Cost of Living for 1 Month in Colombia

scotty says on Apr 27, 2007, 02:35:

$2k a month depends on your lifestyle, what you plan to do while there, where you plan to go while there. figure $2K

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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thur says on Apr 27, 2007, 02:43:

Two thousand US dollars?! You are talking about USD, right? A tad too much? Perhaps too much of an expensive lifestyle?
I'd say around 1.000.000 COP tops for rent (and I'm being generous), plus another 1.000.000 COP for other expenses (food, transport, etc.) and keeping another 1.000.000 COP as an emergency fund just in case things don't work out or additional unexpected expenses. Total around 2.5 million COP for a month... however you could do it for a LOT less.
Greetings,

~ UPDATE ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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tomtom33 says on Apr 27, 2007, 04:28:

Yes the cost of living is very different. You could do alright on Thur's budget in MDE. Use Scotty's number for CTG.

I own my own apartment outright in CTG. Administration, water, electricity, phone, cable, Internet, insurance, and property taxes run around 1.5 million COP per month. Granted my apartment is in Laguito, but there isn't much middle ground in CTG.

Similar expenses in MDE are less than half. My administration fee in CTG is 450K, and in MDE it's 90K. Electricity is around 300-400K in CTG and around 50K in MDE. This is not exactly apples to apples. My estrato in CTG is 6, and in MDE it's a 5.

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pedro says on Apr 27, 2007, 07:21:

? Olha so "brasilieiro", que tipo de brazuca te imaginaria ser, que voce nem sabe escrever certo a palavra "brasileiro"?

que nota!

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scotty says on Apr 27, 2007, 11:49:

thur well as i said in my post it all depends on what your life style is and what you intend on doing for a month in Colombia. when you take into consideration the cost of airlines, renting an apartment/hotel for a month, food, taxi, sight seeing, night clubs, meet a girl spend som cash on her, dinning out, etc etc, it all adds up you can eaisly spend $2000 or more in a month, hell you can easily spend that much in 2 or 3 weeks.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 27, 2007, 12:02:

Administration What do you get for that $450,000 COP fee besides on-site security, door opening and (maybe) garage door opening? Does it include trash pick-up and sewage fees?

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mecca says on Apr 27, 2007, 12:06:

administration in cali, 850k per month, electric 45k, water 9k, but they are remodeling so i'd expect the water and possibly electric to go up. Though they are running electric tools all day.

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tomtom33 says on Apr 27, 2007, 13:00:

Tinto I think it includes trash pick up. The sewage may be part of the water bill(around 100K per month). We also have a small pool that is maintained by the building. Since we are right on the beach, there are also two community shower stalls. We employ 3 porteros and 1 full-time maintenance man.

Another reason for the high fees is that our building has relatively few units(27).

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 27, 2007, 14:34:

I don't have time to read the thread, so I am just quick responding for now. I lived in an estrato 4 apartment, ate out everyday (at normal cafes), went out on weekends for discoteques, ... with my fiance, for about $500 US a month. Maybe a tad more. I think my budget was 1.100.000 cop per month for 4 months. If you can wing 2 grand a month ... you are living large - IMHO.

--"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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kat1 (Moderator) says on Apr 27, 2007, 14:39:

what happens if you are a woman? 1,000.00 a month not enough hehehe

engage brain before opening mouth

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dibbs says on Apr 27, 2007, 15:55:

Brasilero, from my experiences with all the festivals and everything that's always happening in the country, you can budget between $2000 000-$3500 000 if you are single and $3500 000-$7000 000,if you are married, if you plan to live here for several months you might as well enjoy everything the country has to offer.

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scotty says on Apr 28, 2007, 02:21:

i have to learn that how to penny pinch when on vacation, i like to have fun and stay in a nice and safe place in a good neighborhood. leys see my last couple of trips cost something like this for 3 weeks.
1.flight $900.
2.hotel $800.
3.food $200.
4.taxi $100.
5.activity $500.
6.other $100
total $2600. 20 days of fun in Cali

I remember once when i first started traveling to cali a old salty who had been there many times told me theres the right way and the wrong way to enjoy Cali. he said if you are gonna enjoy your trip you can figure on spending at the very least $100. a day. thats just about what i spend.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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jacobglobo says on Apr 28, 2007, 09:38:

hello robito robito , what do you know about brasilian peoles nothing , 10 procent of brasilain peoples can buy half colombia , not only spend 2000 dollares a month , in sau paulo peoles earen eazy 1500 dollares a month , and many brasilain peoles lives in maiami , it is eazy for tham to come to colombia to spend this money , i think that 1500 dollares is ok to live in 2 cities, i feel sorry for the tuorists that neadto speand in 3 world country like colombia 2000 dollares , with 2000dolares you live like king in thailand , way to come to colombia , i love colombia , but it is realy expensive now , after you get from the dollares 1950 pessos , and it will go more down

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dibbs says on Apr 28, 2007, 14:23:

jacobglobo, unless you are in high school your counter argument to Rubito's comment was very pathetic!!I'm not Colombian, but i have been fortunate enough to have worked in Brazil, Argentina, and now Colombia.
yes Sao Paulo is indisputably the economic and financial heart of Brazil, it is in fact the first stop for every major technological innovation that enters Latin America, of course foreign investors flock in masses there.

