Moving to Cancun

[rachelen]

Hello all!

Firstly to introduce myself (seeing as I am new to the forum). My name is Rachel and I am originally from London. Just a quick message to say I am moving to Cancun on the 19th of October, it would be great to get to know some of the English speaking residents of the city. Are there any social activities that I can get involved in where I will have the chance to meet people?

Thanks,
Rachel

[Steve]

Welcome to the forum Rachel.

There are lots of English speaking expats in Cancun, quite a few of us Brits too. We are quite a sociable bunch generally, but I suppose it depends a little on age and interests etc.

May I ask what made you to decide to move to Cancun and what plans do you have once you are here?

[rachelen]

Thanks Steve!

Sorry it's taken me a while to reply, as you can imagine I have a long list of things to sort out before I go next week!

I'm 24 and I am a graduate of languages so the idea of living abroad has always appealed to me (I've spent time living in both Madrid and Colombia). I've always wanted to get to know Mexico and I chose Cancun mainly because it seemed to have less problems than other parts of the country and I figured there would be a high percentage of jobs available that required English. I have talked about moving to Mexico for quite some time now so I've finally decided I should just go for it! I'm giving myself a few months to find a job to see if I can make it a permanent move-I've already got a few interviews lined up and if I don't have much success I'm going to return to England (a return flight was cheaper than a one way flight so it seemed silly not to book it). I've done quite a lot of research so I'm hoping it will all work out, like I said it would be great to make some friends and meet some of the English speaking inhabitants. I'm pretty easy going and like a nice social drink every now and again/watching sports, nothing too crazy

Rachel

[T.J.]

La Taberna, a sports bar on Av. Yaxchilan, is a good place to meet other ex pats on Friday nights. You will be younger than most but last night there were at least 3 people there in their 20's and it goes onward and upward from there.

I think many of us would recommend that, since you want to live here, that you do not stay in the Hotel Zone and actually that you force yourself to go there as little as possible. The HZ is not that representative of life in Cancun and the costs will suck your money up about twice as fast as a life downtown.

If you see posts on this board you can send Private Messages to get detailed info on specific questions that you might not want to ask on the board. Most of the regulars are more than happy to help.

Maybe we will see you on Friday the 28th. Let us or me know and we will be on the lookout for you and tell you how to find us. A few early birds show up before 8 pm. I am more of a 10:00 or later arrival.

[V]

There's plenty of people on this forum that would be more than happy to help you quickly find a way to get set up, here. Gringation is my covergirl for making a successful transition to living in Cancun, and she's nearer your age; but everyone of us regular posters has managed to find a niche for ourselves here, and a life worth following for a while.

A small celebratory gesture surely is in order, there!


I suppose it helps if you have some financial depth when you arrive, so that you have time to get your bearings before making any big decisions; but, the mere fact that you bought a return ticket shows a certain sensibleness that bodes well!

And, T.J., since she's arriving on the 19th, why couldn't she go to La Taberna on the 21st, which would be the first Friday she'd be in town?

Steve, what have you and Janet got cooked up for that time frame? (My apologies to Janet for my state when we last saw each other, as the visit to La Taberna for us that night was not planned, and was a product of a last minute appeal from T.J. to attend. Your wife is such a nice, intelligent lady, I was a bit nonplussed that I couldn't reciprocate, in my sorry condition. As for any impression I may have made on you and Mat I, of course, need make no apologies....)
______________________

[Steve]

Rachel, it sounds like you have the right expectations. Enough funds to last a while without the need for a job, and an escape plan if needed. It is tough to get jobs here - even as an English speaker, at least jobs that pay anything decent. I think though you may end up finding your Spanish may help you more than your English.

Originally Posted by V

Steve, what have you and Janet got cooked up for that time frame?

The 19th I have a boobs cruise over to Isla Mujeres with 65 people from the Temptation Forum, just hoping the weather improves before then.

20th is my birthday (45th), was hoping for a weekend away just the two of us, but due to two small ones and an uncooperative Mother in Law I don't think that will happen. Our last weekend away alone sans kids was for my 40th five years ago. Maybe we'll do a family hotel for the weekend and be in bed by 8 pm as usual.

Originally Posted by V

(My apologies to Janet for my state when we last saw each other, as the visit to La Taberna for us that night was not planned, and was a product of a last minute appeal from T.J. to attend. Your wife is such a nice, intelligent lady, I was a bit nonplussed that I couldn't reciprocate, in my sorry condition. As for any impression I may have made on you and Mat I, of course, need make no apologies....)

No apology necessary. I don't think we even noticed that you were "a bit messy" - as we say. You should try coming out with Mat and I one night and see what "messy" is really all about. Hey Rachel we could probably lead you astray too.

[ToriB]

Originally Posted by Steve

20th is my birthday (45th), was hoping for a weekend away just the two of us, but due to two small ones and an uncooperative Mother in Law I don't think that will happen. Our last weekend away alone sans kids was for my 40th five years ago. Maybe we'll do a family hotel for the weekend and be in bed by 8 pm as usual.

Most of the family spots have babysitting services. For a fee of course, but you two deserve a fun loving wild night out.

[rachelen]

Hello!

Sorry it's taken me a while to reply again, setting up in Cancun has been a bit tiring. I'm finally here now though and just starting to get my head around the city (and recover from the jet lag!) I'm currently staying in the city quite near Av. Yaxchilan actually, so nowhere near the hotel zone, I've only actually been there once since I arrived and that was only for an interview. I figured before I left England that living here would be completely different from a holiday so I'm not really planning to go there much. I have to say my first impressions are good, feeling very at home already! Meeting up for a drink would be great and the 28th would be fine for me (it will give me a bit of time to settle in properly, still feeling a little bit overwhelmed at the moment).

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to meeting you all soon!!!

Rachel

[Gringation]

rachelen: Congrats on getting settled in! As you explore the city more, you'll see that the Yaxchilan area actually is pretty close to the Hotel Zone :P (at least to me haha)

[rachelen]

Thanks Gringation! Haha yes you are probably right, I have hardly explored the city - I've only made it as far as Av. Tulum, I've still got a lot to learn!!!! Good news, I think I've found a job and they are willing to organise my FM3 visa so looks like it could be a permanent move! Very happy about the fact I could soon be working here