So who here on this site actually lives in Colombia?

njtea5 says on Jun 20, 2007, 13:15:

I will be living in Medellin, I leave Friday i am Colombian american so it should be alittle easier i think but my spanish is pretty gringo spanish hoping to work on my accent though. I know alot of gringos that live there and they love it..

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dwmte7 says on Jun 20, 2007, 13:19:

yo seattle.... slow down a bit on calling folks wanna bes. many folks, like the owner of this site, myself and many others, live there, live here (usa europe etc) we're not all the time in any one place. but that by no means disqualifies our posts and sharings. think about that a minute.

and where exactly is modelia? (wanna be?)

dw

dwmte

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jun 20, 2007, 13:21:

Or has lived there? Does that count too?

Poor but snappy

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juanalejo says on Jun 20, 2007, 13:25:

I am native Colombian and live here in Bogota.

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Waterdawg says on Jun 20, 2007, 13:28:

I be a Gringo who lives in Bogota !

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bradenmiami says on Jun 20, 2007, 14:47:

I live in Envigado, but have not been here for long so I have no advice.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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Gator says on Jun 20, 2007, 15:47:

Gator-Bogotá-Los Rosales Wife and I will never leave

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

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robi666 says on Jun 20, 2007, 15:59:

My life is between Medellin and Santa Marta.

"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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vicshere says on Jun 20, 2007, 16:32:

In Buaramanga for 5 1/2 years now and here to stay

listo

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dwmte7 says on Jun 20, 2007, 16:54:

since seattle didn't tell me, maybe you can, rubito...where's modelia?

as for me/wife/youngest daughter, we have a home in envigado (personally don't like envigado) prefer llano grande and the finca. lived there so far 5 1/2 years total. currently on sabatical in florida.

dw

dwmte

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dibbs says on Jun 20, 2007, 16:58:

In Bogotá for 4 1/2 years now, I'm leaving soon, not for good though.

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tomtom33 says on Jun 20, 2007, 17:39:

I normally spend my summers in the US, I have lived the rest of the time in Cartagena for the last 4 years. I recently moved to Medellin.

In general I'm pretty damn pleased with my life. Everything I need is within walking distance of my place near Medellin Centro. I have developed an addiction to Colombianas.

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chicomalo says on Jun 20, 2007, 17:45:

Modelia is between Salitre and Fontibone

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Atrevido says on Jun 20, 2007, 18:39:

I can see the twin peaks of the Nevado De Huila one hundred kilometers SSE from my front yard.

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juancegomez says on Jun 20, 2007, 19:02:

I've been living in Bogotá all of my life, give or take an estimated total of a few months outside the city or country.

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Lisa Zee says on Jun 20, 2007, 19:27:

I am From Medellin, living in L.A. But I will be there in Medellin next Monday for 2 months. We are looking to stay for good, in the near future.

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fugdis says on Jun 20, 2007, 21:43:

Londoner living in Cali

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chicomalo says on Jun 21, 2007, 05:20:

Living in Colombia is different things to different people. The only way to find out if it is for you is to come and live here. Same as any other place.

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elreydelostrolls says on Jun 21, 2007, 06:09:

Nobody on the forum actually lives in Colombia or has even been there. BTW, I write all the posts.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jun 21, 2007, 06:20:

:) haha.

Poor but snappy

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latinlife says on Jun 21, 2007, 07:18:

Pereira for me......a great little city.

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gringolondinense says on Jun 21, 2007, 07:24:

im still stuck here in foquin london :(. let me out of here!!!

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orestesdd says on Jun 21, 2007, 07:41:

I've never been in Colombia, but I will be there mid August. I do speak, write, and read Spanish fluently. My visit is just for 10 days, for I have to come back to work here in the USA.

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nine inch nails says on Jun 21, 2007, 14:12:

South Florida which is as close as you can get without leaving the U.S.

There are many Colombianos/as living here so easy to find the good bakeries and rumba!

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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Mike19 says on Jun 21, 2007, 18:52:

Hi robbi666 and Lisa Zee - how do u like living in medellin???. I met a girl from ny that wants me to go visit and I read alot of beautiful stuff and I read stuff that makes my knees shake if I had to go.

