to live in Colombia ?

Peter (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 03:21:

It all depends a lot on your preferences and cirumstances.

Best town: it's mostly personal preference.

Cost of life: are you shooting for a "middle class" lifestyle?

Difficulties: what's your background?

Poor but snappy

dwmte7 says on May 11, 2008, 05:11:

ditto, peter's comments. gonna have to get a little more specific. as for where, that's really personal specific. i can only stand antioquia. other's can tolerate other locals. but it you want to have your large family here, i'd personally suggest the surrounding pueblos of medellin. specifically, llano grande. a bit like heaven on earth. this opinion is weighted by 19 yrs of experience. good luck to you and yours.

dwmte

Lostgringo says on May 11, 2008, 06:39:

You will find all the information you need to make a good judgement on where you want to live and so on if you just take the time to search on this site. It's all there. Just do a Google search on this site and do your research. You will not find a better place on the internet to get all of this information from people who have lived or are living in Colombia....You will also find some of the information along with live feeds to the news in English on Colombia below:
http://www.welovebota.com
http://www.apartmentinbogota.com

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

arthur brode says on May 11, 2008, 07:25:

type in "cost of living" in the google search box above

http://www.calirentals.net/

nueva york bombero says on May 11, 2008, 07:47:

Hans, keep traveling and you'll make up your mind....
My favorites are Medellin and Santa Marta.
Cali and Armenia are also great places that offer different things....
Suerte!

Hans_Paisa says on May 11, 2008, 08:14:

Thank you for the information.

Hans_Paisa says on May 11, 2008, 08:19:

"Cost of life: are you shooting for a "middle class" lifestyle?"

Yes, but I do not search neither the best places nor the best appearance.

"background": with my wife and my children who go to high-school.

bogotabrian says on May 11, 2008, 08:20:

I live in Medellin, it's a great city. Armenia is cool too but not pretty sleepy when it's not the weekend. I have always liked Manizales for some reason. Lot's of people do not like the city because of the crisp weather though.

bickerss says on May 11, 2008, 08:46:

Bogota has ther most things to do and great pueblos nearby - its more 24/7, but the weather can be a real bummer. Medellin is great and is warmer though seems to rain a hell of a lot. It has a medium country style feel about it, and is quite sleepy until Thurs. I agree with Brian on Manizales - great city. Cali IMO can be a bit more dodgy; I like to visit for the party but not to live. It has a more latin on the edge feel about it. Cartagena and the coast are nice for a visit but I would not like to live there. My fav place there now is Rodadero - nice beaches, relaxed, good weather.

Bill Turley says on May 11, 2008, 13:30:

I lived in and around Bogota for many years, I lived in Cali for one year but prefered to fresh, clean country. Cost of living is much much lower here than in either city. Examples Beef Tenderloin: about $1.90 USD/lb, Yearly taxes on 1.5 hectare less than $10USD, Electric Bill less than $35USD. Housekeeper $10USD for a long day, the same for expert gardner. For a skilled handyman /builder/electrician $USD 15
>

Mr. Bill Somondoco

dwmte7 says on May 11, 2008, 13:33:

bogota, hmmmmmm...just one big cold bummer. give me medallo. medellin with all the pueblos close in from bello in the north to guarne in the east to caldas, primavera and amaga in the south and maranilla, la ceja, don diego, tablaso, el retiro, rio negro, carmen de viboral, et al in between...who on earth wants bogota ie suck city. after 19 years one develops an opinion. my feelings on the coast are as those of most others...now and then, but not to live. if i like it cool i can stay up in los llanos where most of my tight friends live. if i want it a little more toasty, back down in medallo--poblado, envigado, las palmas, sabaneta...where it's great for kids.

dwmte

webmanco says on May 11, 2008, 13:36:

Bogotá rules any time, both Bogotá and Cundinamarca, I am only interested in Antioquía, but rural Bogotá is awesome as well, the weather well it might rain as much in Medellín as in Bogotá, Medellín a little be warmer you are right.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

jonas says on May 11, 2008, 13:59:

Take into account what school you plan to send your kids. This can get very expensive for quality education and might limit your options on where to live. How do you plan to make an income? Are you rich?

