Gorgeous Young Blonde Looking For Trabajo!!

[HammieJ]

Hello! I am just short of 23 years old, and I'm from New Jersey, USA. I love Cancun so much and would love to make it my home. I am very outgoing and English is my main language. I took 7 years of Spanish class and live in a predominantly Puerto Rican City. I would say I'm semi-fluent, but trying to learn more. I am looking for work that has decent pay. I'm not sure of what the wages are like in Mexico.... or even what the cost of living is. I wouldn't mind working at a hotel(check-in, concierge, entertainment staff, hotel shops, etc) or even with an outside company selling wristbands or passes to nightclubs. I am not skinny enough to be a dancer or anything like that, but I'm very outgoing and friendly. In the united states I'm an EMT(Emergency Medical Technician), so I am CPR certified if someone needed a lifeguard. I wouldn't mind working at Aquaworld, or one of their hotel locations, or even an outside travel company like applevacations or such.
If interested please message me on here!
Thank you So much!

[justjimmy]

Hate to burst your bubbles, oops bubble. You would not likely land any of the jobs you mentioned. If a Mexican can do the job they wouldn't give it to an American.

Jimmy

[RiverGirl]

Can you teach English or sell timeshare? Those are the jobs that you are likely to get permission from immigration for.

I think you might benefit from doing a search of the archive of this forum. Lots of people have asked these questions before. There's lots of great info in the archive about jobs, cost of living and the pain and agony of Mexican Immigration.

[Elizabeth]

Attn. Steve Coker

[matkirk]

There's an American working as a bartender in Pat o' Briens Jimmy and I know others working at kids clubs in hotels - people do get lucky...not saying its easy, but its not impossible. Like RiverGirl says check the previous posts (bring plenty of money!) Look on computrabajo.com.mx, contact apple, dolphin discovery, look for rep jobs with the travel companies here, send me your CV as i work for a travel company that employs foreigners.

Pay heed to the less positive posts but if you really want something you can usually get it, right??

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by matkirk

There's an American working as a bartender in Pat o' Briens Jimmy and I know others working at kids clubs in hotels - people do get lucky...not saying its easy, but its not impossible. Like RiverGirl says check the previous posts (bring plenty of money!) Look on computrabajo.com.mx, contact apple, dolphin discovery, look for rep jobs with the travel companies here, send me your CV as i work for a travel company that employs foreigners.

Pay heed to the less positive posts but if you really want something you can usually get it, right??

true! What is a cv? hehe, that would be nice but I don't have a lot of money to bring How much does the average job in mexico pay? What about the average cost of living for a rental and monthly bus pass? They said to search on here but i search "pay" and "cost of living" and didnt find anything. I did find things on the fm3 though.

[RiverGirl]

Landing to the left end of the bell curve per chance? A CV is a Curriculum Vitae, better known in the US as a Résumé:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum_vitae

If you don't have 6 months worth of savings when you move here you will not make it here. Save as much as you can before you make the move. To live in Cancun downtown comfortably (but not travel) you probably need at least $2000 USD per month. Most people here don't make that much unless they own their own business or have been with a company for quite a while.

[gbchayctca]

I lived on approx. $1000-1200 USD a month. My house cost $300 per month and was in an excellent location (Av Chichen and La Costa), but I looked high and low for a place to live for a while before scoring that.

I never went out in the Hotel Zone (never really wanted to, but also didn't have the money).

There is NO way I would have survived in Cancun without two things in my favor: I speak Spanish fluently and I arrived with savings for about 3 or 4 months. And I had a healthy respect for the fact that Cancun is in a foreign country, though many things there approximated what I was used to in the States compared to other places that I've lived in and visited.

[BVG_Steve]

I know the young lady who works in our admin office for the hoa is computer literate, speaks very good english etc, she makes 9500 pesos per month. The security supervisor who works 6x12 hour days speaks very good english and he makes 3300 pesos bi-weekly.

wages are not good from what I can see

[elleboogs]

When I was younger I got a job working for a few different american tour agencies in Cancun which ultimitaley landed me with mtv. Springbreak/Summer break is when I was doing the sorts of things you described, but no selling. Usually they just have you walk around (hotel to hotel, beach to beach, etc...). Basically, wherever you aren't going to get kicked out of, and they have you "promote" the venue for that evening. It was very easy, but I can tell you that you have no life outside of work! You are also expected to work the venues that night too. I was young and didn't care!!! LOL. I was paid cash, sometimes pesos, sometimes USD (all the companies did that). I believe it was 5000 pesos weekly. The men made more. However, we didn't have any rent to pay, nor did we have to pay for food at certain restaurants. Oh and all the alcohol was free. So really - what did I have to spend my money on?? Propinas and Taxis!!!