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terco panzone says on Jun 21, 2007, 19:30:

Hi, I lived in Valledupar for a year and Bucaramanga for about a year and a half with my now wife and family. You can see some family pics [url=http://www.bigreddstop.com/]here[/url] and a video that was made at parque tairona outside of Santa Marta. There is a link to my email there if you want to ask me any questions.

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terco panzone says on Jun 21, 2007, 19:32:

apparently no html here, or I'm to ignorant to use it correctly! ;o( , anyway, the site is www.bigreddstop.com.

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Robert Jorge says on Jun 22, 2007, 11:07:

I lived in Villavicencio for a little while. I didn't live there long enough to even compare to a lot of the people on this site, but it was certainly longer than a 2 week vacation. I am on a 2 to 3 year plan to move to Colombia semi-permanently. "2 to 3 years", because it depends on: #1 My wifes immigration status in the US. I want her to be a perm. resident first - no explanation needed. #2 The housing market in Destin, it is soft right now. #3 The exchange rate, USD to COP. The first two reasons are the biggies.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Cartagena Hooker says on Jun 23, 2007, 21:09:

Cartagena Hooker

On and off 3 years in Cali and now three full years in Cartagena. It would take a century to know what is really happening here. The movers and shakers all end up here, behind those huge closed doors. Just imagine sixty condo projects and how much grease changes hands.

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seattle says on Jun 25, 2007, 06:13:

Just bringing this back up to the top of the list to see who else might say anyghing. The responses have all been great. Not too much said about the peso though.

seattle

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seattle says on Jun 25, 2007, 13:52:

Gringogoinbogota
Where then do you think to go? I have not been living there, just spending some time over this last year on this site pondering the idea. We have some money from the equity of our home and thought I could at least invest some of it in one business with a home above and rent that out for steady income. As well, we would buy our apartment or home, my wife thinks: if a house, it must be with 24 hour security like the condos we see there. Her sister lives in Barranquilla in a condo w/security as alot of colombians do. The climate is very hot there, but as for the culture, I think my daughter would really love it for all the dancing the children do in the school. By the way, do you think it is going to turn around, the peso? What areas have you lived, and how long? What do areas of Colombia do you like the most?

seattle

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seattle says on Jun 27, 2007, 12:56:

As for the gringos living in colombia, what is your typical day like? Do you work? What do you do?

seattle

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 27, 2007, 14:35:

I've lived in Colombia (Cali) before, for 12 years, I'm planning a part-time residence there again in a few years. I try to spend two-three months in Cali every second or third year (short trips are out of question because I live so far).

Cheers,
Desi

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

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vicshere says on Jun 27, 2007, 14:48:

lets see I get up at 5:30 I have breakfast....then I have dump...sometimes not in that order....then I have a shower.....sometimes I have to go for another dump which will make me late for work.......hope on my motorcycle and go to work for 6:30 teach for 2 hours....then I go home check the internet....then I do chores pay bills do stuff there is always stuff to do in Colombia....and I mean stupid stuff to...my favorite is waiting in line for 2 hours to consigiar 4000 pesos....what a waste of time....then at 12:30 we have the family lunch relax for a bit then go off to work again for 2:00 teach again for 4 hours then ride my bike back home...sometimes I stop for a loaf of bread or eggs or what every is missing in the house.....then around 7:00 we have a light snack like a fruit salad....I do some more internet for a while ..then watch TV with the family play with kids help the daughter with homework.....then around 9:30 it lights out.... time for bed by 10:00 everyone is sleeping......and dead asleep.....hummmm funny I didn't get any nooky in there...no wonder I after kat these days...I am going to have to speak to the wife about that....before kat gets upset

listo

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jun 27, 2007, 14:57:

10:00 pm in bed!! that is very early. are you joining the chickens jijij

btw what have I done!

