Colombians Live Better In Colombia Then In Boston

scotty says on Jul 10, 2007, 13:15:

Location, Location, Location.
It all depends on what city/area you decide to live in. I agree about Boston, I was stationed in Boston when i was in the navy and Boston is a big nasty city, old, dirty, rude people, cold, crowded, expensive, etc Boston offers very little for a Colombian or anyone else.

If a Colombian is going to come to the states they need to pick a good city like DallasTexas, several cities in Florida, San Diego California, Phoenix Arizona, and a few other clean, friendly cities around the US.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Boatygringo says on Jul 10, 2007, 13:51:

I dont know what part of Colombia you see Shyer747 but you must have seen the poor people in some parts of Colombia that live in wood and cardboard shacks, or the one room house with twelve people and no running water, The people who have no food and No money and NO hope. Most any where they live is better. Or do you only see the upper parts of Colombia like Boca Grandy, Prado and the like. You must know there are is no welfare in Colombia if you have no money you go hungry. Most Colombians would be happy to work two jobs if they could find them. I too love Colombia but I also see some of the problems so I know why they move to a place for for opertunity.

Boatygringo

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 10, 2007, 14:06:

If I was paying $1500 a month in rent AND it was a run down area, I think I'd find somewhere more affordable. And if I couldn't move, I'd be putting that $1500 a month into a mortgage.

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houstongal says on Jul 10, 2007, 14:34:

It is much more affordable to live in Texas, and in many cities you can get by without knowing much English. Rubito, I think many immigrants move to the US to be able to improve their lives in the long run. They may start making a minimum wage, but some eventually get better paying jobs and some start their own businesses. The family that lives next door to me is an example of this. There are 3 generations living in a small 3-bedroom home, but they drive nice cars, the kids and grandkids speak English. The grandfather has a masonry business. Neither he nor his wife speak English. It wasn't an overnight change, but apparently a good one for them overall.

Culture is language and language is culture - Dr. Annamaria Napolitano

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 10, 2007, 15:36:

Hell, as an AMERICAN I wouldnt live in Boston.....they dont speak English over there! jajajajjaj....

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 10, 2007, 16:25:

Except...they're sending $4 billion USD to Colombia EVERY year. So even though life may not be all that great for a lot of them, they're helping many more in Colombia.

I know that economists debate whether the explosion in remittances is going to productive purposes as opposed to consumption of "junk" but until that firehose is turned off, I don't think we're going to see much change in the desire to come here, legally or illegally.

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bostonmickey says on Jul 10, 2007, 17:15:

I'll chime in later...I have to run around the city a little for some exercise...I hope I make it back;)

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panthdave says on Jul 10, 2007, 17:18:

Agree with Tinto..but I know of many that just get a bed and bathroom and share an apartment with about 4 because there only here to work and send money or go back and forth..In Miami they make more money here than Colombia but they are smart there only here to work and sleep...and then go home to enjoy themselves..If they want to live two lives thats a different story very tough to make it here in the States but many don't like I said there only here to work and not to play around and dedicated to there family..
You also have the ones I have know of wife that has a business here in Miami and the husband works in Bogota and she goes back and forth and they have a very nice living...but thats out of the ordinary...

panthdave Miami

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bostonmickey says on Jul 10, 2007, 18:04:

There are more than a few Colombians (and other nationalities) making it in Boston;) Unfortunately, East Boston is very much a community where the new immigrant arrives and tries to make it...it tends to be a transient immigrant locale where one can stay with friends and family hoping to move onto something bigger and better (or back home)...
In a better world I too would prefer life in Cali, but Boston will do for now (all your negative comments and opinions notwithstanding;)

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hustle3999 says on Jul 10, 2007, 20:31:

this is absurd...I was born in Bogota, my mother's family is from Santander, Velez..they grew dirt poor as did my father...Now they own a business and my mother works for Metlife (no college degree), im currently attending a private university in Boston. I grew up in Chelsea which is next to East Boston and there's no question I have the opportunities i have now because my parents came to the USA, of couse immigrants struggle here as they do all over the world having to adapt to a new culture and society.

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hustle3999 says on Jul 10, 2007, 20:35:

Oh and for people saying Boston is a bad place for Colombians..Boston has the third highest income per capita in the COUNTRY...the quality of education is unparalled...MIT,HARVARD, BU..etc...this is a fast paced city, yes people are not the friendliest but neither are Bogotanos, thats not why you immigrat to another country. Oh and the Cutlure and History, please we're talking about Boston here.

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bueno_pues says on Jul 10, 2007, 21:01:

Buen dicho, Shyer747. Los EEUU para los gringos y Colombia para los Colombianos.

