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making the jump

I have been a reader of this site for over a year off and on but at last decided to join in, mainly to get some feedback. My wife and myself are seriously contemplating relocating to Colombia on a more or less permanent basis. She is Colombian, from Bogotá. I have spent about six months of my life in Colombia over the years, mainly visiting los suegros. I love the place. We also took a road trip from Bogotá to Cartagena and Baranquilla a few years ago by way of Honda and the route through the Valle de Magdalena. We have also done many shorter trips to Melgar, Guatavita, and almost to Villavicencio, among others. We have been married for over 8 years and have a son almost 4 years old. I mention this to convey that I am not a complete novice about Colombia. I speak very good Spanish, or at least I have been told that by many, many people from Latin America, and my son is growing up perfectly bilingual. My wife and I are tired of the pressures of life in the U.S. and quite unhappy about the gradual, but quickly increasing evidence that the U.S. is on a course to become a police state. Yes, I realize Colombia is not a utopia. I just want to be left alone to do my thing, that is becoming impossible here in the states, as the government seems determined to make everyone into a criminal or at least a suspect. BAQ seems to have a few things to say on that topic.

We are considering Bogotá, for reasons such as it is the center of business, her parents live there, she is from there, etc. However, the coast seems to be a reasonable choice as well. Her father is from there, her brother lives and works in Baranquilla, she has a cousin there, etc. I have international trade experience, the ports are close by, and it seems that the coastal areas enjoys less of the typical bad things Colombia is known for. Basically it has petty crime but not much in the way of kidnappings or guerilla activity, with exception of south of Santa Marta. My suegro is from Savanna Larga and has a nice house within site of the beach near Puerto Colombia, about 30 minutes outside of Baranquilla. An option we are considering is buying the house on the coast from my suegro and living there. Although I like the climate of Bogotá more, I feel more secure and relaxed on the coast. My wife poo poos most of the bad reports about Colombia, but I sometimes feel she is looking through rose colored glasses to an extent.

My question(s) for the forum concern:
1. Safety along the coast, particularly the Puerto Colombia area.
2. Schools and education for my son.
3. Availability of broadband access.
4. Your general comments.

Thanks for your input and thoughts.

Aji1

By Aji1 on Oct 23, 2005, 07:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

BAQ says on Oct 23, 2005, 09:01:

Barranquilla & Puerto Colombia When I moved here, I looked really hard at Puerto Colombia since it was right on the water. I decided against it for many reasons.

It is more a tourist area as far as the barranquilla area goes. A nice house is more expensive and the beach is dirty. Lots of transient people, more open use of drugs, only a small medical clinic ect ect ect.

If you want "Ocean front", I would look at Santa Marta or Cartagenia. If you are looking for / need bigger stores, better medical, ect, then look at barranquilla.

BEST ADVICE, if you move here, take a few months to really look around before you decide on a place to purchase a home.

Just a thought.

Semper Fidelis !

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Gator says on Oct 23, 2005, 09:15:

If I Were YOU... I would give serious consideration to Bogotá. The wife and I gave very serious thought to moving to La Costa, Santa Marta or Cartagena. We decided about two months ago after much looking, to remain in Bogotá:

1. The weather is just too damn hot/humid for us in that area. I guess
we have become acclimated to Bogotá.
2. Bogotá offers much more in health care, cultural events, shopping
and educational opportunities.
3. Safety may be somewhat better in La Costa, at least Cartagena and
Santa Marta-others must comment on Barranquilla for it is not one
of my favorite cities.
4. An outstanding selection of schools for your sone-but you will pay
$$$, broadband and cable access are better in Bogotá.

Good luck and DO IT!!

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

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dagui says on Oct 23, 2005, 15:27:

Give it a try ! I am more or less have the same idea to do. We've got two little ones ,own a house in so.cal.( where the equity has gone to the moon).My concerns are schools for the kids ,there adaption to the culture.(We go to bogota and cali every year for 1-2mo.),Health care is cheap.I guess at this time my family( folks and siblings) is all here and that kinda hold Me back.But right now we're in a 4-5 year talking stage and planning.just bought and now renting this house in cali.anyway time will tell.The coast sounds good but too hot for me of what i remember.try it for a while and good luck .

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Rubiazo says on Oct 23, 2005, 17:55:

In Bogota Broadband access-- one of the few things more expensive than in the US. You CAN get cable or DSL for 90k pesos a month, but its real slow, like 200/100 or something weird like that. The good news is in almost six weeks there I didn't have a single problem with connectivity etc.

Education- there is great education there for 300k-500k a month including almuerzo and the bus service. Of course, most schools are in Spanish, but there are English speaking schools and bilingual schools available.

Safety- according to statistics Barranquilla has about twice the violent crime risk of Bogota. Cartagena and Santa Marta are somewhat lower than Bogota, however.

The sun in Bogota for me was already a killer, even at 68 degrees f. In Melgar I remember praying for night to come. If you're a polar bear like me you may find yourself stuck in an air conditioned room until sundown on the coast :/

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 23, 2005, 19:51:

How do you plan to support yourself Do you feel confident you can make a good living there? If so, great.

Re. the US being a "Police State": I don't necessarily like some of the political trends in the US, either, but to be honest, Colombia has a LOT more police presence and a LOT less basic civil rights than the US. Granted, the authorities are generally too busy frying bigger fish than your average gringo expat, but don't fool yourself that the legal system here is some dream. Lots of people get chewed up and spit out, if they're lucky.

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Rubiazo says on Oct 23, 2005, 21:58:

More police presence? I guess it depends a lot WHERE in the US you are talking about. Because there are more police in NYC than anywhere else I've ever seen!

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Aji1 says on Oct 24, 2005, 03:50:

Thanks for the reply. I realize Colombia has police everywhere. It is just been my experience, and my wife and her family, that although they are there, they do not really seem to bother you.I know what amnesty international say of Colombia as well concerning civil rights. The "Police State" also is refering to how the government here is working day and night to have their fingers in your life in virtually every aspect and seem to be constantly hassling you for one reason or another, but always for money. I guess it is just the idea that I am a nobody in the scheme of things in Colombia. Having very good connections in the Fiscal gives me a little comfort as well.

Thanks for your thoughts, it is appreciated. Aji1

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Aji1 says on Oct 24, 2005, 04:10:

I am pretty resourceful in ways to make a living. I have a good education, have run my own business for many years, there again fluent in Spanish, speaking anyway. I have skills that would make me desireable to many American companies in, or wanting to get in the Colombian market.I could start up an import/export comapny inColombia in my wifes name as I have international trade experience that directly relates to this type of business. I could sell lumber for an american hardwood lumber company to Colombian furniture manufactures, as well as hardwood flooring, I have the industry connections to do that tomorrow. I know how to set up and run a night club. I know how to weld, fabricate and build custom motorcylces, I have been webmaster for my own companies web sites so that is an option. I have connections to get excellent lines of german shepards and know how to train them for protection/gaurd dogs. Staring a marriage agency is an idea my wife and I have knocked around for years. I feel like given some padding in the begining, I can get my own enterprise(s) going and do ok, maybe better than ok. I feel like I have enough personal resources to get something going on my own. Once you work for yourself you can never go back to working for someone else, anywhere. However if need be, the english teacher route exist, at least until I get something else up and running.

Thanks for the thoughts!

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