GRINGOS LIVING IN COLOMBIA

JMCana says on May 3, 2007, 04:38:

Many Gringos Many gringos live in Colombia. But don't worry, we do not have a secret handshake or anything. :-)

I am sure that everyone has a different reason for moving to Colombia. For me, my Colombia wife has more family in Colombia than I do in the USA.

Good and Bad - Well there are just some things in Colombia you have to accept, especially if you are use to the way things are done in the USA. And just like the USA, things are different depending upon what part of the country you are in. But I must admit that I do miss easy availability of a good bagel. Just can't get into the arepas.

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aztec says on May 3, 2007, 06:16:

lasvegasguy, depends... ...on where you currently live. No one I know would ever want to live in New York City. The people who live there don't know any better not having spent any time of significance outside of the area.

Unless you are trapped in the city there for various reasons you would be much happier in Colombia.

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frankdeboca says on May 3, 2007, 07:18:

Hey there... JMCana is right on the money with this. Plenty of gringoes in Colombia. You will find a large population (relative of course) in Bogota in particular. Most tend to live on the north side... in particular you will find Americanos and Europeans in the Andino section of town. I imagine it is because it feels more like the US than most other places there.

Keep in mind that Colombia has many challenges as well as benefits and is an acquired taste. I would suggest you spend some time there and get a feel for it before you make the "move", as you should do with any move to another country. You will want to establish some local friends and contacts (seem to be quite a few right here in this forum that might help with this), get a feel for different cities (each has it's own flavor), and determine which you feel most comfortable in. Also check for work if you will require a job as this can be a challenge also.

Banking, Identification (cedular), and simple things like getting your utilities turned on can be challenges as you need to remember that having credit with the American banks does not equal having credit with Colombia banks. Some things will be easier than a move from Las Vegas to Miami, but some things will be more difficult as well.

Most people I know that have made the move have also opted to sell their furniture and belongings here and buy new when they arrive because freight container prices and tariffs can be high. This applies also to vehicles as Colombia will only allow you to import a vehicle manufactured in the same year you move there (ie: 2007 model currently). Vehicles are more expensive there in comparison to here and this also will apply to electronics. Keeping a US address and bank account will allow you to buy electronics here and have them shipped to you there - should save you a few "bones".

El Tiempo is a good newspaper with alot of resources in it. Read it online to get a feel for things or subscribe.

Hope this 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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bkcarolina says on May 3, 2007, 11:15:

lots of gringos, but not TOO many. check out also bogotablogger.com and colombianblog.com

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elreydelostrolls says on May 3, 2007, 21:49:

Why do you care if there are any gringos in Colombia? You're not a gringo anyway.

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miamimike says on May 4, 2007, 01:35:

Come On Utopia,,, Play Nice! LOL

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

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aztec says on May 4, 2007, 03:44:

Rubito, I guess I am... ...still smarting from an earlier post by our friend Elmo. ""You travel outside New York City and this fokin place called America is nothing but wasteland of rednecks, illiterate yahoos, bigots, racist and shopping malls."

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rocinante says on May 4, 2007, 04:33:

aztec C'mon - I respect you greatly but you are backing up the very perspective that has offended you. I know plenty of people who would love to leave the city and live in the burbs, beach, mountains out in the country near a lake or what have you. And I know even more who want to live in a larger city and pay ridiculous rents and make tremendous sacrifices to do so.

Posting "No one I know would ever want to live in NYC" means someone like yourself, not a New Yorker, either doesn't know a lot of people or are ignorant enough not to know someone who would want to live there exists.

Either way, your statement and Rubi's reposnse back up Elmo's comment about ignorant people. And we know that's not true, for the most part :)

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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elmodefoque says on May 4, 2007, 04:58:

sorry about my previous statement, i meant to say Wal-Mart not shoppin malls.
Keep in mind, they elected Bush, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE. I repeat NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE!!!!!

Hey Roci, how about booze, today after work, your place with the colombian grillas or the villagae?

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

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aztec says on May 4, 2007, 05:06:

rocinante, you are right... ...I should not have made the comment. I appologize to those New Yorkers here.

On a week siminar visit to the IBM Homestead, I discovered just how beautiful NY is. Spent a whole week there and the weather was perfect. About 10:00 p.m. you only needed a light blanket

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rocinante says on May 4, 2007, 10:39:

elmo necesito comprar pasto despues de trabajo, por eso el villagae. te llamo pronto.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on May 4, 2007, 10:46:

yeah Elmo, acabo de hablar con P. Nos vemos a las cinco en el otro sitio, lo sabes...