"10 procent of brasilain peoples can buy half colombia"

The only Reason 10% of Colombians are not buying half of Brazil is because they don't want to show their money for fear of been kidnapped or worse having to pay la guerrilla money every month for protection.

"in sau paulo peoles earen eazy 1500 dollares a month"

10% of people in that city make that money the rest make less than $600 a month. in fact the minimum salary is 350 reais a month;which is roughly $163.40; compared with $475 000 pesos, which as you can see is way more than $163.40!

"and many brasilain peoles lives in maiami , it is eazy for tham to come to colombia to spend this money"

well that's just a dumb thing to say!, just about every Latin American country has its share of people living in Miami!

"i think that 1500 dollares is ok to live in 2 cities, i feel sorry for the tuorists that neadto speand in 3 world country like colombia 2000 dollares"

Well the key word is 'Tourists", when Americans, Canadians,Europeans, or Colombians who live abroad come to Colombia to visit, of course they want to spend their hard earned cash on things that they could not afford/too expensive back where they live.

A strong peso against the dollar does not mean Colombia is more expensive than Brazil!

Honestly i Rather live in Bogotá, where everyone respect you because you add something to the economy of the country,rather than in Brazil where everybody looks down on you thinking you've reached Top Management through affirmative action.

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jacobglobo says on Apr 28, 2007, 14:48:

hello dibbs thanks for your comment , i did not mean that every body in sau paulo make 1500 dollares , but more than 20 procent makes 2000 to 3000 reals , as the real is strong it is more than 1000 dolares , brasil is the best econmy in sauth america now a day and there are many rich peoles that can travel to colombia and spend 1500 dolares a month , sorry for my bad english , i speak 6 languges but i write bad english , dont forget in brasil lives 18000000 milones , and many in the usa , so it is not big deal to come to colombia and spend this money , of course the por brasilain can not travel , but read the treate good , this was only my answear , buy the way the minmum salaRY IN BRASIL IS MORE THAN 400 REALS 200 DOLLARES BUT ANY CLEANING WOMEN WORKS 40 HOURES A WEEKS MAKE 2 SALERYS , AND IN COLOMBIA THE PEOLES WORK 6 TO 7 TIME A WEEK SOMTIMES 12 HOURES A DAY , AND GET 400000 PESSOS , SORRY I AM NOT BRASILAIN AND NOT COLOMBIAN , I JUST KNOWS THIS 2 CUNTRIES , HAVE SA NICE DAY AND SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 28, 2007, 21:23:

I got the impression the O.P. was going to stay long term in Colombia. Assuming a person has friends or family in Colombia, getting a cosigner for a apartment is easy. It is more challenging leasing a place for less than 6 months, but far from impossible. I did it. If you DOUBLED what I paid for rent in an estrato 4 apartment in Villavo, since the O.P. is staying in a big city, that would still be only $500 a month. I paid around $80 for utilities - including Internet. So, $1000 a month - not considering travel expenses in and out of the country, would be all I would need to live VERY comfortably in Colombia. With all due respect to other posters, $2500 a month is crazy high. I would have trouble spending that much in Colombia - unless I was buying furniture, major appliances, living in a large hotel, etc.

--"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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miamimike says on Apr 28, 2007, 22:38:

Some here spend more in Colombia,,, then I do here in Miami! LOL! And that is with maintaining two 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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dibbs says on Apr 29, 2007, 00:41:

Rubito seu português está bem

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dibbs says on Apr 29, 2007, 00:43:

arrependido, seu portunhol
arrependido, seu portunhol

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scotty says on Apr 29, 2007, 03:31:

rubito you stay in Bogota and spend $100 a week? i dont know how you could do that? i mean dont you buy anything? dont you take any girls out on a date? dont you ride in the taxis? dont you rent an apartment or hotel room? dont you eat in the restruants? dont you go to any of the discos and drink? dont you go to the cine? these things cost money and alot more than $100 a week. Also where do you stay when in Bogota a decent hotel is gonna cost you minimum of $35. to $85 a day, even a dump would cost you more than $100 a week.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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mikecolombia says on Apr 29, 2007, 03:36:

to jacobglobo I don't understand your point jacob. 10 porcient of Colombians can buy half of brazil, and the exchange now is 2,100 to the dolar. You can live just as cheap in brazil also. Brazil is not a rich country either. 2,000 dollars is way too much to spend a month. You wouldn't last long if you carried that much money with you. If you go all out, you will draw too much attension. You can still have a great time with half of that, and still have a nice place to stay and plenty to eat. I do agree that Cartegena is expensive for tourist.

