18, 19, 20 year old summer lifeguards from Europe. Where are they from? Who pays their rent?

[Anonymous]

What countries are they mostly from?
Who pays their rent?
There is a apartment complex near my house where the rents start out at $2,000 a month and they are living there.
I know this because I always see them walking to and from the shopping center across the street carrying bags of groceries.
Summer lifeguarding must pay really well.

[Anonymous]

Actually, they are very exploited. They basically live in flophouse apartments with 5-10 other lifeguards. They come from countries all over Europe.

The WP Magazine did a piece on this a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/30/AR2005083001037.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, they are very exploited. They basically live in flophouse apartments with 5-10 other lifeguards. They come from countries all over Europe.

The WP Magazine did a piece on this a few years ago.

Are they at least given free rent for their services?

[Anonymous]

We have some where I am at, too. They don't live here, but 2 miles up the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What countries are they mostly from?
Who pays their rent?
There is a apartment complex near my house where the rents start out at $2,000 a month and they are living there.
I know this because I always see them walking to and from the shopping center across the street carrying bags of groceries.
Summer lifeguarding must pay really well.

And you think lifeguards are EACH renting a one-bedroom apartment for $2000? Come on. You can't think of how they might double, triple or likely quadruple up???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What countries are they mostly from?
Who pays their rent?
There is a apartment complex near my house where the rents start out at $2,000 a month and they are living there.
I know this because I always see them walking to and from the shopping center across the street carrying bags of groceries.
Summer lifeguarding must pay really well.

And you think lifeguards are EACH renting a one-bedroom apartment for $2000? Come on. You can't think of how they might double, triple or likely quadruple up???

So you mean to tell me they split the $2,000 ÷ 15?

That is a lot of people to share 1 single bathroom with.

[Anonymous]

The DCUM bubble is alive and well I see. Yes, people, these kids make great money and are living the Dream in their single $2k a month apartment.

[Anonymous]

What money, OP? Just asked the guy from Bulgaria, not only does the company pay minimum, but they charge them $150 a week to live in those apartments. So $600 per person x 4 in 1-bedroom. He noticed that the rent was cheaper in the building where he works.
He laughed and said they had 4 spoons, forks and plates, but 5 people-they take turns. I'll ask him about overtime and might get back to you. Our pool is open from 10.00 to 8:30.
So the company also makes money on their living. I think they live somewhere near Silver Spring or at least the ones on previous years did, and work in NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Yikes!

[Anonymous]

They probably are receiving pauper wages but their parents have money to support their living.

This is an experience for them and the lifeguard work is just something to pass the time during the day. The ones at our pools are clearly all living in close proximity if not in the same house. (btw I think some of the lifegaurd companies help rent a house). All of ours are constantly flirting with each other and I assume there is plenty of partying and hooking up that is going on over the summer.

[Anonymous]

At that age, living in France, I certainly would not have wanted to do this.

[Anonymous]

They are exploited at amusement parks that employ a lot of Europeans too. I remember reading about a lot of bad stuff happening to summer employees at Cedar Point in Ohio.

[Anonymous]

And just about everyone working at the Food Lion in Avon.

[Anonymous]

Again, yet another example of how immigration policy is really only in place to help businesses keep costs down. Whether it's illegal immigration or programs like this.