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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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 Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:58 am Post subject: |
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| LarssonCrew wrote: |
Ah. I've been offered even more online work for between 25-30 USD an hour.
I may end up doing 25 ish hours a week online and then just doing 10-15 in Vietnam schools. Yes it's 40 hours but it's not like traveling for an hour to teach for 45 minutes, break for 15, teach 45 and then an hour home. It's a block of time I can sit in my home and do work.
I was offered 18 hours in a 'block' three days a week in Hanoi for 26 an hour. that would equate to about 2000 dollars a month, maybe a tad less.
It seems in Vietnam 'blocks' are key, it seems to me doing a 3 1/2 hour morning and then finding something else for the afternoon beats 3 hours in the morning then waiting 3 hours for the afternoon then just one hour.
So yes, I'll be pulling in 40 hours a week but I should be on about 4000 or more dollars. Means I can afford a nice place to stay, which will be key because I'll be spending quite a lot of time at home.
I'll still live a cheap life though, doubt I'll spend over 1000 a month. Which means 3000 for savings and investments and spending on learning and traveling throughout the year  |
This is so full of contradictions that I think you're a bit confused. First, you mentioned Hanoi, which is the most expensive city to live in in Vietnam. Then you said you'd only spend $1000 per month. Then said you wanted a "nice" place to live.
Sorry, but those things don't add up. A "nice" place in Hanoi is going cost you probably in the area of $600-$800 per month. Living off of $400-$200 is not possible.
A smaller town would offer you pretty much everything you're asking for. Flexible schedules, cheaper accommodation and living, and a better standard of living. But you seem pretty set on ignoring all advice and blazing your own trail.
I just hope we don't see you on these forums in a few months time complaining about how awful and horrible Hanoi is. |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308
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| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:31 am Post subject: |
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Actually, having looked at it, I suppose that the extra say $6 an hour I've been offered is probably not going to cover the difference in living costs.
I think I could live off $400 to be honest, what am I going to spend my money on? My costs will literally be food and rent, plus bills.
But I will take your advice and say that I will probably enjoy a small city/town more AND would save time on commuting.
Is the internet in smaller places [I'm thinking Danang here] up to par?
I'm also thinking now that it may be worth it to just do a 30 hour week online and live without teaching in a smaller place in Vietnam. I suppose I could pull in $3000 online and live off $1000 in a smaller place. Does that sound more feasible? |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Yes, it's much more feasible. The main draw to working with a school, is if you get at least a few steady hours at decent one, they will sponsor your visas, so you won't have the added expense and hassle of doing it yourself.
Internet in Vietnam's top 5 cities is pretty universal I think. Usually its reliable, unless the undersea cable connecting SE Asia to North America breaks, as it occasionally does.
You can live off $1000 per month in Danang very easily. |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308
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| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Luke. I'm kinda sold on Danang. I've been looking and there are houses [although quiet areas it seems] for $250-300 a month. An entire two bed house. Something near the beach seems to be 4 or 500, which is nice and viewing the 'expat' websites, local food seems to run $1-2 and foreign foods in nice places between $8-12. I can handle that.
I suppose for most young guys [22-23] living in a quiet area would be hell, but as long as I have good internet and an AC I'm good. This year is about saving, making money and completely my online masters.
Aside from say 3-400 for a place to stay, food would probably run me 3 or 400 and the only other expenses I would have [what with just doing online work], would perhaps be 20-30 on taxis/motorbikes, 20[?] for cell phone plan, and maybe 150 for medicine. Also add in 20 or 30 for a gym and that'd be me good.
I literally do not bar or nightclub anymore. I destroyed my eyes doing that in China for 5 years getting business done, so I'm out that scene. Diet coke, please :)
It seems for $1000 you can have a great lifestyle in Danang. If you can spend $2000[say two adults earning the same salary as me] then you can literally get a $1200 villa with pool, 4 bedrooms, the absolutely nuts.
So I would imagine anything over $1000 I will safely be able to sock away. Crazy.
One last thing, as for the visa, I've spent a fortune on getting docs ready for China [medical, apostle, criminal check etc.] and finding out my last school there 2 years ago didn't cancel my residence means they are refusing me a new visa. I don't WANT the hassle of paying another $500 to get two more docs apostatized by the Vietnamese. My dad owns a travel agency so any flights abroad are essentially free [business class;) as are hotels, and I think if it's not too ridiculous I'd enjoy 3 or 4 days in say KL, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan etc. to then return for another 3 month visa. |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:43 am Post subject: re: on drinking |
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| I literally do not bar or nightclub anymore. I destroyed my eyes doing that in China for 5 years getting business done, so I'm out that scene. Diet coke, please |
Each to their own on this one. I don't like chinese bars or nightclubs anymore, was there 10 years, very unlikely will ever go back.
