Job Discussion Forums

Jaelyn · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

Hi:

I'm really considering the purchase of a RV so that I can live like a tuttle in Mexico while I'm there.

My sense is that rents are a large chunk of a teacher's expense. Does anyone know if it would be difficult/expensive to park an RV and PERHAPS find an electric hook up?

I don't imagine a huge need for daily driving, and was anticipating that when I did move, it would be to an entirely different school for a year or more and so could just pick up and move my whole house, like a turtle.

Is this realistic? I haven't herd of ANYONE doing it....

THANKS!

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:25 pm Post subject: RV

the only places I have ever heard of for RV'ing is Baja and some of the west coast of MX down as far as Matzatlan. (I used to live in Arizona) RV parks there mainly serve retirees. RV's are not cheap so I dont know if you'd really be saving money.

Where will you be teaching? Where you wind up has a great impact on what your options will be

Jaelyn · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

I'm really open in that respect...

I'd LOVE to live near Playa del Carmen - there's one particular housing development there that is building ecologically friendly homes that run on solar and wind power. I'm not aware of any good job prospects in the region tho...

If anyone knows of any PLEASE enlighten me.

My criterion other than that isn't particularly geographic. I'd like to find a school outside of any large city, prefer to be near the ocean and would also prefer to be a part of some community outreach program when I'm not in class. I've worked with Habitat for Humanity in Nicaragua and would love to find something I can help create, like that.

I'm not sure how realistic any of that would be tho. I'm still in the vision stage of my move. Any feedback is appreciated.

The RV is something that I can pay cash for before I head there (used) or I can use the cash to set up an annutiy for myself to supplement my teaching income. I'm not sure which would serve me better in the long run.

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

There's an RV park outside of Cancun. I don't remember the name of it, but if it comes to me, I'll let you know.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Jaelyn · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

The sense I've gotten as I have been doing the research is that - although everything varies depending on location, rent is often >50% of a teacher's salary, if they haven't secured a position that includes housing. In Mexico Salaries + Housing don't seem as common as say... China.

From the US I haven't seen sign of anything for less than 5000 pesos/month and starting salaries only like 8000. I'm sure there are better deals once I get there.

Am I way off? Is my research skewed by my tiny sphere of influence, or do many people get the same impression?

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

Finding housing for teachers is a big part of my job here in Mexico...we generally run on a 25-35% of income formula, thinking about 1 or two people, and furnsihed. It varies quite a bit around the country, on price and quality.

Trick is to remember that you are in Mexico, and that standards are different here. That doesn't mean that a shack in the woods, but smaller is the norm in large cities, and getting a fridge and stove automatically is far from automatic, when looking at large apartments.

The first place I had in DF was two rooms, nice and central, with basic furnishings at just under $200 usd per month. Had a view of a funeral parlor, where for some really weird reason, they would have staff parties on the roof - guests of honor not usually invited up.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

joshua2004 · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:54 pm Post subject:

That was my plan when I wanted to come down here to Mexico. I bought an old RV is was fixing, and I was going to come down here in it. Alas, it was not finished by the time I wanted to leave. Regardless I found that it would have been WAY too expensive. Not only do you have to pay for gas, which is more expensive in Mexico, but you have tolls the whole way down which are not cheap! I also found that no one has RVs down here, not like the states. There is just not the support system for it. My advice is do what I did, take the money you would have put into the RV and hold on to it to get you by til you find what you are looking for down here.

On top of that, rent is CHEAP down here. When I first got here I found an assistencia which was basically like a hostel you pay by the month. I only payed 70 bucks a month. So I think the smart thing to do is come down here with a wad of money and look for a "assistencia" or "hospedaje". the difference is that in an assistencia you can get food from the people that run it. The one I stayed at was really cool because there was a seperate kitchen for us to use. It was a GREAT way to get to know the people and find my way around, by living with other people.

EVEN MORE on top of that, food is cheap. So you if are paying almost nothing for rent and food doesn�t cost you much, you can live well for a long time looking for work deciding what you want to do. Just don�t drink too many frescas+tequila and forget that you need to find a job.

guilty of having too much fun,

Josh