BajaNomad - Greetings from China

Greetings from China

Bendrix11 - 6-11-2015 at 08:32 PM

Just a quick introduction, I am an ESL teacher currently working in China. Recently my good friend returned from his hometown of La Paz and got me seriously thinking about buying property and building a home there.

I am Australian and the idea of home ownership in my own country is but a distant dream, due to exhorberent property prices (unless you're willing to live out in the burbs) which I am not. Baja shares many similarities with Australia - great beaches, scenic deserts and relaxed, friendly people. I will visit La Paz early next year with my friend and hopefully buy a small lot.

So, the first of my many questions..
Will I be able to find an ESL gig? I have 5 years teaching experience and I dont mind travelling. My friend assures me this will not be a problem, but I would like to hear from someone who may have some first hand experience.

Thanks for reading, I look forward to your replies.

Bendrix11 - 6-11-2015 at 08:48 PM

Also, I have over 10 years experience playing guitar & bass guitar in various cover bands (bar bands) in Australia. Would I be able to pick up a regular gig in La Paz or surrounding areas?

(And sorry for the double post, Chinese internet can be a bit wacky at times)

BajaBlanca - 6-11-2015 at 09:41 PM

Hi! I teach ESL but one does not make enough to live off of....I do it because I am passionate about teaching and my husband has retirement benefits that cover our expenses.

Although I do NOT teach in La Paz, I think I can safely say that you should not depend on ESL for a livelihood- even college ESL professors don't make a decent living wage from what I hear.

As for music, universal and you should be able to find people to play with. Your main challenge will be to get legal to work - in my case, before I became a citizen, we opened a corporation.

Best of luck!

Bendrix11 - 6-11-2015 at 09:56 PM

Thanks for your reply, in my experience payment for bar bands I played with was usually handled off the books, that is to say "cash in hand" I assume many establishments in Baja operate in a similar fashion? But hey, I am happy to sing for my supper (as it were) :-)

Perhaps there are fellow musicians in Baja who can offer me some more info..

David K - 6-11-2015 at 10:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bendrix11

Thanks for your reply, in my experience payment for bar bands I played with was usually handled off the books, that is to say "cash in hand" I assume many establishments in Baja operate in a similar fashion? But hey, I am happy to sing for my supper (as it were) :-)

Perhaps there are fellow musicians in Baja who can offer me some more info..

In America, we use the term, "Under the table"... I don't know the Mexican equivalent, but in Spanish the words are "Bajo de la mesa". I am sure one of the fluent Mexican language Nomads will give us the phrase, if it is different!

Amazing

captkw - 6-12-2015 at 05:54 AM

The bankers have all the mice chaseing a small bit of cheese !! and have them paying to do it !! I Love it when I hear someone say my house/land/place...Question ? How many times a week do you hear someone..anyone say "Yep,,I just paid my house off ?? " your only here for what 75.6 yrs...You don't own it folks !! and your willing to spend you life slaving to a false fact of life that its yours.....Get a grip !! Have fun,,give to the planet...anyday your elbows don't hit pine,,is a good day on the up side of the green grass....no stupid reply's ...please...think about your short time here and how much you have had to slave to a BS system.....time for a MAJOR change for this planet....Crew member spaceship earth

[Edited on 6-12-2015 by captkw]

larryC - 6-12-2015 at 06:13 AM

Capt, Capt, Capt, are you off your meds again? Is the tide of life on the way out for you?

HI/Hola Larry

captkw - 6-12-2015 at 06:18 AM

I don't take meds or drugs..Just a bit smarter than most !! if you think you own a house/land that you spent your life for..thats your choice..no problem.......next time you walk thru a graveyard and think for a second,,,,you might get it...good day mate

Bendrix11 - 6-12-2015 at 06:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

I don't take meds or drugs..Just a bit smarter than most !! if you think you own a house/land that you spent your life for..thats your choice..no problem.......next time you walk thru a graveyard and think for a second,,,,you might get it...good day mate

Welcome to the land of the internet, where the motivations of a complete stranger can be conveniently summarised by a couple of postings. Great to see there is humour round' these here parts.

