Job Discussion Forums

[Justin Trullinger]

I've been asekd about this one often, on other threads, in PMs, and by email. So I thought it might be worth setting up a separate thread. The premise: I feel it's not a great idea to go to Latin America broke, as some set up costs are inevitable. But how much those costs will be varies enormously from place to place. So let's hear how much $$ you'd recommend a new teacher bring to your area.

Me first: In Quito Ecuador, I would want to have:

First months rent, and deposit on an apartment. Deposit is usually 1 or two months rent, and the first month is payable in advance. Apartments can run anywhere from 100 to 300 a month, which makes this one the biggest item: From $300 to $900 needed. $900 is extremely top end, really only necessary for a couple who wants to live together, without other roomates, in a fairly big apartment. I'd say more like $500, in most cases, and maybe a bit less if you're willing to share with strangers. You could also avoid a lot of this by staying in hostels, but I'm getting too old to be in a hostel long term.

A cell phone: This will be an immeasurable help for getting settled in. $50, more or less.

Money for living expenses, site seeing, and day to day expenses until you get your first check. (Probable one month if you come with your job pre-arranged, longer if you have to find one.) $150 to $300 a month, depending on how extravagant you are.

A return flight. You may already have a flight booked. Fine. But you never know when a family member may get sick back home, and you'll want to fly right away. Good to have either savings or a credit card to handle this. For me, not liking credit cards much, I always try to keep a $500-$700 reserve for this purpose.

Furniture. Most apartments in Quito are unfurnished. Think about what you'll need to live. Bed, more or less immediately. Other things vary a lot from person to person. Again, if you rent furnished, which is rare and a little pricier, you can avoid this, but if you're staying long, there's savings in having an unfurnished (cheaper) flat and your own furniture. Again, skip this if you plan on hostelling. But just so you're ready, all the furniture in my flat is worth about $700, and it's a big fully furnished flat. (Most things second hand.) This is an easy place to economize, but a bed and basic furniture to start with will still run $150 to $400.

So, in total:
$500 Initial apartment expenses.
$400 Living money for initial period (assuming 2 months at
$100 a month.)
$50 Cell phone
$250 Furniture
$600 Saved for emergency flight home

$1800 Total

You could reduce this number easily to about $1200 if you keep a current credit card for emergency expenses. But I wouldn't recommend moving to Ecuador with less than $1200 behind you, in any case. I actually spent less than this, largely because my only furniture in my first month was a mattress on the floor. But most people seem to want a bit more...


Best regards,
Justin

[ls650]

When I started my job here in Mexico a couple of years ago, I asked the fellow who handled my telephone interview what he thought would be an appropriate amount of money to bring. He told me that I should expect my work visa to take about 4 weeks, and that my first pay cheque might take another 4 weeks. I would also need money for rental deposit, work visa, etc.

I figured about $1000 per month so brought $2000 US with me. I didn't spend nearly that, more like about $1200. Still, it's a lot better to have too much money than not enough...

[MO39]

Justin, you've done it again. Thanks so much for giving such a detailed answer to the question at hand. As I begin my temporary teaching job here, I'll have a good handle on how much money I need to be saving for my probable move to Ecuador in a few months.

[Sgt Killjoy]

My advice is to budget for all possible expenditures and then have at least a $1000 in reserve. I think Justin's estimate is a rock bottom estimate, I think people would find things more comfortable if they had more money, I would say $3000 is a good start especially if you are gonna be gone for more than a year.

One basic rule of thumb I have is to never have less than $1000 set back at all times, you never know when an emergency will come up.

[MELEE]

I second LS's US $ 2000 estimate. I can't speak for Mexico as a whole since the cost of living varies a lot from city to city, region to region. But I recommend that our teachers have that much. It can be and has been done on a lot less but 2000 gives you a cushion.

[denise]

I�d add to the list of expenses:

enough left over in your savings account at home AFTER you factor in two months' rent, return airfare, a TEFL course, transportation, emergencies, etc.

