Colombians in south Florida

elmodefoque says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:21:

thank you!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:22:

Miami sounds like my idea of paradise. =D

Thanks for the info mo'fo'.

Diana

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:27:

There ain't nothin' like SoFlo!!

Like I said before..."this is paradise, I'm tellin' ya. This town like a great big 'chicken' just waiting to get 'plucked'."

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:29:

Too bad the employment situation is so bad over there, and don't get me started on cost of living. Otherwise, I would've moved there a long time ago.

Diana

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Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:31:

I love los Mayamis.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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jonas says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:33:

Bad employment situation meaning too many jobs? Do they have burras in SoFlo?

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:34:

Yep Miami is great, but to live anywhere near the beach is insane. My brother owns a townhouse in Kendall that he rents out for nearly $3,000 a month and Kendall isn't exactly close to the beach. I was also surprised to find out that salaries are not that great there.

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webmanco says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:34:

Es la mejor ciudad de Colombia. :)

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:35:

Ja Ja

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:38:

Vivir en Miami es como tener lo mejor de los dos mundos...todo el mundo es latino, se gana en dolares, y tienes todos los lujos del primer mundo !

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:39:

Simon, ayudame a conseguir una chambita por alla hombe :)

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:39:

The bad thing is my family members who live there and the few friends my husband has haven't been able to learn English. They've been here for years, some for decades and you'd think they just jumped off the boat. It's sad.

Diana

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:39:

Bueno...tu sabes 'como buscarme'.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:47:

Depends on your Profession here in Miami, if you work in certain Medical professions, you can be working 24/7--7days a week. Tons of work. And the Salaries are great. If you like the Beach, living in Kendall sucks as its 20 miles to a decent beach in the North Shore Haulover area.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:48:

20 Miles is still closer than Denver, I'll take it.

Diana

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aztec says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:51:

miamimike, Do you live close to the beech? Are those prices moderating?

Another question. Did the Florida government in the last election provide tax and insurance relief for homeowners in Florida?

We seem to have a large number of people moving into our new development from all over Florida. The main complaint I hear from them is that costs associated with real estate has become unmanageable.

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miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:06:

Aztec, on mid range condos say $400K to $600K, prices are moderating. On higher end condos, prices are actually increasing. Overall for the first quarter of 2008, Miami Condo prices rose 5%. Hard to believe but what accounted for the Price Hike was some of the High End sales(in the millions) condos were averaged in to the overall mix so that lifted up the average and a net overall price hike. Single family Miami Home sales showed price deceases overall in Miami. On Biscayne Blvd, from 36st on south to Downtown Miami, there are a lot of just completed empty Condo Bldgs but average folks can never buy there, no matter how cheap they become because the average miami wage earner($30K or less) could never afford the monthly maintenence, the Taxes and the Homeowner's Insurance. maybe wealthly Europeans or South Americans will eventually buy them but not the average miami worker. Those who did buy pre-construction are all trying to get out of their contracts as they cannot get a loan due to simply insufficient wages. In preconstruction times 2 years back, Builders would accept $5000 downpayments from anyone who had a Pulse on $500,000 Condos,,,

Many of those who bought preconstruction(mostly speculative Condo Flippers) never gave a thought to ancillary costs such as Taxes, Furnishings, Homeowners insurance, Monthly maintenence(some condos have $500+ maintenence fees).Just with these 3 costs, you can see in many cases $1200 going out and that doesn't include the actual mortage which will be at least $2500+ monthly on a Minimum downpayment purchase. Add the Mortage- Outflow is minimally $3750 monthly so you see why ordinary Miami Wage earners will never touch one of these places, even if it was given to them, they could never afford to live in it!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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elmodefoque says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:11:

Hey modefoque, how did you get to los Miami? I rented a mustang convertible in NYC Kennedy Airport for a month and drove 22 hours non stop to Tampa and then Miami.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:11:

That's too bad. It's sad actually.

Diana

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aztec says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:11:

So it is going to get much worse before it improves?

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MaFe says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:12:

I don't like Miami at all...it's funny though because those clicks are everywhere...My friend's family all live in Phili, none speak English, they have been here longer than I have!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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elmodefoque says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:20:

lots of colombians in Hollywood, FL.
How do i know? i could spot a colombiana from a mile away.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:20:

Same in southern calif. and hawaii falling out the bottom. Great opportunities.

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:26:

My brother and father did a little Miami pre-construction condo flipping a few years back and made a killing. I couldn't participate because I was going through a contentious divorce and most of my assets were tied up by court orders. By the time I was free to invest, that bird had flown.

