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Cost of Living in Santa Marta

Hi all,

I would like to know anyone's thoughts on a job prospect I have.

The job is teaching elementary school at a billingual school in Santa Marta. I am a qualified and experienced elementary school teacher from Australia.

It pays 1,800,000 pesos a month, plus an extra payment of $6000 US per year. The school says that the peso salary is enough to live on. I will, however, be travelling with my husband and so supporting him too - although he can maybe find some work tutoring English (he has also taught English in Japan) but he does not want to work full time as he is writing a book.

Do you think this is a reasonable salary for Colombia? Ovbiously it is much more than a Colombian would get paid but is it enough for a comfortable life - a bit of going out to restaurants and drinking, apartment, bills, Internet connection, food and public transport/taxis?

I am registered with an international teaching agency and my associate there is trying to dissuade me from taking the position as he thinks that the salary is very low and that I could get a much better job in a high profile International school. But I really like the sound of this small, essentially Colombian School, and the other teachers that work there tell me they love it. Sorry if I am boring you with all this it is just that I want to take the job as long as the salary is enough for 2 people.

I would really appreciate any info/advice.

Thanks,
Sal.

By sallya on Sep 22, 2006, 04:16 in Renting, selling & meetups.

Peter (Moderator) says on Sep 22, 2006, 04:45:

The high profile schools indeed pay more, but are not necessarily more fun.. so there's that. I would go with what other teachers who've worked there say, they are your best source of information..

Poor but snappy

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Gator says on Sep 22, 2006, 08:55:

That's a lot of pesos with the extra $6000 USD a year that comes to $3 million pesos a month are roughly $1,250 USD a month. In as much as the minimum monthly wage in Colombia is $175 USD a month with some benefits that would make it the equivalent of about $210 USD you should do just fine. Where else in the world can a teacher afford an
apartment with a maid? We frequent that area all the time. For example the best restaurant in El Rodadero(the Barranquilla side of Santa Marta is IMHO opinion the best restaurant in town. Where else can you go and have a Fillet Mignon dinner for 23.000 pesos (9.60 USD? Or Róbalo al Plancha (a fish in the USA called snook and the best-caught that morning) for the same price.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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bufalo says on Sep 22, 2006, 12:34:

What a lucky guy! I wish my wife would support me while I write a book in Santa Marta! I don't mean this in a wiseacre way, I'm serious. I love writing and I love the beach, oh, and yes I love my wife too (if she asks, I mentioned her first).

The salary if fine for two people. Prices have gone up a tad there on the coast, but we´d have no problem living off of that money and we are three.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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jfsawatzky says on Sep 22, 2006, 14:37:

hmmmm Hey bufalo...
What happens if your wife reads this first. Is she latina? With the latina temper??? ;)
jejeje

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sallya says on Sep 22, 2006, 15:39:

Thanks to you all Thanks for posting everybody. I really appreciate your thoughts. I figured it sounded like enough but I've had mixed reports from different sources.

Now I just have to wait for the contract!

Cheers,
Sally.

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bufalo says on Sep 22, 2006, 20:00:

not sure where your sources come from , but remember, Gator has lived in Colombia for, well I don't know how long but I believe it is a lot. I've been vacationing/living here ( a good portion in Santa Marta) for 15 years or so. If your contrary reports come from those who've never been here then take that into account.

jfsawatzky! Yep, my wife is colombian and what a temper too....

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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Peter (Moderator) says on Sep 23, 2006, 09:37:

A regular person would make like perhaps 700,000 pesos a month, that's a pretty good job, you're not poor, you're middleclass. So you'd make double that, you'll be totally fine :)

Poor but snappy

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Proud_Canadian says on Oct 19, 2006, 16:10:

Looking into Teaching in Colombia I am Canadian, and looking into moving to Colombia to teach. What reccomendation would you give, to help me in my job search? I've been trying to do as much research as I can.

This site is VERY helpful too!

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Proud_Canadian says on Oct 19, 2006, 16:10:

Looking into Teaching in Colombia posted twice by mistake

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