Anyways, good luck!!!

[T.J.]

HammieJ

I could use a little mouth to mouth from time to time. Oops, there I am getting bad again.

But I am in Cancun.

[Cancun Couple]

Hi Hammi,

My wife and I live in Cancun, and have for a year now. We have been in Mexico for a total of 4.

If you plan to move here, I would advise you to do a trial move. First off, you need to look into getting your FM3. You can get that in the Mexican Embassy in the city where you live. They have criteria, so read it, and make sure you can produce the documents that you need.

Once you have an FM3. Then you can come down for a trial visit of 4 to 6 months. If you can manage to get a WORKING FM3( I believe you need corporate sponsorship ) good for you, but I would count on only getting a living one.

One of the reasons for a trial move, and by that I mean bring your clothes and survival things and that's it, is because you may NOT like the loss of some of the things you have in the states. For instance, you can get a high speed connection, but it AINT that high speed. If you need a new computer, well it just MIGHT be in spanish, unless you dont mind a trip to either Florida or Mexico city to get one in english.

Getting a Job here will Number 1 not be easy, and number 2 will hardly EVER pay what you are used to. ON top of that, even with the BEST paying jobs, it is NOT cheap to live in Cancun. In fact, Cancun has been listed as one of the TOP 5 most expensive places in Mexico to live. TRUST ME I AM NOT TRYING TO TALK YOU OUT OF MOVING HERE. WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT FACE On the streets from time to time

While most things are in general cheaper here some are more expensive. If you have a taste for milk and purchase by the gallon it will cost you 7$ in wall mart. However on average beef is half the price. But at the same time, we are paying 2.86 or so per gallon of gas.

The interest rate for a bank loan here is on average of 12 to 15 % or more so it makes buying a car here a bit expensive. Good thing is, taxis are cheap and buses are plenty.


If after reading this, you are still interested in the move, Please be careful keep your eyes open, and be smart. You can have lots of fun and a great life here, But you can also lose your BOTTOM in more ways than one.


If you decide to do the trail or just jump in head first I "MIGHT" be able to help you with a part time job. PM me to discuss it. But it wont pay what you are used to in the states.

[RiverGirl]

I STILL bring shampoo back from the US as I can't find shampoo here that I like without paying 4 x too much for it. And shoes? I can't find normal everyday shoes here. And clothes, I rarely buy any clothes here, the quality is low and the prices are high and the styles are for people who like everything too tight. My running shoes get brought in from the US. Books, I lug those back from the US. And vitamins? I can only find low quality vits here.

And don't think you can just order the things you need over the internet and have things shipped here. The shipping charges will kill you and Customs may well make trouble too. Living in Mexico basically means giving up on lots of creature comforts. But it's not all bad, it makes it cheaper to live here when you can't find half the stuff you need...

[johndish]

For the vast majority of people giving up life in the states and moving to Mexico is much more dream than reality. I was lucky I had a job that was paid by a u.s. employer at u.s. wages and life was still not easy.

I moved to Cancun basically blind on a job transfer and there is a very large culture shock to be had additionally the infrastructure is terrible, the traffic terrible, but, the people great.

the poverty is tremendous, the crime is real, the litter/trash everywhere is real. but, life is what you make of it. I had a great life in Cancun and normally the positives outweighed the negatives.

what you get is somewhat dependant on what you expect....

[Dougout]

The amount and quality of the advice posted on this topic is amazing. Everyone please pat yourself on the back!!!!!!! Very impressive. :!:

[rawkus]

HammieJ: If you take time you can find cheaper houses/flats in centro. We pay 3500 MXP/month(inculdes gas, water and electricity) for a flat on Coba - Bonampak(across the street from Plaza Nayandei)

For jobs I would check Novedades and www.computrabajo.com.mx.

However, I had the most luck with just pribnting a whole heap of CV`s/resumes and taking a day to hand them to HR at all the different places that interested me. Worked out sweet!

[Cancun Couple]

Originally Posted by RiverGirl

I STILL bring shampoo back from the US as I can't find shampoo here that I like without paying 4 x too much for it. And shoes? I can't find normal everyday shoes here. And clothes, I rarely buy any clothes here, the quality is low and the prices are high and the styles are for people who like everything too tight. My running shoes get brought in from the US. Books, I lug those back from the US. And vitamins? I can only find low quality vits here.