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:34:

Shoot, I can't even invest to buy my own house let alone fix and flips.

Diana

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:35:

You don't even have to fix....tons of flippers got stuck after they pulled a huge home improvement loan....fixed the house up...and the price is 50% of what it was 18 months ago... Just go down make the tax payment...and get your place in line for the forclosure.....its' already fixed up..

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miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:49:

FR--here in Miami, there is a L-O-N-G Line waiting to snap up foreclosures. If the house is in a decent neighborhood it will go for a good price. Even in the neighborhoods where Gunshots are heard nightly, there is a waiting line for foreclosures. Many here in Miami are in trouble because as soon as property values starting shooting up a few years back, many Miami Homeowners took out Home Equity loans to buy those huge SUVs and now they are upside down on the Loans and the Variable rate loans are ratcheting up interest wise. There are many in deep doo-doo just for this reason. They like to live over their heads and take the easy way. Or so they thought,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:52:

I hear ya Miami...you gotta put out the frogpelts to get in-line if you're serious...long before the auction.....buy up the tax debt for highest place in-line..

Its a great market to purchase long term holds. Doing this in hawaii right now. Considering a san diego place that is 1/3 (asking price) from 2 years ago.......excellent time....

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MaFe says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:55:

elmodefoque SEXY car!!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:57:

FR--The reason Miami Condo and Home prices will never completely bottom out is that we are in a Unique location like NYC. Daily, 100s of people move into Miami from out of country and there just isn't any more space. Go to where my Sister lives in NW Penna and Super Cheap Foreclsoures can be had 7 days a week. Why? They are suffering massive job loss, Terrible frigid cloudy cold winters ect. Who wants to go there? Not so with South Florida,,,Glad I bought my little condo 12 years for $17K,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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jorgegdiaz says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:58:

If it were not for the beaches Miami sucked !

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:07:

I hear ya mike and you're there, so i'd have to defer to you.......but the whole country can be bought at a discount now. Just closed on a home in hawaii that was built for more dollars in 1990 that i just bought it for... and i'd guess that miami or NY is no more unique than kahala.

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:25:

"If it were not for the beaches Miami sucked !"

You must not have hit the right places. It really pays to party with locals or you'll just end up stuck in some tourist trap on Collins and miss out on the good stuff. Miami is a blast. Plus, there are amazing looking women everywhere you look. Honestly, I'd rather go to Miami than Cartagena.

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:28:

Huy no CG, por favor dime que quisiste decir Cancun o Acapulco, je je.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:36:

No hermano. Lo siento, pero Cartagena no me impresiono mucho que digamos. Las playas no son nada del otro mundo y en general me pareció como un mini-Miami. Encima de eso, esta repleto de gringos. Para esa gracia, voy a Miami.

Eso si, San Andres me encanta y prefiero ir allá que a Miami.

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:40:

Ok, pero sshhh, eso es entre nos, jajaja.

Pero en serio, cuando estuve allá hace casi dos años, vi que les falta mucho todavía. Esos vendedores ambulantes me fastidiaron demasiado y la verdad que necesitan limpiar esas playas. Tal vez puedan importar arena, que sé yo. De todos modos hay un tremendo boom de construccion en la Heroica ya mismo y hay unos grandes projectos de barrios de vivendas lujosas también.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:45:

Eso es la que mas me recordó de Miami. Están construyendo condominios como locos y van a resultar con un pedo mas grande que el de los condos en Miami.

De todos los lugares que he visitado en Colombia, desde Nariño hasta el Caribe, con la excepción de la Ciudad Amurallada, Cartagena me pareció la ciudad "menos Colombiana" que haya visitado. Obvio que es una de las ciudades mas importantes en la historia de Colombia, pero se la están cagando.

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panthdave says on Apr 3, 2008, 16:19:

Lived in Miami Dade since 85..Can't beat it but costs have skyrocketed..here..Honestly if it wasn't for easy access to Medellin would look to get out..Salaries just can't keep up with S.Florida...would be a hard move though....

panthdave Miami

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darkangel305 says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:15:

i was watching dia a dia and a colobian artist said there are more Colombians in Miami than in Colombia i was shocked!

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eywed says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:22:

Damn Elmo wish you would have said you were going thur Tampa , Would have hooked you up with dinner and a cold one. Also could hook you up with one great fishing trip wih my brother who is a well known fishing guide. Let me know next time.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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jorgegdiaz says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:25:

Ok, party I agree, but if you are in good company you can party anywhere (Vegas, Armenia, New Orleans, San Diego, Santa Martha, South Padre Island, Merida, Austin, Popayan, Bogota, hell, even Tulsa (OK)...

