. Now I don't know much about the coast and how centers operate there (ExpatLuke would be better I imagine), but my understanding is that the best time is Summer. September could still get you some work though - I was hired in Autumn, after all!

My advice to you would be to take a week to settle in/down and start knocking on doors so you can maintain that cash cushion and secure work before the country starts slowing way down in Winter.

[ExpatLuke]

Finding work in the smaller towns can always be a gamble. Especially around September which is right after the peak summer hiring months. You might find something quickly if a school happens to be hiring, and if you fit their profile. Or you could be stranded with meager hours for months.

$5000 will "probably" last you about 3 months.

[Action]

Visa options: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=115650

I went back to VN for a long vacation in Saigon and Nha Trang last Feb/March. Clean hotels with hot water were $10-15 a night. Coffee and beer less than 50 cents, pho and the like were still $1-1:50.

[SinaloaParcero]

I just recently moved to VN.

Let me break down your costs. (excluding visas, flights, etc)

Rent (What I would look for)

100 - Very small or older room (possible to find one with private bathroom)

200 - Decent room with private bathroom

300 - Nice room or studio (small kitchen) type place with private bathroom (room service)

400+ And you can find nice new studios or 1 bedroom places

You will need atleast a 1 month deposit.

Food

Meat + Rice 1-2 dollars

Noodle Dishes 1-2 dollars

Sandwhich .50 cents

Coffee 1-2 dollars

I eat these every day. If you want to pay more you certainly can.

Motorbike (Can rent or buy)

Rent 50 dollars a month (Expect atleast 50 dollar deposit)

Buy 200-2,000 dollars (depending on age and brand)

Fun

Cinema 5-10 dollars

Beer 1-5 dollars

So if I were moving to VN id want 3 months start up funds which would be

Rent: 1,200

Food: 360

Fun: 300

Motorbike: 200

Misc: 200

Total: 2,260

Emergency Flight Home: 1,000

Total: 3,260

[theoriginalprankster]

Thanks for that SP.

I'm looking to avoid Hanoi and Saigon - too many people, too much pollution.

Will do a summer camp in China, and keep looking (ILA offered me a job, but it was in Saigon).

[SinaloaParcero]

[theoriginalprankster]

Do you have a CELTA or MA TESOL? CELTA

How did you apply to them? Just from their website? Through their job ad on eslcafe.com