Job Discussion Forums

[Halcyon Chimera]

I am very close (fingers crossed) to obtaining a position with a school in Macau this fall. I am excited about moving here, as I have read good things about the location and the city looks beautiful.

What can any of you tell me about the city? Reading random information about a place is different than learning from people who have lived/visited there... Well, to me it is. I value board members' information over others, in some cases.

I know it's a big gambling area, but what else should I need to know? Thanks

[MisterButtkins]

It's more expensive than mainland China.

Many people there do not speak Mandarin, at all.

Lots of foreigners and uber-rich Chinese.

Extremely crowded.

I'm not sure if you will be allowed into mainland China with your Macau residence permit (or whatever), but look into that. It would be lame to be stuck in such a small place, only able to go there or Hong Kong but not into China.

[kimo50]

I have been there half a dozen times in the last two years. Make sure your salary is above average because the prices are certainly on the high end of the scale!!

[sistercream]

Yes, Macau is more expensive than mainland, and salaries are commensurately higher.

Unless you choose to live on Coloane, it's super convenient.

Once you have your blue card or BIR (depending on where you'll be working), you will be able to apply for a multi-entry mainland visa.

If you aren't planning to make the effort to get to know local people, you'll be living in a really, really small village. As a teacher, you'll also be part of an even smaller middle class: underneath are thousands of domestic helpers and security guards from various bits of Asia, and above you (income-wise) there are plenty of senior management and similar types, next to whom you can start feeling severely underpaid and deprived if you're at all materialistic.

I did two stints there - one at the beginning of the 1990s and another 3 year one that finished nearly 7 years ago, but I've kept up lots of friendships there and get over as often as I can. To me, what made it special was the friendships that I formed with local people. Oh, and the food. I gained 20+kg in my second term there

I've written about Macau a time or two before on this forum, but the search function is refusing point blank to work for me - if it works better for you, you can find some other people's opinions too.

[Halcyon Chimera]

Thanks, everyone. My benefit package for an offer I will be receiving soon is as follows:

$3200-3600 USD per month
Paid utilities and rent
Roundtrip airfare

I will be teaching middle and high school students. I think the pay is higher than what most schools offer (likely to compensate for higher costs elsewhere?)

I am very excited about it! Looks like there is plenty to do there, and from what I have seen from Google Images, the island is GORGEOUS!

[sistercream]

Unless the big new casinos have taken to pouring $$$$$$$$$$$$ into local schools so that salaries have doubled and more, I assume you'll be working at TIS? If so, nice gig - congrats! If there are some other schools paying that well, then please let me know ... I could be tempted back ...
Very nice salary for a teacher in Macau, specially with rent and utilities provided.

As for google images, yes, there are some very nice heritage areas and mini-reserves/ parks around, but until Streetview comes to Macau (they'll need to use hand-held cameras for all the stepped streets and pedestrian zones in the older areas) you won't see the grotty industrial/ working class areas. Mind you, even those are very safe to walk around at all hours, and have some of the best restaurants in town - even if they look like run-down,greasy spoon diners.

If I've guessed correctly about TIS, then you'll probably be living on Taipa: there are some nice new housing developments there, lots of shops & restaurants, but I find it pretty soulless compared with the more established areas.

[kimo50]

Is the salary at TIS gross or net of taxes?