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[@Large]

Hi Folks,

I've been lurking around here for a few weeks soaking up the excellent information and pearls of wisdom on all things Peruvian. This forum is the most useful source of information I've found. Keep up the good work!

I'm considering moving to Trujillo in a month or so, but not to teach English. I actually have a software project (I'm a programmer aka nerd by trade) that I need to work on by myself, and I was thinking that it might be fun to move to Trujillo and live on the cheap while i crank it out, for the following reasons:

1-Cheap rent
2-Proximity to good surf
3-Lots of salsa dancing
4-Folks on Dave's (you?) seem to like it

Curious what you guys think. Here are my assumptions, please don't pull any punches in relieving me of them:

1-Rent for a furnished apartment less than $200 US
2-Total monthly budget (including fast internet in the apartment) less than $500
3-Some part time english teaching around if required to supplement budget
4-Good surf nearby accessible with out car.

Some concerns that I have, besides being a total geek to move to South America with laptop and suitcase full of books to work on software:

1-Laptop and work get stolen
2-Takes a long time to get set up in a place with internet
3-Have so much fun I don't work
4-Get sick can't work
5-No one will rent me an apartment for only 4 months.
6-Lose deposit on apartment

Whadya think?

Thanks - Nerd @Large

[naturegirl321]

You're right. YOu can get by on about 500 USD. There's always the risk that things will get stolen. Make sure you have more than one lock and don't advertise that you have stuff worth stealing.

It took us two weeks to get internet.

Simply sign a year-long lease, and leave. However, they will probably stay with the deposit.

[nineisone]

Lived in Trujillo for four months. Your plan sounds plausible, although it sounds like one of your primary interests will be the beach life or access to it so you would be wise to consider Huanchaco where apartments are generally not much more than Trujillo. I got by on about 400 USD$ a month but lived a bare bones existence, renting a room in a family home, eating menu, and perusing internet cafes so your lifestyle choices will likely require more.

Decent Apartments run around 150$ USD. Cheap transportation via combis will get you from Trujillo to Huanchaco(30 min) and back for a little over 1$ USD. Part time teaching can be found at the lesser language institutes like SUTEP and Boston Language, but they pay poorly. El Cultural pays better and often looks for substitutes, but this could be hit or miss depending on their current staff.

Surprised to read the interest in Trujillo on the board. Nice city and fine for a rather quiet easygoing fella like myself, but almost all that I spoke with during my time there mentioned Cusco and Arequipa as much more beautiful locales and with more entertainment and teaching opportunities. Not trying to discourage but in more blunt terms, Trujillo can be a bit dull for the more adventourous.

Good luck on your stay!

[@Large]

Ok,

thanks very much for your advice. i've read lots of posts from both of you guys and it seems like you really have your respective heads on straight. i'm not set on this whole thing yet, really just concerned with it's even plausible, and it sounds like it is.

nine - i didn't realize that huanchaco had apartments, that might indeed be better as i'd be closer to the surf. on the other hand, i imagine it's pretty sleepy in huanchaco at night? i don't want to party it up very much, but i wouldn't mind improving my salsa a bit.

naturegirl - you mentioned in one of your posts that you're thinking of moving to trujillo, did that ever pan out? do you happen to know of anyother fun towns on the coast near decent surfing?

i'm also considering chile (arica and iquique), but i've heard that it's more epxensive there, and very difficult to rent an apartment.

thanks - @Large

[naturegirl321]

Try CHiclayo or Piura. WE'll probably be moving there next year (Trujillo that is)

[nineisone]

@large,

I ran into quite a few(especially aussies and brits) who were renting in Huanchaco, some even making the somewhat extensive commute to teach in Trujillo. From what I was able to determine the prices were not considerably more than Trujillo. Seems some of the many resteraunts on the weekends serve as good ex-pat/english speaking venues if you have questions. But you are correct that nightlife options are fewer there. "Mecano Bar" was the #1 salsa spot in Trujillo while I was there and I was pleasantly surprised to see the new LP Peru edition mention it. Plenty of sexy, nice Peruanas to dance and flirt with. And most of my gringa colleagues assured me that Peruvian men rank very highly on the attractive scale as well.

When I first got into Trujillo I stayed at a hostel called "El Conde del Arce". It is listed in most guidebooks and you can get a single private room for under 10$ that is right on the doorstep of the central plaza within walking distance of most of the club/bar action. Nice proprietor who will give you paper map of the central area which was invaluable as I was walking around getting my bearings. The city newspaper "La Industria" publishes fairly extensive apartment classifieds, especially on the weekend. Apparently these are not available from its web pages. I would often walk to some of the addresses listed just to get an idea of what was available.

