Job Discussion Forums

marg252 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 55

I posted this in the general LA forum, but didn't get many responses. I would love to hear anything that any of you have to offer.

I am currently teaching in Shanghai, China and looking forward to leaving at the end of this contract. I keep flip-flopping between Chile and CR for the next place.

I have never been to either of these places. I love the outdoors and am looking forward to not being cold all winter (no central heating in Shanghai, so I'm cold every day, wore a ski hat to teach in January). A cooler climate is my main concern with Chile- otherwise, it wins. I don't mind cool weather, but wearing double long-johns in bed is too much for me. Of course I want good food and nice people, but access to outdoor activities is actually my first priority. I want to feel safe. I also want somewhere that I could settle for a few years and work on a distance learning masters. It would be nice to live somewhere with a feeling of community. I just need to make enough money to get by. My spanish is mediocre, but I'm working on it now and looking forward to the opportunity to get better.

So, any recommendations from people who have been to/taught/lived in these places? Thank you for any help you have to offer![/code]

djlera · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

Costa rica is a wonderful country, with amazing nature and it never gets cold. but but but 95% of all the work is in the center in San Jose, Heredia or Alajuela, and living here kinda sux. it is difficult and expensive to get to the nice beaches on the weekend, and the city life doesn�t have much to offer.
The pay is about 4- 6 dollars per hour.

Chile (I know only Santiago) pays much better, like 10 - 20 dollars an hour and the city has much to offer in terms of culture and night life etc. The transport system suxs and the smog is horrible, but I preger working and living here to CR.

more info? email me at [email protected]

Saludos

Lunkey · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Santiago

djlera so do you live in costa rica or santiago?

novia · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Canada

I think if you are going to work , you will find that you will be in a city and hopefully on your days off you can get out of town....so both places are good. I live on a farm near Temuco in Chile. So I work in the city and then weekends and holidays is hiking, biking, hot springs and all that outdoorsy stuff. the further you are away from a city the less money but higher quality of life. More money crappy quality. You decide.