Hay Travel and Mexican friends. So i finally did it.
I'm moving to Mexico in less than two months. I've been with you guys since high school and I'm 27 now. I just got done battering down the hatches and pumping out two years in Long Beach, California for college, and man I'm excited to get the fuck out of here. Just dropped off my last months rent in this city, sold my car, graduated college and I'm half way through my five week TEFL certificate.
I need your advice on my current situation. To elaborate on this, what would you do if you were in my shoes?
So, I'm going to be teaching english in Mexico for a few years, or until I'm fluent in Spanish. Currently intermediate. Here are some general questions:
Does anyone have ANY experiences they would like to share teaching english or living in Mexico? Particularly with the company Berlitz? What cities would you recommend besides Guadalajara, Mexico city and Monterey?
The big question. Would you move there without having found a job yet, and THEN apply at various locations in cities like Guadalajara or Monterey? Or would you land the job first? I'm American, so i THINK i can stay in the country for 6 months no problem, i can always apply for the visa down there? Thoughts?
I don't know if i have the confidence to do something like that but I'm considering it, for I'm rather qualified but don't have teaching experience yet.
I will most likely be in the central region of Mexico due to the majority of the countries population being there. States like Jalisco, Michoacan, Puebla and San Luis Potosi.
My interests in learning Spanish, enjoying various historical sites (I'm a history major) and get a Mexican girlfriend. I have no issue with marrying the right one.
I have a degree, a TEFL certificate and 15,000 dollars saved up. I'm truly prepared for this move and committed. I'm a handsome white American male if this matters. This is not a drill, so pretend your me....what the fuck would you do?
>>1257379
Exact same situation as me, except I'm 26, pumped out two years in Berkeley as a Soc/Poli major, and will be going to Vietnam with a Vietnamese girlfriend I already have.
>>1257480
Right on! Good luck to you. Vietnam pays very well in regards to english teachers. Its just that the Vietnamese language is just too hard to learn, so i declined the job offers. Mexico is home to two ancient world civilizations as well, i just gotta see thought pyramids.
And not to mention Latinas girlfriends are low key master race.
>>1257480
Berkeley is not a real university. Thats a radical leftist brainwashing institution.
>>1257379
OP, I think you need experience, not just the degree to be considered for a visa. They can convert your visitor visa to work visa, but it can take up to 3-6 months to happen, before you are allowed to work.
I'd say it wouldn't hurt to 1) contact your own consulate for advice or even a recommended employer they see come through successfully often and 2) email and set up some job interviews (or skype interviews) before going down there. It wouldn't be a bad idea to figure out which of your 3 choices of cities in mexico seem more likely for your work.
Feel free to make yourself very nice looking on linkedin, or establish some web presence, including a video of yourself on youtube, just something to sell you over the non-motivated type of person. Be creative! You can probably just copy and rip someone else's mission statements and drive to be a great english instructor. Finally, might want to make your pages bilingual with the help of someone you trust back home for their spanish expertise. Go see some peeps at the language dept at your university before you split town. While you're there, get ample letters of recommendation from your professors, counselors and mentors about your character, work ethic, congeniality, etiquette, etc. Get a letter from anyone you know who has a great job title, friends and family, while you're at it. This gives you clout in a class society.
>>1257539
Thanks for the info bud. I'm gonna get as many letters of recommendation as i can and apply online to various jobs prior to arrival.
In terms of the visa, there are jobs that will sponsor my visa for me, i did not know it could take that long. I think the safest bet is to land a job prior to arrival. Thanks for the info, ill look into all the information you have provided.
>>1257379
Teachers don't make a lot of money, even in private schools. And although the cost of living is really low, a teacher's salary isn't a big deal, barely middle class in some cases. Someone I know with a CELTA in Mexico City landed a job there that paid decently by local standards: $995 a month. Considering he's working at one of the more prestigious private institutions in the city, I have to imagine this is at the upper-end of the scale for someone with a bachelor's degree and a CELTA
Land the job first
Mexico City has the best job opportunities, but it also has the biggest competition. If you say you are qualified, I don't think that would be a problem. But you do need to learn Spanish as not many people speak English. Mexico City also is one of the richest places in the country in terms of history, and it has a ton of historical sites and museums you could visit. Plus, it has the best infrastructure/HDI in the country and it has barely been affected by the Drug War. Traffic and travel distances within the city are awful, tho, and it's size could be overwhelming if you are not used to really, and I mean, really big cities
Renting prices in the costliest Mexican state (Mexico City) are like this, you could theoretically live a comfy life with 700 dollars a month*:
- 350 US$ a month in a comfy small apartment with furniture included in a good area.
