Looking for advice on moving to Playa

mikeindenver · 04-25-2001

Hey all,

After three glorious trips to Playa, I want to move there for 6 mos. to a year. So does anybody have any tips on finding a place to live? Are apartments available? How 'bout work? How hard (or simple) is it to land a job?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Mike

**Anna** · 04-27-2001

Hi Mike!
Playa is a great place to live! Lots of fun, nice people and fantastic climate. But you already know that...

Reg jobs: most people work in the tourist/service industry. Jobs are not that difficult to get, but sometimes immigration can be a hassle (it usually works out, but sometimes it can take weeks or months). Pay is typically not good. Playa always has space for entrepreneurs, and starting a company is not very difficult.

A place to live is not too difficult either, but Playa is unfortunately expensive when it comes to rent, like twice as much as Cancun. Supply and demand. Just how easy it is to find something depends greatly on what time of year you arrive. Many stay in a cheap hotel at first, till they find a place. A lot of hotels will give you monthly rates.

And since you've been here a few times you are prepared for the slow pace that sometimes makes Westerners frustrated. Me, I like it.

I'll be happy to give you further and more personal tips and help you out anyway I can.

beachgirl123 · 09-29-2005

In regards to finding work, how difficult would it be to find a teaching job in Playa Del Carmen? and is rent really double what it is in Cancun? would I be better off there? would you reccomend Playa Del Carmen as a place for a first teaching experience? I am a Global TESOL graduate and Playa is where I'd like to start, any input positive or negative would be greatly appreciated.!
Thanks!

Icebreaka · 09-29-2005

I've kind of wanted to start a thread like this myself but worried that I'd get the please use the search function as there are many threads like this, so happy if we can get one started.

I'm moving to Playa October 26th - March 28th. Buying the ticket was the easy part. I think I'm going to be okay work wise. My job here is going to let me try to use the Voip phone I use remotely already to another city in British Columbia down there. Latency might not be that good though and worst case could kill my whole plan. My biggest concern is renting an apartment of some sort in the 500 US per month range and getting a broadband connection hooked up in that apartment. Those I think will be big challenges. I have a friend there who is helping me with suggestions but I wonder if anyone who's pulled the move off has any advice or stories to share on difficulties, etc.

Michael · 09-29-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icebreaka

I've kind of wanted to start a thread like this myself but worried that I'd get the please use the search function as there are many threads like this, so happy if we can get one started.

This was one of the first of many "move to Playa" threads (2001) MikeinDenver was never seen again (two posts 5 days appart and then gone).

Babaloo · 09-29-2005

Here's THE thread

click here

Icebreaka · 09-29-2005

Oh wow LOL I never looked up at the date of the post, its almost like resurrecting a ghost when you breathe life into a 4 year old thread like that. I did check the linked post and it was of some help, mostly people talking about their plans to retire in Playa. I was more looking for the what can you rent for 500 US a month and how tough is it to pull off the rental with average level of Spanish speaking. If anyone's familiar with Cancun Assist is there a person in Playa who provides similar services? As for Internet is getting broadband in that apartment within say 2 weeks of renting it a total pipe dream or not?

SarahB · 09-29-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icebreaka

Oh wow LOL I never looked up at the date of the post, its almost like resurrecting a ghost when you breathe life into a 4 year old thread like that. I did check the linked post and it was of some help, mostly people talking about their plans to retire in Playa. I was more looking for the what can you rent for 500 US a month and how tough is it to pull off the rental with average level of Spanish speaking.

It seems that furnished one bedrooms are in the $500-600 range, but if you have time to shop around you may find a better deal. Prices go up soon and availability drops with the high season, so start looking quickly!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icebreaka

...As for Internet is getting broadband in that apartment within say 2 weeks of renting it a total pipe dream or not?

I got it in about a week (with the help of a persistent, Spanish-speaking friend!), but it took a few trips to Cablemas and them telling me that I couldn't get a signal at first.

Good luck!

