moving to colombia

peteyw says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:06:

Would need more information to make a recommendation.

How old are the kids?
What climate do you prefer (hot and humid, mild and humid, cool, cold, 4 seasons, etc.)?
What type of lifestyle would you prefer (big city, country side, suburban, beachfront, etc. ?).
Do you, your spouse and the kids have any fluency in Spanish?
Have you spent a reasonable amount of time in Colombia previously?
Do any of your kids have any special needs?

adrienne79 says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:07:

How old are the kids? Do they speak Spanish? I am asking wondering what you plan is for their education....enroll them in public, private or bilingual? Bilingual schools can be very expensive.

chester says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:12:

not enough info, however you may want to consider medellin for the weather.

rmorgan3 says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:24:

we have 1- 4 months old 1-2 years old a 9year old and a 12 year old wife is from colombia all speak good spanish we live in florida right now so warm is good we have spent alot of time in bogota but way to much family there to live there. we would put the kids in a private schools

thanks

Bill Turley says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:24:

I live very comfortably on my pension of about the same amount. I live in the country, very much in the country. Expenses are much less here than in either Bogota or Cali. Tjose cities are too cold and too hot respectivly. Depending on your kids this could be a option. Feel free to write me with specificquestions.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

peteyw says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:34:

Try Armenia or Medellin

aztec says on Apr 6, 2008, 08:46:

Bill Turley Do you "feel" safe? and Do you look and speak like a gringo?

adrienne79 says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:09:

I am happy and feel very safe here in Bucaramanga. I think it is a good place to raise a family (even though we don't have kids). I think the cost of living is lower here than most of the major cities. The climate here is nice. It can get a tad hot but nothing compared to FL in the summer time.

Bill Turley says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:10:

Yes I have blue eyes and barely function in Spanish. I visit the local schools so everyone knows who and what I am. In fact you can find my finca by asking for the Gringo ( or Papa Noel) Yes I feel absolutely safe! I hate to go to Bogota and virtually spend all my nights here. My wife sometimes stays with her family in Bogota, so I am here alone ( Sort of, my Baby is always with me).

Mr. Bill Somondoco

rjstuff says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:16:

Hey Morgan:
I am about 2 or 3 years from moving to Colombia but like the climate in Bucaramanga - not too hot, not cold. We will make up our mind on our next trip to Colombia, perhaps. Read this thread about living costs in Bucaramanga etc. http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/current-living-costs-bucaramanga...

Cerealkiller says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:27:

Hmm Rjstuff you sure is the Bucaramanga in Santander? Because that place is freaking hot!!!

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

adrienne79 says on Apr 6, 2008, 11:23:

Cerealkiller it is in Santander and I wouldn't call it freaken hot. The climate in my opinion is perfect....like Hawaii. Then again I am from Texas so I do have experience with what freaking hot is. Check the temps on weather.com.

nueva york bombero says on Apr 6, 2008, 12:16:

I also am contemplating where I'd like to settle in Colombia. I haven't made it to Bucaramanga yet, but definitely plan on it. What's there that isn't in other places?
In other words, what makes you settle in Bucaramanga over Medellin?

adrienne79 says on Apr 6, 2008, 12:57:

For me, it was where my husband is from so he has family here in Bucaramanga.

nueva york bombero says on Apr 6, 2008, 13:22:

From the photos I've seen, it looks very clean and well cared for.
Is it safe as compared to other areas?
Not much popping up on the web for researching real estate prices.
Any ideas or links?
Thanks!

miamimike says on Apr 6, 2008, 13:23:

Morgan says: but way to much family there to live there. we would put the kids in a private schools

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Smart move Morgan otherwise they (all the reletives)may try to get their Hooks into that $2200 pension and with your family you sure don't need that! I would pick Medellin, not only for the Climate but your children's future, education, healthcare, public transportation, ect

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

TioCharlie says on Apr 7, 2008, 12:23:

I too see a move to Colombia in the next 2 - 3 years. My wife is Colombian, no kids... lots of time to do whatever.

I will have a pension and plan on enjoying life on the Atlantico coast