c2 has left 29 comments

c2 comments on Beautiful Penthouse Apartment in Bucaramanga (available Dec thru February 2008/9)

Bottino... I recommend you stick to your price. I used to stay at the Dann Carlton in Medellin... now I rent apartments when I go there. Why? They are beautiful apartments and include a kitchen, more space, internet, and oftentimes a pool and 1/2 the price. In fact, I just got back from Medellin (they could have better weather for me there!!). I would not listen to "all" the people on this site. I was told my apartment in Bogota was too expensive and I rented it for 7 of the 8 months I had it on the market. I only moved back in because I missed it so much. Anyway, I believe you when you say the Dann costs that much... if you are next door and have all the luxuries and half or less the price.... stick to it. Someone can always make an offer if they are interested. Or, they can stay at the Dann if they think you are a wanker. Maybe they are just jealous that they don't have an apartment - or - that they can't afford to stay there. I think the Dann does a pretty good business. You guys are such a drag... I remember when I moved to Bogota (almost 3 years ago now). I was told that I was a moron/idiot or something like that for starting a business here. I am now involved in multiple businesses including my sole business that makes me enough money that I can stay here. Good thing I don't listen to the people on this site. Especially the ones that just post negative messages on people's ads.

c2 comments on For Rent - Beautiful apartment in North Bogota (Rosales) with furniture - 2 bedroom

SORRY, BUT THIS APARTMENT IS OFF THE MARKET NOW. Can I delete this ad somehow?

c2 comments on Investment Opportunity:: On-Demand Software Company

I should add that we will be scheduling an investor presentation next week some time in Bogota. Email me if you are interested so I can get you the Business Plan before the meeting. We have not set the date or time yet.

c2 comments on flight schools in Colombia

Send me an email at c2luke at yahoo.com. I have some Colombian friends that fly and they can probably direct you.

c2 comments on My Own Bogota Apartment Horror Story

mpayne... I have an apartment in Rosales available.. for one month, one week, 1 year, ... I am a gringo and there is a deposit and I may be adding a small contract. I am pretty sure my ad appears here on PoorButHappy. I have had a gringo and an English gal in there during the last year and it worked really well for me and for them. No co-signers required! I was moving back into it, but let's talk very soon if you are still looking. Here's a link with a pic: http://www.muyamable.com/view.php?anu_id=3647 My email is c2luke at yahoo.com Sorry if I missed something in this thread, but I stopped reading it after several posts... it just got too long.

c2 comments on

I have worked in Colombia for years now... and traveled to other people's apartments and hotels as well with my VoIP box and phone. You really need to have solid bandwidth to make clear calls. Even in my apartment, I have two 1000kbps plans in case one system goes down... i.e. ETB goes down or the Cable goes down. Typically, DSL is better than Cable because the "upload" is better with DSL (cable always wins the download speed battle). So, it may make a difference which service they have. Aaron21 had success, but I have never been fortunate in hotels. I would say it is very doubtful that you will make clear calls from a hotel-type setup since you'll be sharing the bandwidth with everyone else in the building. If your business is critical, you are taking a big risk in my humble opinion.

c2 comments on For Rent - Beautiful apartment in North Bogota (Rosales) with furniture - 2 bedroom

I may also have another apartment available immediately until the end of March. It is not fully furnished but currently has a bed, large TV, refrig, microwave, washing machine, and some kitchenware. It is not as beautiful as the Rosales apartment but many love the location right next to Parque 93 (2 blocks from wonderful McDonalds and the Bogota Beer Company). It has two bathrooms, a little study, a terrace, and is on the 2nd floor. 2.000.000 per month including administration and utilities. You can pick up WiFi but there is no cable currently installed (only DVD player).

c2 comments on Furnished Apartment in North Bogota for rent (days, weeks, months)

Apartment will be available around the end of the first or maybe second week in December. Here's a link for the photos: http://www.muyamable.com/view.php?anu_id=1115

c2 comments on c2

Hey... Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. My next opening is 2nd week of December.

c2 comments on buy apt in cartagena

I bought a place in Bogota and I'm sure the process is the same. If you have someone you can trust, then you can transfer the money to their account. I trusted the seller so I wired the money directly to their Citibank account here. The risk wasn't huge since I had proof of the wire. But considering they aren't signing the contract until the money is there, there is a bit of risk. I don't think it is easy to reverse a wire once it is done. You should really spend some time on the prior posts.. there are a couple of key forms (Form 4 and 11, I think) that you will want to get completed. If you don't, you'll have to pay some huge tax and run into a lot of problems if you ever sell and bring the profits back to the States. I did have a lawyer, an excellent one, and he cost me about $700. He was mostly useful for guidance and reviewing the docs. Probably worth the money to have a lawyer or accountant that has some experience in this type of transaction. Best of luck!! One other recommendation: Be sure you spend some time in Cartagena before buying. There is quite a bit of real estate available last I checked so make sure you are getting a good deal.

