Job Discussion Forums

[JonnytheMann]

Not the beer, but the town.

Any of you ever been to Quilmes? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Do you think it would be tolerable (or enjoyable even?) to live and work in Quilmes as an EFL institute teacher and/or private English tutor?

I really wanted to live in Capital Federal, but I think now I will probably be living in Quilmes (or close to it).

[eo-nomine]

I once went to Quilmes and it didn't look that bad. But my students who live there are all positive about one thing: the center is okay, but the rest isn't (I personally have no opinion on this). Quilmes is also far, you'd have to take buses or the train (the one from Constituci�n, which is kinda dodgy sometimes) to come to Capital to work. I don't know that there is much work in Quilmes. I know some large multinationals have plants there (HP is one, I think), but to tell the truth most of them have plants in GBA Norte (Martinez, Acasuso and San Isidro especially). As an aside, GBA Norte isn't a the best place to live in, it tends to be expensive, at least the area between Vicente Lopez and San Isidro is. It's also a bit snobbish and boring.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look at places in Boedo, Caballito, Parque Chacabuco or Flores as well. Subtes E and A go through Boedo and Caballito respectively, which is a plus, and Flores also has a train station (the one that goes to Plaza Miserere, I think). I know one bloke who lives in Villa Pueyrredon, but that's REALLY far and it's really boring as well. He loves it there, though... shares a whole house with another dude and has a garden! Anyway, the barrios I mentioned above are quiet, residential barrios and you can find cheap rents there. In Flores, between Rivadavia and Av. Directorio, you have some really nice houses... quite unlike downtown.

Hope this helps!

All the best,

Eo

[eo-nomine]

Re work in Quilmes: when I mention companies, it is important if you teach English in companies only! I imagine there are language schools based in Quilmes as well and stuff. But still, Quilmes is a poorer suburb of Capital, the majority of the people of have money to take lessons live either in CF or in GBA Norte.

[JonnytheMann]

Thank you very much for the info. I appreciate it. You said the center of Quilmes is okay, but the rest is not. What exactly isn't good about it? Is it dangerous, poor, run-down, or ugly?

[eo-nomine]

It is said to be dangerous, like most of the suburbs (except GBA Norte, again). I don't know how dangerous, and I doubt it's the living hell most porte�os make it out to be, but I think you'd be better off living in a safer area at first (six to ten weeks, say) to form your own opinion, and then find for another, cheaper barrio.

[JonnytheMann]

Damn, porte�os think of Quilmes as a living hell? Any chance they are being alarmist? [/crossing fingers]

That's where my boyfriend lives, and I never got the impression that it was dangerous. I mean, he will walk down the street at any hour of the night. Maybe you mean dangerous for foreigners since they'll assume that I have a lot of money because I am tall and white? Hope it's not that bad. I'll stay in a hostel/hotel there before I decide to get an apartment there. But honestly, I am hoping to convince him to move with me to the Capital Federal.

[sheena maclean]

Hi Johnny
I saw this site when I was checking out the schools in BsAs. It�s in Quilmes. Heres the web address: http://www.celc.com.ar/2.html.
see you soon Sheena

[sheena maclean]

Hi Johnny again
Now I�ve been doing alot of research into the institutes hereI notice there are quite a few institutes in Quilmes, check this web site out.

http://www.todoar.com.ar/directorio.php?searchstring=&categID=247&totalrows=106&offset=80
Hope to seeyou BsAs
Goodluck with everything
Have been following someof your other threads, hope all goes well with you Boyfriend here and you don�t encounter too many Henry_Cowells!!
Sheena

[JonnytheMann]

Thanks, Sheena, for all the help. Hopefully, I will avoid all the Henry_Bowells in Buenos Aires, but if not, a good roundhouse kick to the teeth usually does the trick.

[snielz]

[In a sober tone] Henry Cowell thinks moonraven is a prophet. See the General Mid-East forum about stereotypes. I am dumbfounded.

[JonnytheMann]

Snielz, Henry_Bowell seems to worship everything Moonraven has to say. It's sad.

I laughed out loud when Moonraven wrote in the "What is making you happy right now" thread something along the lines of:

I am happy that my Arab university students are exploding the myths and stereotypes promulgated about them on Dave's--and taking on the concept of stereotyping as sick, as well as accepting they are wrong when they have done it. I am annoyed when folks churn out the same old tired myths and stereotypes on Dave's.

This coming from Moonraven?! Don't think I know another poster that more methodically and maliciously stereotypes Americans. I had to laugh out loud when I read that.

[YanquiQuilme�o]

Oh, just wanted to say that Quilmes is perfectly safe, and I really love it. It's the perfect size for me. I love being able to walk almost everywhere. Capital is great for visits and such, but I'd rather live in a smaller city like Quilmes. Crossing the gigantic avenues in Capital is just daunting sometimes. The crowded streets, the noise, the subway, the traffic, & the cosmopolitan ambiance are thrilling, but I couldn't deal with it every single day.

If you find Capital completely exhilirating instead of somewhat overwhelming, then you'd definitely find Quilmes boring.

The work situation here is fine for me. There are plenty of rich people here who are willing to pay the same prices that people pay in Capital for private lessons. Also, there are plenty of English institutes. There's also a lack of German teachers so I'm probably going to be able to teach German here, too, which should be a lot of fun.

I wouldn't recommend that anyone move here if they need contact with the expat community. I still haven't met a single non-Argentine (except for the Japanese dry cleaner).