Like you, I also believe I'm smarter than most - always a joy to meet a fellow narcissist (you wouldn't be a musician by any chance?)

And as we like to say in Australia, I think you're barking up the wrong tree MATE.

David K - 6-12-2015 at 07:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bendrix11

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

I thought the phrase was: "A dingo ate your baby" ? :lol:

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 6-12-2015 at 07:45 AM

You will fit right in on this board, thick skin and a sense of humor is required.

Are you fluent in Spanish? How cool would it be to learn to speak Spanish with an Australian accent!

You might even pick up a few bucks teaching us Gringos (and Canadians) how to sound down under. A lot of us would like to be a little more exotic than we really are.

bajabuddha - 6-12-2015 at 07:53 AM

Welcome to Nomads, Bendrix. As with any web site, some tinfoil hats don't stay seated at all times....

You'll find that moving to Mexico and wanting to MAKE money are two opposing words; they (Gov't) wants you to spend it, not make it. They don't want foreigners coming in and taking away any kind of jobs a citizen can, so there are lots of hurdles and red tape. And, as with any 2nd world country, there are ways around most everything (nudge, nudge... wink-wink...) but time in Baja will show you the ropes. Keep it legit and there's a lot less hassles down the line, but you will find it quite complicated.

Far's investing, buying and building, you'll also hear a recurring theme that's iron-clad; do NOT invest in Mexico with whatever you cannot walk away from. Best advice: RENT first. Give it at least a year to learn the ropes, establish what you intended to (or not) and don't rush into anything. Take your time. As an international traveler you're no dummy, so i'm sure you have the 'third-eye' open and alert. Things are in kind of a flux in the La Paz area right now, so maybe another reason to go slowly.

Good luck in your endeavor.

shari - 6-12-2015 at 08:01 AM

Buen dia Bendrix...so nothing is impossible but if you plan to live & work in La Paz...be prepared to live very frugally which is a good thing to practice anyway. Many folks get by doing a variety of things like teaching, tutoring, playing music etc. To teach you will need to speak Spanish though to be realistic about it. You might find some tutoring gigs with people who already have some English skills.

Music you could probably make some beer money but be careful with immigration. La Paz is NOT cheap by any means so unless you have some money saved up to buy something...well...dream on. There are places for pretty cheap around if you look...in the smaller outlying areas.

For example a guy yesterday asked me to find him a buyer for his 2 bedroom house that is only 15 grande but is in the middle of town with no ocean view so deals are out there if you arent fussy.

I would hang out for awhile in Baja and talk to other expats in the area you want to live in before buying something to avoid disappointment later. Dont rush into it...there are alot of cultural twists that can foul you up especially if you want to work bajo el agua. You could buy something and get deported! I'm just sayin...

When I first moved here I did what I could to survive...and yes teachers are paid a very low salary so I made jewellery, tutored etc to make ends meet...but I was accustomed to a meagre existance.

Bendrix11 - 6-12-2015 at 08:28 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have been living in China for 5 years so I am no stranger to corruption/under-handed dealings and adapting to a new culture. I enjoy learning new languages and have become fluent in Chinese (a tonal based language, not easy to learn let alone master) I also studied Italian throughout the duration of my primary/secondary education, a language that shares many similarities with Spanish.

Of course property investment is a risky endeavour anywhere these days, I intend to spend a couple of months in country before I commit myself. My friends family currently live in La Paz so it is reassuring to know I have support/guidance when need be.

And sure, I can teach you guys Australian...for the modest sum of 100 USD an hour (or mates rates as we like to say in Aus :-)

Bendrix11 - 6-12-2015 at 08:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by Bendrix11

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

I thought the phrase was: "A dingo ate your baby" ? :lol:

We breed em' tough Down under, these days our babies eat dingo's (repercussions from our earlier Cur based embarrassments)

bajabuddha - 6-12-2015 at 08:59 AM

I remember a little of my Ausie-nese from when I briefly visited the Bondi Beach area in April of 1971 for a week...