I would however drink cheap beers on the street, looking at the girls, eating bbq, in Taiwan or Viet. Cheap beers and smokes are what make Asia worthwhile. The UK is machofan! |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 11:02 am Post subject: Re: re: on drinking |
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| Spelunker wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I literally do not bar or nightclub anymore. I destroyed my eyes doing that in China for 5 years getting business done, so I'm out that scene. Diet coke, please |
Each to their own on this one. I don't like chinese bars or nightclubs anymore, was there 10 years, very unlikely will ever go back.
I would however drink cheap beers on the street, looking at the girls, eating bbq, in Taiwan or Viet. Cheap beers and smokes are what make Asia worthwhile. The UK is machofan! |
Ugh, you're the worst kind of exapt. Please don't come to Vietnam. We don't want you. |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 11:37 am Post subject: |
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The more I look at Danang the more tempting it becomes. I'm still thinking about the visa process.
If I bring over my CELTA, my degree[which already has the UK FEC stamps], my CRC, can you do it in country?
It seems especially for jobs outside of Hanoi or HCMC it's still 'be on the ground' system. So I think I'll just secure 25 hours of online classes, rock up on a business visa, and then find maybe 10 or 15 hours in classroom.
Remember my online classes require zero marking or preparation. No homework given and everything is given. |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 1:06 pm Post subject: re: hmmmmm |
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| Ugh, you're the worst kind of exapt. Please don't come to Vietnam. We don't want you. |
I presume you mistyped and mean expat? Dare I ask why? What is wrong with drinking beer and smoking (actually do no smoke any more due to a lung problem....but no problem with those that choose to do so?) and doing it cheaply? As long as it does not affect teaching in the classroom, personal choice. You sound a bit like one of the anti beer brigade to me.....just saying. |
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| ExpatLuke wrote: |
| Ugh, you're the worst kind of exapt. Please don't come to Vietnam. We don't want you. |
| Spelunker wrote: |
| Personally, I would not do it, and just pay a hooker, a lot simpler and easier..... but that is just me! |
| Spelunker wrote: |
| I presume you mistyped and mean expat? Dare I ask why? What is wrong with drinking beer and smoking (actually do no smoke any more due to a lung problem....but no problem with those that choose to do so?) and doing it cheaply? As long as it does not affect teaching in the classroom, personal choice. You sound a bit like one of the anti beer brigade to me.....just saying. |
^^^I presume ExpatLuke was also referring to the other habits that you have previously mentioned--of ogling ladies minding their own business and visiting the cathouses, two habits you omitted in that last post, but thus, leading to his strong words all the same.
twowheel |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 6:55 am Post subject: |
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Am I missing a trick here?
Houses and Apartments of the same standard seem to be the same prices.
Why would you NOT want a yard/garden/patio up top to relax? Who would take an apartment over a house? I assume housing is more expensive to cool etc. So am I missing a reason you would want a 2 bed apartment over a 3 bed house? Even have a chance to airbnb a room out every now and then for some extra money.
Also are the photos shown online actual ones or do they pull a fast one like in China? Seems most houses are slim and often only 20/30 m but then have 3 or 4 flights of stairs.
Lastly, are the prices shown online negotiable? If it says $400 for a 3 bed house do you pay $400 + 2 months deposit, or can you say 'well I'd like to pay $300' and end up on $350? |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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| LarssonCrew wrote: |
Am I missing a trick here?
Houses and Apartments of the same standard seem to be the same prices.
Why would you NOT want a yard/garden/patio up top to relax? Who would take an apartment over a house? I assume housing is more expensive to cool etc. So am I missing a reason you would want a 2 bed apartment over a 3 bed house? Even have a chance to airbnb a room out every now and then for some extra money.
Also are the photos shown online actual ones or do they pull a fast one like in China? Seems most houses are slim and often only 20/30 m but then have 3 or 4 flights of stairs.
