Job Discussion Forums

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

Even if you found a job within a week, $500 wouldn't go far. Let's say you live in a hostel while apartment-hunting for ten days. There goes $100. Now, you find a place and you need to pay a damage deposit and the first month's rent. There goes your last $400 (at least!). So, you weren't able to afford food, you didn't have money to take transit around looking for jobs, you couldn't buy sheets for your new bed, etc. And god help you if you can't find a furnished apartment!

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

OOOPS!

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Not forgetting another US$200 for your FM3 of course! Very Happy

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

Not to mention folks who can live in a cave, but I would not consider coming to Mexico to start teaching, without several thousand US in my checking account. That is in addition to over US$2000 monthly pension. Caves have no refrigerators. Laughing

MO39 · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

debmport · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Guadalaholla

I love the beach as well my friend.

There a several nice beaches within 3-5 hours from Guadalajara, including Puerto Vallarta. Not that it is the nicest, but touristy and there are jobs for americans/canadians/whatever selling time shares.

If you're not a sales oriented person, Gdl is good sized city with sufficient teaching opportunities. I found a job within a week. I have a BA in Spanish and no TEFL certification. I basically walked everywhere until I found something.

If you like the big big city, go to Mexico City.

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

tek44 · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 32

I would go back to Korea and save around 10,000 dollars and then go to Mexico.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject:

Here in Mexico, I really suggest $3,000 US as a base. You could do it on less, BUT what if something goes wrong? Always hope for the best and plan for the worst.

There are so many "if's" about moving to another country. Even if it's close to home like Mexico is to the US and Canada and you have a job already, you need to have cash to see you through til payday (what happens if they don't pay you? Rare, but it happens).

Anybody coming to Mexico and looking for a job has to consider:

Airfare: You will need the amount for a one-way ticket home, possibly on short notice. Depending on where you live: $300-$1,000, possibly more if outside of North America.

Housing: At least two months of rent. Again this will depend on location and tastes. Factor in around $400-$600 or so.

Food: If you eat out (Which most people do, especially if you have just moved here) budget about $7-$10 per day.

Transportation: Pretty cheap, if you take buses and subways. the occasional taxi will bump this up a bit. Plan on about $3.00-$8.00 per day.

Entertainment: You want to have fun don't you? $25-$50 per week (possibly more)

Misc expenses: Everything else, like internet cafe $1.00-$2.00 per hour, phone calls home $.50 per minute from a TELMEX pay phone, cell phone starts at about $400 pesos plus whatever you spend on airtime, etc.

Total: $2,000 - $4,000 give or take

A lot depends on your lifestyle and how you live while in Mexico. Everything is not cheaper in Mexico. Many things are more expensive.

NorthofAmerica · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Location: Recovering Expat

Great forum, lots of helpful comments!

I am in a bind, I am back in Canada at the end of October for some family stuff and then my sister is getting married in the Dominican Republic at the end of March. Realistically I can't head to China (my next plan) or come back to Japan during that time so the bright idea has dawned on me... spend the break in Mexico.

I am also looking at saying "phuck it" and heading there. Someone earlier mentioned being prepared to work on a tourist visa, is this legit at all?

Could I apply for the FM3 and then teach while I wait for it knowing full well that I'll be gone in a few months anyway?

Landing with a one way ticket... No problem, No way, or somewhere in between?

If I am only gonna stay 3-4 months could I not just find a hostel/flophouse and not worry about a furnished apartment?

I'd figure on showing up with $1000+ and I have debt free credit cards for emergencies. Did it with a bit more in Japan and it worked out (and here is waaaayyy more expensive I am guessing)

Not trying to hijack this thread but rather flesh out some of the info I've seen.

Thanks!

MO39 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

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

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

notamiss · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject:

Regarding working on a tourist visa, see this thread http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=64253. Summary: It's illegal, some people do it; most of them are ok, but a few get caught and expelled and/or fined.

Note, however, that past experience may not be the best guide to the future. See http://mexfiles.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/another-excuse-out-the-window/ for one man's opinion: