Post: #1

Hey guys I am an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language) and I am getting ready to pack up and move to a new country for a year or so. I know exactly what qualities I am looking for, and I was hoping some of you world-travelers could tell me which countries most match my list. I understand there may not be any places that perfectly meet all these criteria, but I want to search around and get as close as I can.

1. Women’s attitude - I’m looking for a country where the women are easy and submissive. Period. Its hard to for me to even say that, because from a young age I was brain-washed by American feminists, but that’s the truth and I don’t want to tiptoe around it. I also just finished 2 years of teaching in Saudi Arabia, and I have had it with sexually closed cultures. I want to escape to a culture that is far removed from both those extremes. Sexually open, but also submissive, that’s my target. Its not enough for me to just find a few women like that, I want to find a place where that’s part of the culture. Attractiveness of the body is only marginally important. Of course I want hot girls, but I rank body as less important than attitude. I’m also a fan of dark skinned girls, so dark skin is a plus.

2. Warm (maybe a beach) – I have some pretty serious chronic pain in my ankles and knees, and it gets much worse in cold climates. Hot and dry is my target. A beach would be a plus. Mountains also a plus.

3. Live Music Scene– I want to start a band. This is very different than just wanting to go somewhere that has a good live music scene though, because a lack of competition could actually be a good thing. I want to be able to start a band, book gigs where I played a combination of cover songs and originals, and record an album of my originals which I could sell at my gigs. I have already written about 12 songs (some more polished than others) I play the guitar, the saxophone, the harmonica and I sing. This will probably be my main project over the next year, after I get laid a bunch to break me out of the depression of living in Saudi Arabia.

4. Jobs in ESL – Most musicians make like no money at all, especially when they are just starting out, so I will need a day job. I’m looking for a country with at least halfway decent ESL pay. It’s a balancing act, trying to find the country with the best quality of life, weighing that against how much I can get paid there. This is the category I hope I can really get advice on from other guys who’ve done it. For example I’ve heard that women in the Philippines have attitudes like I want and its easier to make it as a musician there, but there are no good ESL jobs there. Thailand has some low-paying ESL jobs, but China pays more.

-Of course I’d be open to some other kind of job. Whatever pays the bills! But so far ESL is the best strategy I’ve come up with for making money overseas.

5. Weed – I’m a 420 enthusiast, the chronic pain I mentioned is a big part of this. Despite my dislike of American culture I almost moved to Colorado when they legalized. I considered moving to Uruguay because they legalized, but it turns out they only legalized it for citizens, not foreigners, so that’d be difficult. Still a possibility. At the least I need to live in a place with a very lax attitude towards weed, somewhere its easily accessible and not severely punished.

6. Spanish Speaking is a Plus – Spanish is the only other language I speak semi-fluently. I am seriously looking at South America, especially Columbia and Peru, because I hate not speaking the local language. I tried to learn Arabic in Saudi Arabia, but I just couldn’t get the hang of it. The language barriers is one of the things holding me back from committing to Asian countries like Thailand, which otherwise seem to have what I am looking for.

7. Bonus points – Low cost of living, with fairly high quality of life is bonus. I also like a good subway system. I love living in cities with very good public transportation, especially rail.

So that’s what I am looking for. Sorry if I rambled a bit, lol. As you can tell I have put a lot of thought into this.

As I said, I probably won’t find 1 place that’s perfect in all categories, but I want to look and see how close I can get. I’m also looking for a place where people are “real” I have been warned that Thailand is very fake somehow. I’ve been reading other forum posts and right now the top countries on my list are Thailand, Columbia, Peru , Uruguay, the Dominican Republic.

Some info about me: I’m 29 (few months from 30), white, American, have a BA in Political Science and English. 4 years of experience teaching English overseas, so my resume is good enough to get me a job in most places.

Thanks very much for any help you can offer!

Post: #2

Thailand

/thread

Post: #3

I really like your post, it's like a math problem.

Spanish speaking, you want warm weather, Brazil (Portugese)? Caribbean areas?

I have a friend teaching in Chaing Mai, he is pretty flaky, but he had some science classes at night school at Harvard and it's getting him a teaching job for about $1000 per month at a private school for rich kids.

