Not In The Face!

Mononoke28 says on Nov 16, 2007, 12:30:

As long as you are aware and accept that the standards of living are not the same as the US, you'll be fine. Just go with the flow.

Diana

Diana

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Gator says on Nov 16, 2007, 13:32:

Based on you attitude you will probably be OK but I would lean heavily on the wife until you can get established.

I assume you will be going for a spouse visa? If so remember you can't work(legally) on tat visa unless you get permission first. his can be done at a US Colombian consulate or later at MRE in Bogotá. Paper work is somewhat involved and you can see just abouty what is required by going online and checking Colombia work visa.

Good luck.

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

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bufalo says on Nov 16, 2007, 13:47:

"Not in the Face!" - watch those low-blows too.

You sound way more level-headed than lots considering moving here. Both pieces of advice above are sound. Teaching english is tough especially the pay or lack of it. One thing you may try is to get a job at a school that bases itself on the US system. BUT GET HIRED IN THE U.S.! For those hired here, the pay is rather poopy. Better than other jobs, but still way better if hired in the states.

The real estate crashed, but didn't think it was that bad. Doesn't it all go back up again?

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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larryrn says on Nov 16, 2007, 15:48:

I have been to Medellin maybe 10 times in the last 2 years, and I love it so much. But after being there for 3-4 weeks when I come back to the states, I realize I miss the high speed internet (my living is from the internet) - the best I could get with EPM is 512kb now (they are talking about bringing up a new fiber optic cable to increase the bandwidth). In Florida I have a full 8 megabits which is incredible. In some ways, Colombia is ahead of America - like Wifi Max which is available in Medellin but not available here in South Florida. Also, IP TV will be rolled out in Colombia next year - once that fiber goes hot. EPM/EPB is making plans for IP TV which means the cable TV will come over the internet (IP - Internet Protocol) Network.

I was in Medellin last month and had a root canal and fillings - cost, around 190 dollars. Cost in Coral Springs, FL, around 1150 dollars. Sure, things are different, the offices are not as plush, my mouth was rinsed with bleach water as a disinfectant, the doctor did all the work and she did the cleaning herself vs a technician like in the states..

I am planning on returning over the holidays - family is renting a finca in Santa Fe (outside of Medellin about 2 hours via the tunnel).

Larry

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la campiña says on Nov 16, 2007, 22:36:

Knowing what I know Medellin and clothes is a big trade opportunity for many people here, many people buy jeans from medellin and sell them all over colombia, I'm english and live in Cali, and this story is true and vale la pena

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lgpaa says on Nov 17, 2007, 08:23:

Hey all. Thanks for the advice, keep it coming, greatly appreciated! Also, bufalo, yes the market will EVENTUALLY reboud. Most experts are predicting 2010 /-.........I have pretty much lost my shirt due to the crash, along with millions of others and I figure un arepa con aguacte por 2.000 pesos in medellin is more apetizing then the same arepa here for $5.

I have descended into an abyss of irreversible lunacy.

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bufalo says on Nov 17, 2007, 10:51:

true, lllost my shirt too. investment in China TANKED. The guy is now living in Canada and if i find him....

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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slguy says on Nov 18, 2007, 11:12:

I'm another guy that took a SEVERE beating in the housing crash. Embarrassing for a guy who's been in the industry almost all his life....

My only advice about moving to Medellin? Make certain your are running TO something, not just FROM another thing.

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

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 18, 2007, 11:30:

My beating wasn't severe, but I feel the housing pain also. My place lost 30% of it's market value over the past 2 years. I have to wait for that to come back before I can consider liquidating and moving to Colombia. Florida was killed over the past couple of years. Luckily for me - and I didn't realize it at the time, I sold 3 properties in '03 and '05, so I did OK.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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bufalo says on Nov 18, 2007, 17:02:

Why is Afghanistan and Cuba in parnthesis on your page?

"...I figure un arepa con aguacte por 2.000 pesos in medellin is more apetizing then the same arepa here for $5."

Just remember that down here, that 2.000 pesos is about as hard to come by as the 5 bucks is in the states, so living and working down here for that money is just as hard, if not harder. Actually it is, it won't be vacation money.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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lpdiver says on Nov 18, 2007, 17:07:

I made a killing in real estate in the last two years...on paper anyway. My house is worth forty percent more post Katrina. Hard to cash in on it though. Gotta live somewhere ya know.

t

"cook some rice!"

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nueva york bombero says on Nov 18, 2007, 17:39:

If I wasn't locked into a 20 year job, I'd be on my way to Medellin!
I loved it there and I will be going back soon.
I'm stuck in a house That has bad memories, but the market is what it is.
I can't sell it, so I travel as much as possible until the market picks up.
Where we going next? lol

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usher127 says on Nov 18, 2007, 20:32:

igpaa... real estate is booming in Colombia... sounds like the perfect place for you.

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