Barbosa, Antioquia

Escape Artist says on Nov 18, 2008, 20:17:

Any personal experiences of this area would be appreciated.

Thanks!

EA

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vladimiro says on Nov 18, 2008, 20:29:

Barbosa is a really nice place to own a finca in my opinion. Its about 20 min from Medellin.

I've been many times to the "Parque De Aguas" which is a very popular water park located in Barbosa and the area is heavily guarded by the military.

Rio Negro is nice,too, but a little further away from the city, and colder.

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PBHjon says on Nov 18, 2008, 21:15:

I visitd Barbosa with my brother. He found the town very pretty, charming and quaint. I was bored. We didn't get a chance to visit the waterpark. It seems like a pretty good place to own a finca, even though someon told me that half the fincas in the area are owned by ex-paramilitary

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 18, 2008, 23:36:

dwmte7 says on Nov 19, 2008, 03:46:

i've lived in barbosa and all around the rio negro area. HANDS DOWN....up country in llano grande, san antonio, carmen de viboral, tablaso, et al. THERE IS NO COMPARISON. for warned is for armed. north of medellin, barbosa and other pueblos is as stated above an old haunt for paras and narcos...counless of which are dead and their fincas abandoned.

on the cultural level, it's like a wasteland up there. go, spend time in both and you'll see what i mean. then you can ask yourself, not us.

douglas

patriarch

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davidslc46 says on Nov 19, 2008, 03:50:

I spend a fair amount of time in Barbosa and have an apartment there. I also have an apartment in Envigado. I think if you are north american it is a town where it helps to know people inititially as it is as one person described a little " wild wild west " I would not have ventured in had I not known someone. Like anywhere in Colombia you have to always be aware that there are a small number criminal types ( mostly kids ) who are looking for an opportunity to rob you or anyone else who appears to have something of value. I honestly have not met any other north americans in Barbosa itself but I do know there are a few living in Fincas around Barbosa. Of course there are some Colombian men there who have spent time in the states so that allows for some conversation. I am attempting to buy a property outside of Barbosa and there are some really awesome properties surrounding Barbosa that won't cost you an arm and a leg. There are gated communities where you will not have to worry about criminal activity as most everyone around you has more money than you. I don't know about the paramilitary finca owners. If they are there I cannot identify them. I can live in Barbosa for about half of what it costs me in Envigado. Less traffic, more culture, friendly small town people, pretty well policed in Barbosa itself. I personally have not had one incident where I was personaly threatened, but when you get alot of Colombian young men drinking heavily around you, you sometimes feel like the center of attraction, and you can bet there most likely will be this closing dance where someone says something and off it goes into this kind of slow motion " mosh pit " thing where mostly no one actually does much harm to one another. Having said that you can expect that someone will have a knife or possibly be armed with a hangun so there is always a chance someone can get hurt.

You must avoid confrontation at all cost and have a very thick skin. You can easily win the battle and lose the war. I believe this is true anywhere in Colombia but in particular a small town like Barbosa. No enemies should be the goal. In most instances it will be some lame ass kid who is to drunk to know what he is really doing anyhow. If not he is a fool, as money can solve most problems like this in Colombia. I say all this with the hope that I never have a problem this big where I have to seek the help of others.

Escape artist??

I like that. Let me know if you need anything or if you decide to venture in. There is a good Hotel The Parque Hotel centrally located ( everything in Barbosa is within walking distance )

You get a clean room and a nice traditonal breaffast for about $30 USD ( 70,000 pesos )


David

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larryrn says on Nov 19, 2008, 04:09:

Rionegro is becoming more expensive and the "whos who" of Medellin is living there. There are lots of police and the place is filled with Colombians who know America and speak english. I would consider it safe, at least safer than other places in the area. We had a finca in La Ceja -- that was much more rural and while lacked the police presence, I would consider it safe too. But there are no restaurants in La Ceja that I would eat at. We would buy the food and take it to the finca and eat there.

North of Medellin there is so much traffic coming south into town on autopista sur, especially on the Monday following a 3 day weekend. This last Monday traffic was at a halt for an hour.

