I'm from Bogota and I've been living in the UK for the last 7 years. Married, 2 children and a dog... also 2 pet pythons.
My husband, who is british, has always wanted to live in Colombia. He fell in love with our beautiful people, the food and the general way of living. However I've always been concerned about his and our children's safety if we were to move and I've avoided the re-locating subject all these years.
Recently after a few glasses of Jack Daniel's & coke, the subject came up and we decided that our plan for the next 3 to 5 years is to leave the UK and set up a business in Bogota; all my family live there and we have my dad to give us business guidance. Still is a big move to make, specially for the children because we don't want to jeopardize their future by the decisions we are making today. I haven't stopped thinking about it for the last few days and the prospect of going back is very exciting.
So far we've planned to rent our house so we don't burn all the bridges if we needed to return to the UK and to have a financial cushion. Also we know the kind of business we would like to have and the school our children would go to (my old school...)
I need words of wisdom please. Any of you a UK ex-pat living in Colombia? Thank you...
By AnaZaple on Jan 6, 2007, 14:10 in Friendly Talkzone.
|
Peter (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 6, 2007, 14:43: As far as I can tell, now is a GREAT time to go to Bogota. It's booming, a lot of opportunities, and the safety thing isn't as bad anymore. Renting your house seems like a good idea. What word of wisdom are you looking for ;)? Poor but snappy 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
AnaZaple says on Jan 6, 2007, 14:51: Will start saving our pennies then.... Peter, thank you so much for your reply. I guess I'm just scared of leaving my 'comfort zone'. I'm not the adventurous type and making a big move like this is quite daunting... If I could I'll go tomorrow, but need to consider so many things and need to save every penny 'cause, although everything maybe cheaper in Colombia, we still need to pay for a lot of things once we get there and before we start earning...
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 6, 2007, 15:54: was it the JD? or,....COKE? “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 6, 2007, 16:19: Good luck with your decision! how did a colombian woman find herself in the UK???
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 6, 2007, 16:23: I beg to disagree, blondie for a Colombian, I believe the British accent is easier on the ear than the American one. "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
aztec says on Jan 6, 2007, 17:23: AnaZaple I am not about... ...to discourage you and your husband on your desire to move to Colombia. Search this site using different parameters and you will find a great deal of information from people who have attempted the move before you. It can be done but you will need to spend some serious time in the preparation.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 6, 2007, 17:30: I think you should definitely go. The fewer Colombians bitching and moaning about life in US/UK the better. Are you sure that you can't persuade ALL your expat country men to go back with you? Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
robi666 says on Jan 6, 2007, 17:32: Does it include your wife, Utopia? :-) "I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present." 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
scotty says on Jan 6, 2007, 23:13: pythons children and python snakes? brilliant Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
AnaZaple says on Jan 7, 2007, 02:27: Thank you everyone.... ... for taking time in replying.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
alejis says on Jan 7, 2007, 09:35: Re: HOW? Ask me about COlombia! 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 7, 2007, 10:11: alejis.... now, that particular slant, 'status symbol'..... I don't ever remember that particular slant being played out here on pbh. Maybe, a new thread? “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 7, 2007, 10:11: Es el año, 2007: El año del gringo “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 7, 2007, 17:43: My wife never complains about life here. Either she likes it a lot or she knows I would send her pretty little ass back to Colombia. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 7, 2007, 17:54: Ha UC... you talk to big.. i bet you are like a little puppy dog when it comes to her..
