jimmyproofdeadbolt
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Mon Jun 23rd 06:41 2008 / #1 |
you can certainly try setting it up online but to do it in a way that protects you from getting ripped off will probably mean working with an agency or agent of some sort who will charge you a ton of money for it.
For example, there's a company that will rent you a mailbox in their office to use receiving official documents, in prague, when you are located elsewhere. Their price is more expensive than my rent, I'm not making this up. (8000Kc is what she quoted me).
Since you're coming from an economy with a stronger currency ($$) AND you're American, you will get hit for top dollar trying to do anything long distance. Sorry if that's a stereotype but it is.
In my opinion it would be better to set up a flatshare for your first three months, come and live with someone else and then get your own place during that time.
"Furnished" apartments can range from nasty linoleum with one weird closet-box standing in the corner, to a fully perfect place that someone needs to sublet. It depends on your tastes and budget, really. Do you like Ikea? Can you afford antiques? How about finding your shelves on the street and building them with beer crates?
Some apartments come with gas and electric included in the rent, other places don't. I don't have a number to quote on average prices but as usual it's near 10% of the rent (I just made that up).
Wireless internet is available in lots of bars, cafes and restaurants. It's commonly available and not prohibitively expensive. Read the forums to find out which company has the best service and support.
And, read up in the online forums about ESL, teaching, contracts, legal requirements, and the prevalence of companies which will promise you a visa and then permanently procrastinate the details of it. Know what the Schengen zone has to do with you before you get here.
Overall, it's true that Prague is an English teaching paradise but don't expect a unicorn ride to work. If you want some other options, look into the logistics, IT and/or tech-support industry.
There's a massive warehousing and international shipping industry growing. If you can speak multiple languages it might behoove you to work with a company that needs people to translate or do some sort of communications thing. This can be a lot more stable and lucrative than teaching random hourly lessons. Just an idea.
Lastly, you spelled "apartment" wrong in your post's headline. I have to bust you on it when you're talking about teaching English... |
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Stefflyn13
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Mon Jun 23rd 08:20 2008 / #2 |
hahaha- yeah my typing/ spelling is not the best- I generally have to copy and paste into a Word document to spell check everything- I didn't on this post... oh well. I teach ESL to young learners in China so I usually don't have to spell words like "apartment". thanks for pointing it out and for all of your help!
I guess I am just a bit weary of finding a flatmate- because I don't know anyone in Prague and want to stay on the cautious side of things. There are pros and cons to both sides I suppose.
Do you or anyone else know anything about Happy House rentals? I have search a couple other forums- but can't seem to find much about them. |
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Troy
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Mon Jun 23rd 09:46 2008 / #3 |
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Best thing to do is deal with a reputable expat agency, Happy house of one of them, and deal with one broker to find the flat. Get as many pictures as possible and find out about the neighborhood, for a 1 bedroom furnished flat relatively close to the center expect to pay 15k all inclusive. You can find for cheaper but flats often say they are 10k/month but once you get all the bills etc, it works out about 15k so might as well make that your ceiling. |
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jak
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Mon Jun 23rd 11:27 2008 / #4 |
I think you mean "wary", not weary ;-)
Another comment about internet - if that's important to you, check out the options you have for a particular apartment before settling on it, for eg cable is not available in all buildings. You'll pay a monthly fee to get the connection into your flat but that typically wont include the hardware you need to make it available wirelessly. You'd have to buy a wireless router to do that, though they're pretty cheap these days (eg a few thousand crowns).
BTW Firefox will spell-check as you type within the browser, going out to Word sounds pretty inconvenient. |
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Stefflyn13
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Mon Jun 23rd 14:02 2008 / #5 |
Good to know- I am Safari or Internet Explorer user- which may explain all the typos :) Yeah, it definitely doesn't help my inner perfectionist when I make all these mistakes. BUT I am glad people understand what I am trying to say. I am learning Chinese right now and whenever I speak it- I have to say stuff over and over before someone understands. Thats the good thing about English- even if it's not perfect people understand the meaning.
Thank you for all of your help! I really appreciate it! |
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stevesmith
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Mon Jun 23rd 18:52 2008 / #6 |
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you can sleep in my bathtub as long as you don't disturb my froglings who are just now hatching. Are you experienced with giving pedicures? Don't listen to me. |
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mahsa P
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Wed Jun 25th 13:44 2008 / #7 |
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I wasn't ripped off. I had a lease and I got my flat through this site! Why are all you posters so paranoid? |
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