Medellin or Cali to live?

Simon says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:06:

I'd say Medellin, Cali unfortunately is going through a rough period right now. Read the post by MiamiMike about the nice article on Medellin in the Miami Herald.

"Tu vas a ver, llegaras a mi edad y veras que Colombia seguira igual"-----Simon Sr.

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expatriate says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:13:

I have lived in Cali for four years now, because my wife's family lives here. It is destroyed beyond hope of repair. Choose Medellin. It is better in every way.

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paradigmer says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:26:

Yeah, destroyed how expat?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."

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IloveCidy says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:37:

Medellin, because that is where my novia lives.

I miss my novia!

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Gator says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:51:

Mrs. Gator, who was raised and worked in Cali and I left a few years ago and chose Bogotá. Cali's climate was just a little too warm and we found the gang element was making the area, we elt, unsafe. Also Bogotá is, IMHO, much more cosmopolitan and cultural than Cal.

However, where you live is a very personal thing and if I had to make a choice I would spen time in my principal choices. My other choice would be Medellin

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

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usher127 says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:24:

Cali is definately more dangerous... which can be a good thing... never a dull stroll back to the apartment

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pedro says on Jun 10, 2008, 19:27:

Cali feels kind of provincial. Some people like that.

I would not put Cali first on the list unless you have an all-consuming interest in salsa.

que nota!

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angelcanada says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:30:

Just come to Medellin, the city of eternal spring. you will not regret it...best place in Colombia...try it

MY NAME IS ANGEL. I AM COLOMBIAN AND LIVED IN CANADA AND THE USA FOR 18 YEARS. I RETURNED TO MEDELLIN AND WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SERVICES AS INTERPRETER/ ESCORT AND DRIVER. I CAN ALSO HELP IN FINDING SHORT TERM APT. RENTALS.

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Frank Rizzo says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:36:

Bogota please....

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arthur brode says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:42:

What about Pereira? Frankie knows what they say about Pereira:)

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Frank Rizzo says on Jun 10, 2008, 20:46:

jajajaja.....anywhere but cali, medellin or san andres......is perfect...

Hey Art.....you know E .....he pronounces it Perreira......just cause of those chicas that can't stay on their feet...jjjaajaja

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GregYohn says on Jun 11, 2008, 08:27:

Hola!

For me, Cali is where I go! There are so few Americans in Cali that people think I am either German or Italian when I get there. Ja! Ja!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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roloenNJ says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:11:

I like Cali, but I rather visit the smalls town near cali, they are cleaner and more safe.

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rocinante says on Jun 11, 2008, 09:30:

Sorry to not answer the OP directly. Travel to the major cities and spend some time without looking through vacation eyes. 3 months each (Cali, Medellín, Bogotá, B'Quilla, Cartagena, and even Manizales, Bucaramanga y Santa Marta) would be a nice start but may not be in the budget. You are considering moving to another country. This is not to be taken lightly. You really should go and see your intended place.

I personally know 4 expats who located to Medellín (1 to Bogotá) who are moving back to their home country. Sure the FX rate has something to do with it but not everything.

Relocating to an emerging nation that does not share your native language/culture is not an effortless journey paved with a roses. Good luck!

"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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paradigmer says on Jun 11, 2008, 15:30:

Rocinante,

I've been completely immersed in Latin culture for about 10 years now and speak perfect Spanish. I even lived in Panama for a while previously, so I'm pretty sure I won't have any problem adapting to the culture there in Colombia. I know there are differences in every Latin American country and that makes it exciting to me.

That's interesting to hear that Cali is medellin 5 years ago. it's really a tough decision.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."

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durito says on Jun 11, 2008, 15:48:

Cali isn't anything like Medellin five years ago.

In fact, real estate there still mostly costs more or as much as in Medellin.

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BillBigD says on Jun 11, 2008, 16:43:

But the shape of Cali is still pretty bad.

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wendell13 says on Jun 11, 2008, 19:46:

I have lived in Cali for a few years and would not consider the real estate in the upper stratas to be reasonable priced.


To say that gringos are not going back to the US because of exchange rates and inflation is misinformed to put it mildly. July,2006...exchange rate about 2600. Now 1700. About a 33% drop and then you add in inflation of 10% and you have lost almost half of your income if it is in dollars. In only two years.

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BillBigD says on Jun 11, 2008, 20:30:

Wendell-Very good point.

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dwmte7 says on Jun 14, 2008, 09:19:

cali is medellin five years ago????? hmmmm. now i think i've heard it all. a bit like comparing the medellin airport to the beach in cartegena.

i never lived in cali, but always passed through there going to do my work in buena ventura. no comments, per se, on the city and it's life, but it was always, dry, dusty and windy. nothing remotely like medallo.

and the differences between medallo and bogota are easily and quickly ascertained. walk up to anyone, ask them a question and the manner and warmth of the response will clearly tell you if you're in medellin or bogota. bogota is cold, a bit alien and impersonal. medellin on the contrary, is warm, effusive and hospitible to a fault. even the angry and disinfranchised of medellin's center city are more open and helpful than their poor counterparts in bogota. it's a pudding test. give it a try.

dwmte

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