Job Discussion Forums

[SkiLover]

Hello,

Here's my situation:

I'm semi-retiring soon. I'll be teaching summers in Asia, then I'll have nine months off. My employer will pay my round-trip ticket to and from wherever I live in the world.

I'll have $750 a month to live on -- rent, food, etc. I'm not a big spender and am open to Asia, Europe or South America. Czech? Turkey? Thailand? Cyprus?
ANY SUGGESTIONS/ADVICE????

Thanks in advance.

[scot47]

Nine months could cause problems in terms of visas and residence permits. Turkey for example lets you stay for 3 months but then you have to leave. Check out the residence requirements which vary not just from country to country but with YOUR nationality.

I had six months off last year - between two contracts in Saudi Arabia. Nice. Liberating. A taste, but sadly only a taste, of freedom.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Dear Skilover:

$750 per month and free time on your hands? hmmmm.

Since you'll already be living in Asia, I would suggest the Philippines ... in terms of getting the 'most bang for your buck'. As long as you stay away from the southern archipelago (around Mindanao) where there is a very strong Islamic rebel movement, you'll be safe!

Filipinos are GREAT people. Warm, sexy, hospitable, charming, fun-loving ... I spent 2 years there and loved every minute of it. Working there is a different matter, (i.e. almost impossible) but it sounds like you're just looking for a place to have some fun, so that's not a big issue.

Also: Renewing a tourist visa is 'doable' without a ton of paperwork. As an American, I was getting an automatic 6-month tourist visa, which was renewable for another 6 months without having to leave the country ... but that was 7 years ago, so that might have since changed.

Anyway ... check it out for a week or 2 on holiday and see if you like it. With regard to specific locations, I would personally recommend the central archipelago (around Cebu) in terms of scenic beauty and cost-of-living.

Some of the world's most stunning and unspoiled beaches can be found there; scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing ... you name it, it's available and it's cheap. And then there's San Miguel beer; one of the finest things in life on a typical Philippine day, where the average daily temperature hovers around 32C.

$750 buys a lot of bananas and rice Not much skiing there, unfortunately.

Yours,
kENt

[Stephen Jones]

Sri Lanka requires you to change 15 dollars a day, and you can renew the visa for up to six month, or possiby even nine months. I presume a trip to India would start the whole time period off again.

You should be able to negotiate a good price for a guest house, and then when you know your way around you can rent a house. If you have cash saved up you can even buy a house there, though you should wait until you know things really well so you don't get burnt.

[Roger]

The Philippines is a good suggestion - it is now a lot cheaper than it was a couple of years ago. Good and reliable transport network, balmy climate (go to Baguio if it gets a bit too hot in the lowlands). Have to add though that the security situation is a bit lackadaisical, and getting worse!
COmbine it with an overland trip through VIetnam through China. WOrk in CHina for half a year, then fly to TUrkey. TUrkey is my dream right now, so hopelessly out of reach for a poor TEFLer stranded in Cathay!

[SkiLover]

Thanks. Any suggestions on where to go in Europe?

Gracias.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Dear SkiLover:

You can live pretty well in almost any east European country on $750 per month, provided you find a 'local' to help you with arranging the rental of your apartment.

i.e., you DO NOT want to end up in one of the ritzy 'expat' apartments normally offered to western foreigners. These can cost an ARM and a LEG (your entire $750, for example) so please don't underestimate the value of this particular tip.

Yours,
keNt

PS: $750 won't go very far in any of the EU countries, so you should probably forget about that ... unless you're planning to subsidize that $750 with savings from home.

[reality]

Forget Europe, although you can exists simply on 750 dollars in some Countries.You will end up wanting to get back to Asia!.

I would choose the Philipines or some small country in Central or South America, such as Ecuador. One of the cheapest western Countries is New Zealand, but would be really boring if you are single.