Job Discussion Forums

viajero54 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Hi everyone. I'm an experienced ESL teacher (14 years) coming to DF from Korea on the 25th of this month. Unfortunately, I don't have a job fixed up in advance and I don't know the city. I've experienced Latin America (Venezuela in the mid 90's) and loved it. I've also taught in Spain. I speak Spanish but I'm "falta practica bastante!" I'm sure I'll be able to communicate.

Can anyone tell me a good place to stay for the first month until I get sorted out? I'm on a super low budget. I need a cheap but secure place to sleep, shower and keep my things while I'm out looking for work and for the first month or two after I find work. Also, any help with schools that might he hiring would be greatly appreciated. I've read on here about the Condesa area. That sounds like a good place to look.

I'd like to at least know where I'm going when I arrive at the airport! I've landed "rough" before but I'm not looking forward to going through it again. I've been looking around for a Lonely Planet but haven't found one yet. I have another week yet before I leave so maybe I'll hook up with a school before I leave. TIA! Smile

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:15 am Post subject: bad timing

Really bad timing... coming in on Xmas.... I plan to be away that week (Oaxaca) but back by that Friday.... I suggest you go to the Zocalo area and check out the two hostals that are there... Catedral (right behind the main catheral )... if they are booked (doubtful) Theres another around the block from there (cant remember the name of it or the street it is on but Catedral should know.

I live in Toluca (west of Mexico City a bit). PM me if I can help out.

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

It might be tough the first few nights for getting a cheap hotel, simply for the season. If you can't get into Hostal Catedral, or City Hostel (both in the Zocalo), you could try Casa Vieja near metro Sevilla (a few blocks from Condesa) at 5208-3004, Hostal Montejo in Veronica Anzures (farther away,but relatively close to Reforma Ave) 9112-4124, or Hostal Cactus Friends (in Narvarte...much farther from Condesa, but more likely to have space) 5530-0839.

If a hostel isn't your thing, there is Hotel Canada in the Zocalo at 300 pesos per night (maybe more during the season) 5518-2106, and my personal favorite Hotel Oxford near the Revolution Monument 5566-0500 with big rooms at 180 pesos per night. They might be full though since there are APPO and AMLO protesting campers at the monument. They might still be around over Christmas.

At the airport, save yourself a bit of money and ignore both the 'official' taxis and the pushy porters. Go across the street or down to the metro stop and get one of the sitio taxis. Won't run you more than 100 pesos to get to Zocalo, Reforma, Condesa, or Narvarte. Official taxis can be up to 300 pesos for the same trip.

viajero54 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks for the advice you guys! Excellent info. VERY helpful and very kind of you. A few follow up Q's if I may: How can I distinguish a "sitio" taxi from an "official" taxi. Are there "illegal" taxis there- people driving around in their car ripping off tourists? Do you know how much the hostels charge (approx.)?

ghostdog · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:

The Oxford is up to 180 pesos now? Is that for a double? I stayed there for several weeks three years ago and it was only 110.

In any case, there are a lot of cheapish hotels in the same neighborhood as the Oxford (which is often very hard to get into; try going at noon when the rooms clear), so that's a reasonable area in which to walk around and look if you don't have a reservation. The Carlton, which is a couple of blocks down from the Oxford on the same street (Ignacio Mariscal), is worth a try. And the area's convenient, if a little seedy at night.

notamiss · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

A sitio taxi is supposed to have a license plate that starts with "S" instead of "L" but mainly you recognize them because you board them at the sitio. There will be a line of taxis waiting at the sitio; the first one in line waiting to take the next passenger, and so on. There is probably a canopy or umbrella, a sign identifying it as "Sitio no. #" and a bunch of taxi drivers standing around confabbing, and perhaps a telephone.

Illegal taxis tend have all the accoutrements of a legal taxi, except that they are "authorized" by a non-official authority. (Edited to add: this is the "official" kind of illegal taxi, as differentiated from the independent illegal taxi.)

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

There seem to be new registrations in DF now, beginning with "A". So all taxis with "A" or "L" are legal street taxis. Some have "A" on the plate and "L" on the body, but I think they are just waiting for a new paint job. Pirate street taxis will have a "normal" registration, "123 ABC". Avoid!

MO39 · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:26 am Post subject:

I hope you aren't expecting to start looking for work when you first arrive, right in the middle of the holiday season. I would imagine that things get going again at language schools sometime after January 6.

viajero54 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 7