- If the apartment you are renting doesn't cover electricity, water, gas, internet, etc. (some cover them), add 100$ more.
- 150$ a month for all your food
- 50$ a month for public transport
- 50$ spare
*This was done assuming that 1$ = 20 pesos, and for a single person.. The peso prices can vary yearly and sometimes even monthly.
I mean, you wouldn't live like a king, nor would you get rich or go somewhere, but it is possible. The ideal would be 1000$+ a month in the most expensive state, it can be half of that in the cheaper states
As for the Visa thing, I don't know about that my friend
>>1257815
Also, being, foreign, white, and good-looking helps a lot. White Mexicans exist, but there is some sort of fascination with foreigners in general in Mexico, but specially for European-looking ones. Don't ask me why, it probably lingers on from the caste system where a Spanish born Spaniard > New World born Spaniard.
Either way, good luck.
>>1257516
That's idiotic. Berkeley is among the best in the world for STEM. It's social science departments obviously are very hard left, but that doesn't change the fact that even those departments dish out some of the best publications.
>>1257833
Just accept that the right has had a hate-boner for your school for over 50 years. Life will be easier that way.
If you're with non-Californians, just say you go to "Cal". They'll recognize you for the sports teams, but they won't realize that you mean Berkeley.
>>1257379
Why do you want to live here? don´t pls.
If you want a good job dont be an english teacher, look for any other job you got the advantage as we are as racist as you and will mostly give you the job. Stay in Guadalajara as there are many other whites there, dont go south.
As an american and as a fucking joke, you dont need visa or that kind of shit to live here permanently, just stay in the country for a few years and you can get a permanent residence. Also dont fuck with people here just because you are american, you saw what happen with the russian guy that got almost killed by a bunch of angry people.
If you want an easy mode, apply to any good university here, especially tec de monterrey, get a rich white girlfriend, marry her and enjoy the easy life.
im 27 and going to move to mexico city next year for the fuck of it, love that place. fuck having a job. maybe ill open a vapor wave bar in roma, stop by and drinksll be on me
>>1257978
>Vaporwave bar
If you actually go through with it, make a real version of this and put it in the bar.
>>1257815
Thanks so much for the info bud! Yeah i'm realizing i won't make a lot of money down there, but thats fine. Just as long as i can earn a comfortable living on the wage they end up paying me.
Ill defiantly land the job first. This seems like the safest route.
Looking forward to perfecting my Spanish, it really is a beautiful language. Ive noticed that a lot of the Spanish speakers in So Cal don't like it too much when i try to practice my Spanish with them, I'm sure the Mexican people will be far more interested. Thanks again for the info!
>>1257916
I find Mexican culture, food and people to be very attractive. The country is home to two world civilizations that am very interested in, for i love history. Not to mention the Spanish language is beautiful and fun to learn.
Ill be on my best behavior. After all, I'm a guest in your country. The last thing i wanna do is fuck with some hombres fuertes in that country, Mexicans don't fuck around.
Looking forward to being a good person, as well as making a lot of friends. I hope to teach english to children or young adults and make a difference. Thanks for the info!
>>1257978
Hahaha, right on man! Practice that Spanish amigo, its essential for our success!
Bump, para mas información.
Mexanon and former teacher here. You'll have a great time! Mexico city is probably the best place to live, look for the neighborhood of La Condesa o La Roma, or live in el centro if you want to avoid other expats. Berlitz is a good company, but you can make more in other places, I would stay with them for 6 months max while i look for other stuff once in Mex.
Sadly the best paid jobs are always in Mexico city, but if you get a nice executive teacher job (after just 6 months exp. probably) you can choose your own hours to work and make your schedule to get long weekends, I used to work monday to thursday and traveled friday to sunday. There's lots of nice towns around CDMX like Puebla or Querétaro, they r only a couple of hours away.
There is just so much to see! The people are mostly friendly but be advised, a lot will go after your money, especially street sellers.
Being white and tall is enough to get plenty of mexican girls, so you'll be fine there, especially if you already are an intermediate spaish speaker, either way Tinder helped a lot of my frieds lately.
