Job Discussion Forums

[akrasia]

I'm a monolingual American trying to choose a foreign city to teach English in after I graduate from college. I'd like to go somewhere with a strong literary community (preferably expat Anglophone, though local would be better than nothing), but I'm having trouble figuring out what cities livable on an EFL salary have that on offer. Major cultural centers like Berlin and Tokyo undoubtedly do, but from what I can tell it'd be too much of a struggle to survive in one of those places. But cheaper places seem to offer more limited possibility for making friends with like interests. Can you think of someplace that fits the bill? (Incidentally, if this makes a difference in your answers, I have the money saved to do a CELTA certificate, and I have some volunteer teaching experience.)

x-posted to Ask Metafilter -- the folks there suggested querying you all

[Guy Courchesne]

Latin America may fit your bill...specifically, Mexico City or Buenos Aires. Very livable places and cultures that are interesting, literary, and always on the march. Not your top two in the world for earning as a TEFLer (which is a bonus on the culture side for me anyway).

[spiral78]

It's not Europe. These days, making a bare living here at a newbie level equals a full time job plus, in terms of hours.

[Yossarian Lives]

I haven't been to S. America yet, so for all I know that could be your fill. Personally, I'm in love with Asia. Money is good, lots of work available and Shanghai is one of the greatest cities in the world. Live music, multicultural food, great nightlife, cheap (for the most part), the list goes on.

[parrothead]

You wouldn't be the first to try it, but a lot of expat novels get started in southeast asia. A few even get finished.