Going to live in Periera

Gator says on Feb 23, 2004, 06:05:

Have you...........? Everybody in Colombia runs a small super market so check that aspect out thoroughly before you invest.

Have you researched what you will have to do to live in Colombia on a permanant basis? I assume you are a U.S. citizen though, being in London, you could be a British subject. You never advised what nationality your wife holds. These are very important pieces of information before much information/advice can be given. Very nice city of about 450,000. Sits between Cali and Medellin and there is lots to do in the area. As far as Colombia goes it is a safe area.

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

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litost says on Feb 23, 2004, 19:10:

confused ummm Carl... why do I get the impression you haven't told us 10% of what we would need to know to give you some real advice??? I am very familiar with Pereira and the region, lived 25 minutes from the city and studied High School there and go back very frecuently, but with the limited information you give I don't know where to begin giving advice.

For example, how is it you decide to go live and start a new life in a place you've only been in for 10 days!!!

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Gator says on Feb 23, 2004, 19:32:

Pay attention to yoyr Tio litost I have been here a longggggggggggggg time and have been in business until I sold out and retired (still in Colombia) Fill in the blanks for us.

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

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AngelGabriel says on Feb 24, 2004, 07:08:

Restaurant/Bar Hello!

Speaking to a friend in Cali, she suggested a restaurant is a better option for a business, since everyone always eats ;)

Angel

Siente el Mambo YoYo

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SiV says on Feb 24, 2004, 15:37:

Periera Pereira is a nice place. Clean, safe and organised (at least by Colombian standards!). Would really rethink the business idea, though: Colombia isn´t short on corner shops . . .If you have a bit of money to invest, take time when you get their to investigate and think it through: restaurant, property. Anyway, good luck.
SiV

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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poco says on Feb 24, 2004, 18:50:

What to do ??? Definitely go to the Zoo located behind the airport. Good displays,, Lions, Tigers and Bears. More bears than others. Plus,, never think this... Monkeys.

Pick a nice day when it is not raining.

Grocery store business,,, well,, I agree with ALL the above. Starting a store does NOT take a lot of capital. You had better have a cedula and a Colombian partner,, just my opinion. No cedula, no bank account, no bank account,, well,,, keep your cash under your pillow.

"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

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CarlGoingtoPeriera says on Feb 25, 2004, 06:00:

Mega confused now Hello people
I cannot believe the amount of responses--thanks guys. I tell you what, now I am mega confused!! Supermarket?, restaurant? etc. When I went out to periera, the restaurants did'nt seeem to be doing too well. Although there was a place called frisbie or something that did chicken and seemed to be busy. My wife wants to return to her country as she loves periera so much. I have purchased some property with a shop downstairs - very reasonable sized. With say about £10,000 to invest, in addition, what are my chances, what should I do - chicken like KFC, pizza like Pizza hut?
Maybe my eyes were closed but I did'nt seem to see that many supermarkets (I probably didn't get around and about as much as I should have).

It seems a supermarket may be out of the question. Any suggestions anybody?

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sebasenbogotá says on Feb 25, 2004, 06:45:

There is a new Carrefour there, and an Exito in construction Hi, I am from Pereira, There is a new Carrefour(French Large Supermarket chain), and an Exito(Colombian biggest supermarket chain I think?) going to be built there soon, but, there are nice little stores in different neighbourhoods where people buys the basics, when they are lazy enough as to go to a big supermarket. About restaurants, it is difficult some of them are extremely succesful, and some just don't work and go out of business quickly. So your partner should know about it. Succesful fast food restaruant is Tazmania in "La circunvalar" or high price is "EL meson Español" in Alamos.
Where in Pereira are you planning to open the store? That may give us a better idea.