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vicshere says on Jun 27, 2007, 15:01:

well kat I do get up at 5:00 that's only 7 hours of sleep....the recommended amount for someone my age .....sometimes I sit on the john for 1/2 an hour just waiting...you know my not know but someone my age things don't happen so fast as you young folk.....you have done nothing we were getting naught on the other post though...or at least I was

listo

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seattle says on Jun 28, 2007, 08:01:

Gee vicshere, that is a little too much information, but from your post i am thinking you teach. Is that right? English? As for waiting around in line at thte banks, ya I know what you mean. I've been there. I guess I should remember that when I am in line here in seattle and it is only 10 people in front of me with 2 tellers. Hardly a wait in comparison.

seattle

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vicshere says on Jun 28, 2007, 08:36:

yup the banks are worst.....I mean the school needed every parent to consignar 800 pesos per student in their bank account.....what a waste of recourses.....you have to ask yourself what kind of people don't trust a secretary/ administrator to collect 800 pesos in cash from every student....I mean that is just absurd

listo

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tomtom33 says on Jun 28, 2007, 08:45:

I'm usually up by 5, have some coffee and play with my computer for a couple of hours. Breakfast. Then I'll run errands, go for a walk, or knock one off. Lunch. Nap. Por la calle, mirar a las chicas. If my novia lets me out alone, I might get a phone number or two. Dinner. Bed.

I highly recommend retirement.

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webmanco says on Jun 28, 2007, 10:53:

Click here to a few who live in Bogotá and browse to see more friends of Colombia and Colombians all over the world.

Also CLICK here to see the map where if not there you can put a pin to let us know where you live.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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seattle says on Jun 28, 2007, 14:30:

It is a hard truth about the lack of trust, however considering history it seems a likely consequence of the past. On the other hand, I have never met such people as I have met in colombia. That is the one thing I miss most about Colombia!

seattle

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seattle says on Jun 28, 2007, 14:38:

the above was to vicshere:)

tomtom33, like your living life on a thread. If I was to even want to "mirar a las chicas, well that would really backfire what I've built over the last 10 years. Not worth it. If I look at the beautiful chicas, I pretty much would keep it to myself. I once had to tell my wife responding to her comment, that "yes, the chicas in colombia are very beautiful, but not as beautiful as you" ...

Beauty is only skin deep, whats the meaning?

seattle

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seattle says on Jun 28, 2007, 14:39:

Webmanco, cool link. I will follow up on that as time permits. Thanks

seattle

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tomtom33 says on Jun 28, 2007, 16:11:

My novia is jealous and insecure. But I told her up front that I like to play. I manage to limit myself to one or two strays per week.

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Lexxy says on Jun 29, 2007, 14:01:

I actually moved to medellin about 2 months ago. I have lived here before as an exchange student and have come many times to visit my family since my mom is Colombian and my dad is an American. Pretty much her whole family still lives down here so it's really great when I get to coe down and see everyone. But now that I am living here instead of just visiting it's kinda different. Anyway, just though I would add my 2 cents.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jun 29, 2007, 15:04:

tomtom33 one of your "GF" the one in the mini_skirt has weird toes :( and they need to be feed

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jun 29, 2007, 15:05:

the girls not the toes

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seattle says on Jul 2, 2007, 13:16:

My father-in-law,"a Colombian with 70 years of age" says that Bogota is safer than Medellin & Cali. He explains the history of the cartell and the way the gangs were formed as well as the whys. The end note of all his comments was that despite the improvements in colombia overall, the mentallity of the days of old still exist due to the large numbers of young people who were involved in gangs in the days of old. hmm.... I guess it makes sense that therre could be a kind of hang over mentallity still in existence. The difference is that these 2 citys were strongly influenced with the cartell. Pardon my spelling where it's incorrect. We actually went over the entire map of Colombia and its like so many places are sourrounded by dangerous groups whether farc, guerilla..... and just to think about living there is not a fast decision. On example is that my wifes grandmother had a wonder finca years ago and it still exists despite that she no longer is there due to her age. I however cannot go to visit there because it is too dangerous. La Palma. Not very far from Bogota. To hear of how my wife as a child would go to the farm and how the life was there with the mountains, cofee, and many other wonderful foods, how they used to prepare the foods, it truly sounds like something out of a story book. My Colombian family are very close and very careful. Hence, they say I cannot visit La Palma. What a shame it is and a sadness I feel to not be able to see a part of my wifes history that meant so much to her. We still dream for a way to find ourselves there, but first we must consider as much as we can in lite of our little ones. North of Bogota still sounds very promising. Anyone know anything about Guativita?

seattle

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seattle says on Jul 3, 2007, 09:15:

seattle

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msaucey says on Jul 3, 2007, 11:06:

I was born in the U.S. and shipped off to Colombian as a young one.... and live there for 3 years.. in Pereira... I will always consider myself Colombian, no matter what.... I think the country is absolutely beautiful and amazing, and I loathe when people speak ill of it and correct them whenever possible... I would love to move there and retire, but I truly want to move there sooner then my retirement age.... As soon as I'm able to figure out a way to get a steady stream of income without having to teach.... any suggestions...?