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jacobglobo says on Apr 29, 2007, 07:38:

hello robito hi your portugese is very good , but sorry to write that you dont understnd nothing about brasil , and nothing about colombia too , if you write that you can live with 100 dollares a week , i just wont to write you that any taxi driver in brasil make 100 real neto a day it mean 3000 reals a month 1500 dollaes a month,. i was a manger in a travel agenacy in brasil , and wont to inform you that brasilain peoles are the best travel spender , even when the go to maimi the can speand this money , all the fly from brasil to europe are olerady booked for the next summer with hotel and all incloding , please dont write somthing about brasil , and now a days the brasilian peole can pay with credit cart the trip expennses , of course who is traveling out side brasil are the middele clas plus , and now a days the middele clas in brasil is beacome very high , you dont nead to be surprise that any brasilain man can come to colombia , it is 5 houres fly cost lase than 500 dollares , and sorry the dollar in colombia today is 1970 pessos , i am now in colombia and i chenge yestrdsay this money , mayby you was as a simole worker in brasil but staday exectly about brasil before you write somting that you dont know ,

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jacobglobo says on Apr 29, 2007, 07:52:

hello mike colombia




hello read cerful what i wrote first the dollars today is 1970 pessos , i never said that you nead 2000 dollares to spend in colombia , you can live nurmal live as the man who asthe informtion middel class acmodtion for about 1200 to 1500 dollars a month , in 2 cities with out travel alot , so clever robito that think that you can live for 100 dollares a week in bogota , and think that why wrote this is can not be brasilsain beacuse brasilian peoles can not travel to colombia , mayby robito have somthing against brasil or he was simple wrrker in brasil that dont know how to earn the money to travel to colombia , and i only write my opinun , i am not brasilain and not colombian , but i know this places , 3 of my europian frinds read this and laft about robito , beacuse they know brasil , any how every body have is own opinun ,

























































this money , all the fly from brasil to europe are olerady booked for the next summer with hotel and all incloding , please dont write somthing about brasil , and now a days the brasilian peole can pay with credit cart the trip expennses , of course who is traveling out side brasil are the middele clas plus , and now a days the middele clas in brasil is beacome very high , you dont nead to be surprise that any brasilain man can come to colombia , it is 5 houres fly cost lase than 500 dollares , and sorry the dollar in colombia today is 1970 pessos , i am now in colombia and i chenge yestrdsay this money , mayby you was as a simole worker in brasil but staday exectly about brasil before you write somting that you dont know ,

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dibbs says on Apr 29, 2007, 18:14:

jacobglobo, Dude! you are a very funny guy, please tell me, all the garbage you are writing is a joke!!
You are so funny i can't take you serious! have you considered a job as a stand up comic? in what city are you in Colombia, maybe i can pay you to entertain my wife and i!

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scotty says on Apr 30, 2007, 01:14:

rubito well there you go, you shouldnt even be answering this question because as you just stated you stay at your girlfriends place so you arent spending money for a apartment /hotel. i think the average person here that goes to Colombia is probably staying in a hotel or apartment or agency or some place thats gonna cost money.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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miamimike says on Apr 30, 2007, 08:10:

Rubito-Nice Rooms short term, from 19.99 per night! So I agree, you don't need to spend a fortune in Bogota!

http://www.bogotacolombialodging.com/

"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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ELI1953 says on Apr 30, 2007, 08:48:

in those cities you better bring lotssssssssssssssssssssss of money
its cheap if you go to barrniquilla which its near santa malta and
cartagena, i been living here for three year i live on 1500.00 dallors a month, and a party like a dog, like when i was in the marines

LEATER NECK

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Gator says on Apr 30, 2007, 09:30:

Question, PorFavor. 100 USD a week to live in Bogotá? Can you really do that? That amount comes to about 830.000 pesos a month which is only 400.000 more than the minimum wage in Colombia.

"...1-2 times a week on dinner that cost anywhere from 30-90k for both of us, but of course sometimes she was picking up the tab too."

Lets say you spend 50.000 twice a week that comes to about 400.000 a month subtracted from the 830.000 leaves 400.000. 50.00 USD for health insurance (closer to 75 and even then the coverage will be minimal) but I will go with the 50.00USD which is 100.000 a month leaving. Take that from the 400.000 leaving 300.000 (say 4.75 USD a day.

"...will leave our household expenses at around 425k EACH," take that away from your remaining 300.000 and it will leave you 125.000 in the hole. Food, clothing, utilities, transportation, taxes, and those everyday things that pop up from time to time-how about those?

Maybe you can do it, and I hope you can, but IMHO that's living on the razors edge.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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aztec says on Apr 30, 2007, 09:41:

I can't... ...nor do I wish to even attempt it. Why move to Bogotá and lower your standard of living.