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 7, 2007, 18:02: Well you got the dog part right. Arf! Arf! Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
AnaZaple says on Jan 8, 2007, 06:09: Utopia & Blondie Thank you for your comments. I respect your views but would you mind taking your bickering somewhere else... Thanks.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
AnaZaple says on Jan 8, 2007, 06:25: Status symbol? I don't think so! At least not for me. Marrying a foreigner was the last thing I wanted when I came to the UK first time. But we fell in love the moment we met! I consider myself a very lucky person for having a wonderful man by my side and who I can call not just my husband but my friend.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2007, 07:10: NOT a satus symbol, except maybe for the girls from the poorest barrios and lowest socioeconomic stratas. From middle to high, a girl with a good solid family background , private school education and perhaps a college degree still marries a foreigner, but not because he's a foreigner but rather because love happens. "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Wastelandlive says on Jan 8, 2007, 11:37: Hell... I suspect at the highest social stratus, marrying a foreigner is actually looked DOWN upon. Well, certainly the kind of foreigner that frequents this site, anyways. Wasteland 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
poco says on Jan 8, 2007, 11:57: You got it right !!!! But there it is: it's not an egalitarian society. You're very much judged by your wealth, and it cuts both ways. "When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 8, 2007, 12:16: I wasnt bickering with anyone.. it was just ONE comment...
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 8, 2007, 22:02: Speak for yourself. I was bickering. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 8, 2007, 22:12: I was watching the Keeneland auction on the horse racing channel last night. For some of the horses the bidding started at $1 million and several that I watched sell went for over $5 million. Of course the bulk of the horses sold for about $50,000 with some as low as $2000. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 8, 2007, 22:12: LOL UC... well, then you had better take it elsewhere!!!
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 8, 2007, 22:38: Sounds like you wanna fight. In that case here are your options: Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 8, 2007, 22:49: Well... I have done numbers 1 and 2... and I think i have had all i can take of both!!! as far as number 3 goes... i think i'll pass. Im a lover not a fighter!! ;)
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
JMCana says on Jan 9, 2007, 05:22: Englishman doing well in Colombia AnaZaple - I have a friend who is English and married to a lovely Colombian lady. He purchased a farm in Cudinamarca, changed from being a business man to a cow farmer and loves every minute of it. Says that he is much happier than he ever was in England. The children attend a very good bilingual school.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
gringolondinense says on Jan 9, 2007, 10:00: haha poco... how much is that little pony in the middle? Maybe the owner couldnt afford a full-sized one.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 9, 2007, 12:53: what kind of horses are those they that they are going for so much? they certainly dont look like lipizaners!! Or are horses just so hard to come by in colombia???
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Simon says on Jan 9, 2007, 13:39: "My wife never complains about life here. Either she likes it a lot or she knows I would send her pretty little ass back to Colombia." "DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 9, 2007, 21:35: I have a high quality inflatable doll. Check it out at www.realdoll.com. You can't beat 'em, well actually you can beat 'em, I guess that's the whole point. Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Lisa Zee says on Jan 9, 2007, 22:10: Ana Zaple I think you should go live in Colombia now that your children are young, it will be very difficult when they get older. I KNOW!!!
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
aztec says on Jan 10, 2007, 06:35: For what it is worth I am ... ...in agreement with DG on his latest observations about living in Colombia. A successful transition to Colombia requires outside sources of income. Extortion is a disease there and is invisible. It is discussed in quiet terms and with knowing glances.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
gringolondinense says on Jan 10, 2007, 07:33: DG just curious...if you were on the street and guys dragged you into a car, would you try to fight them, knowing you might get shot or just go with them and hope you can pay or bargain your way out?
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Wastelandlive says on Jan 10, 2007, 11:33: DonGringo speaks much truth. This attitude that you are rich because you are a gringo is one of the most maddening parts of living in Colombia. From the extortionists, to your girlfriend, to your girlfriend's family, to the beggers, to even legitimate businessmen ... EVERYBODY has their hand out. Everybody is looking to score off of you. Wasteland 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 10, 2007, 12:33: DG Just curious... what would things be like for a gringa to move down there and marry a well to do colombiano (doctor type)... since he was already there.. and already had the money... and the gringa came without much money.. and doesnt have to work to much(cuz he has the Dinero)...
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 10, 2007, 12:52: I'm not DG (thanks gods) but a Blondie moves to Colombia, marries one of the doctor types with enough money so blondie needs not work either inside or outside the house...not a bad life, if you like country club, coctail parties, top notch bilingual schools for the little half blonde/half colombianitos that blondie is supposed to produce in due time, shopping, fincas in the weekends, manicure/pedicure weekly, hair done professionally weekly, maids take care of housework, poolman comes on tuesdays... "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 10, 2007, 13:01: Hmmmm do i sense a hint of sarcasm? lol.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 10, 2007, 13:15: PS's make a bit more than that...
