Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

Which are some of the best countries in Latin America for saving money? I plan on staying there for atleast a year.
Thanks

[dduck]

So far as I know there are no good countries for saving money in Latin America. The general opinion, I've found, is that you'll probably have to support yourself whilst working in Latin America.

However, the countries with the strongest economies are Mexico and Costa Rica. Not sure about Brazil, I seem to remember something about very strict imigration laws.

Iain

[Guy Courchesne]

That's pretty much it, though I find you can save if working in Mexico City. Santiago, Chile pays well, but is difficult if you haven't any experience. It's not been our experience that Costa Rica pays well, byt cost of living is low.

[pirateinpanama]

Sure you can break it down country by country if you like, however I�m sure people make good mony in certain situations in places that are considered "poor paying countries." For example, I do agree with the poster who says Costa Rica does not pay well, but yet, I do know of at least 1 job situation where one can easily make $1,000 per month, which isn�t bad for this part of the world. But I do disagree with the poster who claims no money can be saved in this part of the world. My $1,200, more or less, is probably better savings than what I made in the Houston School District... if I were to consider everything involved.

[dduck]

[M@tt]

You can doubt it all you want, but there was a job advertised for a university in Colombia that claimed to pay $35,000-$40,000 per year. people in my dept are friends with the director and used to go there to recruit for our IEP. i never really stayed on them about the application because of the situation in colombia and my own decision to stay here. now i wonder if i made a mistake...
oh well. from all accounts i've heard, the best money in central america (not south america) is business english in mexico city or teaching at a branch of ITESM, a mexican university.

oh yeah, the american binational center in recife used to hire an american and paid quite well by brazilian standards, incredibly well by recife standards (about $20,000 US and a free 3-bedroom apartment). i believe that also dried up. sorry to tease you like that.

[Guy Courchesne]

Colombia is an exception...I have seen relatively good pay offers made. But what you have to spend for private security, a bullet proof vest, etc...

There's strong demand there, but no takers. Still too unstable.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

Naturegirl,

One of the $problems$ most foreign EFL teachers find in the city where I live is that it usually takes a year or so to break even due to the settling-in expenses. After paying for transportation to get here, a work visa, rent with its big initial cost (first, last, security, lawyer fees, etc.,) figuring out less expensive ways of living, and all that, it usually takes about a year to recuperate one's investment on what a good paying (by local standards) EFL teaching job pays. Then a person can maybe start saving a little bit of money during the next and following years with a little luck.

Granted, there are always exceptions. You might get lucky and find a decent, very inexpensive place to rent. Maybe you can meet a few fresas who want private classes and are willing to pay you 300 pesos per hour for your services, or some family will let you live in one of their guest houses in exchange for tutoring their hopelessly spoiled teenage or adult sons and daughters and invite you along to their beach house weekends and holidays. You might hit it big playing the Mexican lottery.

No actual research done on this that I know of, but I'd guess that for every foreign EFL teacher who stays in this city for only a year and comes out financially ahead when he leaves, there are probably at least 100 who leave with the same amount of money or less than they had when they arrived.

If someone's top priority is making/saving money, I honestly can't recommend the city where I live, even though I've been here for almost 8 years and plan to stay indefinitely.

Best wishes!

[Guy Courchesne]

Merida is that tough?

I think you would find the same problems in relocating to a new job and city pretty much anywhere in the world, including back home in Canada or the US. Moving from NY to San Fran on a great job offer uproots things, meaning a new mortgage, new schools for the kids, moving expenses, etc.

I think most that come down to Mexico don't intend to stay permanently (you and I the exceptions). I'm seeing that quite a few people looking for teaching jobs in Mexico either just want an extended break from home and a way to be able to cover the expense of doing it, or are students looking for some experience abroad before returning home to finish degrees, or even move on to other countries. Yes, some people think it's a get rich quick thing, and start to plan on long shots, but they usually don't last long and really aren't suited to living/working abroad.

My advice to those who ask about teaching here is to research it out, make sure to weigh the benefit/drawbacks, and ask yourself if it's something that fits into your long term plans.