Apartments in Cartagena

I hope nobody minds me rehashing this topic.

But I spent last week looking for an apartment in Cartagena, and I am very undecided. It looks to be a LOT of work. Internet adds just can't communicate what you are getting into... I realize now that you have to know the reputation of the building you are buying into.

For example, I knew El Conquistador was a cucurachero... I'd rented there. But I got an up-close look at Tocaagua as well - LOTS of owners eager to get out from under a huge legal/financial problem as the ocean washes away the foundation and the city leaves it to the "building" to shore it up.

New construction looks fabulous, but the prices are astronomical. Cartagenans can't buy them on a Cartagenan salary... so one wonders how much support the international market will provide.

What do you folks think? Will prices continue to rise? Or have the developers over developed? Which buildings do you like, for quality and location? Any thoughts on edificio Bavaria en Laguito?

And let's say I make an offer and its accepted... where should I start? I'm an American, with no Colombian cedula, visa, or bank account.

R/

By Wastelandlive on Dec 2, 2005, 15:06 in Friendly Talkzone.

oldbongo says on Dec 2, 2005, 16:13:

common sense..

invest in revenue property elsewhere and rent in cartagena.

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rapi2000 says on Dec 2, 2005, 16:50:

READ WELL Apts in Cartagena FYI
Cartagena is a very touristic city and since last year property value is going up for various reasons. That is the city where most tourists visit (National and International), most of international congresses and conferences are held there, Miss Colombia pageant is celebrated there, the International film festival, just to mention a few.
If you read in El Tiempo and El Heraldo of today Dec 2/05, you will see that Cartagena was chosen to be the host city for the World's Tourism Association. Our country competed with 184 countries more.
Asamblea General de la Organización Mundial del Turismo (OMT).

http://eltiempo.terra.com.co/naci/cari/2005-12-02/ARTICULO-WEB-_NOTA_INTERIOR-2637143.html

BTW 'El Conquistador' is NOT a "cucarachero" (this is the right spelling of the word -Wastelandlive-) This is the biggest building in Cartagena with more than 300 apartments and 24 floors. It all depends WHICH apartment you rent and HOW MUCH you pay for it. There are apartments that cost US$35 a day and others that cost US$100. This building has 5 different styles of apartments like studios, one, two three bedroom and penthouses. In fact, I know the building very well, I have an apartment there and I plan to buy another one soon. MY APARTMENT is a 5 star one, no kidding. The penthouse on top of it has state-of-the-art decoration and furniture with the best view of the whole city. Next time, my man, check well and pay a bit more and stop complaining about BS. The old administration didn't do a good job, but the new one has improved considerably. Tocaagua building has a problem with the ocean and the way it was constructed. Bavaria is OK, also Las Tres Caravelas if you want. There are MANY choices in Cartagena, you just need to look carefully, be willing to pay a more decent amount of money and you will find what you want.
Statistically many Europeans are rushing to invest money in Cartagena, if you want something cheap, look somewhere else. Try Bolivia, Perú, Nicaragua. Honduras or HAITI.

rapi2000@yahoo.com

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