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 10, 2007, 13:35: let's just say that if you luck out and your doctor type is also a good guy and not a machista womanizing jerk you can do much worse than marrying into the upper middle class in Colombia. I did that. Never regretted a day of it. "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
nine inch nails says on Jan 10, 2007, 13:35: DEFINETELY KEEP THE UK HOUSE Dear Ana, I love that sweet pretty house music, house music.... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
JR says on Jan 10, 2007, 13:41: For once I agree with Blondie The British accent is harder on the ears than the American one. They don't articulate their words and it sounds very chopped up. I will admit though if the speaker is from Alabama or Mississippi it could be a tie. (I've lived in both those places too)
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
kalder says on Jan 10, 2007, 13:58: Accents You know, every Colombian I've talked to about the subject says the same thing: They find American accents much more easy on the ear than British ones. They use much the same words to describe this phenomenon as JR too: that our accent sounds 'very chopped up'. Interesting. "kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 10, 2007, 14:12: JR You tend to not agree with me? But everything i say is the truth... Stay tuned... you will eventually realize that!!! ;P
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 10, 2007, 15:28: He is a plastic surgeon, so money is not an issue for him. A very good.. and busy one at that. I was just wondering.. truthfully.. how a situation like that would work out? Would it be the dreamy happily ever after that most here hope to find there? or just as hard as it will be for the other transplanted gringos?
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 10, 2007, 15:29: . “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 10, 2007, 15:29: "Doctor Type"? Maybe she's thinking about ... a High-Powered Drug Dealer de Colombia! NOW! There's the life, Blondie! BTW, I'd like to apply for job as 'the gardener/pool cleaner'. (Yer gonna be bored while the "DrType" is away all day - or night.) “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Blondie says on Jan 10, 2007, 15:32: yes.. i agree... the gardener/pool cleaner... must be a willing and able subject... as in willing and able to keep me company... and maintain ALL aspects of the good doctors property... ;)
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
poco says on Jan 10, 2007, 19:31: Where is the Music ??????????????? how much is that little pony in the middle? Maybe the owner couldnt afford a full-sized one. "When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
big kugz says on Jan 10, 2007, 21:03: Desideria What's wrong with marrying someone who is poor. I have been poor my whole life, and my wife is from one of the poorest barrios in Barranquilla (villate). She has never asked me for anything and actually wanted me to move there when we decided to get married (which i plan on doing after i graduate). Her entire family is very poor, very humble and some of the most fantastic people I've ever met. They too would never ask us for anything. Unless you were being sarcastic and i'm just not bright enough to pick up on it, I think you've got it twisted. I believe that I am much better off having married someone who isn't spoiled by riches and who loves herself, her family and her husband for who they are than someone who measures everything with a golden ruler. Interestingly, I find this to be true of the vast majority of the people I have met in Barrio Villate and have to admit that I am jealous of the fact that poor people there (at least in this neighborhood) take care of each other a lot better than the scumbags in my neighborhood in West Michigan do. Maybe its a coste&o thing????
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
big kugz says on Jan 10, 2007, 21:09: And the accent thing as much as I despise listening to it, I think that it must be easier to learn to understand a limey than a yankee. The pronunciation of our vowels here in the US changes too much from region to region, where a brit speaks like a brit no matter where they were born. Or perhaps I'm just an ignorant yank who hasn't spent enough time eating fish and chips in GB to know any better.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 10, 2007, 22:04: After a few JD's, a couple lines of Coke, and a couple bongs,... I'd probably be deciding to leave two teenagers in the USA to fend for themselves. jaja (don't worry guys/gals; they know I am the safe - and a little good-crazy - one!) VAMOS TODOS A COLOMBIA! “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
goin_south says on Jan 10, 2007, 22:05: El ChantajistadorO.... donde esta? Que dice? Es el año, 2007: El año del gringo “ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.” But, really what I am is a colombiana's sex slave; she took me by force, and I submitted ;-) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Lisa Zee says on Jan 10, 2007, 22:10: I find The Engish accent very charming, and elegant, they sound so proper,inteligent, even if they are not. (the ones that are not!)You have to be so careful here in PBH not to offend anyone. I wonder how I would sound with my Spanish accent if I had learned English in England instead of the USA ???!!!!???