A reason for moving in the first place is to live better with less costs. I would expect my life style to greatly improve. I can handle the bureaucracy and different pace of living. It is the fear associated with safety that is disconcerting.

Here, in the States I never think of safety. If you must worry about it every time you leave the house in Bogotá you can never be free there.

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adrimm says on Apr 30, 2007, 18:57:

For the two days I was on my own in Bogota I spent about 90K cop total (accomodation, food, taxi & buses, a few beers) includes a trip out to Zipaquira and lots of wandering historical Caldelaria - Donacion Botero and Casa de la Moneda are free. I had a great time and don't think I could possibly have done more in those two days.

After that I met up with my family so can't say much about visitor prices.

Safety-wise I was a little on edge at first (the last time I had been to Colombia Bogota was a very different place), but I relaxed within hours and would feel alright going back again on my own, and spending time (ie. living) there. I can't comapre it to home at all becuase it's a different place (7 million vs a couple hundred thousand), but it felt more comfortable than other huge cities that I have visited. (This is once some visual oddities become part of the background scenery - ie very visbly armed military/police).

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jacobglobo says on May 1, 2007, 05:59:

HI DIBBS and poor rubito I WRITE VERY SERIUS , I AM FROM EUROPE , AND *DELETED* RUBITO, THAT THINK THAN A TOURIST THAT COME TO LIVE IN BIG CITY IN COLOMBIA CAN SPEND 100 DOLARES A WEEK , MAYBY YOU DEVEND HIM BEACUSE HE IS YOUR FRIEND , BUT ALL EUROPIAN PEOLES HERE WILL THINK THAT YOU ARE THE SOME LEVEL LIKE HIM , BECUSE 2 OF YOU ARE GRINGOS, ANY HOW FOR THE LASR TIME I WILLTEACH YOU AND POOR RUBITO , THAT LAST SUMMER 80000 BRASILAn peoles travel to europe for 30 days to see the world campion ship in europe and they spend more money in europe that rubito spend 3 dolares with his girl friend in 1 mayo in bogota , the must dangerus place in bogota , and rubito still belive that the man how wrote about all this is not brasilain , rubito any poor brasilain man spend 6000 in resturant, in brasil way you belive that he can not come to bogota to eat for 3 dolares like you do ,and please if you make mistake admitd this , nobody can live in bogota for 100 dollares a week i chenge 100 dolares yestrday in colombia you know how much i get 197000 pessos ,and you dibbs , one time you write that you nesd to spend 2000 to 3500 dolares a month , and next time you ageary with poor rubito ,dont think you are smart , to teach europian peoles like me that lives in sauth america for 20 years , i can teach you alot about brasil and colombia

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tkutlow says on May 1, 2007, 07:08:

Is this a good salary? I have a question along the same lines as the original post:

I have a job offer in Periera. Its 2,340,000 plus a free apartment (not including internet or cable TV). How comfortably will I be able to live? I'm concerned about paying off my American credit card bill and also enjoying my time in Colombia. I certainly don't live an extravagant life style. But I'd like to be able to travel around the country a bit and also send some cash home every month. Advice sorely needed and greatly appreciated.

Tom

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tomtom33 says on May 1, 2007, 08:37:

You want to pay off your US credit card with money earned in Colombia? That makes very little sense.

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tkutlow says on May 1, 2007, 09:20:

I should have explained something Tomtom33 and others: I should have explained that I'm a school teacher in the U.S. As a teacher in the US I was making twice that amount but I wasn't able to make much of a dent in my Visa bill due to the high cost of living. What I'm really asking is: Is the salary good relative to the cost of living in Colombia? Ideally I'd like to send 200-300 dollars home every month. Is that possible or am I kidding myself?

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dibbs says on May 1, 2007, 09:20:

Tkutlow that money is more than enough for manizales, internet and cable tv might come up to $200k a month, utilities another $200k, so you have about $500k, to pay your Amex, so dont worry.

jacobglobo, i'm not defending Rubito, because he is a friend, the only thing i have in common with him is our nationalities, i'm not going to lie, i'm a big spender, life has been good to me,and i'm able to do great, i dont see why i should not have a fillet mignon if i cant afford it!, at the same time i agree with rubito, many people on PBH, do not understand this but after you have lived in the country for a long time, and learned all the ropes, you know where to buy the cheapest of everything, for example most people here will go to carulla but if you have a great maid who knows her way in the market, she can get you things cheaper, i dont live like rubito, because i hardly have time, i'm gone all the time, i have to juggle a job between canada,colombia and sometimes Hong Kong when i'm finally in bogota, i want to sit and relax.