Lots of Paisa's have fincas in Santa Fe - but then again you are running into the tunnel which seems is closed frequently as of often and the trip over the mountain can wear on you for a 2 day trip.

And yes, I have been in several situations where people around me are stone drunk and they start making comments about gringos and America. My spanish sucks but I usually can pick up on the queue and that means it's time to leave as you never know about people when they get so messed up. Like David said, many of them carry knives (possibly guns) and the guys get the macho, macho feeling with the alcohol - which leads typically to a bad situation.

Larry

Your Source for Nursing CEUs - www.RN.ORG - www.RNCE.US - www.EnfermeriaSite.com - www.Enfermeria.US

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davidslc46 says on Nov 19, 2008, 04:35:

Ditto on the traffic issues going back into Medellin from the north. But medellin traffic is a pain in the ass almost anytime.

Also as larry obviously knows, you must never get so drunk that you are not in control and recognize what is going on around you. Or you must be awfully sure you have people around you that insulate you when you are vulnerable. Being drunk is being vulnerable no matter who you are. Very important at a minimum to get to know a good cabby who will respond to your call and pick you up wherever you are at whatever time you need. Even if it is only a few blocks back to your room, you do not walk back by yourself drunk. In Barbosa call 310-386-3303 and ask him if he can be available to you. Tell him David the north american who hangs with lenia said that he could provide you safe travel where ever you needed to go. He doesn't speak any engish but he is a good guy and well known around Barbosa. He can take you anywhere, to fincas in the north for about 15,000 pesos or for that matter back into Medellin for about 50,000 pesos. He can also sit and wait any where for about 20,000 pesos an hour.

David

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dwmte7 says on Nov 19, 2008, 04:58:

for years i've avoided la ceja, because the costanos are from there and numerous atrocities have been committed there.

one place you might like to look is carmen de viboral. it's close in to rio negro, peaceful, clean, safe and beautiful and not overpriced.

there's also the area south of medallo...caldas, primavera, amaga, et all. cheap, but not very culturally stimulating.

after years there, i just choose the areas around rio negro. take time to check it out.

patriarch

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Escape Artist says on Nov 19, 2008, 07:15:

Thanks one and all for the great input. My story is I have a place in Gringolandia (El Poblado) and now I'm looking for a place where I can escape and where life slows down to a crawl. Having some nice restaurant options nearby wouldn't hurt along with a quaint town square where one could go in the evenings to enjoy a typical paisa weekend. And no, that doesn't mean a lot of drinking, it simply means I want to enjoy a simple life outside of El Poblado. Weather is something I'm starting to think more about but it is not the key feature in my search. I don't necessarily want it hot like most of the Paisa's seek but I don't want to freeze my butt of either.

I've done a ton of searching and really like El Carmen, Quirama, Via San Antonio/La Ceja, Rionegro areas but I don't want to pull the trigger until I have checked out other areas. I realize the climate is a bit cooler in the above mentioned areas as opposed to Santa Fe Antioquia, San Jeronimo, Giradota and Barbosa but as I said I'm not convinced I will need it to be a warm area.

I want to have a small farm with all the typical farm animals and maybe even a small dairy operation. I also want to grow my own vegetables and have some fruit/citrus trees on the property. That being said I think this can be accomplished in all the areas mentioned above.

Anyone else with ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

David: If you wouldn't mind I would like to talk to you more in depth about Barbosa. Please PM me and give me your contact information (local cell/fijo).

EA

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larryrn says on Nov 19, 2008, 10:10:

I also would like a finca/casa with land to grow things, maybe some cows and donkeys, room to build and put up antennas (I'm a geek), etc. Broadband is a must. First I need to sell my house in Coral Springs. I am thinking Sabineta myself, something close to Medellin but yet distant in other ways. Larry

Your Source for Nursing CEUs - www.RN.ORG - www.RNCE.US - www.EnfermeriaSite.com - www.Enfermeria.US

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larryrn says on Nov 19, 2008, 14:33:

very nice house, I love the Peavy Amp and fireplace... Plus it's possible to get broadband in La Ceja from EPM. Larry

