14 replies to this topic

[pawprint76]

Hi, everyone. This seems like a great message board. I'm looking to make a permanent move to Mexico (not sure where) in the next year. I hope to be south of the border by January of 2011; when it gets super-cold here in Ohio. Some of my reasons include; disenchantment with corporate America, hate the cold, want a slower and more enjoyable pace in life, love adventure and culture, and a lower cost of living. Everyone here is so very helpful, and I hope I can give back as much as I've learned.

[Cyanide41]

Hi, everyone. This seems like a great message board. I'm looking to make a permanent move to Mexico (not sure where) in the next year. I hope to be south of the border by January of 2011; when it gets super-cold here in Ohio. Some of my reasons include; disenchantment with corporate America, hate the cold, want a slower and more enjoyable pace in life, love adventure and culture, and a lower cost of living. Everyone here is so very helpful, and I hope I can give back as much as I've learned.

Welcome Paw print. Personally I think that TJ is one of the less attractive locations in Mexico. I think most of the expats who are there, live there because they need to be close to the US. If you don't have that requirement, there are alot better locations that sound like they would meet your needs.

[Buen Amigo]

I agree with CY.

Most of us here in TJ are in TJ, because we eather have to cross to work in the U.S. If i did not have to cross, and could work from home i would be closer to the ocean. Don't know where exactly, but there are many nice ocean areas at great prices. But TJ has it perks, and you make of it what you can. look at the positivies. If you look at it negatively, then obviously you will not like it.

But welcome aboard, many members here will help you out with what you are looking for. Or at least point you in the right direction.

[pawprint76]

I agree with CY.

Most of us here in TJ are in TJ, because we eather have to cross to work in the U.S. If i did not have to cross, and could work from home i would be closer to the ocean. Don't know where exactly, but there are many nice ocean areas at great prices. But TJ has it perks, and you make of it what you can. look at the positivies. If you look at it negatively, then obviously you will not like it.

But welcome aboard, many members here will help you out with what you are looking for. Or at least point you in the right direction.

Hi, Cyanide41 and Buen Amigo, thanks for your replies. I appreciate your feedback and opinions of TJ. My family and I can meet our needs in other parts of Mexico. I agree, Buen Amigo, that ocean side is more desirable. My husband receives SSDI, so that’s at least one financial constant we have. My goal in Mexico is to teach English as a Second Language. I just have to earn a certificate and find an internship until someone deems me worthy enough to pay me.

I’m very excited about the adventures of Mexico. Thanks again for your valuable input. This message board definitely is a friendly bunch.

[George Costanza]

Welcome to the forum Pawprint!

[pawprint76]

Welcome to the forum Pawprint!

Thanks, George

[sugarpaws]

Hi, Cyanide41 and Buen Amigo, thanks for your replies. I appreciate your feedback and opinions of TJ. My family and I can meet our needs in other parts of Mexico. I agree, Buen Amigo, that ocean side is more desirable. My husband receives SSDI, so that’s at least one financial constant we have. My goal in Mexico is to teach English as a Second Language. I just have to earn a certificate and find an internship until someone deems me worthy enough to pay me.

I’m very excited about the adventures of Mexico. Thanks again for your valuable input. This message board definitely is a friendly bunch.

Hi Pawprint! Welcome! I also agree with my fellow bloggers in regards to TJ. I do have a question for you though...
I am happy that you and your family can meet your needs in other parts of Mexico as we all agree that there are some very desirable areas, but, because your husband recieves SSDI will he not have to pick up the monthly check at a U.S. address or willa friend or family member forward it to him. If that is the case I guess that the check will go thru your US bank account to be cashed.. I am only saying this because maybe you do not realize that you cannot live in another country and still collect SSDI as far as I have heard, therefore they will not mail it here. Maybe it has changed but I am not aware that it has. Just something for you to set up before you move.I do not want you to get stuck.

[pawprint76]

Hi Pawprint! Welcome! I also agree with my fellow bloggers in regards to TJ. I do have a question for you though...
I am happy that you and your family can meet your needs in other parts of Mexico as we all agree that there are some very desirable areas, but, because your husband recieves SSDI will he not have to pick up the monthly check at a U.S. address or willa friend or family member forward it to him. If that is the case I guess that the check will go thru your US bank account to be cashed.. I am only saying this because maybe you do not realize that you cannot live in another country and still collect SSDI as far as I have heard, therefore they will not mail it here. Maybe it has changed but I am not aware that it has. Just something for you to set up before you move.I do not want you to get stuck.

Hi, Sugarpaws! Thanks for your reply. I also appreciate your concern over the SSDI issue. I was afraid of the same thing when I first began to research living abroad. It is funny because we first researched living in Cuba. As you will read below, that’s a no-no for the US Government! I found this information on Social Security’s website: http://www.socialsec....html#countries

Social Security won’t send payments to specific countries. These are North Korea, Cuba, Cambodia, Vietnam, and areas that were in the former Soviet Union (this does not include Armenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia). There are ways around the aforementioned, and it sounds like it would require some work on behalf of the recipient. The SSA doesn’t have issues with depositing the SSDI funds into a Mexican bank. I wouldn’t trust the US Postal Service, let alone any other mail service, to get my husband’s check to him. Direct deposit is the way to go.