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dibbs says on May 1, 2007, 10:21:

jacobglobo, if you lived in south america for over 20 yrs like you claim, the least worry for you right now will be how expensive/dangerous, i have only been here for 4 years i dont claim to be an expert, in fact if you go back to PBH history, under another nic, i was asking questions about colombia back in 2003 when i was in Brazil, but i know my way now, up to the cheapest place to get my dollars changed, by the way the best place to change your dollars is in Hacienda santa barbara, there's a place there i forgot the name, thay have the best rate in Colombia. By the way you know nothing about colombia, because the exchage rates you just quoted are either Airport rates/bank rates, and you want to teach me about colombia and brazil!!, dude i will school you left and right, by the time i'm finish schooling you about latin america i will school you about your own country!!!

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dibbs says on May 1, 2007, 10:26:

tkutlow, with your acomodation paid, on that salary jokes aside you can save between $800k-a million, and still live like a king on $1500k..

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Cerealkiller says on May 1, 2007, 12:11:

Well Rubito chances are youll probably survive on a lot less than 100 a week. Most in Colombia do. But then again it depends on each person's standards and what they consider to be necessary. When I was in Bogota I would spend a lot more than 100 a week and I was on a student budget. But I had to pay for parking lots, petrol, food (because I didnt have time to go home for breakfast and lunch, and Im a vegetarian, so finding stuff for me is a lot more difficult), photocopies, the odd book, my health insurance, which was 200k pesos a month, friday cocktails and then clubbing. It all adds up. I have never been clubbing around Av 1 de Mayo, and I dont think I would as it is on the newspaper constantly for being a very rough and insecure area, I wouldnt recommend anyone to go clubbing there without letting them know it can get rough. Afterall, its called "cuadra picha" for a reason.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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seabass says on May 1, 2007, 12:13:

That's the Canuck in ya, Rubi...be proud and keep squeezin' them dimes outta nickels!!

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Cerealkiller says on May 1, 2007, 12:36:

Well no Rubito, I didnt live close to transmilenio station, I got mugged in Buses, each taxi ride was 13k pesos (26k a day)...And I often had to take my laptop and stuff to uni, so i never felt safe walking around Av19.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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webmanco says on May 1, 2007, 12:42:

Cuadra Picha pero la más rumbera I don´t buy El Restrepo and Cuadra Picha to be un-secure. As elsewhere a "Papaya dada papaya partida"


Quieren cambiarle el nombre a 'Cuadra Picha', en sector rumbero de la Primera de Mayo

Foto: David Osorio - EL TIEMPO

JOSÉ NAVIA
EDITOR DE REPORTAJES

La seguridad que estos hombres prestan es uno de los argumentos que esgrime Rubén Prieto, presidente de Asorumba (la organización de los empresarios del sector), para alegar que el nombre y la mala fama de 'Cuadra Picha' son absolutamente injustos con la realidad de la calle

(I really hate it when women get their panties all bunched up their butt, they can get so cranky!) Poor butt happy

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Cerealkiller says on May 1, 2007, 12:58:

I agree Rubito but you cannot compare the standard of life people are used to in the US or Europe with the one in Colombia. In Colombia having a washing machine and a dryer isnt THAT necessary, yet I dont think an average American would enjoy hand washing everything, or only having 4 tv channels, all really crappy and no internet (like MANY colombians)...Why would anyone move to Colombia to live with less stuff than in the States? It just doesnt make sense.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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morphus says on May 1, 2007, 13:18:

CK, must have a good life in Colombia. She has rich parents and does'nt have to work.

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Cerealkiller says on May 1, 2007, 13:25:

Morphus, I am a full time student and dont have time to work or travel as much as you do (I dont have enough money). I cannot afford get-stabbed cabins or pay for putos to tell me im a godess in bed. So I might be able to live a somewhat decent existence but nowhere near your levels of debauchery. I am curious as to what you do for a living.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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jacobglobo says on May 1, 2007, 14:01:

hello dibbs hi dibbs , i know where to chenge my money i know that with credit card you get 2040 pessos today in colombia and the money chenger in bogota pay 1970 pessos and sell for 2020 pessos , i make buisness with money chenging in rio and chenge money tpo stuiped gringos like you , that thinks beacusae you are gringo you know better than any body , this you can do with latinos or your latina wife that you buy from money ,. and with europian man like me ok stuied gringo ,
next time think what you write even you are 4 years in this porum you only write shit and you dont understnd nothing about colombia , even my english is bad i speak 7 languges and you stupied gringo what you know about colombia . that write that nead 4000 to 7000 dollares a month , sorry beacuse i have many american friends , but just beacuse stuped gringo like you that colombian peoles and others will not like gringos , next time think 2 times wjat you write ok

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Tinto (Moderator) says on May 1, 2007, 14:31:

Next time, Leave all the "stupids" out. Those are personal insults, esp. when used repeatedly.

