Job Discussion Forums

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I am looking into the possibility of wintering in Mexico. I have a TEFL and several years of teaching experience.

Jalapa has caught my eye because I can stay at the Youth Hostel cheaply.

Does anybody know much about the place and what the job prospects would be like. I would be happy doing the odd private lesson as I have enough second income to pay the freight.

Thanks

MO39 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Any information on Jalapa?

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

Would that be Xalapa, Veracruz?

Home of the Jalapeno chili pepper and not far from the city that brought us "la bamba", I say you in for a ride!

have fun! Very Happy

sweeney66 · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 147 Location: "home"

I checked out Xalapa a couple of years ago, and there's work going, as it's a Uni town. I thought I would grow bored there, but that's just me. The best jobs there are adjunct at the med school. Much better living options than the hostel, but that would help you get started. A few expats, if that s your scene, and a bit of cafe society, museums and whatnot. Bring thermals, it's cold!

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

Thanks all.

I am a retired RN so I can see some medical english at the med school happening perhaps. Betcha they would have decent mariscos too.

looks like a nice place to spend 3-4 quiet months.

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject:

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

sweeney66 · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 147 Location: "home"

I was there in January. Its pretty high altitude, and I was wearing every single warm thing I had and wished for more!

MELEE · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

Xalapa is inland and much higher than Tampico, but not quite as high as Puebla--but the climate is much closer to the climate of Puebla city than Tamipico of Pto. Veracruz. Not really a place gringos "winter" but if you want cool sweater weather and some see your breath mornings in Dec-Jan that's what you will get. A lot warmer than Chicago mind you, but not what most people imagine when they imagine wintering in Mexico.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

Thanx everyone. I've been thinking about the place since I saw the replica of the Toltec head in Barcelona. It said the original was in the archeology museum in Jalapa.

The "Cuarto" idea sounds great as well as the scarcity of gringos to me.

If I wanted to winter with Gringos I would go out to slab city in the California desert and hang out with the lost boys. Wink

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

I was in Xalapa recently and I'm positive there are opportunities for teachers there. Seems like a wonderful city. The weather was not THAT cold but I've never been there in January. I wouldn't choose a place to winter, however, based on an Aztec head and a youth hostel. Also, isn't Xalapa like nine hours by bus from Tampico? Saying it's relatively close is like saying Mexico City is relatively close to Monterrey.

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:42 am Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Unless of course it was a Toltec Head

In which case it's more likely from the state of Hidalgo Wink

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject: