Job Discussion Forums

jamesallan · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 36

Out of the Eastern European Countries, which would you say is best for someone looking to send back �300pm to the U.K. and still be able to live in the country.

Private lesson to supplement would be ok also.

Cheers

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The average monthly salary in the Czech Republic is around (20,000kc monthly) = a bit less than 500 pounds. Rent alone here can range from 6,000 monthly to 12-14,000 depending on whether you want to share an apartment, though food and other expenses are relatively pretty low.

General answer is that it's tough to make enough in Central/Eastern Europe to send money 'back' anywhere. You generally make enough to live all right, but not if you have debt.

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

Perhaps I should qualify "average income".

The table at the bottom of this page http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_ulkomaat_en.html shows the GNP per capita (= approximate average income) in a number of countries.

The column entitled "GNP per capita - USD" tells you the amount in cash, and the "Purchasing power parity" column tells you roughly what it's worth in US terms.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I do not wish to bring bad tidings,but............................. ...............................................................
feell that you should kniw that you will not be able to do this.

Why not work in a country where you get a decent salary, pay off your debts, save a bit and THEN go and work somewhere nice ?

From Sczecin to Rijeka and from Tallinn to Burgas, you will not be able to remit out of your salary.

Chasgul · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 168 Location: BG

Scot, if they're single and don't have expensive tastes it's closer to possible than in your situation.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Chasgul, are you suggesting that a single person without expensive tastes can come to teach in Bulgaria (or anywhere in Central/Eastern Europe, for that matter) and expect to be able to send 300pounds monthly back to the U.K.? Scott's right. Maybe you hadn't read the O.P.?

Chasgul · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 168 Location: BG

If you read my first post, i said that its only possible with the british council in BG. That's the fact. Outside the BC then things are different, i'm only pointing out that there IS a possibility. I feel we could be a little more positive about the advice we give and tell people what possibilities exist, however slim they may be, that way it's the poster's choice based on facts.

YAMV.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Chasgul, sorry, but I don't find any such 'previous post' from you on this thread....I agree about being as positive as possible,but I also think that the O.P., as most are, is asking a general question. And the general answers that he/she received are generally correct. There's nothing wrong with reality.

I strongly feel that potential teachers need realistic information. Moving abroad is a fairly serious proposition and, while many (if not most) have a fine experience, you are putting yourself out on a limb a bit. After all, that's one of the important reasons people ask questions on forums like this to begin with; to gather enough information to make informed decisions. So, in my opinion, the point is neither to give the most optimistic or the most pessimistic possible information - it's to help people to be aware of what the realities are, both good and bad.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Hmm, I see I've contradicted myself above. Ok, the second paragraph should probably stand, as opposed to my 'agreement' in the first one. Sorry, haven't had that start-up coffee yet today.

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

I agree with scot47 too - if you want to save money, you're far better off in a higher-wage country. After all, 20% of say, $2.000 is $400 saved per month, but 20% of practically nothing is....well, 20% of practically nothing.

I've heard that Japan is a well-paid place - is there any truth in that?

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

What about places that don't require a degree, or that aren't stringent about enforcing immigration laws? japan would be nice, but apparently it isn't very lax about work visas.

also, what about the possibility of buying cheap real estate, such as a home/business, then teaching on the side, rather than trying to remit money to country of origin? i don't fancy trying to buy a home in toronto in this lifetime, unless i get lucky and marry rich Wink

Chasgul · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 168 Location: BG

Sorry spiral, this is a repeat of something in the BG section - lost track of what i'd posted where, my bad too.

Mike_2003 · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 344 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Mick,

Buying property could be one solution to your problem. As a property owner you'd probably be entitled to a residence permit and thus could work for cash without worrying about visas or border runs. You'd need a lot of capital to invest as prices have shot up recently. In Romania, for example, you would probably need between 30'000 and 100'000 Euro to buy a flat in Bucharest (depending on location and size) and also know a few honest contacts to help you out with the legal side (and to avoided being tucked up too badly on fees).

Regards,
Mike

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You still can't legally buy property in many Central/Eastern European countries (though it can be done under the table, that wouldn't get you any residence benefits). Croatia, for example; I'd love to buy a seaside place there, but non-EU citizens still can't legally own property there; I'm not sure about EU citizens. Same in the Czech Rep. And as the previous poster pointed out, real estate is not especially cheap in those desirable spots.