Job Discussion Forums

[kaptaincangaroo]

I plan on leaving to teach in Mexico in the spring. I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on whether or not it's generally safer to teach in small towns or cities; and if it is, is there a major difference in pay?

[TeresaLopez]

[Professor]

[MotherF]

Pay depends on your qualifications and experience. You will not necessarily have more money in your pocket in a big city--that depends on what kind of work you can get.

I live in a small city, 80,000 people. I consider it very safe. The many crimes are car break-ins. If you don't have a car, or don't have a nice looking car, no problem.
I was pick pocketed once in town--I think. It's also plausible that I got distracted and dropped my wallet. But pickpocketed seems more likely. I've lived here almost 13 years. So once in 13 years is not bad. My husband drove off and left his back pack containing a netbook by the side of the road, we advertized for it's return, emphasising we wanted a textbook and the notes that were in the backpack more than anything else that the back pack may have contained, but they were never returned.

Oh and standing out has its advantages as well...

[Prof.Gringo]

A smaller city or town without a major problem with drug cartels is probably a safe place.

But big cities can also be safe, it depends on how you carry yourself and if you have street smarts as well.

I have found that the police in the DF tend to be less corrupt when compared to police next door in Mexico State, as an example.

Getting to know people (both expats and locals) and ask them for advice in the area you wind-up living and working. The better you know your neighbors and the safer you should be.

[kaptaincangaroo]

Thanks for the advice; I was planning on teaching in DF because I'll probably be getting my CELTA there, and it does seem like the best place for pay although I can't find too much information on cost of living.

[Guy Courchesne]

Cost of living varies greatly in DF with your biggest cost being housing. A furnished room will rent between 1200 and 4000 pesos per month in a reasonable area of town for travel. You can find cheaper and you can find more expensive. A furnished apartment will go for 3000 and up.

DF is safe enough to be in...petty theft and car theft is what you'll find most here, so keep your wallet and purse safe and stay out of the parts of town known for crime.

As anywhere, it takes a bit of time to learn what's what. Get friendly with neighbors and you'll be steered in the right direction.

[Professor]

[Guy Courchesne]

[Professor]

[wildchild]

[kaptaincangaroo]

my plan is to take the CELTA in DF and teach in Mexico to make enough money to pay for my BA degree. Once I have my degree I'll probably try to find work in Asia. I understand pretty much wherever I go the pay is going to be pretty lousy, but I can still use the experience since I plan to make a career out of this. Thanks for the advice.

[Prof.Gringo]

[kaptaincangaroo]

I wasn't expecting I'd be able to make much teaching in Mexico. I probably will try to find work somewhere else in Latin America if I can't find. Since I don't have a BA my only option is Latin America; and I can use the teaching experience either way. thanks for the dose of realism by the way.

[Prof.Gringo]