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Standard of living in Bucaramanga

I was wondering how any members would rate the school system, health care, house prices, and safety of the city compared to other colombian cities.

I have seen the thread Vic had posted listing monthly expenses and that helped but wondering how much that would translate into US dollars.

We are planning on moving there in about 5 years. We plan on renting for the first year to make sure we like the city and then purchase a home or Condo. I have a young son, so the school system is important. I have read (here) about the excellent colleges and great cardiovascular hospital.

By Corey3368 on May 23, 2008, 21:46 in Friendly Talkzone.

Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 24, 2008, 00:00:

Renting for a year first sounds like a great plan. I'm not familiar with the school system in that city in particular, but in general, it's: the more you pay, the better the schools. Same for the health system. In other words, like the US :)

Poor but snappy

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saintanna says on May 24, 2008, 12:32:

I'm moving to Bucaramanga in August and can't wait. I was last there at Easter, and it's a great city - very safe and clean. There are lots of good private schools like the Panamericano, and some of the best Univerisites in Colombia like UNAB. The weather is great and there is loads to do and see in and around the city. They are building a new tram system (like the one in Bogota) to cut down on all the buses so it shows they are investing in the city. My Colombian boyfriend used to live in London with me, but the quality of life is so much better in Bucaramanga. Now he has his own business, nice house, goes away at the weekend etc. I can't wait to move there. I just have to find a job!

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angelcanada says on May 24, 2008, 18:17:

If safety, good schools, good ciry and good houses is what you are looking for, then come to Medellin. Don't waste your time going to Bucaramanga. It is beutifull, but is a small city, plus it has a lot of gangs and the news says tha there are now a grup of paramilitarim (descendans) call Aguilas Negras there.....be caerfull planing to move there...good lock.

MY NAME IS ANGEL. I AM COLOMBIAN AND LIVED IN CANADA AND THE USA FOR 18 YEARS. I RETURNED TO MEDELLIN AND WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SERVICES AS INTERPRETER/ ESCORT AND DRIVER. I CAN ALSO HELP IN FINDING SHORT TERM APT. RENTALS.

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 24, 2008, 20:48:

Small is relative... Bucaramanga is well over 1 million people! It's a beautiful & laid back place.

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 20:50:

Actually B'manga has just a bit over half a million pop.

from wikie

Bucaramanga is a municipality and capital city of the department of Santander, Colombia. Bucaramanga is Colombia's seventh-largest metropolitan area (2005 census: 553,046

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Corey3368 says on May 24, 2008, 20:58:

Just want to say thanks for the responses.

AngelCanada, first time I have heard anything about the city having a gang problem. I have read here on the forum about the Aguilas Negras but relating to Medellin. Has anyone else experience a wide spread problem with gangs in Bucaramanga or the Aguilas Negras ? I expect there are gangs in ever city including American cities but are they impacting the quaility of life in Bucaramanga?

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 24, 2008, 21:23:

I had heard that Bucaramanga had a population of 1.2 million (includes suburban communities Floridablaca & Piedecuesta & Giron)..

Corey, there has been a rise in displaced populations on the outskirts of Bucaramanga, and I too have heard that paras are the region more than in the past. I do not know how this has affected day to day life in the city, it seemed fine when I there very briefly last year. I'm really looking forward to my next trip back when the metrolinea will be up.

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Corey3368 says on May 24, 2008, 21:33:

Thanks Adrimm

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 21:39:

If you add sorrounding communities yes, but the city proper is just north of 550,000.

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 30, 2008, 06:19:

the city is about 550k, the 1 million figure is metro area
Angel, I'm sure shit happens everywhere. If you go to NYC, would go seightseeing in the Bronx, Queens, Yonkers?. You as a paisa must have nice stories about Medallo, huh?

Democratic party or Republican party is fine......as long as theres a party!!!!!!!

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javiernj says on Sep 24, 2008, 08:21:

any advice, i work in new jersey/ny area, im a network administrator. Im planning to move to bucaramanga to live there with her. she has a real state business there and i was thinking if it will be easy for me to land a job even in the IT field.
I have certifications, and I'm bilingual fluent in spa-english.
any advice? where to look for jobs etc?
we have here monster.com etc what about down there.
reason of moving, is quality of life. plus , she has a business there, and she does well. i wish i had my own business or else she would be the one moving here to the states. but we have talked it over and it makes sense for me to make the move, she doesn't know the language and it will be difficult for her to come here.
plus no visa.

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vicshere says on Sep 24, 2008, 08:26:

IT no way i know of hundreds of IT people who haven't had a job for years

listo

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javiernj says on Sep 24, 2008, 10:31:

Vicshere,
really? i guess i have to learn the real state market and work with my girlfriend.
economy here in the states is getting scary - I might move to colombia at the end of the year.

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 24, 2008, 11:10:

IT proffesionals in Col are usually computer engineers.
There`s a Monster Latin America or you can try other sites suchs as Elempleo.com, computrabajo.com, zonajobs.com.co
best luck

Democratic party or Republican party is fine......as long as theres a party!!!!!!!

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javiernj says on Sep 25, 2008, 09:52:

Thank you Jorge. I ll look it up.

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