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
utopiacowboy says on Jan 10, 2007, 22:29: "You have to be so careful here in PBH not to offend anyone." Estas bromeando? The whole purpose of PBSH is to offend people and trade insults. Y tu mama tambien! Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 10, 2007, 23:22: Nothing wrong, kugz "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 10, 2007, 23:25: about accents I believe that Colombians are just more used to listening to gringo accent from all that tv-watching. I like the crispy British accent and find the Scottish and Irish accents totally charming. "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth) 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
big kugz says on Jan 11, 2007, 05:52: Okay Desi, but I would argue that the opposite is true. It is my personal experience that WEALTH, not poverty creates the emphasis on materialism and taking advantage of every situation. At least where I am from, if you are wealthy and were not born into it then you obtained that wealth by taking advantage of everything and everyone around you. That isn't to say that all wealthy people in the world have done things that way... just my personal experience. On the other hand (at least in Colombia), poverty has appeared to me to be a true blessing in disguise. All of the middle/upper class folks I've met in Colombia (including my wife's godmother... greedy witch), or any other place I've been would charge their own mother for a favor, and don't want anything to do with anyone who isn't as wealthy as they are. That is my idea of materialism, and I haven't seen it at all in barrio Villate. Here, in West Michigan, YES very much so. There, minimal if it even exists. Again, of course, this is my personaly experience and I am not trying to speak for all rich people or all poor people.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
gringolondinense says on Jan 11, 2007, 08:39: personally i prefer bourbon over scotch. Scotch whiskey tastes like puke to me (Im not kidding). I'd rather have JD or Jim Beam.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
gringolondinense says on Jan 11, 2007, 08:45: Poco.... by the way in the first photo notice the guy in blue is pushing the cart to help the poor little horse. In the second pic, the cart looks like its stuck and the horse is looking at the ground. They had to fit mags, coz the horse couldnt pull normal wooden or iron cart wheels.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
AnaZaple says on Jan 13, 2007, 05:51: Tinto and DG Have to say I don't like whiskey that much and believe it or not, the majority of people here don't drink it that much. A lot of larger and vodka flow every day in every pub, plus what is called alco-pops (spirits mixed with fruit juice like Bacardi Breezer or WKD...)
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
|
kat1 (Moderator) says on Jan 13, 2007, 06:12: Anna if you want to do it do it!! but keep your options open in the UK too, i did that in 1993, we took our two young kids with us, we lived in Cartagena, and we were fine, we returned to the UK because my husband wanted to go back and study a course here and the hot weather in Cartagena was driving him nuts, but because we never sold anything here in the UK adjusting back was easy. Like many people said don't burn all your bridges , have a back up plan . in Colombia if you live like a working class person you would be fine. my kids are tennagers now and they love Colombia, my daughter want to go back as soon as she finish school and my son is planning to spend his gap year there and maybe stay and go to University there, our plans for the near future are to spend 6 month in Colombia and 6 or maybe 4 here in the UK.
0 funny, 0 helpful. |
More posts by the same author:
None.Americas: |
Africa: |
Asia:
|
Travel: Also: |
If you're not a part of this travelicious experiment just yet, just sign up here. It's free & easy.
About poorbuthappy | About the travel guides | Travel guide editing | Community rules | RSS feeds
This site in other languages:
Spanish |
French |
Catalan |
Chinese |
Filipino |
Greek |
German |
Hebrew |
Japanese |
Korean |
Polish |
Portuguese |
Russian
© 1998 - 2008 Peter Van Dijck, all rights reserved.