I make 400K a year in the US and want the same in Colombia

utopiacowboy says on Mar 21, 2006, 18:27:

Well, GringoD, the guy does have a sense of humor. Begottenson, what do your Colombian relatives think? Do they have enough connections to get you a job? In Colombia it's all about who you know.

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.

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begottenson says on Mar 21, 2006, 18:44:

Naw cowboy, they're dirt poor. I remember staying with them when I was a kid and what I remember about their house now makes me think it was a converted garage, no plumbing etc.

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 21, 2006, 19:00:

Uh oh. You're gonna need that sense of humor.

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.

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Wastelandlive says on Mar 21, 2006, 19:07:

Expected post aye. You'd be damn lucky to find something worth your effort within three months time. Would you honestly work for 20K a day, even if you could find it? Do you have permission to work?

Now - if you are looking for a meaningful activity to feed your soul, that's another thing. What are your skills?

I'd recommend that you look into some NGO's and see if any are doing anything worthwhile where your family resides. I've worked for Habitat for Humanity here in Miami - they are a FANTASTIC charity, and I'm told that they are active in Colombia. If you wield a hammer, you can do some good there.

As a matter of fact, why not start the charity at home? Take the initiative, and be creative. Bring some of your gringo dollars. If you are handy, I'm betting you'll see some obvious opportunities for improvement in the homestead, particularly if your relatives are poor, as you write. Kitchen appliances? Bathroom fixtures? Lighting? New paint job? Do they have some of the standard issue Colombian wiring? (I always like to introduce Colombians to revolutionary concept of "ground.")

If you're not handy... well, everybody is good at SOMETHING. Everybody has a talent.

Don't wait to find somebody to pay you for it. You've only got three months, and they need the money more than you do. Give your talent away... it'll come back to you in friendship, respect, good memories, and MAYBE even opportunity.

Wasteland

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. says on Mar 22, 2006, 05:24:

How old are you mate?

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begottenson says on Mar 22, 2006, 09:20:

I'm 29, single, from Portland Oregon. I work in commercial real estate. Have been working solid for almost 4 years now and now that I'm in a position to be able to want to take a year or so off.

Gringo you're saying people are going to come up to me and ask me for money? What's a good response for that? The kids in Portland do that too actually but they're used to being rejected.

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JMOON87 says on Mar 22, 2006, 09:32:

Begottenson , How is the real estate market in portland ? If it is like Florida now may be a good time to take some time off although i work in residential not commercial ....On your trip make sure to visit Cartagena -it was my favorite place..good luck.

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begottenson says on Mar 22, 2006, 09:40:

JMOON it's tailing off a little bit. alot actually.

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JMOON87 says on Mar 22, 2006, 09:45:

I understand -begoten.... begottenson , same here i work with first time home buyers and folks with not so good credit ..and now it is cheaper to rent than to buy here in most of central florida ..Good prices can be had in the Carolinas but i would rather move with my wife to Colombia so she could be near her family as i could still co-broker even from there.

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kernow62 says on Mar 22, 2006, 13:24:

inflated Central Florida JMOON how about talking the guy behind me down on his price so I can have the house behind me! It is a dump and has been on the market for 6 months and he won't budge. I keep throwing snakes over the fence hoping they will keep prospective buyers away long enough for him to reduce his price.

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begottenson says on Mar 22, 2006, 13:50:

Kernow, find out what he wants, not in terms of money, but what his goal is, it's generally something other than money.

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JMOON87 says on Mar 22, 2006, 14:13:

The Baby Boom ! Kernow , Everyone has marketed the WWII Baby Boom and the amount of people to retire in florida in the next 5 years ,So the prices have went crazy but i think there will be a 5-15 percent dropback soon as the market is getting oversaturated , my neighborhood usually never has more than 2-3 houses for sale now there is 12 now and all priced higher than the highest price sale in the last 12 months ...i really think some places in colombia could be a better short term investment than Florida unless it is florida waterfront IMO .

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begottenson says on Mar 22, 2006, 14:21:

jmoon have you bought in Colombia? My understanding is that financing makes it hard to.

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JMOON87 says on Mar 22, 2006, 14:37:

Not yet ! begottenson,I sold some other investment houses that i had because i was losing money each month (how the new owners buying at a higher price than i paid are gonna make money i have no clue) so if i buy i will use that equity and equity in my primary residence , i am just now starting to research the market in colombia and hopefully make a good decision with my wifes help -i would rather buy close to the beach because i feel you may not make any money but you usually dont lose any money if you can wait it out but i am completly ignornant right now to houses in colombia , i have gotten different advice from people ....my bank did say they would finance a house in colombia for me but i needed all the details on the house before they would give me any terms .

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begottenson says on Mar 22, 2006, 16:21:

I'd be interested in hearing how that turns out JMOON, keep me posted?

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JMOON87 says on Mar 22, 2006, 17:11:

GringoD, that is another issue the Hurricanes -Its getting difficult to get haz inurance here especially at a good price just lost a deal last week the current owner of a home was paying $1600 a year the new buyers cheapest quote was $3200 so it killed the deal ...Here in Tampa we dont get much from hurricanes we are the Lightning capital of the u.s. (ie the name of the hockey team) . my directv satelite took a direct hit last year and the current was so strong my dogs collapsed on the floor and it caught the tv in my bedroom on fire than it redirected from the satellite and caught a palm tree in my yard on fire did about 10k in damage had to make my first claim on my insurance so i am sure it will go up .

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kernow62 says on Mar 22, 2006, 19:35:

I am hoping my short term rental property (hopefully soon to be properties) that I rent to British tourists will pay for my retirement in Colombia. Hazard insurance may see an end to that dream though.

I have been through the lightning burning up TVs, I have lost 4 so far. Now I have installed gas interrupters on the lines and so far they are doing their job. We are #2 in lightning strikes, nothing to brag about, but I do enjoy a good thunderstorm.

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