[jonerich]

Welcome to the Board!!! I also Teach ESL classes Good Luck You will find tons of useful information here: Read it!! Learn it!! Live It!! (from the Movie Fast Times at Rigemont High)

[pawprint76]

Welcome to the Board!!! I also Teach ESL classes Good Luck You will find tons of useful information here: Read it!! Learn it!! Live It!! (from the Movie Fast Times at Rigemont High)

Hi, Jonerich! Thanks for the welcome! Where do you teach ESL, how long have you been doing it, and where did you get started? I’m not yet teaching ESL. I am still researching programs to find the best one. I’m leaning towards an online program, and then fulfilling the internship once I get to Mexico. Any thoughts/advice on that? I’ve looked at immersion programs like ITTO in Guadalajara. It seems like an awesome program, though I can’t leave my husband and kids for a whole month. If they came with me, it would be like Battle Royale in the hotel room! To boot, the program is rather expensive.

I’ve read lots of message board posts, and gathered valuable info here and there. If you could enlighten me with your experiences, thoughts, opinions and advice, I would appreciate it!

[otayBill]

Welcome pawprint76,

There are lots of Americans down living down here on SSDI.

[jonerich]

Hello, I have taught in Asia Thailand mostly and will go again May. (Cant wait).I also took a online course from here:TEFL. The Class is 120 hrs and it was 1500.00 bucks, I know ouch!!!! This is really nothing when you look at The Bigger Picture. This is a well recognized school in the industry and have students working all over the world. I had no problem getting hired when I Finished Multiple Offers in fact. My first trip out and at a good rate 60000 a month (baht) U.S 1900 4 days 8:30 to 4:00 then figure your lesson plan for next day 45min but cost of living is cheap and at the end of the day a good wage for traveling the world and teaching your Native tongue. I also have a 4 year degree and prior Teaching experience but its medical related. They do require you have a Degree (in Anything) in specific countries. You will be OK in Mexico with just a TEFL (You might not even need this) if you can do it this will put you on the higher end of the pay scale and will put you at a great advantage to someone without it. As far as wages go check the other thread I linked to it was discussed.There are a couple of schools in Tijuana where they will train you and let you loose to teach!!!!! Muhahahaha . There is a BM here (C-Low) thats doing this now she will probably chime in soon when she see this thread. This is the Link:thread. I didn't get the Specific School and don't blame her for not revealing the name because it is a Luxury to have a job in TJ for one and not having to deal with the Boarder everyday of your life. I wouldn't tell you either . But this is a school that I found you could look into it:Berlitz as they will train you. And last Time I checked had Openings. Here is a Map to the one in TJ.


Best Regards

[pawprint76]

Welcome pawprint76,

There are lots of Americans down living down here on SSDI.

Hi OtayBill! Thanks for the welcome! It's certainly obvious why so many Americans on SSDI choose to live in Mexico. A person on SSDI can't possibly live in anything above squalor in the U.S.

[pawprint76]

Hello, I have taught in Asia Thailand mostly and will go again May. (Cant wait).I also took a online course from here:TEFL. The Class is 120 hrs and it was 1500.00 bucks, I know ouch!!!! This is really nothing when you look at The Bigger Picture. This is a well recognized school in the industry and have students working all over the world. I had no problem getting hired when I Finished Multiple Offers in fact. My first trip out and at a good rate 60000 a month (baht) U.S 1900 4 days 8:30 to 4:00 then figure your lesson plan for next day 45min but cost of living is cheap and at the end of the day a good wage for traveling the world and teaching your Native tongue. I also have a 4 year degree and prior Teaching experience but its medical related. They do require you have a Degree (in Anything) in specific countries. You will be OK in Mexico with just a TEFL (You might not even need this) if you can do it this will put you on the higher end of the pay scale and will put you at a great advantage to someone without it. As far as wages go check the other thread I linked to it was discussed.There are a couple of schools in Tijuana where they will train you and let you loose to teach!!!!! Muhahahaha . There is a BM here (C-Low) thats doing this now she will probably chime in soon when she see this thread. This is the Link:thread. I didn't get the Specific School and don't blame her for not revealing the name because it is a Luxury to have a job in TJ for one and not having to deal with the Boarder everyday of your life. I wouldn't tell you either . But this is a school that I found you could look into it:Berlitz as they will train you. And last Time I checked had Openings. Here is a Map to the one in TJ.


Best Regards

Sweet! Thanks for all the info, and your feedback. I checked out Berlitz and they have on-line teaching opportunities. I'll apply and see what happens. I don't particularly want to sit around like a potato with on-line courses. I'd rather be in Mexico hanging with the locals, eating the food, dancing the dances and marching to my own drum

Thanks again!

[C-Lo]

Hi and welcome fellow Buckeye! I picked TJ because of it's location to the border, but either Guadalajara or Monterrey would have been my second choice. This blog has been and awesome source of information for me. Good luck in your new adventure!