Beaches, ok nice one (even some topless). But the best beaches I´ve been to are in San Andres (I still need to check Aruba).

Miami is expensive, high crime rate, full of latinos (*roll eyes*) who are afraid of going anywhere b/c of the language.

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:29:

PD--Wow you are an old timer for transient Miami, living here for 23 years. I came in '95 and bought my north miami condo the first day of house hunting! I regret not buying 3 of them for what they were selling for back then!
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ColombianoGringo says on Thursday April 3rd, 2008 15:25:

"If it were not for the beaches Miami sucked !"

You must not have hit the right places. It really pays to party with locals or you'll just end up stuck in some tourist trap on Collins and miss out on the good stuff. Miami is a blast. Plus, there are amazing looking women everywhere you look. Honestly, I'd rather go to Miami than Cartagena.

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JD-sounds like you had a bad experience with Miami as there is much more to Miami then its beaches. If you like sports, Cruiseships, the Casinos its all here. If you like fishing lots of that here. Like Dining out--we have tons of Restuarants represented by 15-25 nationalities. We have the Everglades national Park south of Miami and its great for Camping, Kayaking, birdwatching fishing ect. If you are still bored take a ride down to Key West. Or catch the Water taxi down to the Keys. Exotic Women, well CG already touched on that, no shortage of them. Like car Racing, the Rodeos, go South to homestead. I could go on but I tell anyone, stay away from that Overpriced Tourist Trap of a Place called South Beach, you'll get your wallet picked cleaner then a Sailor in a Whorehouse with little of a lasting experience. That place will leave you with a sour taste in your mouth,,,LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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jorgegdiaz says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:36:

Key West was something I missed.
I stayed away from South Beach, you´re right.

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:43:

Hope you went to Bayfront Park and the free concerts. Not to mention, you could catch the waterborne equivelent of a Chiva there, that little party boat they call "La Rhumba" where everyone drinks, dances and acts stupid on! LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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MitchAlvarez says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:30:

hermano si en miami no hay sino puro cubano chochino ome.............. si fuera puro colombia que notaaaaa papa

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:32:

Si, pero esas cubanas también están bien buenas, no joda.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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MitchAlvarez says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:33:

no parce pero son muy come mierdas........ que coman usted sabe que......yo me quedo con lo mio. uy y una vez me meti por alla en un barrio en miami y no habia sino puro moreno papa........pero unos manes rarisimos y feisimos........ unos barrios muy raros hermano en miami

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:46:

Te cuento que por acá también hay muchas Colombianas que son unas 'come mieldas'!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:51:

De acuerdo que la plaga de Cubanos es una negativa en MIami. Se ganan la medalla de mamones.

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MaFe says on Apr 4, 2008, 06:51:

Simon says on Thursday April 3rd, 2008 18:32:
"Si, pero esas cubanas también están bien buenas, no joda."

Si claro..todo piases tienes su gente bonita y no tan bonita...pero no mijito...las mas bellas/buenas somos las Colombianas!!


Simon says on Thursday April 3rd, 2008 18:46:
"Te cuento que por acá también hay muchas Colombianas que son unas 'come mieldas'!"

Ja ja...this is true!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:01:

"la plaga de cubiches en miami" jijijiji
as long as you accept that cubichis son unos puro habla mieda, you'll have a good time with them. I could not stand those pretentious reagan loving castro hating modefoques, then i met colombians now cubichis don't seem so bad.
when i tell colombians what i did for a living "men's room attendant" they look at me like i still had chit stuck to my face, pero los cubichis start making fun and we end up having a good time.
we have a fishing spot 7 miles out in the ocean in front of miami called the 'CUBAN HOLE'
WHY? that's where all the shit from miami gets dumped

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:17:

Miami is full of Latinos but it is supported by a white protestant government.

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El Polo says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:33:

it took me about 15 minutes to figure out who "Junes" was!!! jaja

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gringoloid says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:35:

I have to go to Miami in a couple of weeks; ......when i was there in December I didn't see this Colombian thing at all.

Where are the Colombians? What area?

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ColombianoGringo says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:37:

You can't swing a dead "chucha" in Kendall without hitting a Colombian.

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:58:

driving to south florida

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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eywed says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:13:

Dont you wish that drive was as short as that video.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:18:

24 fokin hours NON STOP from nyc to fokin miami, love it!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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webmanco says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:20:

Que se siente estar jubilado?




:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:20:

jajajajajajjijjijijjijijijijajajajajajajaj

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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El Polo says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:34:

no joda, pero si el man tiene la burra sudando, imaginase como deja la pela!!!

