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I'M BRAND NEW AND PLAN ON MOVING TO CALI; PLEASE HELP

Hello Everyone: I have been planning my exit from America and it's finally starting to materalize. I come across some living expenses related to the Colombia area and I'm looking for real/actual input. I prefer not to hear about your Uncle who lives there on $5/month but I am looking for honest real world answers from people who live there currently or just moved out 1-week ago.

The current exchange rate is approximately $2800 peso to $1 dollar. Reference been made that it is quite feasable to live on $300 or less depending on how "rich" you want to live it up.

No. 1: Is $300/month realistic to live on?

No. 2: Plane ticket $500 from Miami (I'm already in Florida)

No. 3: Student Visa $100 to extend while in school. The school will be the local university at $650 per 64 hour class (2-months) and I intend on taking all 3-classes for a total of $1950.

No. 4: Translaters for 4-hr shifts $35.00 when-ever needed.

No. 5: Hotel $50/night including a breakfast and/or lunch. Now I'll first be interested in renting either a apartment/condo or house. For a "standard" (what I'm used to in America) 1000 sq ft. or (100 sq. meter) apartment/condo house, how much for rent in Cali or the surrounding area say 2 bedrooms 2 bath, access to pool, maybe not inside the city but a safe area close enough to the major stuff to keep me occupied and possible the beach. What are the terms of a lease? 1 year lease paid monthly or every 6-months, etc.? Security Deposits? Usually does a place have everything already turned on or will I have to come up with deposit money for telephone, cable, water, etc. and approx. how much will that cost? Additionally, is it difficult to find a place already furnished? If not furnished, how much will it cost me to furnish a place?

No. 6: Do I want to have a car or do I need a car? Break down of approximate costs and insurance? Additionally, how much is that national health insurance I have to pay for there while a "student"?

No. 7: Do any of you have K & R Insurance or feel it's best to have it? What do you pay, what limits you have and which carrier?

No. 8: Internet connection for the home available? High-Speed lines or Satellite Internet for the home?

This is my cost assesment:

$500 to fly down
$100 for student visa extension
$1500 hotel for 1-month
$1950 for spanish college
$1000 for translation services/escort
$3000 for K & R Insurance if necessary
$2000 for furniture if home is unfurnished
$1000 for rental/security deposit/turn on water,sewer,electric including attorney to review lease agreement.
$5,000 for car if necessary and all fee's, taxes, insurance. OR a motorcycle/scooter?
$500 national health insurance costs as a student. Is this sufficient insurance or do i need to purchase an additional health insurance from a USA carrier for foreign travel?

$8,000 low and $16,550 high to get situated the first month and $350 month to live on thereafter all inclusive?

If I am figuring high, great. If I am low, please tell me.

Any loose ends I've missed please do not hesitate to fill in. I can not stress enough how GREATLY APPRECIATIVE I am for your answers.

By U4TSAF2 on Jun 17, 2004, 01:54 in Friendly Talkzone.

Pete in Bogota says on Jun 17, 2004, 02:19:

Life in Colombia ok I will say a bit. You can get a flight to Colombia cheaper from Maimi like 350-400 round trip it is close like a couple hours.

I am a student in Bogota if you need any other info. Rent in Bogota is typically more expensive than Tierra Caliente I pay 380,000 a month for a 2 bedroom apartment 2 blocks from my university living downtown. You can fin furnished apartments for around 650,000 a month easily in Bogota. It all depends how long you want to stay.

Internet in Colombia has jumped out in Colombia in the last years and there are tons of cafe internet there. Getting internet installed like DSL depends on the location you choose to live so if this is important to you choose wisely.

You won't need a car. It would just get you introuble especially if your not fluent in Spanish, just live near school and take taxi's there are cheap not like the US.

STUDENT VISA ONLY COSTS $40

350 is more than pleanty to live on as a student live on 500,000 pesos like $180 not including rent.

See ya,

Pete

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Hunter says on Jun 17, 2004, 02:53:

I don't in live in Cali but can help you with some of the prices.

This is my cost assesment:

$1500 hotel for 1-month

If you are going to stay at a hotel for a month, you should be able to get the daily price down by aup to 40%.

