Job Discussion Forums

Mchristophermsw · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 228

Hi group, I would to know how a "average teachers salary" in the following countries compares to average local salaries" Vietnam, Tiawan and Thialand.

Also, if one wanted to settle down, would it be feasible on a teachers salary compared to the average cost of living in these areas?

I know everything depends on lifestyle and it varies person to person, as for me, I am speaking of a place to live ( buying a house with the assumption that your spouse is a national), raise a child and enjoy the local culture ( community, food, housing, etc.).

Also I am by no means comparing this to a Western defination of quality of living

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this?
I hope this post fosters a good discussion.

International Schools Exluded....

Thanks

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Well, it hardly fostered discussion, did it?

By the way, would it not be an average teacher's salary?

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

Mchristophermsw · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 228

Zero----Yuh abolutely right, de post did not foster much converstaion Sad

Dog, thanks for your participation, some good points.

Have a blessed day Smile

tedkarma · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 11:24 pm Post subject:

Maybe not much discussion because - it's a d*mn difficult question to answer with perhaps too many variables to consider.

Yes, your wages will probably (in many countries) significantly surpass the comparable wage for a local person. But, how you can adapt and give up your "Western ways" would be the biggest factor.

How many generations of your "new" family and how many relatives are you willing to fit into your simple two-room house. How often are you willing to NOT go out for a few beers or dinner or both. In the countries mentioned (exc. maybe Taiwan), would you be willing to do without hot water for bathing? Rent and live in a place with only one bathroom for your extended family - and with a squat pot?

I was looking for a place to rent once in Bangkok and found a place that scuked - and as I was leaving noticed FOUR guys living in a one room place that I felt was inadequate for just me!

Really, just matters how much you can/want to adapt.

I don't want to adapt very much - I am 50++ and like my creature comforts - and don't like to have to compute whether I can afford another beer or not. And, if I (or a family member) am sick - I want to go to the best d*mn doctor/hospital I can find - regardless of price. If the A/C conks out in my truck - I want it replaced NOW - and done right - while I sit in the A/C reception/waiting room. If my color TV dies - I want to go to TESCO and get a new one NOW.

Really - I don't think I am all that spoiled - and I think I live modestly. But I also think that my "modestly" is probably at the 95th percentile of most people in Thailand (if that low) and Vietnam - and perhaps at 75th percentile of Taiwan [just a guess - no data to back that up for you statistics hounds].

But - if your real question is (and I suspect it might be) - can I marry, settle in, and live a decent life here (or there) on an EFL teacher's wages - my answer (and that or many I know) would probably be - "Yes."

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

tedkarma and I have talked about investing before. I think that if you want to live and have a comfortable lifesytle while raising a family in Thailand, Vietnam, or Taiwan that you might want to try to invest some money in the west and use that to supplement your wages in one of these countries. I know that not everyone is a long term planner but if you were serious about pursuing a vailable existence for a westerner in one of these countries that you might want to work in Saudi Arabia or Korea and save as much as you can for a few years and invest it. After that you can move to your paradise and live a comfortable life.

Anyways I plan on teaching in Brazil for one year and then South Korea or Saudi Arabia for a few years in order to invest, which will supplement my wages as a teacher in Venezuela or Brazil.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 9:56 pm Post subject:

JZ makes an important point. An essential part of your plan needs to be planning for old age. Depending on your home country, your ability to tap pension/old age funds and your assets at home - you'll need figure out how to pull it all together to provide well for yourself and your dependents.

You'll likely not have the extended family support in old age (just my guess - you might, but better to plan as if not) and need to figure out how to take care of yourself when you get old enough that they will no longer issue you with a work permit (as young as 60 in some countries).

This plan will, most likely, as JZ says, require working in a country where you can put together substantial savings to allow you to invest for your later years.

Just my opinion.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

tedkarma, I would not even say just for old age but if you think that you want to spend the rest of your life in a third world country and live a decent lifestyle. I think that if you actually want to settle in a country like Thailand, Brazil, Venzuela, or Vietnam and raise a family, it would adventagous to try to save money and do something to provide yourself with a second income. Tedkarma and I have discussed real estate but I am sure that there are other avenues for supplementing your income. I plan on purchasing a rental property or two in the U.S. to supply me with another source of income so that it will not matter that much if I am earning $800-1000 a month as an ESL teacher somewhere.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject:

Agreed. I will have supplemental income when I return to Thailand next year. It will make it possible for me to work and live on Phuket full time without feeling like I am neglecting my future. And also allow me to enjoy life a bit more. There is, after all, nothing wrong with living well - particularly if you have put in the effort.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Well wish me luck with trying to do the same. I will begin pursuing this goal after I finish my M.A. in December. I will try out teaching ESL in Brazil and then try to move to Saudi Arabia in order to save the money I need to produce a second income.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Tedkarma, is that your website????

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 1:55 am Post subject:

Yes. Phuket Delight is my website - but I am a true newbie, so please forgive my imperfections (the site is only about six months old). It is not meant to be a slick commercial website - but rather a good solid look at the island - and all about living and working there.

Just my opinion, but you might want to also take a look at the UAE which to tends to pay better than Saudi - and has a much better quality of life for foreigners. Friends who have made the switch from KSA to UAE - have all been happy they moved. If I was to head back that way - UAE would be my first choice.

Mchristophermsw · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 228

Ted karma, ad JZer thanks for the insight. I agree wholeheartily with you guys..

Hey ted, I pm you some specifics on $ plans.
Cant wait to hear from you.

Michael

Also, Guys, Many of these Countries have NGO's.
That may be another route with my MSW...what do you think?

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject:

Generally speaking NGOs like to hire locally (nationals of the country where they are - smart politically and economically) - except for the very top positions - which I tend to think are more political. Just my opinion. Doesn't mean you should rule it out.