GIRLFRIEND AFRAID OF THE USA

miamimike says on May 16, 2005, 22:38:

Why try and Persuade her? Sounds like you have a Keeper there. You know she isn't with you for the Greencard.SOunds like a one in a Million to me.Good Luck. You'll like Bogota.

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on May 16, 2005, 23:01:

Miami Mike tiene razon My barranquillera could give a rat's ass about moving to the USA, and that's only one of her endearing traits.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on May 16, 2005, 23:05:

Get thee to Bogotá forthwith sailordonnie lad... Yon lady doth make good sense!

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

marcitos says on May 17, 2005, 03:07:

Hey man I live in Phoenix, I don't blame her. It gets HOT! But honestly how many people in AZ don't know english? I'm Mexican, and living here you have to know some Spanish.

marcos

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Thededalus says on May 17, 2005, 03:53:

... Why not just persuade her to visit?

Asking someone to move somewhere they've never been is maybe a bit much.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on May 17, 2005, 04:37:

Believe it or not there ARE people who prefer to live in Colombia. I have even heard some people like to live in the US and wouldn't leave!

It is not easy to leave your homeland, your family and travel thousands of miles to a strange land.

I agree with the poster who suggested a visit, if she still doesn't want to move you have a choice. You can choose to move, or you can find a girl who wants a ticket out of Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on May 17, 2005, 05:46:

Don't bother trying to persuade her. Find another woman. If she has this attitude, she is never going to be happy in the US even if you manage to drag her up here. Besides there are already 600,000 Colombians living here, 160,000 illegally - it's nice to see a Colombian who wants to stay in Colombia.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on May 17, 2005, 05:55:

Problem.... A visit is almost out of the question. Based upon what sailordonnie said I doubt she has a ghost of a chance in getting a B visa. While Mrs. Gator loves to visit the USA she has no real desire to relocate nor do I want to return. (too many arepas, I guess.) She has every mall south of Orlando entered into her GPS

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Condorlisa Arroz says on May 17, 2005, 06:17:

I do understand your girlfriend. Its really not nice to live in the USA. Recommend: you move to Bogota. Its much nicer there. CA Montañas de Colombia

CA Montañas de Colombia

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sailordonnie says on May 17, 2005, 06:44:

miamimike yes, you are correct about the greencard thing. I was thinking the same thing. Thanks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

capt.lou says on May 17, 2005, 06:51:

Affraid The translated version of "Bowling for Columbine" has just been released in Colombia according to a friend of mine in Santa Marta.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

N2Aquatix says on May 17, 2005, 07:50:

A LOT To Think About Seems you're in a bit of a quandry. The USA can be a rough place for immigrants for sure, but Colombia can be a pretty dangerous place for white boys as well. If I were you, I would be curious about how she forsees the two of you earning a living in Bogota. While immigrants are certainly discriminated against here in the USA, it's more of an inconvenience than a threat. The discrimination against gringos south of the border is the kind that can result in injury or death. Also the political situation in Colombia is not the most stable in the world. Safety and financial security are very important issues. I would give the whole situation some serious thought. And as a previous poster pointed out, these days there are plenty of spanish speaking people in the USA. Even if the rednecks hate it, that's just the way it is. Not to mention the Koreans, Vietnamese, Japanese, and all the other asians. It's a lot easier for a Colombian to blend-in in the USA than it is for a gringo to blend-in in Colombian. It's a simple fact!

Jay

0 funny, 0 helpful.

N2Aquatix says on May 17, 2005, 08:09:

Support You bring up some very strong points Tinto. I pretty much support my fiancee's whole family when times get tough down there. I am actually honored to do so. This is a tradition that has been around long before Gringos started marrying Colombianas. ;)

Jay

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter Miami says on May 17, 2005, 08:10:

Inherent risk for Americans in Colombia. It is not easy for Americans to move to Colombia for a couple of reasons; first I am an accountant and I can not make anywhere near as much money in Colombia. Along with this there are not enough jobs for Colombians in the country with out an influx of Americans going over there to take jobs away from Colombians. Second there is more inherent risk for Americans in Colombia. Sure there is crime and problems in the United States but no one is kidnapping a specific race or culture in the United States. Among other reasons that would take a lot more writing than I have at this time. If she loves she must understand that these factors plus both of you could travel to Colombia a couple of times a year to visit her family and her country. I love Colombia and would love to live there but the risk out weight the benefits.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on May 17, 2005, 08:28:

Here's the sales pitch Convince her that you two need to live in the states for a while to earn money and save for a future retirement to Bogota. Then do so. Or live in the states part time and Colombia the rest.

But struggling to make a living in Colombia when you could be earning 10X as much in AZ just seems counterproductive.