"G'Day, mate! Oi'd loike a Beeee'. Naw warries! " Loved it, and the people. :coolup:

Bendrix11 - 6-12-2015 at 09:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha

I remember a little of my Ausie-nese from when I briefly visited the Bondi Beach area in April of 1971 for a week...

"G'Day, mate! Oi'd loike a Beeee'. Naw warries! " Loved it, and the people. :coolup:

Sounds about right, you could expect a similar welcome now days, we always enjoy having a chin-wag (chat) with our yank mates, you guys talk funny :-p

Alm - 6-12-2015 at 11:23 AM

Do some research on key word Odille. The scale of devastation and subsequent looting in La Paz was enormous.

Definitely you should rent for some length of time, before buying in Baja. Seems like a common sense to me.

[Edited on 6-12-2015 by Alm]

gnukid - 6-12-2015 at 11:38 AM

Not sure but I think Australians have different set of immigration rule than USA/Canada. It may be easier to get work visas.

There are many people who come to the region and work as guides on boats, sailing and work to teach a variety of classes, usually seasonally but many year round. There is a need for people to be responsible, manage properties for renters, restaurants, and provide services including teaching at the universities though it helps to have more than english teaching credentials for example, another degree.

While devastation was bad after Odile for some and the economy has taken a hit with deflation which is hard, this also represents an opportunity and a great time to buy and build with lower prices and better exchange rate. I would say this is a great time to start in La Paz. If one were to build a nice multiplex you could survive on that alone and enjoy playing music and teaching too.

La Paz has just begun a new era, the elections are done. People are strong and have come together as a community to resolve issues and move forward with local business as core focus.

[Edited on 6-13-2015 by gnukid]

bendrx11

captkw - 6-12-2015 at 10:09 PM

Hola,,don't understand your reply to me ?? as You yourself stated prop was Waaayy to much money..and I agreed..then larry post about meds and I replyed to him....Not you.....spent some time with folks from "Down under" and always had a blast !! and I run a catermaran boat..Ya know..Thinking The Great Barriar Reff is one of my last "Bucket List" after I sail thru NZ.. And Yes I used to play and teach 6 & 12 string...A Big Welcome to You..Can we hear about your life in china..that must be change of life for you...K&T

[Edited on 6-13-2015 by captkw]

[Edited on 6-13-2015 by captkw]

shari - 6-13-2015 at 07:54 AM

Gnukid...that is a good way to look at things...there are lots of opportunities in La Paz and like Auzzie pants says...he has a buddy so has support there which is important.

Bendrix11 - 6-14-2015 at 08:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

Hola,,don't understand your reply to me ?? as You yourself stated prop was Waaayy to much money..and I agreed..then larry post about meds and I replyed to him....Not you.....spent some time with folks from "Down under" and always had a blast !! and I run a catermaran boat..Ya know..Thinking The Great Barriar Reff is one of my last "Bucket List" after I sail thru NZ.. And Yes I used to play and teach 6 & 12 string...A Big Welcome to You..Can we hear about your life in china..that must be change of life for you...K&T

[Edited on 6-13-2015 by captkw]

[Edited on 6-13-2015 by captkw]

China....where to start..

The good:

- My job

I never considered teaching as a career but I find it allows me the opportunity to be creative (I left my job as a telecommunications warehouse manager in Australia when I was 30 to come here) I went from earning a decent wage and job security in favour of change and the opportunity to experience a new culture. 5 years later, and I am earning close to my salary in Australia (and now I only work 25 hours a week.

- The convenience of travel

I'm in a great location, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia etc are close and airfares are cheap. In places such as Thailand and the Phillipines, The Renminbi maintains relative strength.

- Affordability

The cost of everyday goods is super cheap, and dinner at a nice restaurant for 2 can be had for the meager sum of 25 USD (though western restaurants tend to be rather expensive)

The bad

Lack of empathy/compassion

- Just 5 mins ago, I heard a dog barking followed by screams of pain and anguish, I went out to my balcony and saw some flock head kicking & beating his dog in the apartment opposite (my blood is still boiling) This also extends to humans (particulary the young/old and weak) I could give a long list of examples based on my own observations.

