or i should've asked, what is this strata 1,2,3 levels?

arthur brode says on Aug 2, 2006, 19:46:

. strato 1,2 are lower class sectors.strato 3,4 are middle class sectors and strato 5,6 are upper class sectors.the higher the strato the more you pay for utilities,ect.

http://www.calirentals.net/

arthur brode says on Aug 2, 2006, 19:47:

.

http://www.calirentals.net/

tomtom33 says on Aug 2, 2006, 19:51:

This is a way to have the rich pay for the utilities of the poor. The cost per kilowatt hour and per cubic meter(gas and water) is higher in each strato.

famsearch says on Aug 2, 2006, 19:53:

ok, another question if i may. which estrato would the niquia area of bello (just outside of medellin) be placed?
dan

dan

seabass says on Aug 3, 2006, 06:22:

And the wanna be rich that live in the higher stratos have to scrap up enough pesos to keep the lights on.

tomtom33 says on Aug 3, 2006, 07:38:

My guess: Niquia would be 3s and 4s. The nicer apartment complex would probably be a 4. The rest would be 3.

corazon en colombia says on Aug 3, 2006, 12:59:

What about Cedritos? What about Cedritos in Bogota?

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

famsearch says on Aug 3, 2006, 12:59:

thanks tom, it seemed like an ok area, but on both visits my wife insisted that i not go about unescorted. you get kind of a bird in a cage feeling when that happens. did have a mini revolt at one point. one morning before the wedding, about 7 or so, told my sis in law that i was going for a walk around the block. it felt good, just to be by myself for a change. but then again, not too many people up and about at that hour... lol
dan

dan

aztec says on Aug 3, 2006, 14:03:

famsearch ... ...you had better pay attention to the family. If they don't think you should go into an area prudence dictates you listen.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 3, 2006, 15:23:

Come on, Aztec. That's not the PBSH way where the ignorant gringo always knows best. It feels so much safer than Dubuque, Iowa!

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

arthur brode says on Aug 3, 2006, 16:06:

thats socialism at its best.

http://www.calirentals.net/

famsearch says on Aug 3, 2006, 16:55:

all turned out well aztec. not like i was going all over the place, just around the block. funny thing is, the only people i ran into at that hour, were 2 little old ladies on thier way to church, and a cat. then i rolled back up in my bubble pack, an hopped back into my cage... lol
dan

dan

juanalejo says on Aug 3, 2006, 20:39:

Cedritos Mostly 4 but a few 3 and a few 5 around.

aztec says on Aug 4, 2006, 04:32:

famsearch, search... ...this site. There has been much discussion about strata and what is means.

aztec says on Aug 4, 2006, 04:43:

You know, utopiacowboy... ...you are right. It does not feel unsafe.

My wife says that we Gringo's are like children when it comes to Colombia. Because we were raised and live in a culture that is "relatively" safe we seem to have no fear of our surroundings.

She insists we must be more alert. But I still maintain that if you are afraid and living with fear you are not free. You have become a captive of that fear and it permeates every thing in your life in Colombia.

william_andrew_channell says on Aug 4, 2006, 06:00:

It's ESTRATO!!!! This has to be one of my biggest pet peeves about this site.
It's not "strata" or "strato".

It's E-S-T-R-A-T-O!!!!

Gator says on Aug 4, 2006, 08:58:

Thanks William saved me from posting the same thing. Not as simple as posted-also goes into how industrial an area is and other factors-but you WILL pay more in the highewr estratos.

here is a site for the estratos in Bogotá; http://www.dapd.gov.co/www/resources/dec200-04.jpg

For what it's worth mine in north Bogotá is a 6

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 4, 2006, 09:38:

Estrato in Spanish, but to say "strata" in English as a translation is not wrong. Singular would be "stratum", preferably. It just means a layer, artificially made.

See the definition in Merriam-Webster:
stratum
One entry found for stratum.