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winelover1000 says on May 1, 2007, 14:36:

A STRANGE THING HAPPENED TO ME I live in the us at I recently visited bogota with my 4 yr old son
I dont speak spanish but I met at stayed with my girlfriend. One day
we were walking down a bussy street 93 and I was stoped by man asking
me a question since i didnt speak his language i called over my gf
who was walking with my son and just about then an other man came up
and said he was polizia. he was asking alot of questions and then he
asked us to come with him and we walked across the street and he said
wait here while I go to the police station to get us some special cards. Then he came back and gave a card to the other guy at told hem to go. Then he started giving us advice about being careful of
people comming up to talk to us. then he shookhands and we walked away
I was woundering if I might if I might have been a target for a
kidnapping and they changed their minds whe the saw we were a family.
winelover1000

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frankdeboca says on May 1, 2007, 15:23:

Costs... As everyone says here... depends on the lifestyle you want to live. Cartagena is definitely more fun! A good hotel there for a good price is the hotel Charlotte, but you could do a short term rental easier if you can find someone here with an apartment or condo for rent. There is a guy there who has pretty good contacts and can help - check out his website: http://www.apts.8k.com/

Hope it helps

~The key to immortality is to first live a life worth remembering...

~The key to immortality is to first live a life worth remembering...

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coffee beaner says on May 1, 2007, 15:55:

jacobglobo what are talking about?? I just sent some money to Colombia and they paid me $2,110 pesos for every dollar. I don't think your so smart after all... you just seem to talk out of your ass. First of all if you are so smart why exchange your money at an exchange place instead of just getting your money from an ATM machine? I think thats a smarter way to go.... also stop talking about your "7 languages", it makes you seem like a 2nd grader trying to convince everyone that your special or something. Bye!

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tomtom33 says on May 1, 2007, 17:01:

Rubi I lived without a lot of things when I was younger. Now that I can afford to spoil myself a bit, I do. I suppose that you can make the case that I should donate everything above subsistence to feed the poor, but I will not do that.

Life has a way of setting one's priorities. I personally don't feel like a few luxuries will send me down the road to perdition. One could argue that I'm already there. Where ever I am, I am really rather enjoying it.

I do understand you getting a bit defensive when people attack your ideas.

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tkutlow says on May 1, 2007, 18:09:

Thanks everyone Thanks to everyone that took the time to comment. I hope we can meet when I move to Periera.

Tom

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dibbs says on May 1, 2007, 18:39:

Tom Mi casa es tu casa!

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jacobglobo says on May 1, 2007, 18:54:

hello coffee benner hi cooffe benner thanks alot for your smart advise , i did not know that you are that clever to advice me why i chenge 100 or 500 dolares in the money chenger , beacuse if i take money from the atm , for 200 dolares they take me comisiion 10 euros ikn europe from my bank in europe 10 euros is nearl 14 dolares make your self you accunt if you know how to do this , it is better to get from 100 dolares 197000 that to get 203000 and take out the comissin ,dont be so smart i know every think about where to chenge money ion sauth america and i teach gringos like you every day how to do this , give other advise gringo

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dibbs says on May 1, 2007, 19:15:

jacobglobo, are you sure you have been in Latin america for 20 years!, sounds to me that you are actually 20! if i knew all that needs to be known about Colombia, the US, Canada..etc... then i will not be on PBH,I'm here because i get more insight in some social issues more than the news itself! for some of us, even though i don't post that much this is a stress reliever from a busy work schedule. I don't care if people hate gringos they will always be those that love them and those that hate them, when people see me they think I'm a san andresano or brazilian never a gringo, so couldnt care less

you claim you made a business of changing money, yet you settle for the lowest rate in town, go to hacienda Santa Barbara, you will thank me you will save some money you really need it!( save you that credit card).
Dude for the love of Pete, don't be delusional, i never said people can live in Colombia for $4000-$7000, there's a huge difference between dollars and pesos, i guess you knew that!!! $4 million pesos, is the norm on my side of town for most people.
lastly you can attack me all you want but please leave my wife out of this, remember it cost less than $50 for people to disappear in Colombia!!

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miamimike says on May 1, 2007, 20:00:

Rubio, on the Health Insurance in Colombia You will see a big bump in your standard of living in that respect. In NYC or Miami, if you have to purchase a Good Inclusive Non Group Health Insurance Policy(blue cross/shield)it will run you Minimally $700 monthly and that is if you are in perfect physical condition with NO pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions, if you can EVEN obtain a policy, will jack that Plan up to easily over $1000 monthly!!!! In Col, the same policy will be well under $100 monthly so you will gain,,,

"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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coffee beaner says on May 1, 2007, 20:20:

jacobgBOBO, I mean jocobglobo... First of all, where do you come from to get charged $10 Euros comision for a withdrawl at an ATM....MARS??? Whatever, you sound like your 12 for all I care buddy. Hey and guess what, I am COLOMBIAN not a pasty white gringo... since you know so many languages I bet you'll understand this----- metase el dedo donde huele! jajaja chao Europeo sabelo todo.

