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Are home invasions and theft common in Cali

I am wondering what precautions expats take to protect the valuables in their homes? Are robberies of homes common and are expats specifically targeted? I am wondering if expats choose to generally isolate themselves in expats communities with some kind of special security or if they feel comfortable living in a local neighborhood? I'm sorry if it seems as if I am overstating the danger of Colombia but that is actually not my intention. I am living in a neighborhood in Buenos Aires now that is very safe but it is sort of "extra" protected by the police because it is also a tourist area. Everyone in my building is a local and I haven't had any problems. Is the situation the same in Cali with respect to "protected" zones and, if so, where are they? I will be coming there very soon and am still undecided about a neighborhood to live in.

By ericdharma on Jan 12, 2007, 05:19 in Renting, selling & meetups.

chester says on Jan 12, 2007, 07:16:

Steal everything not nailed down in Cali, all your neighbors are going to be locals. and yes, you'll stand out.

if you can afford it, live in a gated community.

the same could be said for Miami or New York or other major US cities.

Colombia has many, many displaced poor people and little opportunity for work that pays a living wage.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 12, 2007, 07:28:

What the hell I lived in Harlem New York, no worries whatsoever. If your style is rather "rich" (ie. you use expensive clothes, watches, cars, televisions, ...), you might wanna live in a gated community (nothing wrong with it). If not you'll be totally fine in a regular neighbourhood :) Of course you'll be the "gringo" who must have lots of money, just don't show it off.

Poor but snappy

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 12, 2007, 07:29:

By the way, people living in your building won't steal from you, nor will your neighbours. That wouldn't make sense.

There are a LOT of "protected" appartments and zones. Even my house in Pardo Centro (a regular neighbourhood) had a guard walking the streets at night. Most appartment blocks have guards and you have to use a key to get in the building, so they're fairly safe.

Poor but snappy

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bufalo says on Jan 12, 2007, 09:55:

Peter, you lived in Harlem? We lived in spanish Harlem for a bit (colombian wife's first experience in NY ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!)

Anyway, one of the reasons I live in a building here in Colombia is that you can leave your place without too many worries. Every time a family that lives in a house goes somewhere, they always have to leave one person home to make sure it isn't ransacked while they are gone.

Only place this was secure for us is when we lived on an army base in Leticia. Ok it was technically the base, but anyone could stroll right in the houseing section, no guards, nothing. We always had people around. Never locked the door and the window wouldn't lock either, never lost anything and I had a ton of camera equipment with me.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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arthur brode says on Jan 12, 2007, 11:08:

i live in a estrato 3 barrio in Cali.none of the apt.buildings on my block have doormans.and according to longtime residents that have lived here for 40 years,my apt. building has never been robbed.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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RobMiami says on Jan 12, 2007, 13:42:

Estrata 5 I live in estrata 5 and the only break-ins I get are from hot chicas trying to marry me. Got my security guards on novia-watch 24 hours a day!

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