c2 comments on Furnished Apartment in North Bogota for rent (days, weeks, months)

The apartment is rented through December (not sure of the exact date but a best guess at this point). Thanks for the interest from all those who've contacted me. Update: You can see photos on muyAmable.com but I may be removing the ad there until Nov/Dec. I'll update the photo link here at that time.

c2 comments on Furnished Apartment in North Bogota for rent (days, weeks, months)

Carlotica: At this point, the apartment could certainly be available then. There are two bedrooms of decent size. One has a queen bed and the other has a day bed (single) with a trundle that pulls out underneath (another single). That room also has a nice desk and business chair since I used it for an office. Let me know as things progress.

c2 comments on Furnished Apartment in North Bogota for rent (days, weeks, months)

GIB... don't you live near Salitre? Nice area but I feel so much closer to the action over here. I guess it is probably the same distance to La Candeleria, La Macarena, etc. of which I don't take enough advantage. But, I love the cheap and quick cab ride to/from the Parque 93 and Zona T. Not to mention, the closeness to Zona G, Chapinero Alto, and Galerias. So, GIB, why are you going to Medellin? Is that what I read? Time for a change? I met a gringo that had moved to Bogota after 2 years in Medellin... he said Medellin just got too "small" after a while. Anyway... sounds exciting. Good luck.

c2 comments on Furnished Apartment in North Bogota for rent (days, weeks, months)

You can also check out www.metrocuadrado.com or www.tutecho.net or www.muyamable.com for comparisons. However, any of these apartments will require a one-year lease and 2 cosigners. You'll need your cosigners finger printed and stamped at a Notaria. I once found a place that said they would not require any of that and they would let me sign for only 6-months. Once I gave them the go-ahead, they dragged their feet for days. Then, they said they would require a credit-check company to approve me which would take some time on my part. I finally gave up. I found buying much easier than renting.

c2 comments on Furnished Apartment in North Bogota for rent (days, weeks, months)

My tenant has to travel for business so he will be leaving early. It will actually be available next week again. He would probably be a reference for me if anyone wants to speak with him. As far as the price, you can rent a smaller apartment (1 bdrm) in my same building for 150.000 per day (mine is 120.000). The building has 3 security guards on duty all the time. It has new furniture, completely remodelled, 37" LCD TV, highspeed internet, cable TV, all utilities and administration paid, ... And, I do not require a one-year lease or 2 cosigners. So, there is quite a bit of convenience if you have ever rented in Bogota before. Almost all apartments this nice in Rosales rent for about 2.000.000 and don't include anything like this. I can send photos to anyone interested as well.

c2 comments on Maybe I look Like a Bum

I was turned away at Gavana once ("private party" on a Thursday?), but I was with another gringo and my Colombian amiga. Personally, I think they don't want too many gringos in there. My gringo buddy has also been turned away numerous times at Invitro. Soroco is a dressy place, but it surprises me that they turned you away.

c2 comments on English sausages

Well... I have never been to England, but there is a place as you walk from Centro Comercial Andino toward Atlantis. They may be more German than English (I have never eaten there). It is a restaurant but they have a cooker on the street. There's also some pubs near there that might have them. Lastly, there is a Australian-type pub in the alley by Chimois (on Cll 85 near Cra. 11). They might have them. Good luck!

c2 comments on tanning beds

Yes. Many of the gyms here have tanning beds (like Spinning Center and BodyTech). I've been to a tanning place on Cra. 11 with about Cll 90. I can't remember the name but it had "Sol" in it. It is clean and reasonably priced so I would recommend it.

c2 comments on For Rent - Beautiful apartment in North Bogota (Rosales) with furniture - 2 bedroom

Apartment will be available again in September. Sorry for the lack of response from some of you but I rented it for two months and then left town. I meant to update this before I left. If you are looking for something in September or after, let me know. Thanks! Update: Rented through December 21st.

c2 comments on For Rent - Beautiful apartment in North Bogota (Rosales) with furniture - 2 bedroom

yep... Bogota ain't cheap I tried to explain to my US employer that I pay $6 for the standard combo meal at Charlies Roast Beef here in North Bogota (a fast food chain). I could get a better deal in Oakland, California. North Bogota is expensive! Other parts of Bogota are super cheap... but if you are living in a less secure neighborhood, you'll pay in other ways. Same in LA... you don't want to live in Watts.
And, yes, the rent is a bit high for 60 mts, but it is a completely remodeled apartment with all new furniture, towels, kitchenware, ... and includes CableTV, Internet, etc. And, if you've ever tried to rent in Colombia for 6 months or less -- good luck. You typically need a 12-month contract and 2 cosigners. It was a real pain when I first got here to find anyone to rent to me which is ironic considering the money I made at the time.
As far as the daily rate, it's about what you pay for a hotel room in this area and you are not going to get two bedrooms and a 37" LCD TV either.
Rosales is arguably the nicest neighborhood in Bogota. I am just a few blocks from the US Ambassador's home.

c2 comments on Luxury Apartment ON THE BEACH Cartagena

Still available? I sent you an email several days ago but have not received a response (I sent it to the email you mentioned in the ad). Is this place still available?

c2 comments on Gringo's experience living in Colombian?