Main Entry: stra·tum
Pronunciation: 'strA-t&m, 'stra-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural stra·ta /'strA-t&, 'stra-/
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, spread, bed, from neuter of stratus, past participle of sternere to spread out -- more at STREW
1 : a bed or layer artificially made
2 a : a sheetlike mass of sedimentary rock or earth of one kind lying between beds of other kinds b : a region of the sea or atmosphere that is analogous to a stratum of the earth c : a layer of tissue d : a layer in which archaeological material (as artifacts, skeletons, and dwelling remains) is found on excavation
3 a : a part of a historical or sociological series representing a period or a stage of development b : a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or similar status especially with regard to education or culture
4 : one of a series of layers, levels, or gradations in an ordered system
5 : a statistical subpopulation
usage The plural strata has occasionally been used as a singular since the 18th century and is sometimes given the plural stratas . Current evidence shows senses 2, 3b, and 4 so used, with 3b the most common. Singular strata is persistent but not frequent. Strata may someday establish itself as a singular like agenda, but that use is still not established.


Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

aztec says on Aug 4, 2006, 10:08:

Sorry. From now on will use estrato only when communicating with people in Colombia.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 4, 2006, 10:38:

So, how hard is it? In Spanish=estrato
In English= Stratum, strata.

Which word you use depends totally in which language you are speaking. No need to apologize for saying "strata" if you are speaking English.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

aztec says on Aug 4, 2006, 11:08:

Thanks... ...Desideria.

famsearch says on Aug 4, 2006, 12:03:

thanks for the enlightenment guys, all this about something i had never heard about, even in colombia. easier this way aztec, than trying to find a needle in a couple years worth of posts. =)
dan

dan

william_andrew_channell says on Aug 4, 2006, 12:04:

You can't translate "estrato".

It's like asking somebody what days they have "beak and plate".

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 4, 2006, 12:47:

of course you can, william_andrew The meaning is crystal clear in English. Colombians didn't invent that word, they just applied it to the layering of costs for public services tying them to the value of properties in the neighbourhoods making it possible for even the poor families to have electricity and running water.
Stratos, strata, stratification of cost of utilities are all very acceptable terms in English.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

corazon en colombia says on Aug 4, 2006, 12:55:

Being alert just means you know what is going on around you. In Colombian big cities it's good to be street smart. Similar to in any big city. Does not mean living in fear...

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 5, 2006, 13:23:

pico y placa Is an expression, not a word. It can be translated, or course, but not word by word.

Peak Hour/License Plate Scheme (vehicle circulation restriction)
should give a reader an idea what it's all about.

More on Pico and Placa in English:

http://www.ecoplan.org/votebogota2000/general/pico.htm

Cheers,
Desi




Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

platano says on Aug 5, 2006, 13:47:

Thanks, Desi... For the reminder that translation is not about finding equivalent meanings word for word. It is about getting the meaning across in the target language, using whatever words are needed, as you have so expertly done with "pico y placa"

I would like to add that I have lived in both strata 2 and 3 in both Cali and Medellin and the people who were my neighbors were great people! plátano

plátano

utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2006, 13:54:

What barrios did you live in Medellin, Platano?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

platano says on Aug 5, 2006, 14:03:

UTC, I lived in several (Manrique, Aranjuez, and Robledo) and I lived downtown for a while on Avenida Oriental and visited Parque Bolivar at night... I still can smell the arepas de chócolo the negritas are preparingplátano

plátano

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 5, 2006, 14:05:

I spent a lot of time in a strata 3 barrio during my last visit. I had a delicious Mother's Day sancocho there with some people that I have known a long time and are like family to me. Their barrio is relatively safe and their neighbours are also very nice people, but five blocks away in any direction from their home there are barrios that I don't visit, not even daytime.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

platano says on Aug 5, 2006, 14:13:

Yeah, Desi, you have to be careful... Once I fell asleep on the bus in Medellin and the driver woke me up when we reached the end of the line in barrio Popular 2!plátano

plátano

utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2006, 14:41:

You were definitely seeing a part of Medellin that the Poblado gringos never see.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

platano says on Aug 5, 2006, 14:52:

UTC, If gringos don't have family or friends there, I wouldn't recommend going to those barrios for tourism... LOL! Medellín is dangerous! But my neighbors did call the police when I was kidnapped by guerrillas in front of my house. Great people!plátano

plátano

poco says on Aug 5, 2006, 20:20:

Wise up strato 1,2 are lower class sectors.

I'm kind of tired of these comments. I live and have lived in an ESTRADO 2 for years, my neighbors are school teachers and a retired policeman and his family. Two of his children have completed their college education.

Low class my ass,, think about what you are saying. I'd bet the school teachers would love to hear they are LOW CLASS.

I've spent lots of time in 2 and 1 areas,, you'd be surprised what you see when the doors are opened. NO ONE likes to pay high taxes or high utilities.