Your Source for Nursing CEUs - www.RN.ORG - www.RNCE.US - www.EnfermeriaSite.com - www.Enfermeria.US

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dwmte7 says on Nov 19, 2008, 16:03:

escape artist....i lived for a number of years in los llanos...llano grande. had a bar and a restaurant there about 3 miles from don diego and three miles from tablaso. you might want to check out tablaso. it really is the best. not the cheapest, but the best. and of course, there's restaurants close in that are great.

about having cows. unless you're ready to get up in the a.m. and milk and repeat that in the p.m. get a local mayor domo to 'house' the cows on your property...he'll share the spoils with you and do all the work. i know where of i speak. grew up in a farming/ranching family and learned all the above hands on. too, after twenty years in colombia, i have way more than a clue en re life in the finca and the responsibilities that go with it.

i lived in poblado for years and wnen i started staying up in llano grande, we got a place in envigado close to the family so the mrs could be there. for me...can't stand the place. i'm a country boy. llano grande is inflating exponentially, but carmen, around san antonio and behind por venir are still cheap...tablaso is the best. el retiro, la ceja and maranilla have to many hard core paras, insurgents and tough asses for my money. i'll party in maranilla, visit el retiro (used to have 4 workshops there), and now, i wont even go into la ceja after an incident which went down there.

good luck in your search.

patriarch

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davidslc46 says on Nov 20, 2008, 13:47:

Escape artist,

I PM'd you.

Barbosa safe? Dwmte7 makes some very good points.

Had a party in a finca north of Barbosa and outside of the secured area I am trying to buy in this last Sunday. A 15 year olds fiesta. 70 people initially, and then up to over during the late night disco. It was an awesome party thrown by a north americano.

On the property, a guy who I know and who is very well known in Barbosa, got robbed at gunpoint by three guys who were probably somewhere between 15 and 20. Dumbphucks were well known, and at about 5 am the guy who was lead of the three was being shuffled into a car in barbosa when the policia show up. The police put a gun to the head of one of the guys shoving the kid into the car. ( They were truly just taking him to the police anyhow ) The kid had nothing on him but even the police knew he was the robber. They put the kid in protective custody and told his mother that they were afraid he would be floating down the Medellin river. ( not likely over 2 million pesos worth of gold ) But today the jewelry has been returned through the non police channels that exist in every town I am told and so the issue was resolved.

My real point is: If these kids will rob a Colombian who is well known and has the ability to rock their world, they won't think twice about robbing me or more.

In hindsight, he mistake we made was opening up the party to uninvited guests afterr the dinner, and not having armed security at the entrance and in the party itself.

David

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papiChulo says on Nov 20, 2008, 14:17:

You make a very good point there David.

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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dwmte7 says on Nov 20, 2008, 15:10:

ah! finca life in barbosa. i haven't seen one post that told the truth about barbosa...it's the fuckin wild west. and bloody dangerous. the farther north you go the wierder it gets. and when you're around the gold fields, you ass is up for grabs. place to retire? fuck no.

patriarch

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Escape Artist says on Nov 20, 2008, 15:17:

WOW! Seems like my decision is a lot easier than I previously thought. Looks like I'll take the cooler climate up by Rionegro hands down over Barbosa.

David: Thanks for the brutal honesty. I understand sometimes it's difficult to find fault in the area in which you choose to live and or invest so for your honesty I am grateful. By the way I never received your PM. My email is simple... take my handle add pbh at yahoo dot com and you have my email (no dashes, underscores or spaces).

dwmte: Thank you for your words of wisdom, I will take notice and heed your warnings.

EA

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dwmte7 says on Nov 20, 2008, 16:06:

well, when we're talkin about a brother, who's just lookin for a place to park his ass, raise some kids and grow old with his lady, the best we can do is shoot straight and give them the best advise we can.

listen up...you can have problems enough in paradise (llano grande) but someplace that's one floor above the skids means that there's never any rest. and colombia, being colombia, we who love it want it nice. and i've tasted both sides of the apple. met pricks and wonderful folks. thank you, i'll take the wonderful.

peace, do stay in touch, as i like to know that my friends are doing well and fareing well.

douglas

patriarch

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