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adrimm says on May 1, 2007, 21:00:

I think it really comes down to lifestyle. A lifestyle laden with convenience items and high-end electronics manufactured abroad isn't in the reach of most Colombians. (Rubs I'd say most people do *not* have washers, they either send laundry out, or get their hands dirty at the lavadero - which isn't so gentle on clothes)

A lifestyle laden with convenience/luxry items might not be in the reach of most of us if many of the little conveniences we are used to were made in our own countries rather than in cheap labour countries, and if we had to consider all of the externalities of their production.

For someone accustomed to living with (foreign manufactured) conveniences and items that are out of financial reach of median-income Colombians, setting up shop in Colombia to live with the same items wouldn;t be much cheaper than elsewhere.

Where one would save would be on things that are lower because of currency - ie. land purchase, cost of local labour, food, some utilities, locally produced items.

If one were to live like a Colombian of median income, life would be more simple - which can definitely have it's benefits, but *far* more affordable.

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morphus says on May 1, 2007, 21:30:

CK, what putas? They did'nt ask me for money.

I work a boring job in the fire prevention biz.

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miamimike says on May 1, 2007, 23:11:

Rubito-I understand where you are coming from,,, I see posts on what some say is needed for living in Bogota yet I exist for much less then that here in MIAMI of all places. I live easily for under $1000 monthly and that is with two cars, one of which I am selling. True, I own my home(condo) outright so there goes the biggest Miami Living expense. I also use Public transit whenever possible and ride my Bike as much as I can and load it onto the Bus Carrier when needed. I go to a lot of the free cultural events(like Calle Ocho events) Some Sundays I head to Bayfront for the Free Reggae Music or Free Latin Concerts in the Park next to Bayfront. I like to Fish and for saltwater, no license is needed-sometimes I get lucky and catch a meal for a few days.They have a lot of Film festivals here so many times the movies are cheap, BUT GOOD. Same for Book Signing Festivals--many times the authors are here so you get to schmooze with them if you buy their book. Clothes-I head to the thrifts like the Veterans Store-like you, I doubt I have spent $300 in the last 4 years on clothing/shoes ect. I sell a lot of the Name Brand Clothing I find in thrifts on ebay. Nobody knows but me and my drycleaner whether its used or new~! Depends on what a person's values are but many times you can get by on way way less then what the Advertisers tell us we need to buy! Coupons are my best friend-I use them on whatever and very frequently! I think you will do OK in Bogota! After you are there for a while, you should start a Newsletter for Foreign Residents who are planning to come and live there. A couple did just that in Guadalajaara Mexico and have a decent paid subscription base of folks who will pay for your knowledge. Living thriftly(but not cheap)depends if you are single or married, many times a spouse won't go along with a non materialistic lifestyle but some get lucky and will go down your road with you.

"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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dibbs says on May 1, 2007, 23:14:

Rubito, you and i both know that many people down here, care more about ascending that social ladder, so all the places you mentioned even some, of my foreign friends here who work for foreign embassies (who are suppose to be open minded) will not go down there they have being contaminated by the snobbery attitude found here, no offense to high class, i believe you can be high class and be open minded, but 90% of the time it's not the case.It's so easy for people to cultivate that puppy (brat) mentality here, trying to mimic Miami and punta del este!

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Cerealkiller says on May 2, 2007, 01:13:

Rubito, dont get me wrong. I called the place "cuadra picha" because I read the newspaper article, it was on the news as well, everybody calls it that. Prior to that I didnt even know where primero de Mayo was (I still dont, to me Primero de Mayo and Av Boyaca are the same thing), let alone that it was full of clubs. Its not like I go with my friends to Andres and laugh at people who go to Primero de Mayo. Somehow I get the feeling that you think everyone who lives in estrato 6 is a prick, and that is a rather unfair generalization. If you can afford to do it, then why the hell not? If you live 3 blocks away from parque de la 93 then why bother going all the way to the south? That doesnt make anyone a prick. I apologize if my comment offended you, I might have come accross as a snob but I didnt mean it that way, not at all.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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aztec says on May 2, 2007, 05:06:

Insurance, Miamimike "Rubio, on the Health Insurance in Colombia You will see a big bump in your standard of living in that respect."

This item is and has been one of the main reasons for my interest in moving to Colombia. You can add major medical (catastrophic) to the basic required insurance in Colombia and have as good a coverage as anywhere in the States. For the major medical you must successfully pass a physical examination.

My wife and I actually spent time interviewing insurance prospects while in Bogotá. Her niece is an insurance broker (property and auto) and was able to set up interviews with different agents from different providers. They all came to our apartment and the presentations were very detailed. In a short period we acquired a graduate education.

Based on my personal family experience it is a serious mistake to believe you only need a basic insurance policy. One that pays the small bills but will not cover the major illnesses lasting over a long period of time. I have noticed that young people tend to feel immortal and thus will not need coverage until they are "old".