Aztec. Point taken, everywhere is not for everyone.

LasVegasGuy. See above sentence. I know colombians who moved to the US at 3-6 years of age, fluent in Spanish (parents can't speak a word of english), they were raised in the US in a Colombian household, eating CO food and listening to CO music and they are mid 20's now and have visited recently. They would never think of living there or staying there for any extended period of time.

People in their own countries say that about NYC, the burbs and other outside countries, no matter how rich or how poor. Give it a try and let us know.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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dbldareu says on May 4, 2007, 13:06:

There's only one New York, (I grew up on the East Coast and love it), but for my money L.A. has it beat. Half the cost of living. Very safe. Beach. Kick back atmosphere. Dynamic economy. Most beautiful girls in the world. Among the best weather in the world. And they invented healthy food and living.

It's a good life.

Bogota is very cool, but food and drink prices at the better places are frankly about the same as L.A. Much of the food in the supermarket is actually more expensive. The weather is pleasant, but not great (you actually need ssome sun to qualify for that), and you can't do as much because of safety concerns.

The people are what make the place amazing.

DD

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mecca says on May 4, 2007, 13:12:

West coast is the best coast!! From LA south is awsome. I hear that dbldareu. Yep, Bogota is nice, and can be expensive. Any processed food in Colombia seems to be as much or more expensive than the states.

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David in Idaho says on May 4, 2007, 21:53:

I grew up on the West Coast San Diego to be exact, and born in Hollywierd. I don't know guys ... Idaho is way better, and talk about cost and quality of living! California has turned into an endless haze of traffic and smog. But the most beautiful women? Ha! Colombia blows California away ANY day. And Idaho doesn't even enter the competition.

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adrimm says on May 4, 2007, 22:44:

Why would you want processed food? Imho for all the crap and energy extra work that goes into it, it ought to cost more.. and after all that it still isn't any better than unprocessed food! Imho fresh ingredients and meals from scratch win out consistently.

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elreydelostrolls says on May 4, 2007, 23:00:

Maybe you need to make a little trip to Missoula, Montana. Lots of very hot women, even some MILFs.

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 5, 2007, 10:35:

You ever been to LA, Rubito? Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"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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mecca says on May 5, 2007, 13:25:

Rubito, I usually agree with you. But, please take a summer off and spend it in California. There is no comparison, not even close. I'm from Hawaii and love it, but man a California summer is like pure heaven. With your love for Colombia, you'll take to the west coast like a fish to water.

On the food issue, i was just commenting on prices. We're raising a cow on a finca now for the freezer...yeah!!! So, i'm into all the natural foods.

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Lisa Zee says on May 5, 2007, 17:50:

California Beaches! I live by the beach for 20 years and I go to the beach about 5 days a week, mostly to do exercise, the weather is the best in the country, when you go to the beach, you don`t feel like 'a roasted chicken in an oven', you can lay on the sand and it is very pleasant almost all year round. I am spoiled because I came from Medellin, So from one perfect climate to another!. I have never felt unsafe here, I leave my house unlocked many times, and the door is open all day long when I am home. I don`t like Bogota or Los Angeles. Big cities suck.
BUT I am planning to move to Medellin/Rionegro for good!

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Lisa Zee says on May 5, 2007, 21:33:

Never been to MacArthur Park I had a job in Santa Monica, 21 miles from my house, it was a nightmare driving in the 405 fwy. I quit after 18 months of bitching about the drive, and swore I would never drive far to work. Around this area you don`t see crime, homeless, traffic,or pollution; only beautiful homes worth millions! yuppies, trophy wives and just over exercised, and plastic people.
This has been home to me for so many years, but it got extremely expensive for me. I hope we can move soon to Colombia, but it is so hard to get rid of everything and go,(and leave my beach) but we will.

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scotty says on May 6, 2007, 02:16:

you're kidding right the LA basin is a joke, it used to be a great place to live in the 50's and 60's but now its a joke. LA is crowded, polluted, high crime, many many gangs, very high prices for everything from housing to food to whatever.
You have the very rich snobs to the very poor masses. earthquakes to fires to mud slides. freeways stacked on top of freeways, i sat in my car on the Santa Monica freeway one time for 4 hours.
LA...you can have it!