OK dejo de hablar peo, back to work 4 me.

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El Polo says on Apr 4, 2008, 08:51:

:)

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 09:22:

.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 09:37:

Elmo, that was as interesting as watching paint dry.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:04:

rg, agree
this is much better

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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MitchAlvarez says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:09:

ok so dominicans drive with cameras? is there a driving while filming law?

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 10:40:

That's better Elmo. Much better music.

I 75, Georgia?

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 4, 2008, 12:28:

Shake it, shake it... And just because they're listening to merengue does not mean they have to be Dominicans. =D

Diana

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elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 12:54:

that thar is me driving and filming after 15 hours of no rest on I-95 south georgia .
with the right music i could drive 5 days non stop with out sleeping
i'm a beast behind the wheel, i drive a car the same way i drive my hookers-

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Monpirri says on Apr 4, 2008, 13:10:

Elmo, if you are still in Florida make sure you vote for:

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 17:54:

Elmo said: "I drive a car the same way I drive my hookers" Damn, that makes my soosudio hurt just thinking about it.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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chester says on Apr 4, 2008, 18:48:

u can tell which of the beaners in florida are colombian by listening to which ones can't speak english, even after 20 years....and dude, u were here in florida...?...my terlet needs cleaning, even if it is not as 'distiguished' as your new home town models. besides, my calena refuses to do anything connected to housework.

my spanish is not that good...something about "mama mi" whenever i suggest she clean up.

thinking about driving up to Jackson Heights, Queens, and putting her picky calena ass out on the corner.

just waiting for the snow to melt up there...how deep is it now....?...about asshole high to a 10 foot injun?

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 21:09:

Huh?

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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nine inch nails says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:21:

Just finshed the day's research for the upcoming south Florida real estate auctions and it ain't pretty folks. Yes there is a reserve on the bids thru the REDC but the starting bids are so low relative to the last sales price on the property appraiser's web-sites it makes me wonder. Por ejemplo:

Homestead townhome (not MIA beach but nice new townhome in developing area) start bid is only $1000! And it sold at height of boom (Mar 2006) for $307K!!!!!! Another townhome (TH) near Homestead (Saga Bay), great curb appeal seems like a reasonable start bid of $89K with the last sale in early 2005 of $168K. But both the windstorm insurance alone proly $5K!!!!!!!, just the wind, then add taxes, mortgage, HOAs fire policy... Even the TH for $1000 start bid even if got it for $5K all the other costs eat you alive.

Now downtown MIA:

Vue at Brickell 16th floor start bid of only $59K with last sale before bank repo. of $495K! And the god-damn thing is almost a closet (783 SF).

A Blue Lagoon condo. last sold $305K for a whopping 862 sf and start bid of $129K. Seems more reasonable.

A South Beach condo.at 2301 Collins Ave. last sold $485K for a very spacious generous 660 square feet (sf) and now the start bid of $89K.

An older nicer condo. up in Davie $39K start bid, $175K last sale during the height.

Another in Fort L. of Federal HWY for $69K start bid, $405K last sale in April 2005. In good area too.

A lot of these are bank owned by Deutsche bank and other large banks (GMAC, BOA etc.). The last major auction downtown MIA on a single building the developer dumped them for half. Owner, Developers and banks getting extremely nervous here.

Could say yeah the rich South Americans, Europeans, Americans, Canadians etc. would pay these high prices but not all are in prime areas. Most parts of downtown MIA always run into at least one panhandler if not more and some areas where condos were sold blindly for $200K in the grand central homeless living in streets area. What well off person wants to live in the middle of that back behind Miami Arena?????????

City of Weston where a lot of middle class Colombians live or desire too saw over 150 properties listed as bank owned in about a 10 square mile area. Amazing!

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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nine inch nails says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:24:

Add in escalating fuel and now food costs, constriction of credit, mounting layoffs even here in south Florida and people are getting squeezed hosed left and right.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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nine inch nails says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:24:

Have a great night everyone and happy fin de semana!

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:48:

I had a 1000 foot condo in Keys Gate, Homestead. My windstorm, though payed through the homeowners association, was less than $700 a year. Certainly not $5000. That was current as of 2006.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 4, 2008, 22:49:

I guess I got lucky. I bought for $54,800 in '98 and sold for $171,000 in '06.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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aztec says on Apr 5, 2008, 05:34:

nine inch nails, interesting comments. Are you in real estate or just looking for yourself?

In your opinion, do taxes and insurance make South East Florida an unrealistic real estate purchase.