My electric bill... Estrado 2



BTW: I'm still waiting to hear how Rubiazio got by with a 18,000 peso electric bill in an estrado 4 area.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

moondance says on Aug 5, 2006, 21:26:

Poco. has shed some clarity Mi novia lives on the outskirts of Barranquilla. Her townhouse is modest but has 3 bedrooms, full kitchen, etc..., beautifully decorated, with fully tiled front porch and a tasteful front gate, leading to a patially bricked sentinel that is tree lined. A block away is a neighbourhood market area where you can get many of the things you need.......half a block away in the other direction is a 'futbal' field that is properly maintained and supervised.
Based on this thread, I asked her tonight what is the "ESTRADO" for her house........IT IS A 1...UNA I have spent two trips staying at her house and never did I feel uncomfortable or insecure
Therefore, please find another definition than poor, lower class....just goes to show "it is better to be quiet and be considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt"

platano says on Aug 5, 2006, 22:00:

Poco has indeed shed light Thanks, Poco. My experience in the lower stratas has always been positive. It is not right to equate low strata with unsafe neighborhoods. I have also been a victim of theft in Colombia... but not in the low strata places I lived... it was in a strata 5 barrio. Climbed up to the second floor and entered through an open balcony door. ¡Les di papaya! The higher strata barrios may be less safe in terms of theft. If you were a thief, you would go to strata 5 or 6 where you can steal good stuff! LOL!

plátano

aztec says on Aug 6, 2006, 03:41:

not right to equate low strata with unsafe neighborhoods "As Willie Sutton the bank robber said when asked why he robbed banks, 'because that's where the money is'."

platano "If you were a thief, you would go to strata 5 or 6 where you can steal good stuff!"

You are right. I have seen people chasing crooks down the street in 6. Scary but you get used to seeing things like that. Only becomes dangerous when the thief is cornered as in the last case I witnessed on the streets of Bogotá. From now on I immediately leave and don't stay around out of curiosity.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 6, 2006, 10:36:

It's easy for a gringo to get hung up on the estrato when all it means to the Colombians themselves are higher bills. As I mentioned, my wife's barrio fought being moved from to estrato 5 from 4 because they didn't want higher bills. They won but the barrio is right next to Laureles and easily as nice as Estrato 5.

My wife has a friend whose family lives in Pedregal and we visit them from time to time taking a cab home after dark.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

. says on Aug 7, 2006, 01:01:

Que tacaños! Que tacaños son los gringos!

poco says on Aug 7, 2006, 20:02:

Living in a small Colombian town Good Idea, I think; I've always been a proponent of a luxury tax, so that those who are capable of making more lute can pay a little more tax.

Colombias estrato system is a BIG POSITIVE and is similar to a LUXURY TAX,, if you've got it or want to spend the money,, no problem. Want to save a few peso’s,, again,, no problem, you can spend the savings for a bar or pool table. You will NEVER convince Colombians this system needs “modification�.

There is a certain percentage of any population that realistically can't live in a lower estrato. The FAMILY is TOO RICH and/or high profile. I doubt Uribe is living in an estrato 2.

SOME of the lower estrato homes in rural areas are VERY NICE. I’d assume the same is true in parts of the cities, I’d caution that similar to most countries in the world there will be locations where it is advisable not to visit.

The Colombians I’m familiar with HATE paying taxes. I’m positive many home owners DO NOT want the front of their house to look “expensive�. Make it appear too nice and they might raise your estrato. Ha,, let me rephrase that,, they WILL raise your estrato,, yep they did it to the girl I’m with,, I’m now in an estrato 3, sadly, she TOLD me not to make the front of the house look NICE. So,, the electric bill was about 30K,, now it’s 50K per month,, if I remember correctly. The taxes spiked up to 250,000 pesos per year.

I’d be asked to leave town if folks caught me taking photos of their houses w/o permission,, this is NO JOKE, especially in rural areas. I'd advise taking photos of public buildings and womens booty's.

B = Booty




Look for a satellite dish on the roof for a dead give away about the house interior.

Upper half of Kitchen - estrato 3 apartment.


Bar Area


These photos were sent to me a few weeks ago by my Amante in Colombia (she’d loving hearing me say that). One of her single girl friends rented this 4 bedroom apartment. I think it costs about 350,000 pesos per month ?

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov