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marg252 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 55

for next year. I am currently teaching in Shanghai, China and looking forward to leaving.

I have never been to any 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!

MELEE · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

I studied in Chile.
I've visited Costa Rica.
I've lived in Mexico for the past ten years.

All three countries are great.

Mexico is the biggest TEFL market.
But Costa Rica has some good jobs too.
Chile is possible, but harder to make ends meet.

Do you want to have a job lined up in advance or just arrive and look here?

Some parts of Mexico are rather cold--some parts of Chile are less cold than Santiago.
Since you say you are looking to settle and work on an MA--I think Mexico! Many of my coworkers here have done MAs while working here.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I've heard Costa Rica is a beautiful place to live though.

marg252 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 55

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Funny, -ve heard the same thing about Mexico. And that-s from pepole living in Lima.

marg252 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 55

anyone else???

MO39 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:09 am Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:38 am Post subject:

In my opinion Mexico is no more nor less dangerous than most places in the world. And it is a large country. I live in a small city that is generally very safe.

I've lived in all three countries and Costa Rica was the most "Americanized" of the three, though chalk full of natural bueaty.
Chile is also an amazingly beautiful place--my first experience in the mountains.
Mexico has a little bit of everything. I wouldn't have stayed here so long if I didn't love it.
Tough call.

John Hall · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:35 am Post subject:

If you love the outdoors, I recommend Costa Rica. Almost all the jobs are in San Jose, in the center of the country. And yet from there, you are just three hours or so by bus from both the Caribbean and the Pacific. In addition, you have the option of doing outdoor activities in the mountains.

Canopy tour, whitewater rafting, hiking, surfing, and cycling are just some of the outdoor activities that you can enjoy in Costa Rica.

MO39 · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:13 am Post subject:

gato_azul · Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Location: India

marg252

I've been in Mexico for the past year and have had no problems. I do hear about border cities that have experienced violence with drugs from time to time. For the most part, the Mexicans I've met are kind, generous and very helpful.

John Hall · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject:

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

I vote for Chile.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

John Hall · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

In comparison to D.F., obviously S.J. is going to be considered small and boring. The danger level here may have gone down a bit since I last wrote.

Maybe it would have been better for me to say that San Jose is a pretty typical Central American city. When I said that it has been getting better, I was thinking of the urban renovation that has been going on in the downtown area.