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 14:25:

"Medellín a little be warmer you are right."

What the f*** are you talking about Web? LOL

"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."

webmanco says on May 11, 2008, 14:29:

Where were that picture photoshoped? in Frostgota?

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 14:31:

LOL, no I promise it is real... I am not as good as Ray in photoshopping pictures...

wait...

"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."

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 14:31:

http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=granizada en bogota&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

"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."

webmanco says on May 11, 2008, 14:45:

You got about 45 minutes to make that link work, and time is running

The granizada is just another beauty of Bogotá, we all know that it happens maybe twice a year and withe the force of the one on the photoshoped pictures it is about every 5 years or so.

It Frostgota were cold no one would wear shorts.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

MitchAlvarez says on May 11, 2008, 16:26:

Hans tell us about yourself. Ill tell you where youll fit in better?

What do you like to do? Interests? Hobbies? things like that.

Tengale miedo a una huelga de mujeres o a una escacez de aguardiente. :)

BillBigD says on May 11, 2008, 19:32:

That picture Robi placed is real. I remember seeing it on CNN.

webmanco says on May 12, 2008, 05:35:

I know the picture is real, I was there.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

aztec says on May 12, 2008, 06:38:

BillBigD says on May 11, 19:32: flag

That picture Robi placed is real. I remember seeing it on CNN."


Unfortunately the photo is indeed real. My wife was there when it happened. You must admit it was an aberration and rarely happens, at least to that extent!

elmodefoque says on May 12, 2008, 07:29:

thank you!

webmanco says on May 12, 2008, 07:35:

You are welcome

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

huskie says on May 12, 2008, 08:08:

Now, here is another one putting gringos down....
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

huskie says on May 12, 2008, 08:09:

Now, here is another one putting gringos down..
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

slguy says on May 12, 2008, 09:24:

ramrod, uummm - never mind.

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

robi666 says on May 12, 2008, 09:36:

Elmo, when are you going to take your sorry ass back to the hidden heaven - Buritaca?
I am going to the coast tomorrow!

"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."

Rubito says on May 12, 2008, 23:30:

Peter is in BELGIUM, he's hardly a gringo.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

webmanco says on May 13, 2008, 05:09:

http://www.eltiempo.com/economia/2008-05-13/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

Bogotá one of the most competitive cities in Latin America.

Mayo 12 de 2008

Bogotá, entre las 10 ciudades más competitivas de América Latina

"Estamos avanzando satisfactoriamente hacia la meta que nos hemos impuesto en el Consejo Regional de Competitividad de Bogotá y Cundinamarca, para llegar a ser una de las cinco regiones con mejor calidad de vida de América Latina", dijo María Fernanda Campo, presidenta de la Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá.


http://www.eltiempo.com/economia/2008-05-13/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

webmanco says on May 13, 2008, 05:35:

Keep them away from me, those trying to look foreigners.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

aztec says on May 13, 2008, 05:57:

King Leonidas, I believe you should be here a while before you jump on our long term resident Elmo. While he can indeed rattle those of us who live out in the fly over country he is not as harsh as he appears.

As a gringo and Southerner no less I can understand the feeling of discrimination. After all, we are the only unprotected class in North America. You are legally fair game for any comments.

Elmo is O.K. He doesn't really mean to disparage any of us. It is just his way of getting his message across. Too, you must remember he is from New York where people tend to be more direct.

toneloc24 says on May 13, 2008, 08:54:

Fellas, if you haven't figured out Elmo yet, take a chill pill. He's really alright. Just likes to pull your legs to get a laugh. And man, does he. My gosh, people fall for anything. I can see how these chicks get over on some of you. LOL!!!

A quick reading of any of his posts should be more than enough for anybody to know he's just BS-ing, most of the time. But some of the time, and you know who you are, his comments burn people because there's a lot of truth in them.

For the record, I know Elmo and his family, and we hang out just the same whenever I'm in NYC, mamando gallo. And that includes his beautiful, vibrant paisa-bred, costeña-raised wife, his kids and niece who don't have much interest in Colombia as much as the DR, his brother, Rubito, and Morphus. The snow job he has you guys believing......hilarious.