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adrimm says on Jul 10, 2007, 22:33:

Most people who can immigrate (get papers, afford plane fares, etc) and loose out on their carreers in the process, won't be able to continue life at the same level they might have had in Colombia.. then there are the "vivos" who move on refugee claims, even then it isn't all they expect. Like most other immigrants to North America those that *might* benefit are the descendants/kids - but even then it is on them to take advantage of opportunities that come up and work, work, work.

If developed countries were truly intent on offering a better life to those that are in the deepest hole in Colombia they would set up programmes for the displaced, disoriented people who eek out a living in the tugurios and shantytown settlements.

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microllo says on Jul 11, 2007, 00:27:

more colombians should move out here to my part of the world san francisco ca or the bay area it,s expensive but people are more freindly and more open minded we except everyone culture out here we already have a small colombian community out here but it would be nice to see it grow a little more.

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miamimike says on Jul 11, 2007, 01:03:

Rubito--depends where you move to in the USA. In a small Northcentral Mountain Town where my Mom was born, you can still find older fixer upper houses very cheap. I sa w a 2 story Wood House(with cellar) and detached garage go for $5800 on a foreclosure. That is affordable for a family making the $10 per hour or so. You would be surprised at some of the deals in that area and what they sell for. A Buddy of mine just moved back there after retiring and bought a Nice House for $70K. 7 years old.

Boston; Graet City with lots of culture though its pricey to live in! If you aren't having a Good Time in Boston, something is wrong! When I worked for Military Sealift Command(DoD) we used to load up with cable in Portsmouth, NH 40 miles north. Lots of folks from NH work in boston then head back to NH due it bein g a NO Tax State (income), Never met anyone who didn't like the Boston Pops or all the great Restaurants in the 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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bostonmickey says on Jul 11, 2007, 07:27:

No matter where yuou go or where you are coming from, you need to make an attempt to adapt...the language, the food, the weather---jeez, 9 months of variable, cool-cold weather in Boston as compared to the weather in Cali---you have to give yourself time to adapt to your new circumstances. Sure, first generation immigrants have it tough, but the second generation usually benefits from that generation's sacrifice. Isn't that an old adage--My children have it better than we do. Boston is a nice walking "little-big city" with a lot to offer and a lot of positvies. If you are new to this city, or any other city, give yourself time to adapt, enjoy the little things. For example, tomorrow night our Colombian-American group is getting together for a little paella, aguardiente, dance, and fun...it may only happen 4 or 5 times a year, but it connects us to Colombia a little bit.

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miamimike says on Jul 11, 2007, 11:03:

Yeah but what kinda job opportunities are they gonna have there for a Colombian immigrant?
=================================================================== Probably bas good or better as they would find in Miami where I live plus they would be forced to learn English. That isn't the case in Miami, well the two cities, miami and Boston simply cannot be compared,,,

"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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Gomezman5 says on Jul 11, 2007, 11:27:

Some of you guys make it sound as if Boston is the only option. Boston is an expensive city to live in....even for most Americans. I don't know anyone who moved from any part of the US to Boston unless they had family there, or they had a job opportunity that was more than just a dream.

Above said, then obviously it is not going to be a good city for Colombian to move to if they don't know English. On the other hand, if, like Rubito point out, if you are a proffessional that is able to work here in the US, Boston might be as good as place as any to live. Like Mike said, Miami cannot compare from a cultural perspective....not in any way, with Boston. For example, if you are a physical thereapist if Colombia, you speak English, and you can procure the H1b visa to work in Boston, the pay will be excellent. You will live in a good area, you will be able to enjoy doing things in Boston that you could never do in Colombia because you did not have enough money to do it, and lastly, as well as most importantly, you will have money to send back home to support your family.....Hence,......let someone tell me how a person in such a position would not be better off living in Boston than Colombia.........You will not be able to do so.

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Simon says on Jul 11, 2007, 11:35:

I wouldn't live in Boston if you paid me!!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jul 12, 2007, 00:21:

I remember a lady in NY that was selling colombian sweets on the street. We asked her about moving there, and what she did in Colombia? "Selling the same sweets on the street".

"if you live in Colombia and are already working a professional job you'd have to be a complete idiot to give it up and move to the US" -> I tend to generally agree with this.

Poor but snappy

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scotty says on Jul 17, 2007, 18:23:

well first off she is probably being paid cash for the sweets and not claiming it on her taxes, so its cash in her pockey. she probably collects goverment assistance , free medical and who knows what other benefits. she has a better life in US she has her sweets and eats them to.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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goin_south says on Jul 17, 2007, 22:41:

free medical part???

do you play .... FREE MUSIC?

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)

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goin_south says on Jul 17, 2007, 22:42:

WTF does everyone think 'medical' should be free? (no... I'm not one of 'em!)

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)

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