Moving to Barranquilla in a few years - help!

slguy says on Jun 26, 2007, 11:02:

Not to be evasive, but maybe it would help to define "in a few years"? Exchange rates, market conditons, etc make predicting things for next year really tough (note the recent exchange rate fluctuations), much less "in a few years".

If you're talking about beyond 2008, you're kinda peeing in the wind - cause the answer to all of those typical questions is..."who knows"?

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

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elmodefoque says on Jun 26, 2007, 11:04:

a decent home in a good area between 150 and 200 millones

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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robi666 says on Jun 26, 2007, 12:29:

There are no good areas to live in Bquilla (well, it depends on what you mean for good...). Apart from women, rumbas and business, why would someone want to live there?
Elmo is right about prices in estrato 6.
You cannot import a second hand car and a new car would be same price after import taxes.
There are many bilingual schools, 150mil - 400mil pesos per month.
Food, I would say 600mil per month, but it depends if you go to the market or to Carulla.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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wilson says on Jun 26, 2007, 21:02:

Thanks everyone -

elmo - Estrato 6 for 150k to 200k USD right? Would that be for appox 2,500 sq ft in a secured comunity?

slguy - not really sure exactly when - but if you can help me estimate the current cost of living I can handle the exchange rate and inflation stuff.

robi - Living there would be a retirement for me - my wife's relatives live in Valle De Upar which is not that far away. A business (hobby) is also in the plan. I'm thinking a small construction company that also owns real estate for speculation and rental. I have two family members that are "Ingenieros" -- What else is good over there bro?

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robi666 says on Jun 27, 2007, 08:11:

Wilson, 2,500 sqft is around 230 sqm... for a new house think around 2,000,000 - 2,200,000 pesos per sqm, for a used one in good condition 1,400,000 - 1,600,000 per sqm.
Again, think well before get living in Barranquilla and wait at least a year and to be fluent in spanish before thinking about starting any business and double think about doing business with family...
My thought about Barranquilla is that is a dusty flat shit hole, no green, no sea, damn hot and dangerous to live... but it is just me. For new gated communities, you can look at the houses around Vivero Buenavista and HomeCentre, nice constructions, but it is like living in the desert to me!
Take care!

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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wilson says on Jun 27, 2007, 14:47:

thanks robi, great info so far. I'm headed out there probably next month so I will check thoes places out. What is Carulla? -

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robi666 says on Jun 27, 2007, 16:47:

Carulla is a supermarket.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Robert Jorge says on Jun 27, 2007, 22:33:

Carulla is a nice market, but VERY pricey for Colombia. I would compare it to a Publix in Florida, but maybe even (proportionally) more expensive. I think what robi666 was saying is: Is that one's food budget is based on where one shops. At least in my experience in Colombia, it is cheaper to shop at the small, mom and pop tiendas and outdoor markets, rather than the big chain supermarkets like Olympica, Carulla, Vivero, Exito, etc. Though, if you are very cost conscious, there are unbeatable deals / sales on select items in places like Exito and Vivero. But generally, in Colombia, it is the opposite of the US where the best deals are at the big places like Wal-Mart, Kroger, Marsh, Winn-Dixie, etc. Usually you can find MUCH better prices at small tiendas in Colombia, rather than at the big stores.

--"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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wilson says on Jun 28, 2007, 21:14:

Thanks Robert

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BAQ says on Jun 29, 2007, 11:03:

ROBI666 IS CORECT IN A WAY, I live here in Barranquilla and it has its good and bad points. HOME PRICES ARE HIGHER than apartments. However, a home is easier to sell than an apartment. If you get an apartment, plan on being stuck with it unless you are willing to have a fire sale and take a loss. Today, a nice 1800sf home in estado 5 will run you about 175 million. The new homes near Buena vista are about 300 million.

A word of caution about the Buena Vista area, they have had recent problems with the foundations of many new homes. The soil is loose and shifting and some new homes have become unlivable and unsafe AND if you do have a problem, lots of luck trying to get your money back or any type of guarantee. Once you buy it here, it is yours. Just remember this is not the USA and once folks here get your money, they are gone.

Cars, again, ROBI is correct, one thing to think about is PARTS, especially if you have an accident. If you import something, you might be waiting for months to get parts in from the USA. Again, this is not the USA and dealerships here are totally different than the States.

J

Hope this info helps.

Semper Fidelis !

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wilson says on Jul 3, 2007, 17:57:

Thanks BAQ - great help!

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wilson says on Jul 3, 2007, 18:05:

Hey BAQ - do you like Barranquilla? How long have you been there? What does one do in the daytime for fun, and also at night?

Also, on the issue of the homes -- should I just buy a lot and construct a home? I would think that I can get more for my money that way and a better back yard -- but, there would be the security issue. What do you think bro?

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wilson says on Jul 3, 2007, 18:07:

Hey guys --

Does any one have any web sites on homes in Buena Vista?? Maybe the names of some the of real estate agents that work this section.

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