Bye

Suerte ! Sebas

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CarlGoingtoPeriera says on Feb 25, 2004, 07:36:

Can't comptete with Carrefour ... I heard about that new french superstore and I must say that it did worry me. I plan to open the store around Dosquebradas somewhere or maybe in Cuba - what do you think??. Are there any other areas that might be better. What about fried chicken like frisbie or something?
or maybe i should have settled for a taxi or something

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AngelGabriel says on Feb 25, 2004, 11:06:

Restaurant/Bars like.... mmmmmm How about a small restaurant/bar (nothing fancy just clean & cozy) where you can eat during the day & maybe also have people get on the floor for some light dancing. Nothing wild.
Or maybe just the restaurant & a nice bar to drink away.
Why compete directly with the big companies?? Unless you got the money & want to, good luck. Also, it seems like it rains a lot in Pereira & this can help a small restaurant business.
If you're in NY, visit a bar/restaurant like those found in Queens, Bronx (maybe not here if you're not local), NYC to get an idea.
Let me know if you want to start a computer/network services business ;)

Siente el Mambo YoYo

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 26, 2004, 00:38:

grocery store I know some people in Cali who have opened a small store selling mostly drinks and snacks, but also some papelería and they have two or three copymachines, a laminador and some other stuff, so they make copies, and have also pay phone connected to their own number outside, couple of tables and benches for the weary to rest their feet while lines form up at front. They seem to be busy enough and getting along nicely:)(My next-door neighbors in Cali).

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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CarlGoingtoPeriera says on Feb 26, 2004, 03:45:

Restaurant, grocery store...? I hear you people
I am quickly re-thinking my plans.I didnt realise that it rained so much in periera and it looks like the grocery store stuff is out the window for now anyway. A small store selling drinks and snacks including papelería sounds pretty attractive to me right now. What is papelería anyway?
I think the most important message I'm getting here is just to go along with the flow, chill and have a good time whatever. Actually Cali is begining to sound preee--tty nice right now and I guess Catagena is out the question cause it looks way too expensive.
(saw the pictures - nice!!)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 26, 2004, 08:37:

papeleria That would be like a stationery store I think; they sell different kinds of paper and stationery, pens and office supplies, plus making copies of documents and encasing documents in plastic (laminar documentos). They sell soft drinks, candy and snacks too. I don't think they are getting rich, but definetely getting by.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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CarlGoingtoPeriera says on Mar 8, 2004, 06:14:

Residence in colombia Can any body enlighten me about requirements for residency in colombia. I am a british national living in london and planning to move to colombia with my wife who is colombian. I have been trying to find out information about residency etc but I seem to be reading very negative stuff about how the colombian government officials responsible for visas fleece you of just about every thing you have - intermittently asking for money for this document or the other. I am sure this is not exactly true! - What exactly is the true state of affairs regarding my getting residency for colombia. Does any body have any recent experience regarding this cause I'm really getting worried now!! What do I need?, How long will the process take?, Should I expect to be fleeced once I go out there - what!!!
Colombia all of a sudden is feeling so near and yet so far!

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Gator says on Mar 8, 2004, 09:03:

You should.......... contact the Colombian Embassy or Consulate IN the United Kingdom for the most up-to-date information. I can only speak through experience here in the United States and that was some years ago.

1. Only one document is required in the USA (other than ones YOU have to provide i.e., birth certificate, marriage certificate, photographs, etc., etc.) and the application fee is less than $200 USD.

2. Do not listen to the "They will rip you off" talk. In any dealings I have had with the Miami consulate have be professional and, believe it or not, fairly efficient.

3. What you apply for is a Temporal Visa (Temporal Conyuge)EMPORAL CONYUGE) which is issued for the spouse of a Colombian national. When a foreigner marries a Colombian citizen you can apply for this type of visa. It is issued to individuals who wish to live temporarily in Colombia and who are married, including common law to a Colombian national. This visa allows multiple entrances and is usually issued two years. This expires if the holder leaves Colombia for more than 90 calendar days. You can renew it after the set time period, five years I believe, you apply for permanent residence. The Colombian Constitution recognized dual citizenship so you can retain you British passport, I guess.

You will be required to appear in person at consulate office either when submitting the documentation or when approved visa is ready for pick-up. There are NO exceptions to this requirement.

The real pain in the butt will be the requirement that most, if not all of the documents notarized by a Public Notary, must be certified with an APOSTILLE. I do not know if this is a requirement in the UK but it is here. You have to send the documents to the secretary of state of the State where the document was issued. There the Sec. State certifies that the Notary who certified the document is legitimate. All documents must be translated into Spanish.

4. If you jump through all the hoops you chances are good. But do NOT get upset. Just remember the reverse process is just as complicated for a Colombian taking the same route to become a permanent resident of the USA or the UK.