And don't think you can just order the things you need over the internet and have things shipped here. The shipping charges will kill you and Customs may well make trouble too. Living in Mexico basically means giving up on lots of creature comforts. But it's not all bad, it makes it cheaper to live here when you can't find half the stuff you need...

Unless you are buying custom made shampoo then you need to check some of the GROCERY stores. They have the MAJOR brands and there is NO DIFFERENCE.

As for Shoes, Tennis shoes Running shoes?? Try checking La Isla Mall.. Got a great pair of New Balance Running shoes the other day for 39.99. Would have paid 100 or more in the US.

Clothes are a little pricey here but not unbearably so. You can shop in Liverpool or Sears or even some of the smaller shops in like Cancun Paseo Mall.

Vitamins. Try GNC. its the same.

Shipping things in is WAY too costly to be worth it. the Tax or the cost of the box size is usually more than the items.

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by Cancun Couple

Unless you are buying custom made shampoo then you need to check some of the GROCERY stores. They have the MAJOR brands and there is NO DIFFERENCE.

As for Shoes, Tennis shoes Running shoes?? Try checking La Isla Mall.. Got a great pair of New Balance Running shoes the other day for 39.99. Would have paid 100 or more in the US.

Clothes are a little pricey here but not unbearably so. You can shop in Liverpool or Sears or even some of the smaller shops in like Cancun Paseo Mall.

Vitamins. Try GNC. its the same.

Shipping things in is WAY too costly to be worth it. the Tax or the cost of the box size is usually more than the items.

oh wow... well i rarely wear sneakers but i have about 20 pairs here anyway that i could bring with me. I sure as heck DONT take vitamins, lol.... and i rarely buy anything to be shipped(although i hear its quite addicting and I'm sure I would get addicted to it quickly)

I have lots of clothes... but I know walmart has shirts like 5-7 bucks each. So ill be fine.

I was wondering if Mexico has taxes? Like property tax and income tax, sales tax etc. Do they sell Peugeot in Mexico?

[Cancun Couple]

Originally Posted by HammieJ

oh wow... well i rarely wear sneakers but i have about 20 pairs here anyway that i could bring with me. I sure as heck DONT take vitamins, lol.... and i rarely buy anything to be shipped(although i hear its quite addicting and I'm sure I would get addicted to it quickly)

I have lots of clothes... but I know walmart has shirts like 5-7 bucks each. So ill be fine.

I was wondering if Mexico has taxes? Like property tax and income tax, sales tax etc. Do they sell Peugeot in Mexico?

Yes they have taxes if you own a home or business. And I believe there is an income tax. You are from the US so you have to pay them taxes as well.

There is a nice Peugeot place right across the street from the main Wal Mart so that way you can grab a T on your way to get a new car.

Like I said before the best way and ONLY way to know if living in Mexico is for you, is to come and visit for about 4 to 6 months.

[RiverGirl]

Unless you are buying custom made shampoo then you need to check some of the GROCERY stores. They have the MAJOR brands and there is NO DIFFERENCE.

Yes, there is a difference, there's a big difference. Just ask my hair! The salons here have some of the good shampoos but the prices are often two or three times what I pay in the US for the same brand.

As for Shoes, Tennis shoes Running shoes?? Try checking La Isla Mall.. Got a great pair of New Balance Running shoes the other day for 39.99. Would have paid 100 or more in the US.

Saucony Shadow 6000, not found in Mexico, I've been running in them for 15 years without a single injury, I'm not going to stop now. As for other daily wear shoes, the shoes I've bought have here begun to fall apart after just a few wearings. And don't think I haven't called every girlfriend I have here asking where to buy shoes...they all agree...buy them in the US...If you find shoes here that you like then I imagine you have different taste that I do, lucky you.

Clothes are a little pricey here but not unbearably so. You can shop in Liverpool or Sears or even some of the smaller shops in like Cancun Paseo Mall.

The main problem is I don't like the clothes here. The clothes here are often slutty and meant to be worn tight, as evidenced by all the fat women here who wear clothes so tight that you can see every roll of fat they have. I like styles I can't find here at prices I can't find here. I don't want to overpay for poor quality clothes that I think are ugly.

Vitamins. Try GNC. its the same.

