Job Discussion Forums

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

I guess it�s time. Offers are starting to appear.

16,500 after taxes in Monterrey plus some pretty decent beni�s.

I�ve never been up that way, what�s it like? Looks like they have some iron and steel foundries Shocked

and lots of brewries Very Happy

Your two cents would be appreciated.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

oops, meant to ask.
is that reasonable $$ for that city?

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Monterrey is expensive. Lots of banks, big companies. Lots of pollution and weather inversions. The most US oriented of the larger cities. That's enough money, but you won't be living it up.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

Yeah, I'm getting the same response and much worse from my other contacts.
If it looks too good to be true, chances are...
thanks

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

I was in Monterrey for about 8 hours last Easter.

That was enough.

Overly US-ified, expensive, dirty, crowded, and definitely not the Mexico I know and love...

Lozwich.

MELEE · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject:

I've only visited Monterrey for the MEXTESOL conference that was held there in 2002. It was four days that were pretty much filled up with the conference--did escape once for a tour around downtown in a trolly-bus.

The downtown area reminded me of Austin, Texas's downtown area. You could certainly drive your car to the supermarket to pick up your groceries there! Not something you could do in the part of Mexico where, delacosta, moonraven, lozwich, mixtecamike and myself live. (I'm starting to think this board is getting unbalanced--so maybe you should go for it so people can hear about life in the north.)

scott wilhelm · Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 63 Location: st louis, mo

I may be a minority of one, but I actually liked Monterry somewhat. True, it does have dirty air and is Americanized. But it does have a nice pedestrian mall, lots of good restaurants and one of the most unusual blends of colonial and ultra-modern architecture you'll find anywhere.
I spent about 3 days there and found enough to do. The Mexican History Museum was first rate.
There are some nice natural areas on the southern edge of the city. There is even a sizeable national park. From the city center you can look to the south and see a very unique mountain called "La Silla". It really is perfectly saddle-shaped.
I wouldn't want to live in Monterry myself, because I don't like desert climates. But as a place to visit, I enjoyed it.
One place I'll remember forever is a restaurant I ate at 3 nights in a row-Las Monjitas. Which I think translates to "little nuns". There are actually 2 locations near the pedestrian mall. Both are good. The one next to the White Castle (yes the city is Americanized) is the better of the two. It is decorated like an old convent and all the cooks and waitresses are dressed as nuns. Really a different kind of place. And the food is quite good and inexpensive.
Hope you like Monterry if that's where you decide to go.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

Did you say �transvestite little nuns�?
Of course you didn�t.
I know you are a paddler Scott, I guess there�s no white water in those mountains? I don�t paddle much anymore but I could handle a little three plus to four action if it's near by.
I can relate to being in the minority. Good of you to post anyway.
Thanks

Gringo Greg · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 6:47 am Post subject:

I agree about Monterrey, a nice place to go and earn money with a lot of opportunities, but if you are going to Mexico to experience Mexico, Monterrey isn't the best choice.

That isn't to say that the north doesn't deserve a lot of attention. I personally liked the cities of Chihuahua, Torreon, and Saltillo.

onion · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 3

I live in Monterrey right now and I have mixed feelings. If you want the zocolo, mariaches and street markets, you won't find much of that here. If you like being in another country but still having an Applebee's down the street, then it's OK. I will say that you can't beat the money in this city, and the nightlife is pretty good. The rent is more expensive, but the food, drinks and cabs are pretty much the same. There is a lot of stuff to do it just seems like you have to seek it out more than you would in other cities. Personally, I would prefer to be elsewhere, but if it's a question of needing money, you'll be able to enjoy yourself for a year or so.

onion · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 3

PS. That is plenty of money to live. I live and have fun with a lot less. Very Happy

richtx1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Ciudad de M�xico

The lace is expensive by Mexican standards. Mexican employers generally pay professionals a 10 to 15% cost of living allowance when they send employees there.

I didn't like the place much when I lived there. Prices are 15% or so higher than Mexico City. And the temperatures are extreme. 40 degree days (er... weeks) are common in May-Spetember. My impression is that the selling point for professionals is that it's "family friendly" meaning there's good schools and people go to church a lot. Everyone else dies of boredom.