Hope this helps and keep us posted,

Gator

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

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simplicia says on Mar 10, 2004, 13:20:

I lived in Colombia, in Dosquebradas, the sister city of Pereira about three years ago. We owned a miscellaneous store and still have equipment such as baking equipment and also t-shirt scanning equipment.

If you are interested, let me know. It does rain EVERY day in Pereira in the afternoon for at least one hour.
I loved it there but it is different than being in the US!

simplicia

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sebasenbogotá says on Mar 10, 2004, 13:41:

What about a sort of English Pub? I don't know but this just came into my mind, what about opening a bar pub type in Pereira, or wherever you are going to.

I was in London for 6 months, and found pubs kind of cool places to go out, of course it wouldn't be exactly the same, but I think it may work what about "The English Pub" Pereira.

Talking about the rain yes it does rain, but is almost sunny all year long, I think Pereira's weather is perfect 17-26 Centigrades, not too hot, not too cold.

Good sites, well, nowadays, there is a lot of restaurants, and bars in "La circunvalar" it begins I think at la calle 4 and Cra 15.

Someone told me there will be a lot of new stuff at the old galeria where they are building a new Shopping Mall, and Some other buildings such as museums, and government offices.

There is a lot of especatular countryside sights, anywhere out of Pereira.

It is a little cold in the highway to ARmenia, but it is beautiful, good restaurants, and nice towns, like Salento where you can spend an afternoon in the central plaza eating a deliciuos trout, within short time form the Autopista, and also national parks like The Coffee Park, and PANACA (National Park of the Agricultural culture) very famous nowadays.

In the way to Manizales stunning scenary, coffee plantantions, and Santa ROsa a middle size town with a lot of nice attractions, like the thermal pools.
Also Manizales is a extremely nice city to visit, older than Pereira and Armenia and more cultural I guess, less commercialized and is the starting point of the road to the snow mountains that you can make by car, it is a lovely trip seeing so many different landscapes. from 2000 meters above the sea level to almost 5000 in 2-3 hours.

In the way to Cali is cerritos, a high class sort of outskirt of
Pereira with very nice farms, houses, and clubs, very sunny, and going down you will find "La Virginia" and CArtago, two kind of warm towns near the river in the Cauca VAlley.

Pereira also has many natural attractions nearby such as the "Otun Quimbaya natural refugee, and Ucumari Park" that are worth to visit.

I thinks that gives you a bit of info, I probably could tell you more if you wish.

Bye

Suerte ! Sebas

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litost says on Mar 10, 2004, 19:44:

There's already a "Pub Irlandes" near Pereira's center, so you better hurry if you wanna go with the Bar idea...

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santa rosano says on Mar 27, 2004, 22:14:

watch out Hello, im from outside of Periera, and I used to go to Periera alot. And all I could say is good luck because you are an outsider of Colombia. And Periera is a very big, quick, sort of dangerous city and you have to watch out.
Santa Rosano

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steven says on Mar 28, 2004, 19:58:

english club. conversation only. que tal te parece colocar en pereira un club de conversacion en lo que tu sabes. tu idioma.
creo que seria una idea fantastica y rentable. si deseas chequea la idea colocando un aviso clasificado en el periodico de pereira que se llama el diario del otun o elde manizales la patria .
creo que en bogota es mejor. pues es lacapital , tiene 7 y pico de habitantes, es mas industrial, cosmopolita y estan todas las embajadas, multinacionales y organismos del gobierno nacional.
si deseas te ayudo aca. te coloco un aviso con tu email o algo parecido.

ok. ?

suerte.

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steven says on Mar 28, 2004, 20:00:

bogota 7.5 millones de habitantes . pereira estar por 1

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AngelGabriel says on Apr 2, 2004, 13:13:

Steven, Are you in... Steven, Are you in Pereira? Ever been there? What do you reckon is one of the best things about that city? Can "easy-fun-does-it" be applied here? How safe in terms of crime, delinquency? And, of course, mate, you reckon they'll hear you say tea-time & understand bed-time? Has estado en Pereira, que tal es? Facil para gozarlA con las nenas lindas sanamente? Es cierto si les decis tiempo de tomar un te, escucharan tiempo pa' ejercicio de musculos en la cama?? Gracias Kompa!

Siente el Mambo YoYo

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