Job Discussion Forums

[scott wilhelm]

What can anyone tell me about the availability of English teaching jobs in Guadalajara ? I am not certified, but do have a BS (but not in English). I have been teaching part-time at Berlitz here in the U.S. for about a year and a half. I really enjoy the work and would like to do it full time. Guadalajara is such a neat city. I have been there twice. But never have lived there.

Can anyone tell me anything about apartment availability and prices ? How much might a small, basic, decent apartment in a safe part of town run ? Also, are Mexican landlords OK with cats ? I have a really sweet 13 year old cat that I would never part with. She still has her claws and I wouldn't have her declawed. I'm guessing this may not be an issue if the apartment is unfurnished. But that is just a guess on my part. I appreciate the help.
Scott

[Guy Courchesne]

Beautiful city...

Your Berlitz experience will be good to get you into many schools. There's not a huge amount of jobs, but you'll find something.

Rents are a little high compared to what you will earn particularly if you want to live central. Try looking in east Zapopan, near the top of the metro line, or thereabouts. you could luck out an get a furnsihed room in the 800-1500 peso range. Lots of rooms around Metro Refugio, though many of dubious quality.

Cats may a problem.

[andy s]

Hi,

I'm in Guadalajara looking around with the prospect of returning in a month or so to teach. Don't know much about schools, as the person who's meant to be helping me out on that hasn't contacted me yet. I have asked the people I'm staying with how much rent costs round here, though. Their opinion seems to be that you can rent a room in someone's house for around 1500 pesos, and a flat for around 3000. That said, they are rather well-to-do and probably have rather higher standards than I do. Depends what you're after, I suppose.

As for finding work, I think there's probably quite a good supply of private classes. I've been offered two without avtually looking for them.

Good luck, and I'd be interested to hear how you get on looking for schools!

Andy

ps. If anyone out there knows of a job out there for an British native with no formal qualification, but some business/general english teaching experience in Mexico, please get in touch!

[scott wilhelm]

Guy and Andy,
Thank you very much for the prompt replies. The rental prices you both talk about sound pretty good. I am most interested in an unfurnished studio or one bedroom. Something very basic. This cat issue has me really concerned. Have either of you known any owners of un-declawed cats living in rental property in Guadalajara ? I'm just trying to determine how big of a problem this may be. I don't know if it helps convince a landlord to rent to you, but I plan to stay in Guadalajara very long-term, as I am tired of North American winters and really like Guadalajara. Also, I am more than willing to install screens to prevent Annie the cat from jumping out of a window. I know screens are not common in the non-buggy parts of Mexico.
Thanks Again

[thelmadatter]

I came down to Toluca with two cats. Never had a problem with finding an apt or landlords. In fact, my friend who helped my find my current place said to not even bother mentioning them as they were a non-issue. My guess is that it is because everything is concrete and tile - cats cant do much damage to that.

She said that one should mention a dog if you have one.

Just be sure the cat has all its vaccinations and a health certificate. You will also need a certificate to get the cat back ( the US is very picky about such). Keep the cat indoors if at all possible. The few strays I see here are pretty tough!

[scott wilhelm]

Thanks for the good news about cat ownership in Toluca. This is encouraging. I'm assuming the same rules probably apply in Guadalajara.
It makes sense that with concrete and tile, there isn't a lot of reason to be concerned about a cat causing damage.
I hope you like Toluca. I was pleasantly surprised by it when I spent a few days there in '98. I had heard it wasn't a very attractive city because of all the industry, but I found the old central part of the city to be very nice. I'll always remember the abrupt temparature changes there at sunrise and sunset. It felt like a change of 25 degrees within just a couple of hours. I really remeber the shock going from 65 degrees in town to about 25 (and about a 40 mile/ hour wind) up on the Nevado de Toluca.

[Pete Brown]

Scott, just an encouraging note.
My ESL flat mate in Chapias had a cat, never any problem about the cat with the landlord and he was insane.
Most of my Mexican friends thought keeping a cat was dirty and a risk to our health, but the`re not really cat people.
Anyway good luck in GDL
Pete

[scott wilhelm]

Pete,
Thanks for the reply. I'm really glad to hear that. It sounds like that even though a lot of Mexicans aren't cat people, they are tolerant of them in other people's homes. My cat is strictly indoors, so hopefully the neighbors won't care at all. Now that I think about it, I saw very cats in Mexico. Lots of dogs (pets and strays), but few cats.
Scott

[Ben Round de Bloc]

There are thousands of cats in the city where I live. They aren't always as obvious as dogs are, but they're everywhere and mostly out and about at night.

[scott wilhelm]

Tim,
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the encouragement. I need it.
Scott