Properties near the coast, which coast?

scumbuster says on Aug 3, 2008, 04:31:

your never to young to start planning for retirement:) I am kinda in the same boat as you. Maybe a year or two farther out. I have been reading a lot about retirement in Panama. Costa Rica is really nice but it’s very expensive, Lots of Americans there. I love Colombia but the hot humid coast would be hard for me to take on a permanent basis. It’s great for a few week vacation. I love to scuba so I would like to be close to the coast. I am looking for a town with the climate of Bogota close to the coast. ) I was in Lima Peru about 4 years ago and it was a milder climate. at least when I was there. I haven’t heard much about the pacific coast of Colombia. I am interested in visiting there the next trip. You need to plan more trips to investigate. That’s always the fun way to do it. If you run into any great places let me know too. I would like to check it out also. Always nice to have a few xpats around to bs with. I have to get learning Spanish soon. lol Good Luck

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newtron says on Aug 3, 2008, 07:01:

I am in the retirement planning mode, too. I have also investigated parts of Panama and like everything the government is doing there to attract North Americans..it is a nice country. But, once I visited Medellin, I cannot imagine a better place to live.

I am less than 2 years away from retiring so, perhaps I have been looking longer. One thing I want to share that many people do not consider. Within the past 3 years, I buried both my parents...we are from Kentucky. During the hot summer (90 degrees and 90 humidity), they were unable to go outside except during the early morning and late afternoon/early evening hours. During the winter...they were simply prisoners in their own home. I watched them suffer too much to allow myself to become subject to the same torture.

The eternal spring of Medellin is (I think) just what the doctor ordered. I am looking just north of Medellin around Girardota and to the east near Lake Guatape. It is an absolutely gorgeous countryside and the people are fanstastic. I am sure there are dangers of which I am currently unaware...but I hope that we can all share info and not all fall into the same trap.

Good luck to everyone who has lived, worked and played enough to look forward to retirement.

Larry

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 3, 2008, 07:21:

newtron says on Aug 3, 2008, 07:50:

Hi Bill,

Good for you!!! The place looks great. Congratulations.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 3, 2008, 09:14:

I wouldn't buy any property on the Pacific coast until they erradicated malaria that is endemic in the area. And the drug runners that have become a pest, together with paras and guerrilla....very inhospitable. Bad for your health.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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mclaughz says on Aug 3, 2008, 10:50:

WHen we were in Medellin, we took a day trip to Lake Guatape--terriific area and I have some nice pics of Piedra del Penol--sorry, no tilda! Let me know if you want me to email them to you.

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bickerss says on Aug 3, 2008, 10:54:

Check out Rodadero near Santa Marta - I really liked this place and no where near the hassle of Cartagena.

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deathnova says on Aug 3, 2008, 11:40:

Desideria,

10 mg of Doxycycline, daily will fix that problem.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 3, 2008, 11:43:

Side effects?

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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deathnova says on Aug 3, 2008, 11:47:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody stools; dark urine; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; severe diarrhea; severe or persistent headache; stomach pain or cramps; throat irritation; trouble swallowing; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint pain; unusual tiredness; vaginal irritation or discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Source: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/doxycycline.html

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 3, 2008, 12:11:

I asked because I've heard most malaria medication being troublesome for the side effects. A friend got malaria in B/ventura (Juanchaco and Ladrilleros) and she had impaired vision for a long time afterwards, but it was from the disease itself, I believe.

Anyway, I don't see the Colombian Pacific coast as a place to retire from USA/Canada/Europe any time soon. Unless you like it really rustic, really primitive and a tad challenging security-wise.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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scumbuster says on Aug 3, 2008, 12:16:

We traveled to Santa Marta in October. We had dinner a few evenings in Rodadero. It was a nice. If it wasn't for the heat when I was there I would be more interested in the area. Taganga is a nice quiet place in the area. Great scuba there. The week we were there it was hot, hot, hot.

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Atrevido says on Aug 3, 2008, 17:29:

Maleria didn´t seem to be an issue on my seven visits to Choco. I think maybe not on the coast so much but more in the interior. Leshmiasis (sp) of course but I don´t recall hearing reports that maleria was a risk for the three Americans who just left the jungle after five or six years in captivity. ´Course that was no where near the coast of Choco.

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Morrongo says on Aug 3, 2008, 18:43:

Malaria is a problem on the Pacific Coast,its exists,not at epidemic proportions,but it's not uncommon.
On any visit there,wise to bring plenty of repellent

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Saltador says on Aug 3, 2008, 20:06:

Santa Marta is great, just remember to factor in the drum beats that go long into the night if you're any where near the main beach in Rodadero.
I'm going to say something that will border on insanity to most posters here, but the vendors in cartagena aren't nearly as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I find them to be about as troublesome as the occasional mosqutio buzzing around my head. I just smile and say no gracias, no big deal. Maybe it's the newbies they pester the most?

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mclaughz says on Aug 4, 2008, 05:26:

If you can honestly say that "the vendors in cartagena aren't nearly as bad as everyone makes them out to be" you have not been there or are brain dead! I counted 50 seconds as the longest length of time without someone bothering us. This was not like an "occasional mosqutio buzzing around my head." It was a constant annoyance-and I'd never go there again.