San Diego now your talkin a cool city

LA=poo poo
San Francisco=poo poo
San Diego = gold star

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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aztec says on May 6, 2007, 05:51:

it is so hard to get rid of everything and go, Lisa Zee You'll be surprised. Once you start disposing of things you will feel an overwhelming sense of relief. You will discover that all or at most of those possessions only serve to keep you in slavery. We initially felt the same way but now realize most of the things we had accumulated were unneeded. We sold our home of 30 years and gave away much of our furniture to family.

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tomtom33 says on May 6, 2007, 06:25:

On the other hand, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Since I spend about 8 months a year in Colombia, I sold my big house in Wisconsin and bought a townhouse. However, my time in the US may decrease after my mother dies. I'm really enjoying my new place in Medellin.

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aztec says on May 6, 2007, 06:32:

tomtom33, you are correct We looked for a tax free (relatively) State to establish our U.S. residency.

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Lisa Zee says on May 6, 2007, 09:21:

aztec I need some words of wisdom. I L o v e Colombia and my whole family is there, but I have been here for more than half of my life, I get panic attacks thinking what if this or that. I am going with my Gringo, he is not very social and likes peace and quit, and that makes me more scared, what if he changes his mined after few months and he leaves and it would be more difficult to stat all over. One of the most difficult things would be to leave my son behind and to sell my nice car!.
THERE IS NO POLLUTION BY THE BEACH CITIES

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Gator says on May 6, 2007, 09:48:

If You HAVE... doubts DO NOT go!!!!!!

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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mecca says on May 6, 2007, 09:50:

So, Lisa you're moving to Colombia?? Sorry if I haven't been keeping up. You, your husband and your children??

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Lisa Zee says on May 6, 2007, 10:04:

No, I wish it was like that My grown up son stays with his dad, I am going with my b/f of many years. He is ready for a new change, and I always wanted to leave because it is getting too expensive here.
We are going to buy land and build near Medellin, or buy a finca. We can not afford to buy anything here in the USA.
One big worry is, his residency, we will not ever get married,(good reasons) so he has to leave every 90 days.

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aztec says on May 6, 2007, 10:05:

I assume you and your boy friend... ...have been able to spend time already in Colombia. If not don't move there until you have had a trial run.

If you have a problem it will be the boy friend's inability to make the adjustments. They are huge and will require effort on his part. For example, he will need to learn to speak some Spanish. Otherwise, you will be frightened about his welfare every time he goes out the door without you.

He will need to accept the different manner you/he will be treated by businesses and governmental agencies in Colombia. The bureaucracy is intractable and moves excruciatingly slow.

Also, for me at least the pernicious feeling of not being safe is debilitating. I think as long as I feel that way I will never feel entirely free. I also don't know how long it takes for that uncomfortable awareness to go away.

There are transplants here (Gator, tomtom33, JMCana) who can give you a better feel for how long it takes to become acclimatized.

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mecca says on May 6, 2007, 10:18:

ahhh, I see, well there are several options of him obtaining a visa. So, i'm sure that he'll not have to leave if you guys want to stay. I don't blame you for wanting to find a better and different life there. When are you guys thinking of moving? There are tons of deals in Colombia for purchase, though with a 2000cop dollar, who knows. Good luck Lisa.

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Lisa Zee says on May 6, 2007, 10:22:

Thanks aztec Yes the feeling of not being safe is huge for me. He does not understand some dangers, and he does not like, actually hates when I told him not to speak English in the taxis or when walking the streets in some bad areas. We went for 3 weeks, and we are going in June for 2 months to really study the situation.

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Lisa Zee says on May 6, 2007, 10:27:

Mecca Do you know the options for a visa, I heard 180 days and 90.

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mecca says on May 6, 2007, 11:32:

Hi Lisa I'm reall not a visa specialist. Though i'm aware of several options. There are some here, including Aztec, which have this down. My atty. is getting me an investment visa.

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jim Gervais says on May 6, 2007, 11:33:

teaching english in cartegena
I'm planning to move to Cartegena mid summer and hope to find a job teaching english as a second language. I'm a semi retired businessman, and have a very little ability with spanish. If anyone can help me with advice or contacts I will appreciate it.. Thanks...

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aztec says on May 6, 2007, 11:41:

when I told him not to speak English in the taxis or when walkin I too was bothered at first with this admonition but have since learned to trust my wife and others when told not to speak. You two just need to communicate. Have a signal between you so it will not feel like you are giving him a command. He will learn to trust your instinct that it is wiser to remain silent in certain situations.