Icebreaka · 09-29-2005

Thanks a bunch Sarah, I've got some persistent Mexican friends so that was what I wanted to hear. I think if you want something badly enough and you are willing to work steadily on it you can get it done. I just needed to hear one story of someone pulling off exactly what I wanted to pull off

SarahB · 09-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icebreaka

Thanks a bunch Sarah, I've got some persistent Mexican friends so that was what I wanted to hear. I think if you want something badly enough and you are willing to work steadily on it you can get it done. I just needed to hear one story of someone pulling off exactly what I wanted to pull off

You are welcome! Sounds like you have the right idea! Good luck!

09-29-2005	#3 (permalink)
beachgirl123 sandflea Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1	Teaching English in Playa Del Carmen In regards to finding work, how difficult would it be to find a teaching job in Playa Del Carmen? and is rent really double what it is in Cancun? would I be better off there? would you reccomend Playa Del Carmen as a place for a first teaching experience? I am a Global TESOL graduate and Playa is where I'd like to start, any input positive or negative would be greatly appreciated.! Thanks!

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04-25-2001	#1 (permalink)
mikeindenver sandflea Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2	Hey all, After three glorious trips to Playa, I want to move there for 6 mos. to a year. So does anybody have any tips on finding a place to live? Are apartments available? How 'bout work? How hard (or simple) is it to land a job? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Mike

04-27-2001	#2 (permalink)
Anna top babe admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: after 10 wonderful years in Playa, now back in Sweden Posts: 2,963	Hi Mike! Playa is a great place to live! Lots of fun, nice people and fantastic climate. But you already know that... Reg jobs: most people work in the tourist/service industry. Jobs are not that difficult to get, but sometimes immigration can be a hassle (it usually works out, but sometimes it can take weeks or months). Pay is typically not good. Playa always has space for entrepreneurs, and starting a company is not very difficult. A place to live is not too difficult either, but Playa is unfortunately expensive when it comes to rent, like twice as much as Cancun. Supply and demand. Just how easy it is to find something depends greatly on what time of year you arrive. Many stay in a cheap hotel at first, till they find a place. A lot of hotels will give you monthly rates. And since you've been here a few times you are prepared for the slow pace that sometimes makes Westerners frustrated. Me, I like it. I'll be happy to give you further and more personal tips and help you out anyway I can.

09-29-2005	#4 (permalink)
Icebreaka way into it Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver at the moment. Posts: 223	I've kind of wanted to start a thread like this myself but worried that I'd get the please use the search function as there are many threads like this, so happy if we can get one started. I'm moving to Playa October 26th - March 28th. Buying the ticket was the easy part. I think I'm going to be okay work wise. My job here is going to let me try to use the Voip phone I use remotely already to another city in British Columbia down there. Latency might not be that good though and worst case could kill my whole plan. My biggest concern is renting an apartment of some sort in the 500 US per month range and getting a broadband connection hooked up in that apartment. Those I think will be big challenges. I have a friend there who is helping me with suggestions but I wonder if anyone who's pulled the move off has any advice or stories to share on difficulties, etc.

09-29-2005	#6 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Paamul, Q Roo Mexico Posts: 10,171	Here's THE thread click here

09-29-2005	#7 (permalink)
Icebreaka way into it Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver at the moment. Posts: 223	Oh wow LOL I never looked up at the date of the post, its almost like resurrecting a ghost when you breathe life into a 4 year old thread like that. I did check the linked post and it was of some help, mostly people talking about their plans to retire in Playa. I was more looking for the what can you rent for 500 US a month and how tough is it to pull off the rental with average level of Spanish speaking. If anyone's familiar with Cancun Assist is there a person in Playa who provides similar services? As for Internet is getting broadband in that apartment within say 2 weeks of renting it a total pipe dream or not?

09-29-2005	#9 (permalink)
Icebreaka way into it Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver at the moment. Posts: 223	Thanks a bunch Sarah, I've got some persistent Mexican friends so that was what I wanted to hear. I think if you want something badly enough and you are willing to work steadily on it you can get it done. I just needed to hear one story of someone pulling off exactly what I wanted to pull off

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