Lastly, are the prices shown online negotiable? If it says $400 for a 3 bed house do you pay $400 + 2 months deposit, or can you say 'well I'd like to pay $300' and end up on $350? |
Some people prefer apartments for the added security and having them serviced with maids included in the price. Just personal preference, but they are generally the same prices. Sometimes apartments are even more if they come with extra amenities.
Usually if the price quotes $400 per month, they will generally ask you to pay in 3 month increments and a down payment. So the very first month would be 3 months rent + the 1 month down payment.
However, it is becoming more common for landlords to allow 1 month payments at a time. 3 years ago, that was unheard of, but I've had more and more of my friends reporting that it's an option now.
| Quote: |
PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 5:08 am Post subject:
ExpatLuke wrote:
Ugh, you're the worst kind of exapt. Please don't come to Vietnam. We don't want you.
Spelunker wrote:
Personally, I would not do it, and just pay a hooker, a lot simpler and easier..... but that is just me!
Spelunker wrote:
I presume you mistyped and mean expat? Dare I ask why? What is wrong with drinking beer and smoking (actually do no smoke any more due to a lung problem....but no problem with those that choose to do so?) and doing it cheaply? As long as it does not affect teaching in the classroom, personal choice. You sound a bit like one of the anti beer brigade to me.....just saying.
^^^I presume ExpatLuke was also referring to the other habits that you have previously mentioned--of ogling ladies minding their own business and visiting the cathouses, two habits you omitted in that last post, but thus, leading to his strong words all the same. |
Yes, drunkards on the street who treat all Asian women like they're there to be ogled or for sale should be restricted to Thailand and China. It's disgusting, shameful behavior. And it gives the rest of us in the ESL field a bad name. |
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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| ExpatLuke wrote: |
| Yes, drunkards on the street who treat all Asian women like they're there to be ogled or for sale should be restricted to Thailand and China. It's disgusting, shameful behavior. And it gives the rest of us in the ESL field a bad name. |
Tsk, tsk! Not in China either, we don't want those types here either. Our fear is that the foreign gutter rats of Bangkok will make their way to Beijing--I guess one positive aspect of stringent visa policies is that they generally keep such vermin out...perhaps.
twowheel |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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Luke cheers for all the help so far. I think I'd prefer a house on my own, place I can make my own. I've got a ton of friends in China and HK who would love a cheeky week away with a free bed. As an EFLer it's quite rare to get a 'house' i.e. actually have a garden, a place you can roll in from work and grab a coffee and watch the sun over the buildings or do a BBQ so so far the searches are turning up well. Many places for less than 400, 400-350 seems to get a nice 2 or 3 bed with a small garden, place for motorbike, plenty of space and many with a full kitchen with oven, etc.
Like I said, good internet is really important to me, not because I'm vlogging like most but because I'm actually doing work and I don't want to lose almost 2500 a month from poor internet.
I think the plan will be to slowly make my way from London to Danang, and work out how I'll do from there.
I don't really want to lay down $2000 at the beginning, so I'd prefer if the house was one month + one month. I'll be coming with about $6000 and a further $2000 to be deposited during September, so I'll just find a cheap apartment month to month [maybe $200-250], and then work out how much I can actually make online + in person with say 15 'real' teaching hours. I'll turn up on a business visa with all docs and ask any employer to help with proper working visa. Once I know a 'proper' income, maybe above $3000, I can then be more confident laying down $350 or $400 a month on a nice house.
My budget should be :
Insurance $50-100[no idea?]
$20 [cellphone]
$50 [insulin but I have no idea]
$400 rent and bills
$500 living on costs.
$1000 to live in a house and eat out most days sounds nice to me. |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 11:03 am Post subject: re: hmmmmm |
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| Quote: |
| As an EFLer it's quite rare to get a 'house' i.e. actually have a garden, a place you can roll in from work and grab a coffee and watch the sun over the buildings or do a BBQ so so far the searches are turning up well |
Certainly doable in Thailand, and I, and others have done it in the mid east (Oman to be precise). It's not something arcane, not at all. good luck, sp |
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Spelunker
Joined: 03 Nov 2013
Posts: 392
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| Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 3:03 pm Post subject: re: hmmmmm again |
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| Quote: |
| Our fear is that the foreign gutter rats of Bangkok will make their way to Beijing--I guess one positive aspect of stringent visa policies is that they generally keep such vermin out.. |
And of course all that has nothing to do with xenophobia on the part of Chinese, who want it their way in other countries, but when it is in China: "We are China, you are Foreigner!".... |
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