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aztec says on Aug 4, 2008, 10:55:

Saltador says on Aug 3, 2008, 20:06: flag

"Santa Marta is great, just remember to factor in the drum beats that go long into the night if you're any where near the main beach in Rodadero."

Drove me crazy. I believe they went on all night. Wouldn't have so bad if the talent had been even passable!

"I'm going to say something that will border on insanity to most posters here, but the vendors in Cartagena aren't nearly as bad as everyone makes them out to be."

Maybe to you but they were bad enough my wife, who is Colombian, refused to buy an apartment there after experiencing the constant harassment. We were told if you lived there and the vendors recognized you that eventually they would learn to ignore you and leave you alone.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 4, 2008, 12:00:

Yup, I lived there for 4 years. All they said to me was, "¿Que tal?" I actually became friends with some of them.

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sloopskipper says on Aug 4, 2008, 12:05:

Maybe all the vendors are vacationing elsewhere in October, but I wasn't bothered at all when I walked on the beach.

On Isla Grande one gave me a little tour of the island. I bought an inexpensive necklace from him, but he didn't push.

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Saltador says on Aug 4, 2008, 13:02:

Yea, you're right, I've never been to Cartagena.
But seriously, it must be the recognition factor. They know I'm not going to buy anything from them, so they really don't bother me. I don't let the occasional inquiry ruin my day at the beach.
And no offense, but we won't miss you if you never come back.

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guacharaca says on Aug 4, 2008, 14:51:

For beach vendors and for all beggars: wear dark sunglasses, don´t smile, don´t dare shake hands, acknowledge them by shaking your head once for a no, then ignore them. It works.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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papiChulo says on Aug 5, 2008, 00:54:

guacharaca... good advice but some tourists are just too much of a mark.

some of the rudest people I know don't smoke

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aztec says on Aug 5, 2008, 06:25:

Saltador says on Aug 4, 2008, 13:02: flag


"And no offense, but we won't miss you if you never come back.'

I must assume that remark was directed at me. If so, I believe your empty repartee, if somewhat misdirected, is infantile.

These kind of comments make it harder for those with "real world" experiences regarding Colombia. There is entirely too much of that among today's pbh members. Stop attacking the messengers and deal with their message.

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mclaughz says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:39:

Thanks Aztec. I agree with you, and whether or not I would return to someplace is my experience, and I've been to many, many places. What I have to say has some validity baased on past experiences. I would like to live in Colombia, but I still have time to work out all the kinks.

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mclaughz says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:41:

A PS to the above--I thought this area was the "friendly post zone!"

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Saltador says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:47:

aztec,
Great example of that old expression, "assuming makes an ass out of you and me".
My comment was aimed at mclaughz, if you read his comment above yours, he stated that I must be brain dead, then said he'd never go back to cartagena. So he fired first, and that is what prompted my misdirected (you thought) response.
If you're going to insult someone, then make ignorant statements, you might get infantile, empty repartee.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:06:

Can we leave it at that or must I close/delete this thread?

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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scumbuster says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:15:

truthseeker. Scuba in Santa Marta is great during certain times of year. Early in the year before the rains the water is clear and clouds up later in the year. Sure there are Caribbean destinations with crystal clear waters but it all depends on what your looking to see when your there. Actually I had a dive on the pacific coast of Costa Rica and the water wasn’t as clear, but I would rate it a great place to dive because of what I saw when I was there. Clear water doesn’t necessarily make a great dive. For me its what I see not the clarity of water.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:24:

I've never been there but I've heard that Isla Gorgona off the Pacific Coast has some good diving waters.
Perhaps Gorgonabob will provide some info?

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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arnold_kate says on Aug 5, 2008, 12:32:

I live in Cartagena and like was stated above the venders just don´t bother me that much. I found if they speak to say no gracias and other then that I pretend they aren´t there and they move on to the next person who is making eye contact. I understand and completly respect that they drive everyone else crazy, but they just don´t bother me very much. The heat is hot but I moved here from Florida and don´t find it much different then the summers there. Cartagena is a beautiful place with tons to do.

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Saltador says on Aug 5, 2008, 12:52:

My sentiments exactly.

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aztec says on Aug 5, 2008, 13:31:

Saltador, Sorry I misunderstood. I apologize to you for my intemperate remark.

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Saltador says on Aug 5, 2008, 14:47:

No problem aztec, I may be a little touchy when it comes to disparaging remarks about my beloved Cartagena :-)

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bhill says on Aug 5, 2008, 15:36:

How much the vendors bother you depends on the season. If you go during the low season (summer) there is simply no shaking them off. As soon as one batch leaves there are 5 more to take their place. In winter it's not so bad, presumably because there are some many other targets to fleece.

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Sam Salmon says on Aug 5, 2008, 17:36:

"For beach vendors and for all beggars: wear dark sunglasses, don´t smile, don´t dare shake hands, acknowledge them by shaking your head once for a no, then ignore them. It works."

Agreed.

See them as part of the furniture and give them no response of any kind.

There are persistent beggars here in Vancouver too-most won't even approach me because I adopt that 'look'.

' a la orden!'

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