Also at 29 I believe you will get model-level Asian chicks, maybe better than Brazil...

They are lazy and he is not allowed to fail anyone.

He tells me that a guy who has been all over SE Asia said Chaing Mai is the nicest place to live. Small city, good music and modern shopping etc.
However no beach.
If you have to earn your living where you live, that is a big limitation.

Post: #4

Here's a good general guide for comparing countries and an e-book called "Where to Teach English Abroad"

Post: #5

Language issues are holding you back from going to Thailand?

They all Speak English man do not worry about it.

Colombia or Thailand seems logical for you or maybe a central American country.

Post: #6

Thailand.

There really is no other country that matches those criteria any closer.

Post: #7

I disagree on Thailand. Guys have been arrested for playing music in bars there, even if they weren't getting paid.

Hopefully the issue sorts itself out, but they are assholes about foreigners doing anything that resembles work if they don't have a permit to do it. And I doubt you'll be able to get a permit to play music and sell albums.

The chance of getting fucked with may be low but it's there.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #8

Cali, Colombia. Amazing city for music of all sorts, everyone sings and dances there all the time, tons of musicians. Mostly you will hear Colombian music or modern pop/rap music there though. Many bands blend traditional and non traditional styles, ie Chocquibtown, very vibrant music scene.

No subway, public bus system with subway like stations/cards, google "Cali, Mio".

Perfect weather, like 80 and not humid. Not a lot of mosquitoes, unlike a true beach city which will be muggy always.

Food is nicer and cheaper than Bogota/Medellin.

Girls of all colors, shapes and sizes. Very friendly people, open sexually.

ESL market, you may try gigs at local Universities, I have met people with near no experience teaching at Unis there. I think you could hope to make 1,000-1,500 a month doing so.

Colombia is very open to foreign businesses though, foreigners are more than able to open restaurants or whatever, if you wanted to do something different.

Post: #9

Obv Columbia or Thailand..

Lived in Chiang Mai before, great place. Love it. However 1000 a month is pushing it for a good lifestyle. I'd say 1.5k and you're good though.

BTW i've got an MA TESOL, how much cash did you make in Saudi, I'd be willing to do it for a year, providing I could make bank and go on regular vacations.

Post: #10

The nicest part of Cali is a dump compared to Poblado.
medellin over Cali any day.

(06-05-2014 07:16 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Cali, Colombia. Amazing city for music of all sorts, everyone sings and dances there all the time, tons of musicians. Mostly you will hear Colombian music or modern pop/rap music there though. Many bands blend traditional and non traditional styles, ie Chocquibtown, very vibrant music scene.

No subway, public bus system with subway like stations/cards, google "Cali, Mio".

Perfect weather, like 80 and not humid. Not a lot of mosquitoes, unlike a true beach city which will be muggy always.

Food is nicer and cheaper than Bogota/Medellin.

Girls of all colors, shapes and sizes. Very friendly people, open sexually.

ESL market, you may try gigs at local Universities, I have met people with near no experience teaching at Unis there. I think you could hope to make 1,000-1,500 a month doing so.

Colombia is very open to foreign businesses though, foreigners are more than able to open restaurants or whatever, if you wanted to do something different.

Post: #11

It reasonable to suggest what kind of women do you like?

What could you potentially earn (ball park figures)?

And what kind of music do you play (bands like Alter Bridge and Iton maiden have a big fan base in South America)?

My music is that style of hard rock that I write and whenever Latinos hear me play (like at a guitar store) they check it out. Asians tend to like more pop and club music IMO. Europe would be cool be esl options and living expenses are more of a variable.

For you I'd say Brazil or Mexico. If money was no object and you live heavy metal like I do Stockholm would be hard to beat.

Post: #12

Like others have said: Thailand. If you want to make some money and stay in the region, you might want to look for work in the UAE. You don't need to learn Arabic, and there are all sorts of nationalities working there.

Also, check out English Teacher X's blog and books for more insight into teaching abroad:

http://englishteacherx.blogspot.com/

Post: #13

Im sorry, I had to say this. Its a great post and all, but still.

I was going to say "somewhere where people know how to spell "Tcherr". But I really am curious. How did you spell it right in your post but not in your title?