Naturegirl makes good points to also consider Chiclayo and Piura. I visited both towns and my impression of Chiclayo was that it was a bit more rough around the edges but similar entertainment options and friendlier people. It is about 3 hours north of Trujillo via bus. Piura I stayed in for about 4-5 days and it is a pleasant, albeit steaming hot city. Smaller with fewer entertainment options and surprisingly to me, both cities were slightly more expensive than Trujillo. Mancora and Cabo Blanco are just to the north of Piura and are excellent resort communities but even pricier yet

Hope this helps.....Enjoy and write back to the board some of your experiences. You could also try to PM keepwalking and luna chica, both of whom I believe are on the ground in Trujillo.

[keepwalking]

I�m here. on a dodgy computer with a crap shiy button and a reluctant f (how hard did i have to hit it to get that!) So ignore the lack of caps and other weird typos.

Right, trujillo. Enjoying a bit of a boom recently so rent has gone up - an apartment with internet access will probably set you back closer to $200 a month. huanchaco prices are similar but my experience o living there or 3 months was blighted by weekly power cuts - might not be what you want with you laptop plugged in! beore you arrive, it is worth getting one o those power modulating things obviously not a tech nerd!) as the power can be variable and laptops have been known to blow up.

The number one place for salsa is still mecano bar and for live music its Tributo bar. there are also good bars in huanchaco. there's a bar in truj which brews its own... Hops. good stuff.

transport to the beach is easy - 1 sol in a combi. It's not warm though and a surfer friend tells me it is pretty difficult for a newbie. she's been suring around a year and is just about okay.

Further up the coast is mancora, very much a surfer's town. Piura would be a good base to live in, mancora is about 2 hours from there so you could go for the day but not just or a quickie...

if you do end up in trujillo, PM me and I'll introduce you to the other surfers and show you the best bars.

[Luna Chica]

Apparently Mecano is now closed. Someone told me there was a dispute about their license. Not sure. But there is also Estribo in the city centre which has live salsa bands and a good vibe. Lots of fun.

[@Large]

here i come ...

just wanted to say thanks to everybody that gave me some advice. much appreciated. the friendly nerd will be touching down in trujillo some time this weekend.

you've been warned.

-@LG

[naturegirl321]

Let us know how it goes.

[@Large]

OK,

So after setting down in Trujillo my first night and then moving out to Huanchaco for the second, I�d have to say depictions thus far from this board have been accurate: Trujillo and Haunchaco are fine cities, if a bit on the slow side.

For example, I am now stayingin Huanchaco, and there is NO ONE staying in the same Hospidaje as me. It�s empty! But still, since I don�t have a key ot the front door, the Senora of the house sits dilligently by the door buzzing me in and out every few hours. Which is kind of eery - because I never have to ring the buzzer when I�m returning... she always sees me coming about 3 meters from the door, and - Presto - it magically opens as I approach.

I haven�t tried looking for work yet, as I have yet to decide if I really want to stay. Weighing the plus vs. minus, and trying to decide if I�d want to live in Trujillo or Huanchaco.

Plus: Cheap

Minus: Huanchaco is a bit of a beginner�s break, haven�t found any salsa really either.

Consequent Plus: Getting lots of studying done!

If any you experienced hands would be interested in meeting up for a drink sometime this week and giving a dude the low down -- I�m buying.

Thanks - @LG

[Luna Chica]

It might be the time of year. Any time I have been out at Huanchcaco, there have been impressive waves.

Huanchaco is only a little fishing village remember. PM me and we can organise to meet up and go out one night.

[nineisone]

Glad you have arrived and are taking in your surroundings.

I should have probably mentioned that seasonally, this period is kinda Northern Peru's winter so beach activity might be minimal. Most Peruvians mentioned to me that they disliked the July-August months the most, although as a Northerner the January-April summer months left me sun baked.

Sorry that the nightlife options are not up to your liking. I'm sure you will give the area a fair chance as this is only your first couple of days in town. If not, move on to Lima, Cusco, or Iquitos. All have many more options and are accessible by reasonable airfare prices through Wayra.

Warning to those lurkers considering Trujillo: It is not a nightlife/entertainment hotspot. Most of the 20 somethings will probably find living in Trujillo boring which is why it has never been a party hot spot for tourists. But if you want to live in a city with tremendous historical significance, off the tourist track, and with most of the modern amenities, Trujillo is a solid option.

[naturegirl321]

[nineisone]

Hi naturegirl,

Didn't mean for my comments to be disparaging of Trujillo. Obviously you have lived in Peru for quite some time and have a good mindset for what expectations should be. I guess my comments were intended more for the vagabond ESL teacher who has a very idealized picture of a Latin American teaching gig as non-stop resort type fun ala Cancun or the Carribean. For that they might be better off looking at Costa Rica or parts of Mexico.

Good luck. I was in Piura for about a week and Lima for about two so I have some relation to where you have lived. I found Trujillo very nice and by my standards easy living.