Job Discussion Forums

justin032 · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 28

Hi guys and girls,

I've been lurking around for awhile on these forums and have found many of your posts to be very informative and helpful. I'm considering starting a CELTA course in the very near future and making Mexico my first professional destination. I was quite set on DF because I like big cities and all they have to offer, but after some more research my interest was piqued by Guadalajara as well. I read quite a bit about GDL on Wikipedia and they make it out to be the cultural centre of Mexico. I was just wondering if anyone who has even minimal experience of both cities could compare and contrast the two as far as stimulating cultural activities/nightlife/general entertainment. I realize DF is much larger than GDL but I am wondering if the art scene in GDL is as large as it is made out to be..? Also is it easy to get around? I won't have a car...Oh yes, and if anyone could comment on the availability of work in GDL that might help too Wink

. thanks!

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

I've worked in both, but have spent far more time in DF. GDL has a lot to offer culturally and by way of nightlife. DF would have more for being bigger, but that's not to knock GDL at all.

GDL feels like a smaller town than it is to me. DF feels much larger than it is sometimes, if that makes sense.

I found it a bit difficult to get around GDL...hard to make sense of the buses, but I'm sure it's easy when you get used to it.

As for work, it is available in both cities year round, but again, more in DF for the size of the place.

corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

GDL was ok I went to some nice bars and there are artsy people, friendly. It does feel smaller. Just less people in general though and I like walking and walking with other people so DF is better. Also more activity in DF. There's no metro in GDL which I don't like, however I imagine the air is a lot cleaner. Sometimes in the DF I think I'm choking and then realize it's just that ten lane highway I'm walking past.

But parts of DF are tranquil and pretty, I try to stay in those.

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

shaner · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 47 Location: Medellin, Colombia

I like GDL , but the people here can be a little closed and extremely narrow minded. You can find more diversity in DF. Food in GDL is okay, you will find much more options in DF. In GDL, people like what they like that that is it. You don't have to much experimentiaon here. Very traditional town.

It is okay for about a year and then you get bored and it is time to move on. Just my opion though.

reddevil79 · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject:

Have to disagree with Shaner on this one.

I think Gdl is anything but traditional and narrow minded. Sure, there is the large Catholic, conserative hardcore in Gdl, but where isn't there one I ask. I actually found the people quite forward thinking, open minded and quite radical in some cases. There's so much going on I don't know how anyone could get bored Shocked

As for food, there is every kind in Gdl!! Some of the best Japanese restaurants I have ever been to were in Gdl, and there's a definitely a wide variety. Just a case of knowing where they are I think.

Anyhow, two experiences are never the same, and these are just my opinions Wink

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

I agree with Reddevil here. Mileage and comfort levels vary, however we find that Guadalajara IS a happening place (minus the air polution of DF). It's the second largest city in Mexico, so calling it a 'traditional town' doesn't describe Guadalajara accurately. The setting is nice, and it takes no time to get out of the city into the countryside, if inclined.

dfields3 · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 29 Location: Atlanta

DF has a lot more to offer than GDL I think. Transportation will be good and cheap. In Guadalajara the metro is not that good and the buses are really confusing. Nightlife is good in both cities. DF has a lot more cultural and historical points of interest to me. If you can't find what you're looking for in DF you can find it in a city that is not that far away. I felt a bit isolated in Guadalajara in terms of being able to go to other nearby cities. I was in Guadalajara in the rainy season and the streets would literally become rivers that you would have to flee on very short notice every day. The one really good thing about Guadalajara though is the fact that you forget that you are in a big city when you are there for a while.

justin032 · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 28

thanks everyone, i think i'll aim for df and if can't handle the pollution, then maybe head for gdl.

chichifo · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

Guadalajara is not that conservative (e.g. there�s a thriving gay scene, about 40 gay venues). To find your way with the buses, here�s a website where you can check the different bus routes.

http://www.rutasjalisco.com/

Also I have seen a brochure that people can buy in some newspapers kiosks with all the public transport routes available in Guadalajara.

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

Definitely has a thriving gay scene...I found it strange to see such a contrast. Like Shaner, I found people there to be cold, compared to what I've experienced in DF and other cities. Locals there tell me it's out of fear of the narco-scene. And yet, the nightlife is great. Gay and mixed clubs were totally relaxed, especially around Arcos or even near the Plaza de las Armas.

shaner · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 47 Location: Medellin, Colombia

I think GDL is a great city. There are some things that are annoying with time, but that can happen anywhere. I am not bashing GDL. I think I just need a change.

It can be traditional in a sense because I have friends who are girls and they are still grounded by their parents and given a curfew. They are like 27 yrs old. So in that sense, it is very traditional. Who am I to impose my Gringo moral judgement though. It is just different that's all.

I guess I need to get out there a bit. Stop being a such an old man and live a bit more. Thanks for your comments.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I only know GDL as a visitor, but I had a Mexican colleague from DF (73 years young) who was posted to GDL but had to come back as his wife (same age I assume) couldn't settle. Maybe too young and vibrant for her?

chichifo · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

Well Shaner, I think you should meet a different type of girl, or maybe you have been socialising in the wrong places. Two years ago, I'm 33, I was in a gay club and a middle-class girl approached me and said to me I was good looking and blah, blah; later she wanted to "convert me" and invited me to have fun with her... She was 23 and was with her 21 yro female cousin. And last year, I went to the same place, I got a chat with a couple of brothers, they told me they were "hetero-flexibles", it was the first time I heard that word. So, your experiences really depend on how you forge your social network. All my friends (even female friends) are everything but conservative and narrow minded.