I'm sure what she's really afraid of is being away from her family and culture. Which is understandable. Make it the best possible thing for her family and she'll come your way.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sailordonnie says on May 17, 2005, 08:49:

THANKS AMIGOS Wow, you guys are great. Lots of excellent feedback, ideas, and comments. I am 38 and have a $1,200 a month pension. I know that I probably would not get a job in Colombia. Of course, in Arizona I still have my pension and an income from work. She is somewhat of upper middle class in Bogotá. I think most of her fears are based on propaganda, TV, movies, etc. However, I understand how scary it must seem for someone to leave their family and culture behind and move to a new place. It is unfortunate that it is so difficult for Colombians to obtain tourist visas so she could come see for herself first if she likes it here. I suppose I could throw some facts and figures at her as to the % of Spanish speaking people in Arizona, etc.. I believe I could live off my pension and her income in Colombia, but I worry about things like having enough money to fly back to the USA, buying a new car when the time comes, big purchases. Thanks again guys!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on May 17, 2005, 09:07:

$1,200 a month I know a bunch of people are going to jump on me for saying this, but $1,200 a month really doesn't go that far for LIVING in Colombia, especially if your fiance is upper-middle class.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ARMacleod says on May 17, 2005, 09:10:

sailordonnie I took a wrong turn once having gone over the Delaware Bridge. I think it was called Camden. Now that is old time 'Apache Country'

Buffalo was the same, I would have felt safer in Afghanistan with a notice around my neck saying !Joder, estamos invadidos de moracos!

On the other hand I walked around Bogota centre at night with no problem. I did not feel afraid. Just felt the need to be cautious.

Go to Bogota, Have a holiday and take her to somewhere really safe in USA. Test the water.

James.

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

lpdiver says on May 17, 2005, 10:16:

Tinto Don't forget the telephone bills you will incur.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on May 17, 2005, 10:23:

There is no 'visit' Colombians have a 2 year waiting period for tourist visas. You guys need to read the visa section sometime. Most of those tourist visa apps are DENIED as well, like upwards of 90% of them, and this after 2 years of waiting. They'd have to get married first before he could have her visit the US.

To be perfectly honest, there are many things about living in the US that could possibly drive her crazy. One major thing is that many Latin Americans, even those from small towns, take it for granted that frequent cheap public transit will be available in the US.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sailordonnie says on May 17, 2005, 10:55:

reply Rubiazo, she has a car in Bogota and I don't think she uses public transportaion to much. She would not have a need to use public transportation in the USA. YEs, I figured that a tourist visa is out of the question. I thought perhaps a finacee visa or that I would have to marry her first. What do you think about $1,200 USD a month in Colombia? She also works. Thanks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sailordonnie says on May 17, 2005, 10:57:

phone cards lpdiver, do they have phone cards? I use phone cards to call her from the USA and it is pretty cheap.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on May 17, 2005, 10:58:

Camden I took a wrong turn once having gone over the Delaware Bridge. I think it was called Camden. Now that is old time 'Apache Country'

Wow,, I can't tell you how many times I've been reminded of this city while reading here. Vivid memories from 30 years past. Huge expressway pileups on foggy mornings. Guard dogs lose in the CITY utility gas plant after 6:00 pm, entire facility was fenced with double angled barbed wire. Most memorable was seeing that someone STOLE a big section of bricks out of the sidewalk during the night. Made my escape to Cherry Hills every evening and frequented the Mallard Club,, very attractive women in Cherry Hills.

Is Camden a "no fly zone" now?

Come on,, are you near Phoenix, Scottsdale? One of the nicest fast growing cities in the U.S. Estimated to double population in what,, 10 years? I agree with most, go to Bogota or find someone else. $1,200 a month is not enough money. Maid, car, nice school if you have kids, entertainment etc. Read a post the other day $800 a month rent for a single month,, play golf,, Phoenix is the best.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CelticUrge says on May 17, 2005, 13:44:

sailordonnie - Have Her Contact Others by email sailordonnie

Put her in touch with other Colombian women in the US by email. Once they connect and understand each other you will have generated some friendships and information sources for her. It won't be long until they are speaking on the phone. They speak a common language, connect through the simple fact that they are both women and understand each other similarly. Good luck.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Colombiche says on May 17, 2005, 13:55:

Has anybody been to Freaking Patterson NJ ... That has got to be the worst shithole I ever visited in my life, it ranks right up there with Buffalo and Detroit. I had to stop there because I was out of gas.. man! What a dump!!! I almost couldn't find a gas station that actually worked, when I did, my father almost got a beating in the gas station washroom (some puerto rican guy decided that my dad butted into the line). I had a meal at the local Wendy's, what a ghetto fab place that was....