- Pollution

Never used to bother me much, though now days it's starting to take it's toll. My family also has a history of heart disease.

- Face Culture

There is a tendency here to avoid responsibility and blame others for their own mistakes, no one wants to admit being wrong. People are alarmingly materialistic and ones stature can be judged by the car he drives, his mobile phone, house etc. Personally, this is in sharp contrast to my own beliefs (I must have hippy roots)

Unfortunatly, The bad is beginning to outweigh the good, hence my decision to pack my bags.

Bendrix11 - 6-14-2015 at 08:43 AM

http://www.chinasmack.com/2015/digest/sixth-grade-class-lead...

The children are our future

Stickers - 6-14-2015 at 10:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bendrix11

Quote: Originally posted by captkw

Very interesting and well stated. I feel we get very little straight information about real life in China.
Seems that short visits are intriguing, then reality surfaces and is not pretty. Like Cuba.

Mexico is better but has a few issues too -

I think you will love it in, or near La Paz. The East Cape and the Pacific side are both spectacular.

Go for it -

.

Katiejay99 - 6-15-2015 at 06:15 AM

Welcome to the board!

Shari answered the question of "under the table" and nobody picked up on it: "bajo el agua" (under the water).

I think you will find that Mexico resonates with you far more than China ever will. Of course there are all types here but the majority, in my opinion, are humble and non-materialistic (humble foreigners and locals alike). Not many people can afford to be but don't take that as a bad thing because I think the more people have to work for what they have the more they have in personal pride and self esteem. They just seem happier than everyone else. They are so full of life, living and happiness that they just don't have time to get in other peoples business or complain - it is what it is. (my favorite saying).

So, welcome again and if you find yourself in Todos Santos let me know.

SFandH - 6-15-2015 at 07:08 AM

Bendrix,

Judging by what you said about China, start packing your bags and get your butt to baja!! The only thing that everybody on this message board have in common is that we all love it. With good reason!

If you can afford it, I'd suggest you get to San Diego, CA first and buy a used van or small RV (easier to find in the US), then start your baja experience by driving to La Paz, stopping along the way to explore the peninsula. Lots of towns and beaches to visit and camping in a RV is no problem and a cheap way to go.

Ensenada might also have ESL job possibilities. It's a major city (for Baja) and I know that almost every Mexican family wants their children to learn English. Perhaps private tutoring, cash, jobs in the more affluent parts of town are available.

Check out the Mulege area, my favorite town and part of the peninsula.

DENNIS - 6-15-2015 at 08:27 AM

The problem with filling a need for ESL is, so many local Mexicans speak English from their exposure to the US. Many have lived there, or grown up with TV from the states.

Bendrix11 - 6-15-2015 at 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS

The problem with filling a need for ESL is, so many local Mexicans speak English from their exposure to the US. Many have lived there, or grown up with TV from the states.

Exactly.... that Chinese, though, that is a true asset.

Interesting..I hadn't considered that route. Is there are a large Chinese presence in Baja? It would be ironic if I travel half way around the world, only to find myself working for Chinese again..

Osprey - 6-16-2015 at 09:54 AM

Bendrix, you are welcome as the spring as we need your perspective, your attitude.

This forum is often like a few guys at a noisy bar -- in the real world they would all be talking at once; here, one post at a time.

We have some trollers. I'm a fisherman but sometimes I don't know if I'm the troller or the fish. Capt K makes me crazy with his imperious injunctions and broad brush thinking.

He wants us all to rent >> I don't think he knows about the tiny, shabby places in Paris, Tokyo and London for $10,000 a month just to be in the beehive. I don't think he knows the value of equity, of dominion. He does not see the incalculable value of trust deed possession.

Bizzillions of home owners (from the beginning) have died to have and to hold a little piece of land or homestead everywhere on the planet. How does he miss all that?