For those who believe that, let me advise you that you do not have to be an old person for tragedy to strike you. My first wife was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 40 years old. She lived 3 years after much hospitalization and about one million dollars in medical bills. My current wife (then 35) has been hospitalized for long periods of time as a result of a recurring incurable illness. Several hundred thousands spent on medical bills.

It will be much wiser to seek adequate coverage when you are young and healthy. If you wait it will be too late. You will wake up one morning in the hospital and discover you can't pay the bill. Colombia is not like the USA in that you are out of the hospital if you can't pay.

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Cerealkiller says on May 2, 2007, 05:34:

I agree with aztec 100%. Another thing to take into consideration is that regardless of how much you pay per month most companies wont cover expenses for expensive illneses such as Cancer, AIDS or any other disease involving long-term treatments even if youre diagnosed through the insurance company. If you havent been insured with them for over 5 years, there is no way in hell theyll pay for the treatment. Theyll pay for medical appointments but thats pretty much it. It did not use to be like that,...Now it has gotten a lot more complicated. If I had to buy health insurance now, id get the most complete one, as Aztec said you never know what the future holds.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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aztec says on May 2, 2007, 08:11:

Rubito "To tell the truth, if I had some wasting illness like that I'd probably just commit suicide, so I'm not too worried about that! And, no I'm not joking!!!"

Honestly it is something someone in these situations think about. However, the stark reality of your mortality and the dark abyss forces your concentration. It no longer becomes theoretical and hypotheses are frightening.

Hard to believe but you can become so sick and disable that suicide is impossible without assistance. There will become a time when loved ones must make a family decision about discontinuing the treatment and thus letting the patient die. Before that time it is extremely hard to kill your love one and in fact is illegal in the States.

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Gator says on May 2, 2007, 08:33:

Having Been There And.... helped with two of the wife's sisters and her father, before he died. If you have an insurance policy that will not cover the bills you are NOT admitted. If that is the case it's off to one of the social security hospitals. You will be limited to seeking care in public hospitals, which are well below U.S. standards. Those in the Contributory Plan can go to any public or private IPS but those affiliated with the Subsidized Plan can only go to old public hospitals.

It hard to criticize Rubito until he chooses to tell us which plan he is talking about and the name of the company-hopefully he will do this..


"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Cerealkiller says on May 2, 2007, 11:38:

Rubito, I never said anything about Las Americas, I mentioned Av primero de Mayo and you admitted that there was a kinda rough area around the avenida so I am not making up stuff. In regards to Las Americas being safer than Zona Rosa...I wouldnt know. I find Zona Rosa quite nasty and I have never been to Las Americas. I tried to find some safety information on the internet and I couldnt find anything, perhaps you could tell me where you got that from?

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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tomtom33 says on May 2, 2007, 14:51:

Rubi In my limited experience, you would be better off paying out of pocket than getting a basic plan. The only reason I can see for having a basic plan is that you need to have that, I am told, in order to get the more comprehensive plans.

I had Coomeva Gold and their basic plan. Their agent stole half of my annual premium. I discovered the theft when I asked about paying the second annual premium. Coomeva would not make the theft good. And they did not fire the agent. I kept the basic plan through April. The only thing it seemed to pay was an urgent care fee - about 35K. The premium was around 58K per month. I wound up paying 100% of the urgent care follow-up - 80K.

I will never do business with Coomeva again.

Why insure against small stuff?

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aztec says on May 2, 2007, 19:26:

tomtom33 "you need to have that, I am told, in order to get the more comprehensive plans."

I was told that everyone must pay for the basic State plan. Then you can purchase a supplemental comprehensive insurance policy. I didn't want to do that but was told it was a government requirement.

Apparently that is so the State universal insurance can remain solvent. Otherwise only those with money would have any insurance in Colombia.

I agree with you that the basic plan is next to worthless if you get in big trouble. The public hospitals are not a place anyone wants to end up if you have a serious medical problem.

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aztec says on May 3, 2007, 07:11:

The basic problem ... ...we saw is that they are seriously understaffed, overworked and don't have enough funds.

When my wife sister's husband lay dying he was out in a hall and could not get the attention of any one. The whole immediate family was there and it was total chaos.

They never moved him to a room apparently because the hospital was full. He wasn't the only sick person on gurneys in the hallway. The hallway was full and the scene was something out of a bad movie! Patients were throwing up and urinating in the halls.

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dibbs says on May 3, 2007, 07:24:

A big issue i see is that, the Dr will make up stuff,avoid university hospitals you will be seen by 24 years old doctors. i went to hospital once when i first moved to bogota, because of breathing problems caused by high altitude the Dr told me i had suffered a mild heart attack, which was not true!this news almost killing my parents back home, on the positive side, it's sad but true, as a foreigner you get preferential treatment, i really hate it when they make me jump the line, or have the best Dr see me because I'm not from Colombia.

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