Job Discussion Forums

notamiss · Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:10 pm Post subject:

I want to repeat my advice above, because I don’t think I explained it properly the first time. Your best bet for choosing a suitable neighbourhood to live in is to find it in person, on the ground, so to speak. Seeing different districts in reality will be much more productive than reading about them (especially in potentially outdated or biased accounts). So it would be a good idea to set yourself up with a temporary place to stay while exploring different candidate neighbourhoods and looking for an apartment.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 2:01 am Post subject:

Once you are settled in Mexico City let me know, I can give you the name of at least one person who will hire you and let you do business classes without papers (in fact, he prefers that). He does pretty well and on time too. I know of someone else who might be giving classes to people without papers, will have to touch base with him and find out. Schools are probably to be avoided, yes, and they pay isn't anywhere near as good either. You might check with the big ones, Interlengua and Harmon Hall, who knows, they might have a plan for dealing with immigration. Also, can give you some ideas on where to live once you are ready too, or some areas to explore at least. At least all my years of living in Mexico City are good for SOMETHING. One other thing you might want to consider - teaching online - can be a good way to have a stable base of income and be able to pick and chose your live classes.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 2:03 am Post subject:

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 2:03 am Post subject:

Once you are settled in Mexico City let me know, I can give you the name of at least one person who will hire you and let you do business classes without papers (in fact, he prefers that). He does pretty well and on time too. I know of someone else who might be giving classes to people without papers, will have to touch base with him and find out. Schools are probably to be avoided, yes, and they pay isn't anywhere near as good either. You might check with the big ones, Interlengua and Harmon Hall, who knows, they might have a plan for dealing with immigration. Also, can give you some ideas on where to live once you are ready too, or some areas to explore at least. At least all my years of living in Mexico City are good for SOMETHING. One other thing you might want to consider - teaching online - can be a good way to have a stable base of income and be able to pick and chose your live classes.

El Jefe · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 27

Thanks again for all of your help, BBB. I will pm you about what you said when I settle in, it would be enormously helpful to get a head start. I've been really busy tying up my loose ends here but my flight leaves in around 36 hours so I'm on my way. There are a couple more things, though.

My flight gets in to DF around midnight, unfortunately. I was going to take the public transport mentioned previously but I'm gonna be dead and think I'll just get a taxi instead. I read that there are booths outside of the terminals where you tell them where you're going and then prepay for the cab. Will that operation still be functioning that late? I know there are shady cabs around the airport that you aren't supposed to take but it said that prepay service generally comes to under 200 pesos.

Secondly, I looked up the hotel you recommended, BBB, and the lowest quoted price was $34 US. I'm not averse to staying there but I did find some other options for around the same 22 usd price. I also (yes...) bought a lonely planet book and checked out a few of their recommendations, but those are always geared at partying backpackers, and I'm beyond that stage, just want something safe, quiet and relatively central. I'll be making some phone calls in a bit here to check on the availability of some of those hotels.

Once I get straight, I'm still planning on heading to Puerto Escondido for a couple weeks. Been looking into that as well, amazing looking place, really looking forward to that. Is flying there still considered the best option, as opposed to taking a bus? I read it costs about the same anyway but the information was a bit dated and those things can often change quickly.

Anyway, after that I'll get in the grind and try to settle down and start working again. But, I have a few weeks to do some research on that. Thanks again for the responses, a lot of inquiries on these boards can go dead immediately so I'm grateful for all of the advice. BBB, two thumbs up! And if anyone has any information regarding what I said above, I'd obviously appreciate any new clarity as well.

notamiss · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:28 pm Post subject:

About the taxi, yes, the authorized taxis operate around the clock. There are booths inside the airport, of all the various companies, such as Sitio300, Nueva Imagen, Yellow Cab, Confort, etc. They are all working off the same fare chart, so it doesn’t matter which one you use. The price depends on where you are going, so you tell them where at the booth, and they will sell you the appropriate ticket.

Just as you exit the terminal, the taxi touts will ask to see your ticket and direct you to the right stand depending on which company it is. Personally I‘ve never even been approached by an unauthorized taxi in many years of using the airport (it seems to me you’d have to go out of your way to find one) just buy your ticket first and no problems.

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

Although all the taxi companies are working on the same tariff, I'd advise asking for the price in 2 or 3 of them, as they have been known to inflate the price a little when they spot a foreigner.

notamiss · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:01 pm Post subject:

One could ask to see the tarif chart.

The only ‘inflation’ I know of is when they try to book you a van instead of a car when you don’t need it. For going to the usual hotel districts, the price should be around 200 or less. If it’s over 300, then it’s a van. If the price seems too high, ask for a “sedan”, which is what they call a normal car as opposed to a van.

El Jefe · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 27

Excellent, that's one less thing to worry about. Thank you for letting me know about that, notamiss. Phone booked a hotel around the Revolucion subway station earlier for 300 pesos a night; seems like an alright area, or at least I'm hoping it is. I know that I sound like a guy baby stepping his way through the process, and I apologize for that. I've traveled a lot, but these days, winging it gets a little disconcerting, so thanks for the patient responses.

El Jefe · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 27

I did take note of the, make sure that you specifically ask for a sedan, part.

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

El Jefe · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 27

That doesn't sound good. I read about those protests but if that's the epicenter of it, I'll knock that area off the list when I come back to look for some work.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:08 pm Post subject:

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:20 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:19 am Post subject:

Mexico City's reputation tends to make even seasoned travellers nervous on their first visit. But it's undeserved in my opinion. I usually stay in that area as its convenient and there is are several cheap hotels, some midrange hotels, and also right there is the Melia, one of the fanciest big hotels in the city. I wouldn't worry about the teachers, except for slowing down traffic it shouldn't effect you too much.

November is a busy time in Puerto Escondido.
http://www.oaxaca-mio.com/puertoescondido/fiestasdenoviembre.htm
I'd be surprised it flying is as cheap as the bus, unless I'm totally off base, the flight will be at least 1500 pesos (but could be much more--next weekend is a long weekend) and the bus should be around 500. Of course the flight will be two hours or less and the bus will be about 12. How much stuff will you be taking with you? There are some nice places to stop along the way if you wanted to break up the trip. There are two routes, one Mexico City-Acapulco-P.E. and other other Mexico City- Oaxaca- Puerto Escondido. Half way between P.E. and Oaxaca city is San Jose del Pacifico which is a very nice stop over. The bus ride is only scary if you take a second class bus--or now you can take a mini bus from Oaxaca to P.E. that will put hair on your chest. Most people do it over night, so you can't see anything anyway--but the daytime trip through those mountains is beautiful. Take a sweater, it's gets pretty cold before it gets hot.
HOWEVER, it is mudslide season and there could be delays.