Job Discussion Forums

[Samantha]

I have friends who have lived in Morelia for years and they don't find it especially cheap to live there compared with the rest of Mexico. In fact they find it somewhat on the expensive side according to what they tell me. We compare costs fairly often. They love it there not for the cost of living but because it hasn't been invaded by foreigners as much as some other areas.

[PlayadelSoul]

When I lived in Merida, 2 years ago, I was able to rent a 3 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood for 2,300 a month. I had a wife and child, and we lived pretty comfotably on a net of about 11,500.

My teachers in Playa make anywhere from about 6,000 (part timers) to 13,000, and none of them are eating out of trashcans. Playa is probably the second or third most expensive city in Mexico (behind Cabo and San Miguel de Allende). It all depends on your expectations and tastes.

Anyone who is in the business of teaching ESL in Mexico in order to get rich needs to get a reality check. You can live a normal life, but the BMWs and beachfront condos are for timeshare salesmen.

[geaaronson]

In discussing the cost of living in Mexico, many people have pointed out that one will not get rich in Mexico. When does anyone get rich teaching? I know of only one teacher in the states who has a BMW and it is VERY used.
People who go into teaching are not concerned by status toys. If they were they would be stockbrokers, businessmen, lawyers, etc.

[M@tt]

just kidding. but there is money to be made in teaching, if you get set up right. At least where I live, $30-40/hour for tutoring test prep would be totally realistic, as would $60-80/hour for teaching small groups on your own (test prep, pronunciation, etc.) Maybe in Mexico it's totally unrealistic.. I don't know. Has anyone in Mexico taught TOEFL to small groups, for example? I mean on your own, not for an institute.

[thes80]

Just wondering, but where do people get their stats on the most expensive cities in Mexico? It seems like everyone tends to say that their city is the "second or third most expensive". The poblanos say Puebla is the most expensive in Mexico, while people in Cancun say the same about Cancun.

In any event, I know of a couple who lived moderately in decent little digs near Puebla. The had some money saved and were bringing in almost 10,000 a month. They did a little traveling, and perhaps bought more "toys" than they should have, but there were not able to live well and ended up bailing out early due to lack of funds.

A livable salary is all a matter of perspective and a reflection of how one manages what they have.

That said, you can live on 10 K a month in Puebla, but you won't live well.

[moonraven]

It's pretty subjective--living well according to one person may be dramatically different from another's definition.

[aroha]

Our students come back next week so all all of the secundaria and prepa teachers have been forced to attend one of the most boring 3-day powerpoint presentations that I have ever seen. Thankfully, a few teachers sell things like jewellry and home decorations to the other teachers and students in the school. For example, one teacher whipped out a selection of dangly silver cellphone appendages. Sound kinky? How about the price - 100 pesos!

Does anyone else work in a school where you can furnish your home and purchase gifts from the ease of their classroom?

[Ms. Atondo]

I was never able to furnish my house but I did develop a nice shoe collection and all of our teaching materials were brought directly to us from a distributor, having to avoid a trip to DF.

I have always said that if I don't want to teach any more I can always sell from every catalog available and I can be known as the Avon/shoes/bedding/Mary Kay lady.