Elmo - if you decided to take a break from fishing to head to currumba next week, give me a call. Just booked my flights.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

elmodefoque says on May 13, 2008, 08:55:

rubi
If one day you decide to visit the REAL colombia you will find out what a millo sounds like
check it out

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 13, 2008, 09:00:

I had Elmo figured out from day one.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CatGirl says on May 13, 2008, 09:00:

jejeje - OK Elmo - all is clear on this end now ;))

ooops! ....Did I say that?

toneloc24 says on May 13, 2008, 10:19:

I'll be there next Thurs nie 5/22 - Wed. 5/28, and I still have to stop in Bogota both ways. Only sleeping in Bogota on Tues. 5/27, coming back.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

El Polo says on May 13, 2008, 10:42:

I Didn't know they had colored pictures in 1984. ha! :)

slguy says on May 13, 2008, 10:45:

i'm laughing like a hyena. how could anyone need tone's explananation??

if ever there was a funnier shit-disturber than elmo, he's escaped my attention! you guys really took him seriously???

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

El Polo says on May 13, 2008, 11:12:

jaja no joda Elmo, at least your message is consistent :)

ColombianoGringo says on May 13, 2008, 11:15:

Hey Elmo, You look just like an uncle of mine in that 1984 pic. You look like a cachaco with a tan ;)

slguy says on May 13, 2008, 11:15:

elmo, i been meaning to ask - how's your stress level these days? i mean, you don't have them thar toilet emergencies any more, so how's life?

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

elmodefoque says on May 13, 2008, 14:10:

I aint got no more stress level
they pick me up at 9 am for my daily one hour walk in riverside park with 6 other 4 legged dogs.
i get home and take my first morning nap
i play with my reels, rods and hooks for a couple hours
i eat and then take another nap
i watch some porno around 2 pm and nap again
i eat dinner and watch tv until i fall asleep
i go fishing every other day.
my friend picks me up at 1am and bring me back at 1 pm next day stinking like bunker (bait fish).

lpdiver says on May 13, 2008, 15:30:

Elmo,

Since no one answered your question I will. I dork is a whale dick. It originated in the Colonial times. So they or calling you a big dick, or politely a nerd.

t

"cook some rice!"

Hans_Paisa says on May 14, 2008, 06:53:

Thank you for your answers although some seem to have nothing to do with the post.

Is elmodefoque a troll ? What does he mean with cucaracha ? I suppose that it is not the insect (like in the mexican song).

If I want to rent a house in Bogota, Medellin or Cali, how shall I have to pay each month ?
I do not want the best house in the best "barrio" but something correct with 4 or 5 bedrooms, one garage and a small (or larger) garden. Not too much noisy.

And to buy a house?

El Polo says on May 14, 2008, 07:25:

Elmoderfoque is not a troll, just straightfoward, check his rap-sheet

Activity: 280 posts, 7520 comments, 27 friends.
Member since: June 2004
Lives in: NYC
Sex: male
Born in: Colombia
Has traveled in: barranquilla
Wants to travel to: barranquilla
Favourite traveling style: cheapest way possible
About (hobbies etc...) h00ker$, boooze and fishing

slguy says on May 14, 2008, 07:27:

hans, the thing about pbh is - you'll get the answers you need, but if you leave a thread w/out followup for three days, don't expect it to be strictly "on topic" when you return. sometimes three minutes is all it takes. ;)

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

CatGirl says on May 14, 2008, 08:21:

Yay Slguy! ...Puurrr

ooops! ....Did I say that?

McGringo says on May 14, 2008, 08:25:

I personally prefer Cartagena but i'm thinking of moving to Santa Marta.

Rubito says on May 14, 2008, 13:26:

Hans, most people in the cities in Colombia don't live in houses but rather in buildings. People actually prefer that because it is safer, especially if it's a doorman building.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

toneloc24 says on May 14, 2008, 14:09:

Rubito - Stick to Bogota only. That statement is absolutely not true in other cities.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

goin_south says on May 14, 2008, 15:28:

plus.... I have yet to see a 'doorman' that looks like they could/would defend anything.
Mostly, they are ... 'asleeping'

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

aztec says on May 14, 2008, 16:45:

But he is correct about Bogotá.