Beaches, pyramids, old churches, mountains, volcanoes, peyote and magic mushrooms if you're into it.. so much to do and tell, drop me a line if you have any further questions. [email protected]
>>1258073
Sounds like a good plan, I'd only stay away from Tijuana. That place is awful.
>>1257379
Some teachers get extorted for money so be low-key
>>1257978
Where are you going to get a marble statue of David though?
>>1258562
Awesome stuff my good sir. If i can land a job in Mexico City i would defiantly be interested. Its just more expensive in that city, so I'm worried that making ends meet might be hard, this due to the fact i don't have teaching experience yet.
Love the advice of working for Berlitz for no more than six months and then looking for a better gig. I might start in a smaller mexican city then head over the Mexico City of Guadalajara after that.
I know right! Mexico literally has it all!
Thanks very much for the info!
>>1258566
Hahaha, yeah man! I gotta go further into the heart of the country para la historia! The historical sites down there are so underrated in my opinion.
>>1258645
Will do brotha. I plan on keeping a low profile, as low of a profile as i can at least. Don't want to draw the attention of the wrong crowd.
What kind of certs do I need in order to teach in mexico? Fluent in English and Spanish already
>>1257379
Hey, I'm actually transferring to CSULB in the fall, is there anything I should know about living there, parking, or anything?
>>1258853
You need a TEFL or CELT certificate. The vast majority of jobs require a degree, but some don't. i would recommend getting a degree though.
>>1258861
CSULB is a good school. Hated living in LA/Orange county though. There really is nothing special about long beach besides the cheap rent. Stay away from black people, they generally suck here.
If you don't buy the parking permit you can park on bellflower next to the school a lot of the time. You can take the bus for free with your student ID and the public transportation here is pretty good. Still, get wait to get the fuck out of here.
>>1258895
How would I fair with a 2 year community college degree, fluent in both languages plus those certs you mentioned
>>1259028
I have not moved down there yet, but i think you can land a job.
You CV will be far more competitive with a BA on it. The fact that your fluent in both languages is a huge plus. I hope english is your native language though, for this is very important for the vast majority of jobs around the world.
>>1257379
I half-did a training course for an english teaching outfit in Mexico City. After a week I discovered how deplorable the pay was (2.25/h week days, 3.50/h weekends), and that i would have to pay for my own work visa. Not worth it in that case.
Since you have a degree, why not go teach in Spain or Argentina?
>>1259380
I will be able to make a livable salary in Mexico or i won't take the job.
Well, both Argentina and Spain are great options, but i find them too expensive. Its harder to land a job in these countries as well without any work experience. The jobs are just limited.
Are narcos basically a fact of life in virtually ever single part of Mexico?
What other big cities/states are worth living in in this country besides the tree major cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterey?
hi OP. i currently am a rich faggot that owns alot of property in Guadalajara. i can tell you that it is great being an american there. however you exp might be different than mine. i am a us citizen and Mexican citizen and fluent in both languages English being my first. also i have hella mad money so i can drop stacks on ladies and drinks and for shits and giggles. my TLDR is dont move if you dont have money. Mexico is shit without money
>>1259984
Hahaha, right on man. These major cities like Guadalajara would be an awesome time, but i don't have teaching experience yet, so landing a decently paying job would be harder, not to mention the cost of living there is high in comparison to the rest of the country.
I think money is necessary to have fun in any country. I have 15k saved up, thats the best i can do after college, i think thats enough to make something happen.
>>1257916
>Why do you want to live here? don´t pls.
We've taken in literally tens of millions of your dirty rat people and you're gonna bitch about one guy moving there?
Take your own life soon.
>>1259988
OP i wish you luck if you are going to live in GDL live close to Andares Zapopan area. you can get and awesome two bed room condo for like 500.00 usd a month or less. dont rent a house rent a condo less cahnces of ur place being robbed. ill be there an august if you are teaching ill come by and see you and show you the 1% life GDL pic related homies ranch
>>1257833
>falling for bait this hard
>>1259984
Meh, Mexico is not that bad if you know where to look
>>1259984
Could you retire and live well with like $500M in savings?
>>1260041
Thanks for the info amigo! GDL would be simply amazing, it would be a jackpot if i land a job there, i heard the women are beautiful. But to be honest, there are beautiful women everywhere in that country.
Best thing about Mexican women is that their traditional, not like these Western women in the states that won't shut up with their "i am women, hear me roar!" bowl shit.
>>1257818
Sure he won't makes tons of money, but he'll be comfy and potentially drown in pussy.