I get the impression sometimes that people asking "how much money?" questions want to hop on a plane as soon as they hit that magic amount. You need to have something to come home to, also! When you get to the magic number, save a couple thousand more dollars so that you won't end up living in a cardboard box when you return.

d

[khmerhit]

Hey Mamacita!! What's wrong with the carboard box eh?!

[Guy Courchesne]

[Justin Trullinger]

I think it's interesting that the most experienced globe trotters are the most cautious to arrive with enough money, but need the least. (My girlfriend arrived here on about $200 US, and it worked but I wouldn't recommend it.)

My estimate, $1200-$2000, was based on things I've seen people spend on, or be frustrated by not having enough for. I actually spent a heck of a lot less- but I'm not typical. (I waited until the furnishings I wanted became available secondhand, for example. And lived in a hostel until I found exactly the right (and very cheap) apartment. And negotiated the deposit down, and live very cheaply.) It can be done, but I've noticed that many/most teachers on their first overseas stint don't know how, or don't wish, to economize overmuch. Other things to ask yourself are: Can I live without a refrigerator, furniture, new clothes, a cell phone, my own kitchen, etc, for a certain period of time.

Given how I spent my twenties, none of these are an issue to me...

Best,
Justin

[Sgt Killjoy]

Exactly, I know I could hit the ground in just about any country with $500 in my pocket and I could make, but experience has shown me that it isn't the best idea. The $2000 figure is probably very correct, but I put my figure at $3000 because I really think you need to have $1000 in your pocket for your return to the homeland. Going back broke, been there, done that. For me it was the hardest part of reverse culture shock and the biggest reason why I put together just enough money to get back out.

[Guy Courchesne]

[quinbot]

Hi, folks. I'm heading to Quito in early May and I've been given a lot of advice from people who have lived in, currently live in, have visited or live near Ecuador. Can anyone please clarify the following for me?

When someone says bring approx. $1000-2000 start-up money, is that actual cash? Because I was also told not to bring anything larger than a $5, and $1s are even better. If that's the case, forget the money belt, I'm going to need a money suitcase! If what's meant is a mix of cash and credit, what's a good amount of cash?

I'd like to also bring traveller's cheques and I don't mind going to a bank to get them cashed. I've heard the fee is $3-4, which is not so bad if the cheque is for $50 or $100. Is that a reasonable size for the cheques or will the banks put up a fuss to have to cash those?

Finally, is there a spot in Quito where lots of Canadian ex-pats hang out and how do I find it?

Thanks everyone.

[Justin Trullinger]

When I said bring a couple of grand, I did NOT mean cash. I repeat, DO NOT go anywhere in Quito with that much cash. Not a hotel, not the airport, not to take a pee. Quito isn't as bad, imho, as some people think, but robberies do happen. Don't carry what you couldn't afford to lose.

Have you got a bank account back home? With a debit card? If you do, ask your bank if it can be used internationally. If it can, that's the easiest solution. If it can't they can probably issue you one that can. Then use google to check Ecuadorian banks that take whatever card you have. Bring maybe $100-$200 in cash, and take whatever else you need from an ATM machine. THere aren't that many that take international cards, but there are enough.

Travellers checks I've never used, personally. Some people like them, but they're not easy to get cashed around here- I wouldn't count on them too heavily, or at least you'll need to plan in advance, and never leave it to the last minute to get one cashed.

Whoever told you not to bring large bills was right- it's just hard to get them changed here, as there really isn't enough money in circulation, and nobody, even in stores, ever seems to have quite as much change as they should. But 5s and 10s are usually okay. Bring some ones, but don't feel pressured to bring it all in ones. It gets easier to get change $20s when you've been here a while. (Change is scarce, so the woman in my corner shop probably wouldn't change a 20 for a stranger- she will for me, because she knows she'll get it back, one dollar at a time, over the next week. If she really doesn't have change, I come back in later to pay for whatever... It's good business. WHen people get to know you, they'll help out.)

Feel free to PM or email if you're looking for anythingmore specific on Quito.


Justin

[quinbot]

Thanks, Justin. I knew I could count on you. I considered PMing you but I figured others would like this info too.

I've already been warned off wandering around in public with my laptop, so I'll just keep it in the apartment, but I forgot to ask about my camera. Bad idea?

[JZer]