But yeah, great post. I feel if I was travelling somewhere I would be in the same boat for most of your criteria and so would many other posters here.

Post: #14

I'd say either Thailand or Philipines bro or somewhere like Dubai or Qatar man.

In terms of money in Dubai/Qatar and in terms of pussy i'd say Thailand/Philippines also for live music and the Low cost of living

Post: #15

(06-06-2014 03:30 AM)Kaebs Wrote:  I'd say either Thailand or Philipines bro or somewhere like Dubai or Qatar man.

In terms of money in Dubai/Qatar and in terms of pussy i'd say Thailand/Philippines also for live music and the Low cost of living

The dilemma with teaching English is that the places you'll make more money, you'll have hell of a time getting laid, and the places you'll get laid, you won't make much money.

From the links I posted a few comments above (1st range is pay, second is cost of living):

Brazil March-Aug 6-12 months 1000-2000 1000-1500

Cambodia All Year 6-12 months 650-1200 600-800

China June-Aug 6-12 months 800-1500 300-500

Costa Rica Jan/July 6-12 months 700-1200 500-900

France All Year 12 months/ freelance 1400-2500 1000-1500

Oman All Year 12 months 2000-2500 800-1000

Poland Sept/June 6-12 months 600-1000 500-900

Russia Aug/Dec 12 months 800-1500 800-1200

Saudi Arabia All Year 12 months 2000-3000 500-1000

United Arab Emirates January-June 12 months 2500-4000 1000-2000

Ukraine March-Aug 12 months 600-1000 400-700


All the rest of the countries we love to talk about are here.

Side hustles are your friend.

Post: #16

I would pick Brazil, ESL teaching is a good way to make money and make roads into a country. I would recommend it to anyone; just be careful that you don't get screwed over by teaching companies. I was fortunate enough, to find my last one. But the first one I went to in China turned out to be full of conmen who were even threatening people if they wanted to leave.

Post: #17

Listen to BB. Thailand isn't the spot if playing music is a top priority. You can't just play gigs here like back home.

I know a European guy who plays in his band that's been on tv and had Thai hits, and now he plays for a top Thai musician, and he said they don't get groupies like you would back in the west. Says the Thai girls that go to their shows, some really big shows, aren't throwing themselves at the band like in the West.

Post: #18

(06-05-2014 01:35 AM)Capitán Peligroso Wrote:  Here's a good general guide for comparing countries and an e-book called "Where to Teach English Abroad"

those are great resources! thanks very much!

Post: #19

(06-05-2014 07:16 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Cali, Colombia. Amazing city for music of all sorts, everyone sings and dances there all the time, tons of musicians. Mostly you will hear Colombian music or modern pop/rap music there though. Many bands blend traditional and non traditional styles, ie Chocquibtown, very vibrant music scene.

No subway, public bus system with subway like stations/cards, google "Cali, Mio".

Perfect weather, like 80 and not humid. Not a lot of mosquitoes, unlike a true beach city which will be muggy always.

Food is nicer and cheaper than Bogota/Medellin.

Girls of all colors, shapes and sizes. Very friendly people, open sexually.

ESL market, you may try gigs at local Universities, I have met people with near no experience teaching at Unis there. I think you could hope to make 1,000-1,500 a month doing so.

Colombia is very open to foreign businesses though, foreigners are more than able to open restaurants or whatever, if you wanted to do something different.

Thx for the tip! I will and that specific city to my list of places to visit.

Post: #20

(06-05-2014 01:40 PM)2014 Wrote:  Obv Columbia or Thailand..

Lived in Chiang Mai before, great place. Love it. However 1000 a month is pushing it for a good lifestyle. I'd say 1.5k and you're good though.

BTW i've got an MA TESOL, how much cash did you make in Saudi, I'd be willing to do it for a year, providing I could make bank and go on regular vacations.

Saudi is not as profitable as it once was. I made only 3500 USD per month. I also got free housing, but even living very cheap, the expenses add up, so I saved on average $2000 per month.

Post: #21

(06-06-2014 05:13 AM)Capitán Peligroso Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 03:30 AM)Kaebs Wrote:  I'd say either Thailand or Philipines bro or somewhere like Dubai or Qatar man.