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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seattle says on Jul 3, 2007, 13:12:

That is exactly how I feel. I am not close to retirement age; I have another 17 years to go. I figure to invest money in rentals and have a company manage that for me. This would provide steady income from the investment. For example, buy one house that has a storefront below and house on top. Maybe the cost could be around 150k and you could generate more or less 900 per month. So if you have some money to invest, perhaps this could be a good way. I really don't know as I do not live there at the moment, but it is what I thought to do for some steady income. There are some issues on how to manage that with the banks I suppose. I understand it is not always easy to open up a bank account and in some examples is impossible not to mention some stories of risk. Where do you think to live msaucey?

seattle

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seattle says on Jul 3, 2007, 13:15:

Kate, I agree with you about those girls need to be fed

seattle

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seattle says on Jul 3, 2007, 17:37:

seattle

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webmanco says on Jul 3, 2007, 18:26:

La Palma is in Cundinamarca near Pacho a town that used to be a stronghold for El Mexicano Gacha.

Guatavita somehow is like Guatape in Antioquia.

http://colombiche.net/mipueblo/d/333-1/Guatavita39.jpg

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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webmanco says on Jul 3, 2007, 18:27:

This is when editing will be helpful, if not then preview meanwhile.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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msaucey says on Jul 5, 2007, 12:18:

I'm thinking about Guarne in Medellin or up in La Costa... Cartagena, Valledupar.... It'll depend on how much $$$ I'll be able to invest responsibly to retire accordingly... I want to retire at 45... So, I haev 15 years to make something happen....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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tomtom33 says on Jul 5, 2007, 14:48:

Actually, Kat, I do prefer young ladies with a little more meat on their bones. I did feed them. However, it was their appetite for clothes that made me show them the door.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 6, 2007, 00:10:

what clothes? :HEHEHEH

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seattle says on Jul 6, 2007, 09:04:

Are you refering to webmanco's outfit?

seattle

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seattle says on Jul 6, 2007, 09:07:

robi666: your life is between Medellin and Santa Marta, have you bought a place there or just renting?

seattle

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tomtom33 says on Jul 6, 2007, 09:09:

Is this any better, Kat? She's wearing clothes and is a little heftier. I have always appreciated a large pair of eyes.

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gringoloid says on Jul 6, 2007, 09:13:

Tom33......what is it about these colombianas and clothes?

They're asking me for clothes too.

I have a feeling they're dressing for other women and not us men, as i don't care if they show up in jeans and a t-shirt.

Who are the three blind men?

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tomtom33 says on Jul 7, 2007, 04:56:

When it comes to clothing, I believe that less is more. In fact I'm happiest when they wear nothing at all. If they have no clothes to wear, they can't take you out and ask you to buy things for them.

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scotty says on Jul 7, 2007, 05:31:

never lived in Colombia but began traveling there in 1998, I have been there about 15 times, 5 times to Bogota and about 14 times to Cali. Longest one time stay there was for 4 weeks in summer of 2000.
Love Colombia but not sure if i wanna live there?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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robi666 says on Jul 7, 2007, 08:23:

Seattle: I have my own places there.

"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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gringoloid says on Jul 7, 2007, 08:30:

Scotty, I'm surprised with all that travelling to Colombia that you never visited MDE. It's a very friendly city and I would think you would be curious.

Who are the three blind men?

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tompower says on Aug 9, 2007, 11:31:

I dont live in colombia year-round.
I'm too young to drop-out completely but I stay in Turbaco a small town just outside of Cartagena every January and February and hopefully in 2008 I'll be able to do it from November to February,.. i just gotta get my spending under control.
I love my life in Colombia, my days consist of lugging my beer, the cooler and the barbeque to the beach in Cartagena every day. Catchin a good buzz and taking it all in.
Remember, we're all in this together.
Tom Power

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