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

b bruce says on May 17, 2005, 21:20:

Cartagena, New Jersey! Well folks you really did it this time! We started out in Arizona and ended up in Camden, New Jersy. When I was leaving Cartagena on the bus out to the bus station I drove right through New Jersy! The back bay area is a god damned mess. The water was black and filthy and there was garbage everywhere. Boy, A recycling program in Colombia would go a long way. Most of the garbage was plastic bottles, plastic bags and aluminum cans. Tons of it! Back on subject. If you care enough for the woman you would spend some time in Colombia with her. Then perhaps introduce her to Arizona one trip at a time! Or you could both relocate to the back bay area of Cartagena and pretend you are living in New Jersey!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on May 18, 2005, 04:43:

Isn't Arizona a vast wasteland of cactus plants with the only excitement when a tumbleweed happens to roll through town?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

N2Aquatix says on May 18, 2005, 08:02:

LMAO at Colombiche!!! Yes, there are plenty of sh!tholes here in the United States. :)

Jay

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on May 18, 2005, 13:41:

I would think $1200 a month is TWICE as much as I would need to live in BOG. But I wouldn't be caught dead driving there, so I dunno how much of a difference that makes. It also depends on people's lifestyles. To me, I don't really give a damn about heating or cooling or hot water or any of those things, and if the power goes out for 20 minutes I don't really care either.

That amount of money is just about 7 1/3 basic salaries so you'd be in the top 20% of the population for sure. And if you don't need a maid in the USA why would you need one there? Anyways, you can get one for like $8-10 a day if you want! As for entertainment, just stay away from all that real upper-class shit. The last night I went out with my GF there cost us a grand total of about $100k in pesos with taxis live music, club hopping, drinking our asses off etc.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on May 18, 2005, 19:12:

I agree Rubiazo, all but the bit about hot water. In Cartagena or Baranquilla it would be OK, but in Bogotá no way. I'd just buy one of those small on-demand units to install in the bath.

I would like to live in estrato 4 at least though. I am not adverse to shopping for food bargains, eating basics and limiting my entertainment to fit my budget.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on May 18, 2005, 19:47:

Rubiazo, I think $1200 would be a comfortable amount in Bogota. $600 in Bogota would work if you live in a lower estrato and sacrifice some stuff. I agree with not having a car. Colombia has good public transportation. Don't need no maid either. But I would probably like to have TV or ISP and that would cost extra. But the best for me would be to go to someplace like Popayan (cause I'm not into "trasnochando" anymore) and $600 there would go a lot farther.

Plátano, el banano verde
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on May 18, 2005, 22:04:

Dump her ass now or she'll dump your ass later. Either way we're looking at some dumping.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lionheart says on May 18, 2005, 22:23:

tumbleweed and where to bring a Colombiana kernow, I see more tumbleweed in Nebraska, it gets so bad there that you have to stop every mile to clear it off the front of your car - first from the grill so the car doesn't overheart and then from the windshield/vents, so you can see the road again. Benefit of the Southwest over damn FL or anywhere else along the coast: 0-10% humidity, no matter how hot or cold it gets. I hate high humidity where the shower is dryer than the air.

Considering which place is best for your Colombiana ... all I hear from them is it is either too hot or cold where they live in Colombia. So I think it is best to bring them to a USA (or other world) location that matches their climate best:

Bogota: Seattle, Vancouver BC, Boston etc. - Northern Europe
Cali: Austin TX, San Diego, Phoenix etc. - Southern Europe
Medellin: South CA, Southeast USA etc. - Central/Southern Europe
Cartagena: Florida, New York, DC etc. - Southern Coastal Europe

I did this with a quick match on Weatherunderground.com using places I know in the USA and Europe. But you get the drift, I doubt a Colombiana will be happy in an area with totally different climate - remember the joke posted here about a Colombiana in Canada.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on May 18, 2005, 22:30:

I knew lots of Colombians in Toronto All of them were miserable and most of them moved back. I WARNED one real terco that he wasn't gonna like it and he admitted I was right later. Colombians really take for granted the cordiality they have in their country, I think, and don't realize people aren't like that all over the globe.
Boston isn't even close to Bogota. It's way hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. I don't know where on earth you would match Bogota's climate outside of South America. There are parts of Brazil that come pretty close.
That's one of the beautiful things about Colombia is that you can pick your altitude and get basically the same weather all year round. North America on the other hand has the most extremes in weather, especially as you get further away from the oceans.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lionheart says on May 18, 2005, 22:45:

not comparing directly I am saying at least similar, not matching climates ... I doubt a girl from Bogota would enjoy being baked in Arizona. And I don't think a girl from Cali would enjoy Boston or Seattle, especially not in the cold gray winters.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on May 18, 2005, 22:49:

my GF says that she gets crazy because of the lack of change of weather in Bogota and that she CRAVES extreme heat and cold. I wonder how she'd deal with a Canadian winter though where you know you just have to wait 6 months for spring and have no way of going back down the mountain and getting away from it. Or actually living through an Arizona summer.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Crazy4Cali says on May 19, 2005, 05:01:

I hope you're wrong... Lionheart said:
I don't think a girl from Cali would enjoy Boston or Seattle, especially not in the cold gray winters.
I've been warning my fiance from Cali about those long, cold, dreary winter nights, but she has plans for making those nights more enjoyable...something about a bottle of wine and fireplace.