Somebody should take the brush away from him and burn it.

I like the Aussiespeak. I don't wish to speak like that. I wish I could speak like me a little better (well, a lot).

gnukid - 6-16-2015 at 10:20 AM

La Paz is a city with all the benefits and also the traffic. Surrounding cities provide excellent lifestyle too, like La Ventana and Los Barriles which are popular kitesurfing/windsurfing spots in fall/winter/spring and Todos Santos and San Jose which have some surf and milder weather. A camper can provide access to all of those and flexibility, especially a 4x4 cab over camper which you also could drive on the ferry and head south.

Bendrix11 - 6-17-2015 at 07:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Osprey

Bendrix, you are welcome as the spring as we need your perspective, your attitude.

This forum is often like a few guys at a noisy bar -- in the real world they would all be talking at once; here, one post at a time.

Good analogy, I'm sure if we were to meet over a couple brews IRL, we would all get along fine. BTW, what are the local beers like? My friend brought back some local Mezcal, nice stuff, very smooth :-)

Yes, house prices are on the rise everywhere, particulary here in China. To buy an apartment such as the one I'm living in now (180 sqm, 2 bdrm) you can expect to pay up to 10 000 USD. I'm sure it is possible to find a small decent lot for that price or around the La Paz area (going on the information given to me by my friend that is)

Building standards here are all also very questionable. I moved into a perfectly new apartment almost 3 years ago now and have been the sole occupant for the duration. In that mold and rot have spread throughout, the floor is warped and the walls are crumbling to pieces. I like the idea of earthbag homes, I would also gain great satisfaction from building my own place (couldn't do it any worse than the locals around here.

David K - 6-17-2015 at 08:07 AM

Mexican beer is wonderful... most crafted by German brew-masters over 100 years ago. One of the favorites with many Nomads is Pacifico, brewed in Mazatlan. Other's are Dos Equis (XX), Tecate, Bohemia, Victoria, and for the darker brews: Negra Modelo, Noche Bueno, XX Amber... along with a slew of micro breweries and excellent products. The Tijuana Brewery makes some fine varieties of beer.

Bendrix11 - 6-17-2015 at 08:19 AM

Great...now I feel like a beer, unfortunately The Chinese stuff is rubbish :-()
Another reason to leave. We Aussies take our beer seriously.

David K - 6-17-2015 at 08:36 AM

You will love Mexico, beer is a major food group there... along with fish tacos and shrimp ("prawn" in Oz) tacos!

Bendrix11 - 6-17-2015 at 08:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

You will love Mexico, beer is a major food group there... along with fish tacos and shrimp ("prawn" in Oz) tacos!

Sadly, I don't eat seafood (and yeah I know..I don't know what I'm missing out on, as everyone likes to remind me)

Genecag - 6-17-2015 at 08:52 AM

Hi Bendrix11,

I think you will enjoy La Paz very much. We choose La Paz as our home for retirement since it offers almost everything that we felt important for a good life: Easy going people, lower costs, beaches and fishing, golf and tennis, good food, decent health care, city that offers all the infrastructure yet retains the 'pubelo' feel with real pueblos near by.

I spent 1 to 2 weeks a month in China for about 8 years and would be nice to swap stories. We are in La Paz several times a year and when you get there send me a message and first few rounds of beers and tequila on me

David K - 6-17-2015 at 03:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bendrix11

Quote: Originally posted by David K

You will love Mexico, beer is a major food group there... along with fish tacos and shrimp ("prawn" in Oz) tacos!

Sadly, I don't eat seafood (and yeah I know..I don't know what I'm missing out on, as everyone likes to remind me)

No worries mate: carne asada (marinted beef), birria (lamb or beef soup/stew), carnitas (pork), borrego (lamb) and pollo (chicken) are all land animals that taste great with tortillas!

The two L's together make a Y sound in words like tortillas and pollo (tor-tee-yahs, poy-yo). You probably know the J in Spanish is like a hard H in English, Baja= Bah-HA.