In terms of money in Dubai/Qatar and in terms of pussy i'd say Thailand/Philippines also for live music and the Low cost of living

The dilemma with teaching English is that the places you'll make more money, you'll have hell of a time getting laid, and the places you'll get laid, you won't make much money.

From the links I posted a few comments above (1st range is pay, second is cost of living):

Brazil March-Aug 6-12 months 1000-2000 1000-1500

Cambodia All Year 6-12 months 650-1200 600-800

China June-Aug 6-12 months 800-1500 300-500

Costa Rica Jan/July 6-12 months 700-1200 500-900

France All Year 12 months/ freelance 1400-2500 1000-1500

Oman All Year 12 months 2000-2500 800-1000

Poland Sept/June 6-12 months 600-1000 500-900

Russia Aug/Dec 12 months 800-1500 800-1200

Saudi Arabia All Year 12 months 2000-3000 500-1000

United Arab Emirates January-June 12 months 2500-4000 1000-2000

Ukraine March-Aug 12 months 600-1000 400-700


All the rest of the countries we love to talk about are here.

Side hustles are your friend.

Russia, is that flat free of charge? If not I suspect it would be pretty uncomfortable on that salary.

I use to be friends of London School of English in Ukraine. They paid about 800 a month and added a free flat. They were the highest paying in UA.

Don't take a job at the American school that pays 1k and doesn't include a flat.

Post: #22

This question is exactly why I'd like to build this…had some interest but ultimately no one reciprocated. I'll try again. I think it would be a free useful tool. /thread-34126.html

Post: #23

(06-06-2014 02:55 AM)cooledcannon Wrote:  Im sorry, I had to say this. Its a great post and all, but still.

I was going to say "somewhere where people know how to spell "Tcherr". But I really am curious. How did you spell it right in your post but not in your title?

But yeah, great post. I feel if I was travelling somewhere I would be in the same boat for most of your criteria and so would many other posters here.

Yeah, you caught me. I carefully proof-read the OP many times, but then when I actually posted it I rushed to get it up before I had to go to work one morning. I messed up the title and by the time I noticed the mistake 60 minutes had passed, so I couldn't edit it anymore.

Post: #24

(06-07-2014 04:50 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 05:13 AM)Capitán Peligroso Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 03:30 AM)Kaebs Wrote:  I'd say either Thailand or Philipines bro or somewhere like Dubai or Qatar man.

In terms of money in Dubai/Qatar and in terms of pussy i'd say Thailand/Philippines also for live music and the Low cost of living

The dilemma with teaching English is that the places you'll make more money, you'll have hell of a time getting laid, and the places you'll get laid, you won't make much money.

From the links I posted a few comments above (1st range is pay, second is cost of living):

Brazil March-Aug 6-12 months 1000-2000 1000-1500

Cambodia All Year 6-12 months 650-1200 600-800

China June-Aug 6-12 months 800-1500 300-500

Costa Rica Jan/July 6-12 months 700-1200 500-900

France All Year 12 months/ freelance 1400-2500 1000-1500

Oman All Year 12 months 2000-2500 800-1000

Poland Sept/June 6-12 months 600-1000 500-900

Russia Aug/Dec 12 months 800-1500 800-1200

Saudi Arabia All Year 12 months 2000-3000 500-1000

United Arab Emirates January-June 12 months 2500-4000 1000-2000

Ukraine March-Aug 12 months 600-1000 400-700


All the rest of the countries we love to talk about are here.

Side hustles are your friend.

Russia, is that flat free of charge? If not I suspect it would be pretty uncomfortable on that salary.

I use to be friends of London School of English in Ukraine. They paid about 800 a month and added a free flat. They were the highest paying in UA.

Don't take a job at the American school that pays 1k and doesn't include a flat.

`

if you are interested, I could get you in touch with a school; that pays around $2000 a month, with a subdizised which costs around 200 dollars. This is based in Moscow. If you teach english privately in moscow, you can truly make a killing. However a lot of people don't like the city, especially when you can go over to Thailand to teach English instead.

Post: #25

You could come to Australia, they've got a really good live music scene in Melbourne (or so I've heard).