Job Discussion Forums

nothing180 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 55

Hey!

I'm new to this website, I joined because I really want to teach English in Mexico, but I wanted to talk to some people that know more about it before I make the decision. I have in mind that I'd like to go to Cuernavaca, does anyone know anything about the jobs there? The pay? The cost of living there? I have found a course in Mexico City that I'm thinking about taking to get my TEFL certificate, and then move on from there either to Cuernavaca, or somewhere else in South America maybe. If anyone has any information on the jobs in Cuernavaca, I would really appreciate some insight! Thanks!

Jammer

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I lived in Cuernavaca while working there for about 9 months 5 years ago.

It's not a nice place anymore. Urban sprawl has taken over due to several corrupt mayors and governors in succession. The final straw was the tearing down of the landmark Ex-Casino de la Selva (which contained irreplacable buildings and murals) and the destruction of the only tree sanctuary left in the city so that Costco could open one of its stores. (It did so on the cheap, against the citizen's desires and even against the complaints of its stockholders!) Traffic is terrible and public transportation consists of rattletrap microbuses and taxis.

It's fairly expensive--at least compared to the eastern part of the State of Morelos where I have lived most of the time since 1992. And very gringo-fied.

Schools there that pay a living wage tend to be "snooty brat" hellholes. There are also language schools--but most of them pay you under the table because they don't want to bother with work visas, benefits, taxes, etc.

nothing180 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 55

Hey! Thanks for your input! Wow, sounds nothing like what I thought it would be like there. I don't mind living in a poor area, I lived in Huatulco for 6 months (even though I lived on the resort) so I know about how it can be in those areas and I kind of like the laid back atmosphere. I don't really want to work in Mexico City because part of the reason I want to go is because I want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Where would you suggest is a good place? I want to be in a place that doesn't have a lot of 'gringos', but maybe a few for those times I get home sick hehehe. I'd also like to be in a quiet place that isn't over-populated. Where else have you worked in Mexico? Also, do you find that what the schools there pay is enough to live off of, with some left over to travel around a bit, even if it's just by bus? I have friends all over Mexico City because of working at the resort in Huatulco, I'd like to be able to visit some of them at some point of being down there. Thanks again for your help!

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I prefer not to recommend cities or towns: everybody has different needs and tastes. Stay away from places with a lot of gringos--you'll get much better at speaking Spanish, will be more easily accepted and you will spend FAR less money.

As for schools paying a living wage, I have been here for more than 10 years and during that time I have traveled around Mexico, made 3 trips to South America and at least half a dozen to the US--and nobody but me was paying. I have managed to make enough that I am now down to working about half a year--but that's because I am edging toward retirement age and need the "transition".

nothing180 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 55

So, you'd say that you've enjoyed your time there then? I'm just really scared about making this change because I have a good job here in Toronto and I'm scared to leave it and try to work down there in case it doesn't work out for me, then I have to come home to nothing! I'd LIKE to live there for a long time if I can though. Are there jobs in many of the coastal towns, such as Puerto Vallarta, Cancun or Acapulco?

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I usually advise folks who don't have a passionate need/desire to change cultures not to do so, as their anxieties prevent them from being open to the new culture.

There are jobs in the coastal tourist towns, as employees of hotels and restaurants there have to deal with a lot of gringos who know no Spanish. But very few of them are decent jobs.

nothing180 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 55

I am open to it, I really want to move back to Mexico. I'm just worried about making enough money to survive and be able to travel a little bit. I lived in Huatulco, which is not a highly populated city, so I know a little bit about how it is in Mexico, and I actually prefer it to here in Toronto. I even got really sick while I was living there, but still, I want to go back. I just really fell in love with Mexico, the people, the culture, the food... everything! Teaching English seems like a good way for me to enjoy what I love about Mexico, while giving something to the people that live there at the same time. Did you always make enough to live, even right from the beginning. It sounds like you have been to many places there, which was your favouite. Thanks again.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I didn't work for the first year I was here. I came to Mexico to write and produce theater works about Emiliano Zapata, so I came with enough money to live for a year without having to work.

When I began to work I made enough to live on--although I was only working 3 days a week.