GNC is expensive and by my standards their vitamins are not the best quality. Whole Foods or Wild Oats sell better vitamins. I want to find "whole-food" vitamins, preferably with organic ingredients.

I know, I'm a princess...but I like what I like and much of it is hard to find here.

[cunspin]

This entire thread is making me laugh....

[gbchayctca]

Why would you have 20 pairs of sneakers if you rarely wear them? Just sayin....

Even after living in Cancun for several years, I did much of my shopping when I returned to the States. Especially for clothes. I'm not going to spend the $$$$ on clothes at Liverpool or Sears when I can get equal quality in styles I like for a better price. The one store I loved to shop in is no longer in Cancun...Blue Jeans.

While I'm perfectly happy using Caprice, I know people who need to use specific and expensive shampoos because if they didn't, their hair would look terrible and they wouldn't feel as wonderful as they normally do.

While I adored Steve Coker's insightful questions and accurate answers about life in Cancun (WhoooHooooooooo!!!!), I can't help but thinking that HammieJ is a flippin' MASTER at Coker's game.

[cunspin]

Thats why I am laughing its like "Howie did it " online.

[RiverGirl]

I can't decide if this thread is making me sick or if it is funny...are we getting along or are we having a cat fight here?

There are a whole bunch of regular posters who I know are reading this with amusement but are (wisely) holding back from sticking their proverbial feet in the proverbial poop that is this thread.

Perhaps there are vastly different personalities posting here, people who might not get along in real life b/c we have nothing in common...you are the people my mother warned me about...well, some of you...

[T.J.]

Come on RG. Don't be talkin about Spin that way.

Funny but I never have seen a slutty fat woman. I guess I am too busy looking at the slutty less than fat ones.

[Jim in Cancun]

Well, RG, I am one of those who is just watching and waiting to see how much is for real and how much is "fluff" and how serious some of the comments are or if we are all just "joshin'."

HammieJ may be confused by some of this "insider" chatter (if she is real of course) and she certainly looks better than Steve Coker(sorry John!) and as for "real" I will let others make the comments on that.

Assuming she is for real, even if she isn't but I think she is, she certainly expresses a lot of things that a lot of wannabes express. So to HammieJ:

1.- Here is one of the stickies on this websitehttp://www.cancuncare.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27250

2.- Since everyone has been taking the negative or realistic tack with her, I will first take the more positive. Go for it! A dream only costs one thing!! Everything!!

3.- Saying that, it is an extremely small percentage of people who come to Cancun to live who make it for a year and an even smaller percentage that make it for 3 years. It is not easy unless you are ready, willing and able to forget everything you have learned, learn something new and change everything: money, language, food, customs, jobs, friends, transportations methods, etc. etc.

4.- But let's not make a life decision. As many said, come here for a while and if it works, it works and if it doesn't, you will have learned and had a great experience doing it!!

[justjimmy]

Hey RG

Isn't there a Famous Footware in Cancun. That would solve one problem :lol:

And I have a solution to your shampoo situation. Go into some of the better hotels like JW and Ritz. When houskeeping isn't looking, raid the cart, I'm sure they have quality products. And while at it, for Christmas gifts, 4 words.
SHOWER CAPS FOR EVERYONE! :lotsofmichaelf:

Jimmy

[RiverGirl]

And I have a solution to your shampoo situation. Go into some of the better hotels like JW and Ritz. When houskeeping isn't looking, raid the cart, I'm sure they have quality products.

I'm there...got my ninja outfit ready and everything.

And JiminCancun - I wasn't pressuring anyone to post...it's just that I'm getting off-board messages from a whole bunch posters who are all watching this thread with some kind of morbid curiosity (I feel for them I really do).

That said, your advice is sound...and well, put...as always...

And TJ...you haven't met Cunspin but she's quite decidedly not one of the poor dressers of which I spoke, quite the opposite, that woman works out more than anyone I know and has good taste.

[B & B]

Originally Posted by RiverGirl

Landing to the left end of the bell curve per chance?

I have been reading this post and I must say that this is one of the best quotes I have ever read.

If you are on the left side of the curve it goes over your head (around the bell), but if you are on top of the bell or to the right side of it and it is zinged at you, it would be quite the affront.

I haven't seen a response so the zing must have hit on the left side.

[cunspin]

Thankyou RG I also agree about the "Left end of the bell curve"
I had not visited in well over a month and yesterday found this thread to be quite entertaining in a sad way if you think about it.