We'll see if that does the trick!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

boomer says on May 19, 2005, 11:27:

Costena in Amish Land............. Wife's a Barranquillera who's lived in the middle of Amish Country in Indiana for 3 years. She even works in an Amish run business. She didn't speak a word of English 3 years ago. The winters here at cold, snowy & miserable. I've got to admit, I was apprehensive about this transition at first, But she has adapted quite well! She fares better in the winter than I do and learned 2 new languages. It's 7 miles to the nearest city with a WalMart and no public trans. Oh, and she doesn't drive! She learned to fish and loves it! Am I Happy? Damn Right!!! She's the sweetest/best thing that ever happened to me! Give'em a chance guys!

orgullo_de_colombia

0 funny, 0 helpful.

N2Aquatix says on May 19, 2005, 11:47:

Must Not Have It Too Bad I agree with you Boomer. Give em a chance. One thing to consider though.........if she is afraid to leave Colombia she must not have it too bad. My fiancee is chomping at the bit to get the hell out of the poverty that she has to deal with every day!!! I don't blame her. ;)

Jay

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on May 19, 2005, 12:11:

Curious about living on $1200 a month I'm curious to hear how 2 adults, one of whom has US standards of living and the other with upper-middle class Colombian standards of living are going to live on $1,200 a month in Bogota.

Rent in an estrato 4 Apartment: $400-550 a month. Estrato 5: $600-900.

Add utilities to that
Food and dining
Transportation
entertainment
MEDICAL CARE and/or insurnance.
Travel back to the USA every year or two
International phone bills (unless you're breaking off all contact)
Schooling if you have some kids

Sure, it could be done, but first of all, the AVERAGE Colombian is a myth in that there are two kinds of Colombians, poor and not-poor. The "average" falls somewhere in between those two. Most US citizens aren't prepared to make that sacrifices needed to live in Bogota on $600 a month per person.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Kerberos says on May 19, 2005, 13:26:

bobo por eso es que aun estas alla, terrorista!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on May 19, 2005, 19:51:

Your numbers are WAY off GF pays $300k PESOS COLOMBIANOS for rent for a huge 3 bdrm in estrato 4 in Suba. Her electric bill is around $40k a month. Transportation is around $50k (assuming you don't go taxi-crazy). Medical is $60k for her and her kid. (that is private insurance, NOT seguridad social, she makes too much to qualify for that!)

As for phone, use Skype. Quality is excellent, only 1.7 euro cents/minute to call anywhere in North America Europe and Chile!!

Her kid's tuition is $500k a month for an excellent catholic school staffed entirely by clergy, TRY to find something like that here at any price. Oh yes, and that includes food and transportation!

For internet, you're looking at about $150k per month for a mediocre 256/128 connection. This is the only thing that is inordinately expensive.

You DO have to pay your own water bill in Bogota, even as a renter. I don't know how much it is though. As for food, even a steer in a shirt like me can get by on $150k a month worth of groceries, and I'd be eating a lot more fresh meat, fish, fruits and veggies than I ever could here! Even nice cuts of beef there are under 2000 a pound!

The only other caveat is that if you move into an empty place it may not have a fridge and stove like the law says it has to in many places up here. But that is a one-time expense.

As for entertainment, I'd budget $100k a week or so. You could go out twice cheaply or once more expensively on that. As a rule I'd take transit there and a taxi back, which is what I USED to do here in NY before taxi fares went up 40%!

She has a roommate who pays half the rent and utilities so her expenses are still under 1.2 million a month. And if she were saving for something she could cut out eating out and going out and bring it to well under a million.

I dunno who the hell was charging you $400 or anywhere above that for an apartment in Bogota, but for that much you should be in estrato 6!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sailordonnie says on May 20, 2005, 10:03:

on topic Guys, I was looking for ways to convince her to come here. However, I am not against living in Bogota. Yes, I have $1200 USD a month and she makes $800USD a month, she also has a car and 2 houses. I am really thankful for all the advice and information. I am going in July. Thanks again.

0 funny, 0 helpful.