My favorite spot that which I have used as my home base since I came here--the birthplace of Zapata, Anenecuilco, Morelos.

allisfaith · Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 15 Location: Colorado

I love this discussion and I have a little to offer. I'm in the same position as nothing180, no certification just a love of Mexcio. Where is this love born from? not many understand it. I studied spanish in Cuernavaca one and a half years ago and vowed I'd be back with in the year, no such luck but you know how it goes. I'm a little discouraged, rather grounded in reality, about the working situation though because of all the input from people on this websight. I thought it would be semi-relitivly-easy to live in Mexico.

Does anyone know of good schools in mexico to get TEFL or CELTA certified? Do they offer job placement after? thanks Confused

Brenda · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 48 Location: Montreal, Canada

Nothing180, if you met a lot of mexicans and you're still in touch with them, maybe you can ask them for their opinions of where you might like to go live and teach in Mexico. Most will be biased towards their own hometowns, but that's not a bad thing since you'll know someone there and they can provide you with some input on local schools and such.

If I ever manage to go back to Mexico I'd head back to the Bajio area where I first taught. I love Leon, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Irapuato, etc... Perhaps they are small enough cities that you might like it there in a similar way as Huatulco (just a thought). I'm in Montreal and , like you, feel the same fear of uprooting my whole life yet again to head back to Mexico despite my deep love for the country, people and its language.

nothing180 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 55

Hey Brenda, thanks for your input. I have talked to a few friends in Mexico, and yes, they are biased to thier hometowns. The problem is though, that they are seeing it from a native's eyes. That's why I joined this site, to get the opinion of people who have been teachers in Mexico to get thier opinions of how it is. Although, my friends in Mexico have been quite helpful as well. It's a really big decision to uproot and move when you have better opportunities to make more money here. However, the way I'm looking at it, is that it is an opportunity to be in a place that I love and perhaps actually be HAPPY for once. I'm not happy here. I have an office job and I work my butt off just to come home and be stressed and overworked. Sure I get a nice paycheck every two weeks, but I end up spending that money on stupid things to try to make myself happy because I'm really not happy here at all. I mean, come on, there has GOT to be more to this life then sleep, eat, work, sleep, eat, work... THERE HAS TO BE. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe I'll hate it if I end up going, but, I might love it. If I do love it and I stay there for 5 years, teaching and making just enough to live on, then I'll be happy. I don't need the extra money in my life to make me happy. I have it now and it's not doing anything for me. If I stay here and work my way up the corporate ladder to make more money, it's only going to get me a nicer house and a better car. It's not gonna make me unlonely or unbored. That's just the way I'm looking at it.. maybe I'm wrong... I dunno...Any thoughts would be welcomed....

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

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Huatulco isn't poor, if you consider only the "downtown" tourist area. But the Oaxacan coastal area in general is one of extreme poverty--and very few folks who were living in what is now Huatulco before FONATUR created it as a gringo paradise have benefited from the development there.

I suggest that you might want to read the novels of Leonardo de Jandra--who has lived in the area since the 70s--at least the ones that deal with the developments of those bah�as. Or check out what he has to say about it....

nothing180 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 55

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to generalize, but I wasn't talking about just the downtown area. I had the chance to drive through myan villiages where they all lived in stick houses, and driving to puerto escondido there were a lot of shacks on the side of the road too. I have not seen a lot of Mexico, so I wasn't really comparing, but from what I saw there is a lot of poor people in that area. Perhaps I'm wrong though. In any case, I'm sorry. But I do absolutly love it there anyway. Smile

twoface · Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Posts: 31

Many of us who have had the eye opening experience of living in Mexico find it very hard to come back to the "land of opportunity", also known as the tread mill or rat race. Mexico offers a glimpse of how life should be lived. Down there quality counts for everything.
I'm in London, Ontario myself and plan to move to Toronto very soon, temporarily that is. As soon as I complete a course in TESL and raise the funds to relocate I'm going back to Mexico where life is worth living.
Don't worry about where to go, just go. If you don't like the school or the location then move. You'll find something.
I was talking to a local businessman here in London and I told him about going back to Mexico and he said that he would do anything including selling tee shirts on the beach if it meant he could leave the grind of life up here.
For me teaching is just a way of giving back to Mexico as a small downpayment for what it showed me - the actual enjoyment of daily life and fun of being alive, something I lost a long time ago. Down there life is actually worth living.