Frank Rizzo says on May 14, 2008, 17:52:

Great point GS.....on the doormen.... that's why you gotta arm the interior of your home like a mad man...!! jajajajajaaa

goin_south says on May 14, 2008, 19:27:

Rizzoooo.... I have my moments ;-))

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

Rubito says on May 14, 2008, 20:52:

Bullshit! In ANY Colombia city that's practically all they are building these days are closed complexes. You didn't go to the housing fair, I did. Pick up ANY of those real estate mags from Colombia. I challenge you to find even ONE new house being build inside any city. If you want a detached house just about ANYWHERE in Colombia you have to buy an old one, and if you want a new detached house you'd have to renovate or build one yourself.

GS, doormen are often IN on the robberies. But closed complexes are still much safer than houses just out there on the street.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

slguy says on May 14, 2008, 21:22:

you went to the housing fair? jajajajajaaja

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

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 14, 2008, 22:01:

A detached house?
Most people I know in Cali live in townhouses, about one third in buildings. Walled, gated communities and apartment buildings have become more popular over the last 10years, but majority...no Rubito, not quite yet anyway. (But then again, I keep forgetting you know everything better about Cali than me, even if you've never been there,,,,but you have been to a housing fair!)

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

slguy says on May 14, 2008, 22:09:

"but you have been to a housing fair!"

my point exactly, des.

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

Rubito says on May 14, 2008, 22:29:

Townhouses are NOT houses. They are multi-dwellings.

What I said was that just about ALL new construction within major cities are closed complexes and multi-dwellings.

The housing fair comment was meant for toneloc. There was one that he and elmo were considering attending with me, I went and they didn't.

We are talking about somebody planning to move into Colombia and I'm simply pointing out that if they DO live in a detached house they will have a bigger security problem, which is WHY they don't really build detached houses anymore.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

slguy says on May 14, 2008, 23:09:

"Hans, most people in the cities in Colombia don't live in houses but rather in buildings"

no, you said most people in colombia live in buildings, not houses. completely different thing from what current construction is.

tone was correct when he told you to stick to bogota...

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

toneloc24 says on May 15, 2008, 00:28:

"The housing fair comment was meant for toneloc. There was one that he and elmo were considering attending with me, I went and they didn't."

LOL!!! Such absolutes based on a job fair??? Bogota is NOT the only city in Colombia. Bogota does NOT represent normal Colombian life.

Rubito, please name another major city in Colombia that you've actually been to. You're giving Hans bad information.

I've been to almost every major city in Colombia, with the exception of Bucaramanga. From actually being there and visiting normal neighborhoods, not just the gringo and rich Colombian areas, I can tell you clearly that your general statement about "most people in the cities in Colombia don't live in houses but rather in buildings" is COMPLETELY wrong. There are apartments and condos, but nowhere near the majority in any other city but Bogota. Most Colombians in live in houses.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

Rubito says on May 15, 2008, 01:00:

Let me rephrase that then. Most Colombians PREFER to live in buildings. And I would definitely recommend Hans live in one too.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Hans_Paisa says on May 15, 2008, 01:19:

I prefer to live in a house with a garden.
Is it truly less safe than in a building?
Are there statistics about robbery in buildings, detached houses and closed condos?

Nobody has given to me examples of costs for renting or buying a house in Bogota, Medellin or Cali.
Can you ? (4 or 5 bedrooms, one garden, not luxury but correct).

Rubito says on May 15, 2008, 01:34:

Like everybody has been so quick to point out, I can only speak for Bogota. If you looked around AND if you could find someone to vouch for you, you could probably get something like that for around a million pesos a month, assuming Estrato 4 or 5. You probably want to look for Estrato 4 because the difference between utilities is quite a bit between the two. To buy would be around 180-200 million or so. You could lower this considerably by going into cheaper neighborhoods but I don't know if it would fit your definition of "correct".