I live in Bogota... ...and I am enjoying it so far. It has gotten a lot cleaner and more organized in the last four years. Corruption still exists and there are problems. And, it is raining right now and looks to be for the next few days. But, I am planning on staying for a year and nothing I've seen in the last month would change that (only enforce that decision). Oh, and it is expensive if you live in the upper stratos.

As far as Cali, it seems to have gotten worse in the past few months. I think it is a little like the Wild West there. Defintely do not take a cab in the street (Call!). You most likely won't have problems but don't risk it. I did and I had the ride of my life.

c2 comments on Tax questions: American working in Colombia

Thanks! I appreciate the input. Thank you both. If anyone else has any resources, I'd be happy to look them up.

I tried the accountant listed on EscapeArtist.com but he has not responded. I may try H&R Block. I never thought of them, but they should know something. :-)

c2 comments on new type of visa?

Socio Visa I am trying to get a Socio Visa and it sounds very similar. I have a contact here that is helping me get it. But, she tells me it is for 2 years and I cannot leave the country for more than 2 months at a time. The $$-figure you have sounds right though. I had thought it was 1 year and renewable... now I'm wondering if I am getting the correct one. Most of the other visas only allow you to stay for 6 months out of the year. But, I'm not an expert.

c2 comments on Search: Hotel in Bogota for $40

Hotels in Bogota I suspect you are looking for the city of Bogota. I have never seen the Platypus but I have heard mixed comments.. sounds great for backpackers but I am not sure that is what you are looking for. I have two recommendations and I have stayed at both.

Las Terrazas: It was nice enough. It is in Chapinero (which is okay) and it is not far from the North or the Central. I would not recommend wondering around the neighborhood at night, but you would likely be safe. I did. I can't remember what I spent but it was definitely less than $40 per night. The people were VERY nice and the breakfast was included and very good. (Address: Calle 54A #3-12) (Phone: 255-5777)

Suites Real 97: I like this place a lot. I hate to recommend it since it was hard enough to find a room that night. Anyway.. I stayed there several nights. It may be a bit more than $40. The room I had was more like a suite (thus the name). They have several locations and this one was walking distance to Parque 93. If you know Bogota, Calle 93 (Parque 93) is a lot of clubs and restaurants as well as Calle 82 (Zona Rosa). The rates and info is on their website: http://www.suitesreal.com/

I hope this helps. Good luck!

c2 comments on For Rent: Rooms in Cali B&B

Great apartment! I am currently staying at Pete's and I got to say that it is an awesome pad. My room is great. The maid comes by every morning and cooks breakfast, offers to do laundry or clean my room, and the Internet has been great. I actually have my VOIP phone with me and my laptop and can work from here.
Pete has been super helpful and he's a pretty laid back guy.
We've had some girls in the jacuzzi during a couple nights. I hike up to Three Crosses some mornings for exercise [there are some military guys protecting the trail from bandits]. There is a community pool in the building which is nice and never too many people. It is close to Avenida Sexta and short taxi rides elsewhere.
If I didn't want to get to other towns, I'd definitely stay. I suspect I won't find as comfortable a setup as this has been.

c2 comments on Please help me out (lost nr1 place again)!

done! I've voted and it's still on top.

c2 comments on Respect for others, Responsibility for one's actions, or nobody has anything to sue for...

You all will be... ... contacted by my lawyer in the following days. I was very "hurt" by your comments.
Regards,
c2

**Disclaimer** the text of my contents are the property of myself (referred to as c2 hereto forth) and cannot be used without my consent. Nothing I have stated herewith can be held against me and may not have been said by me at all but my insane alter-ego.**

c2 comments on Considering move to Colombia

Thank you! Well... I appreciate all of your comments and personal messages - almost all were helpful at some level. Please keep adding.
I spent a month in Colombia (mostly Bogota) and a month each in Peru and Chile as well. So, my experience is limited.
I have lived overseas as a US Peace Corps volunteer in much worse conditions and corruption so I understand a little (although different) the challenges I might face. I do think there is a good chance I will fail. I was aware of some extortion but did not know businesses within Bogota, Medellin, or Cartagena were subject to such criminal activity.
I was surprised about the comment that I consider Colombians ignorant or backward. If that were the case, I would not consider opening a business. In fact, when I was in South America, I was surprised by the high level of education and the lack of work. I think my idea would bring work to Colombians, just as it has India. I do not think the Indians are ignorant either - quite the contrary. Half of the employees in the company I work for are Indians. Outsourcing is a huge movement right now in the US. I think Colombians lack the knowledge of how to market themselves in the US. That is what I would bring to the equation.
Thanks again. -c2