I’m going to Mexico tomorrow, but only to lie on a beach and drink tequila, so I’m no help!

Where in Mexico are you going to live? What jobs can you do? Do you have a permit? How much are you planning on spending on rent? The most liveable places are the most expensive, and I need a little more detail to be able to help.
Ah, how’s your spanish?

Hey Jester, thanks for the reply.

My spanish is average, not good enough to have a deep conversation.. i will make sure i can speak well before i go though.

I was suggested to live around Cancun, Acapulco – that sort of region. What do you think?

How much I spend on rent would depend on how much I can earn while i’m there, if i’m able to even find a job. By jobs, i would be looking for basic work such as cleaning, working in a hostel – anything possible. I have done 2 years of a business degree but i don’t think this counts for anything. Any suggestions as to what i could do?

I’m from Sydney, Australia – A permit shouldn’t be a problem.

The basic idea Jester, is to live off what I can earn – if this is even possible. I have savings, but would prefer not to spend them.

I look forward to hearing from you..

I was just in Zihuateneo last week and even tho people I talked to said there were very few jobs there were help wanted signs on retail store fronts and restraunts all over the place! I assume they don’t pay well and I don’t know how likely they are to hire foreigners. I know some ppl living there who do promotion (hand out fliers and talk places up to tourists) in exchange for food and an occasional bar shift (off the records)and they share a nice house a couple blocks off the beach for $3500 pesos a month. Hotel rooms there are around 200pesos and the hostel is just under half that.

It’s been a couple years since I have visited the Yucatan area but I had rented a private bungalo with an ocean view (looking thrue someone elses yard) in Playa Del Carmen super cheap (under $20 a night). It wasn’t lugit…..just a residence with a 2 bungalows outside the main houshold and a room for rent sign on the gate but it was very pleasant. There are/were also cheap bungalows ON the beach in the Tulum area or camping on the beach (my fav. was Don Armondos). I don’t know much about getting jobs. I know someone who got a good job on Cozumel scuba diving, or teaching but he had all kinds of experience allready. Good Luck! (Have you been checking Mexican Message boards? You may find some good networking points)

Acapulco sucks, and from what I have been told, Cancun does as well. At least touristy Cancun. I’ve never been there, but a lot of people from Mexico City go to work there because the money is good. A lot of them work at bars or clubs, and the salaries suck, but the tips are awesome from what I have heard. I’m guessing you might find a cheaper place in old Cancun, the town, not the tourist area and find a job at the touristy places. From what I have been told, you can earn about 7-12 thousand pesos a month working at a bar, and pay a 5000 rent, but let me speak to a friend that lived there for 3 years.