My reason for asking is that at one time my wife and I wanted to sell where we are currently living and purchase an apartment in Miami and another in Bogotá. We would then live part of the year in both countries. We could easily transverse via Eldorado and MIA.

Unfortunately by the time we were ready for the move the prices had become exorbitant. Both is Bogotá and in Miami.

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miamimike says on Apr 5, 2008, 06:51:

Aztec-if you buy a Miami Condo(or any condo in florida) and claim it as your main residence, you get the $25,000 Florida Homestead exemption. if you are a Vet and over 65, take an additional $25,000 exemption. Also, thanks to the "Save Our Home"(SOH) Tax law, your taxable valuation CANNOT rise more then 3% yearly so you are protected from drastic tax jumps. In my case, I payed $17K for my condo in '95, I have the $25000 homestead exemption(primary residence) and my Tax Value is capped at $21,300 so the Net result is I pay not One Dime of real estate tax. Seeing how I am a Veteran, when I turn 65 I will get the extra $25,000 exemption if I still own my Condo. It doesn't get any better then that~No tax. I've thought of selling but I don't know where else I could go in the USA (major city)and not pay real estate tax. If and when I sell, the tax base/rate for the next buyer would Re-set at the latest price the Condo sold for and thats what is putting a lot of new buyers with shallow pockets in deep doo-doo. My neighbor who bought at the height of the Boom for the same size unit has a tax base of $115,000 where my tax base is $21300. He pays close to $3500 in Tax. Homeowner's insurance(liability, contents, theft above and beyond what the Condo association has) is $440 yearly from state farm which includes my Windstorm. Florida Condo Buildings by law have to purchase Federal flood insurance at that is a set rate, as is Windstorm insurance whose rates are set by law. All Insurance agencies charge the same for Flood and windstorm, no matter what agency you get it from. My Car Insurance for 2 cars thru State farm is around $90 monthly and that is a very decent price for Miami for Full coverage on 2 Cars.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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aztec says on Apr 5, 2008, 08:41:

Darn, just what I had assumed. People have told me long time residents are somewhat protected from confiscatory taxes. Prices would need to fall much further in order for my plan to work.

You had commented earlier that there are other variables working that may keep the Miami prices higher than other depressed markets. I think you are right about that. Real estate in Miami is a bargain if you are paying in Euro's.

In some parts of my State bargains are available. I know of a case where the house was listed for $300,000 and after foreclosure the bank sold it to a bidder for $65,000.

I am now convinced that in the next two years banks will be stuck with a great deal of unsold real estate. They will need to unload it and get it off their balance sheets before they can ever return to profitability.

This has happened twice in my life time. My dean purchased two condo's in Ormond Beech on the water I think in the 70's. It was a new building with over half of the condo's unsold. The whole building had been taken over by the banks. I remember there were many buildings standing unfinished all along the Florida coast.

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miamimike says on Apr 5, 2008, 12:34:

Aztec--in the case of the Overbuilding of Condos here in Miami, you could give these away to the Average wage Earning Resident and they still could NOT afford to live in them. Here's why:if you count just Maintenence($400 monthly approx) Taxes(another $400 monthy) Insurance($400 monthly minimally) you already have $1200 monthly outgoing. Not counting food, ultilities ect. The Average wage earner in Miami(remember we are almost the largest poorest city in the USA) earns around $29,000 Gross. Net would be maybe $23000. This hypothetical owner already has spent all his diposible income on Taxes, maintenence and Homeowner's insurance. Only if a few people doubled or tripled up could they swing living in one of these pricey condo units. This arrangement is common in the purchase of Single family homes throughout Miami,especially in the Haitian and latin communities here in Miami. I doubt such a lifestyle arrangement would get by the condo screening committees for these upscale units. Potential Buyers from Europe(or south america) with deep pockets and a strong Euro are, IMO, Miami's salvation as far as solving the Miami Condo crisis.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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panthdave says on Apr 5, 2008, 17:55:

Yep..MM been here awhile..in Miami-Dade and was living in Aventura when it was only State Troopers patroling now with the Orange Bowl going down I don't know...Was a NMB Charger but 38 now things have changed big time..but happy cause I have good access to Medellin..

panthdave Miami

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miamimike says on Apr 5, 2008, 22:38:

PD--Yes that's a big advantage living here in Miami is you get great prices on Airline Tix to wherever your desire to travel may be, I try to ude the Ft Lauderdale Airport as much as posible and avoid the disaster we call MIA. I see a few weeks ago they caught another gang of Baggage thieves at MIA and the Tampa Airport also,,,It never stops

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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