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slguy says on May 6, 2007, 11:57:

Just a .02 comment, but if he gets pissed over not speaking english in a taxi, I'd be a little concerned about his adaptive skills, too, Lisa...
slguy



Now I don't have to tell you good folks what's been happening in our beloved little town. Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped. The time has come to act, and act fast. I'm leaving.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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aztec says on May 6, 2007, 12:16:

slguy please tell us more... ...about what is happening in your town. Where is it? Is it in Colombia?

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 6, 2007, 12:37:

aztec...i think that is his signature line, maybe from a movie or a book?

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"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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Man Tequila says on May 6, 2007, 13:18:

Work here is done. I'm needed elsewhere now. I'm needed wherever outlaws rule the West, wherever innocent women and children are afraid to walk the streets, wherever a man cannot live in simple dignity, wherever a people cry out for justice.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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JMCana says on May 7, 2007, 07:09:

Moving and speaking English Ok, I started in the midwest, but then moved to California. You are all correct, LA and SF are pains for traffic and other things. I decided on what is politely known as the arm pit of California, Fresno. For me it was great. 3 hours from SF. In less than 2 hours I was in beautiful mountains. less than 3 hours on Pismo beach. Unlike Rubito, I enjoy the heat, so it was nice.
Now I am in a little town near Bogota. Mountain hiking has met with a few unexpected dangers. The beach requires a air flight (and a trip to the Bogota airport to wait wait wait). And never having the temperature get above 70 degrees is no fun.

There are good parts to living in Colombia, but as stated above, it is sometimes an acquired taste.

English in taxi's - Hmmm, I try my best to speak Spanish in public, despite my Spanish being terrible at best. What is funny is that in Taxi's, my Colombian wife speaks English and I speak Spanish. So far, no problems.

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David in Idaho says on May 7, 2007, 08:04:

Getting a cheaper taxi fare My wife instructed me to let her handle the taxis - not so much for safety, but just to get a better fare. And it worked! In the beginning, I would always tell the driver where to go. Although I speak fluent Spanish, it is still obvious that I'm a foreigner, so the "gringo tax" is automatically figured in. When she took over, we noticed a dramatic decrease in fares.

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JMCana says on May 7, 2007, 08:53:

Gringo tax My new relatives (in-laws) here always argue with me about the gringo tax. They keep telling me that it does not exist. And now matter what examples I give them, they swear that I must have made a mistake or misunderstood or something. I just let my wife handle everything now.

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David in Idaho says on May 7, 2007, 10:53:

Gringo Tax is very real! As of course you are well aware. I guess your in-laws would be ashamed to admit such a social injustice. In some places, they make no attempt to hide the gringo tax. For example, a trip to the Galapagos Islands will cost a foreigner WAY more than it does an Ecuadorian. Also, in resort towns like Mazatlan, the prices double on Wednesdays because that is when the cruise ships arrive. I enjoy bartering and I always throw in something like "no me digas el precio gringo" or "no quiero pagar el impuesto gringo." Aside from getting a laugh, it also gets me a lower price. But when my wife is along, I learned quickly to do as you have learned: shut up and let her do the talking!

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Lisa Zee says on May 7, 2007, 13:11:

Tanks guys you just prove my point. How about in an elevator. I told him not to speak English either because it was rude, and he really got pissed!. I think it is uncomfortable when everyone looks at you "como animal raro" he says people here speak Spanish all over and it is not rude, but this country is made of foreigners!

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lochdhu says on May 7, 2007, 13:39:

Here is a good example of the gringo tax in Tyrona park colombia, a Tourist has to pay 23k cop entrance fee, while locals only pay 4-8k cop, I asked they guy at the entrance why we tourist have to pay more, he responsed by saying, "it's cause we don't pay taxes in colombia" what a crock of shit considering I pumped 5-6,000 US dollars into there economy. not to mention the exit tax we have to pay when leaving colombia.

Below is the picture proving tourist tax

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tomtom33 says on May 7, 2007, 14:21:

Lochdhu Higher fees for non-residents are common in the US. Of course that is normally non-residents of a certain local unit of government(city, county or state).

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johann911 says on May 7, 2007, 20:27:

M.C., Aztec slguy is quoting from the movie Blazing Saddles
you guys should watch it, and Look out for Mongo!

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 7, 2007, 21:04:

You mean "Candygram for Mango?" and "I dont need no stinkin badge??!!"...and the fart scene around the campfire?? jajajaj..

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"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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Robert Jorge says on May 9, 2007, 21:50:

Hmmm. I wish I could get a 3 times less rate to Disney, since I live in Florida.