$2000 for furniture if home is unfurnished

To furnish 2 bedroom apt $4,000 to $5,000

$1000 for rental/security deposit/turn on water,sewer,electric including attorney to review lease agreement.

Normally one months deposit and a few hundred dollars for the others at the most.

$5,000 for car if necessary and all fee's, taxes, insurance. OR a motorcycle/scooter?

You shouldn't need a car, I don't recomend scooters.

Hunter

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klara says on Jun 17, 2004, 14:02:

Help Hello
I recommend you a very nice neighborhood that foreigners love. It is San Antonio. It is very typical and popular!!
If you have any specific questions,ask me. I live in Cali and I think I can be very useful...I can teach you spanish or help with translations! Let me know...

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U4TSAF2 says on Jun 17, 2004, 21:40:

Klara, can you help me? Hello Klara:

Thank you for your offer that I will absolutely take you up on. I have one reply from a individual in the Bogota area with a 1-bedroom apartment to rent with maid for P90,000/month. I am currently awaiting his reply for further info and photo's of the apartment.

Can you connect me with a agent in the Cali area that can give me prices for an apartment? I am seeking a 1-bedroom with inside bathroom, hotwater, (I'm told I do not need air-conditioning). I would like it to be 70 sq.m or greater. No single beds and I prefer a queen or king size bed.

I will not purchase a car immediately and will rely on the bus system and cabs. So I wish to have a bus stop near the apartment. I also have seen that the universities have class for foreigners to learn english taught by bi-lingual speakers. I want a University close enough to get to class by bus from the apartment and I also need a cost for this schooling. I figure it is 64 hours per level and each level lasts 2 months with a total of 3 levels.

Regarding school. Since I am not required to have a Visa for 90-days, can I attend school in that 90-day period without a student Visa?

Upon my arrival, I am going to need a friend I can pay to assist with setting up my apartment and translate and I will also need a local lawyer to assist with review of the lease agreement and any other issues I may need to be made aware of while in Colombia.

I am happy to exchange e-mail addresses with you so we can discuss this further in the event we can be of assistance to each other.

I'll await your reply

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U4TSAF2 says on Jun 17, 2004, 21:43:

general My post shows I have 8+ replies but I only see a few of them. What am I doing wrong?

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poco says on Jun 17, 2004, 22:57:

Hotel / Taxi When I am in Cali overnight I stay at a "Hostal" called Hostel San Fernando. I really like it there. They have a web site. calihotel. They have email and in this case you can be assurred you would be talking to the "Owner". Oh,, and they take PayPal,, what a country.

Click on the link and check it out. It is a large "residence". The owner is a Colombian that lived most of his life in the US and speaks the best English I've yet to hear. He has been in Cali for years and has given me lots of help.

His wife is American. I think she is envolved in education. I was there last week and the place was full, good thing I'd made a reservation. Nice clean rooms,, HOT WATER,, and they had put air conditioners in my room. don't think that is necessary. Check on a monthly or weekly rate. They have a "club" nearby with a pool, etc. My only concern would be how far to the job location. No matter what,,, I'd stay in a weekly rental until I'd looked around.

Taxi's are the way to go. Two US dollars gets you a 15 minute ride. The Hostal is the longest ride I've taken in a TAXI. 30,000 peso's from the airport to the hostel. I'd bet 45 minutes,,, less if way late or early.

I'd also recommend having the Hotel arrange for a TAXI to meet you. Most flights get into Cali very late,, seems 10:00 pm or later,, then customs,,, etc. There is a small charge for this but I do it.

This has been said before,, but I'd advise against driving. Every third car is a TAXI,, Stay in Cali a week and see if you think it necessary.

Colombia is serious about auto insurance. Not much money but necessary.

"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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klara says on Jun 18, 2004, 07:35:

Contact Hello again,

I don't know how to contact you...maybe if you give me your e-mail I can write you. I will be willing to help you find a place to live and other things, but I prefer to do it via e-mail.

You can pay for a bedroom with a private bathroom that would be about US 40 and you can stay with a family and practice some Spanish. Think about it. And if you rent it near the University, you can walk and save money. That is what some classmates do...

Ok, let me know where I can write you

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U4TSAF2 says on Jun 18, 2004, 09:57:

KLARA:

MY E-MAIL IS: U4TSAF2 at VERIZON.NET

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