--"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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Buongone says on May 9, 2007, 23:24:

Gringo Tax Some times when I talk some Chit, I can get better prices than my GF. In Taxi's she always seems to do better than me. If they don't have a meter. If by myself, find out how much asap. But if I feel that I'm getting cheated, (As in Gringo Tax). I will diffently let them know it. Most of the time the price comes down. Most of the time when it comes to a barter situation, I work them very well. She is kind of like ya say, Naive!! When it comes to trying to get a deal, she just says pay the price. F__K that!! Get it for what ya can !! Makes you feel good. Did'nt get Screwed. Some times it's almost Comical jabbing back & forth with these people. Have you ever asked for a 10% discount in the stores in the states. You would be surprised, how mant times it works. Try it sometime. The price of most everything we buy today is jacked up so high you are paying a Gringo Tax, and you are still in the USA.

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andrew24 says on May 10, 2007, 01:11:

"Just a .02 comment, but if he gets pissed over not speaking english in a taxi, I'd be a little concerned about his adaptive skills, too, Lisa..."

No shit!! You need to tell him that kind of attitude will get his dumb gringo ass in trouble down there!

Yes, he HAS to learn Spanish, NO he can't speak English except in private--if this isn't going to happen, then it's a no-go, period.


Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough.

Mark Twain

Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough. Mark Twain

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bueno_pues says on May 10, 2007, 06:04:

Por supuesto el es un gringo y un mongolico como todos de ellos.

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aztec says on May 10, 2007, 06:50:

And bueno_pues has been ... ...here only one day and 51 minutes. What exciting and interesting conversations are we to expect from this "new member"?!

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Lisa Zee says on May 10, 2007, 08:35:

UC= Una Cucaracha! You never give up. Go to hell!

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tomtom33 says on May 11, 2007, 06:25:

Robert If Disney was tax-payer supported, you might get a deal.

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sweetg30 says on May 11, 2007, 06:42:

Hey! i live in New York and i love New York "Unless you are trapped in the city there for various reasons you would be much happier in Colombia." I'm not trapped in N.Y. i like living in N.Y. and the people i know that live in new york, think New York is great, my friend just moved from France and loves New york. So please don't offend N.Y.

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aztec says on May 11, 2007, 07:44:

sweetg30, please read my earlier post...
... on this subject dated 5/4/07 regarding my intemperate remark.


rocinante, you are right...

...I should not have made the comment. I apologize to those New Yorkers here.

On a week siminar visit to the IBM Homestead, I discovered just how beautiful NY is. Spent a whole week there and the weather was perfect. About 10:00 p.m. you only needed a light blanket
By aztec at Fri, 05/04/2007 - 12:06


Not to justify the remark but it was in response to one made earlier by Elmo....still smarting from an earlier post by our friend Elmo. ""You travel outside New York City and this fokin place called America is nothing but wasteland of rednecks, illiterate yahoos, bigots, racist and shopping malls."

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jctripp says on May 11, 2007, 09:59:

A Nice Place to Visit I lived in Colombia for a couple of years, getting a cedula was a nightmare. The Colombian government will make it very difficult and expensive for you to live there. And then there's the fact that if you are tall, fair, etc. you will stick out like a sore thumb. If you like feeling like an exotic species, great. Additionally, you will have to prepare yourself for the inevitable confrontations over your being a foreigner. Some of the most progressive Colombianos (college professors that I met through my wife) are rabidly insular and hateful of "Yankee imperialists".

Of course, the savings might make it worth it but in my opinion Colombia is like a lot of places: nice to visit but not to live.

Think global, act loco

RiColombia.com | Colombia Culture & Tourism Blog

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tejasmarcos says on May 11, 2007, 15:23:

"taste just like chicken" like i said in another thread, i have $100 US on the fact that chicomalo is not a Colombian. any takers?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 11, 2007, 15:44:

Gringo tax? that'd be something similar to "marrano tax" (pig tax); a time-honoured Colombian custom of charging according to the pig (cobrar segun el marrano).

Cheers,
Desi

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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tejasmarcos says on May 11, 2007, 15:59:

i have noticed no ill will from any Colombians i have come across (as far as me being a gringo - just the opposite actually), although i would understand if i did. however, i have not met too many college professors either. i would live in Colombia any day, no hesitation. however, i would want to be out of the country part of the year as well.

i think a better way of putting it, jctripp would be - a nice place to live half the year. winter in MDE...........

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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