In just about anywhere I've heard of, multi-dwellings are safer to live in than houses. Houses are just that much easier to be broken into. If you want to look at houses in Bogota, I recommend the Soledad area, just north of downtown and just west of Av. Caracas, or in Galerias. We personally decided we wanted a condo in a new high-rise not only for security reasons but we didn't want to be constantly fixing things up ourselves. We pay 123k a month and it's all done for us. Plus the doorman is SUCH a convenience, you can have them accept packages for you, LEAVE packages for someone else etc.

For more info on Bogota AND other cities check out www.metrocuadrado.com... just keep in mind some prices are wishful thinking and may be able actual market rates.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 04:14:

I'm only speaking of Cali, which is the only Colombian city/town that I know well. There has NEVER been detached houses in Cali, except in Vipasa and Pance/Ciudad Jardín, perhaps some other high-end areas like Cristales, Sta. Teresita, Normandía, and only just a few of them. Practically ALL houses in Cali are townhouses and in Colombia they are NOT considered multi-dwelling, but "casas". It's not that people have STOPPED building them for security reasons, there have never been any. Take a look at any major Colombian city, town on Google Earth and you see the huge spreads of townhouses around small downtown/highrise areas.

Hans_paisa, I own a townhouse, strata 5 in Cali and am renting it out on 700 000 Colombian pesos per month. It's 340 square meters, four bedrooms, 3 bathrooms plus maid's quarters (a bedroom and a bathroom).

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

webmanco says on May 15, 2008, 04:16:

Nobody has given to me examples of costs for renting or buying a house in Bogota, Medellin or Cali.
Can you ? (4 or 5 bedrooms, one garden, not luxury but correct).

That is a broad question and yes it is relative to the different areas "estratos" in Bogotá. Putting it that way, you could rent a house in Estrato 3 and four starting at USD 500 monthly, buy a house starting a USD 50.000

About security, you can get hit both in and an apartment or a house, it does not make much difference. First and second floors in apartments are hit more, also would be thefts will rent and apartment in the complex, will live there and check out residents routine, thefts steal from inside.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 06:10:

Rubi, since when is a townhouse considered a multi dwelling? Like Desi said, they are called casas and are single family occ, they just happen to but up to the casa next to it, instead of being detached. But Rubi is right that most NEW construction going on in the cities in colombia is multi-dwelling.

aztec says on May 15, 2008, 06:50:

"Hans_Paisa says on May 15, 2008, 01:19: flag

I prefer to live in a house with a garden.
Is it truly less safe than in a building?"

YES, in Bogota!

For your information the US Embassy will not allow any of their people to rent an apartment lower than the 3rd floor (Or it is highly discouraged). I suspect that is also preferred by other Embassies.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 07:30:

Depends on the nature of the danger. I prefer a house when there's an earthquake.
But yes, multifamiliar units are considered safer from robbers and other crooks. In a walled community you can have a townhouse-type of home with a small inside patio/garden.
Here's a pic of a typical Cali multifamiliar:



This is where I stayed for 3 months a couple of years ago.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 07:48:

Are Solariums in Colombian "country" homes typical? (I can see why not in the cities)

ooops! ....Did I say that?

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 07:54:

Solariums?
Why?

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Rubito says on May 15, 2008, 09:21:

I'm in a detached house in the Bronx right now. DEFINITELY safer in a building here. We have the odd punk kid casing the house out, but when we see them we let them know we see them and they better look elsewhere.

There are such things as attached and semi-attached houses which aren't townhouses. Townhouses are OK for security if they're within a closed complex. I personally don't like the new townhouses that are being built like that because they are SO vertical they make your head spin, and the rooms are really small. I prefer an apartment that has some space to it.

We bought on the first floor. It's not as secure as the 3rd floor up, but we've taken measures to compensate, and it's sure nice not to have to mess with those elevators :P

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 09:49:

I think we may have a slightly different idea what a "townhouse" means. I'm talking about privately-owned (you own the lot too on which it is built), single family home, one or several stories that is attached on at least one of its sides to the next one. It usually has one or several patios or inside gardens. That is by far the most common housing type in Cali.

I don't like those vertical units either. They are horribly narrow and crowded and very little social area. Just a lot of stairs and narrow corners.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 11:49:

Desi "Solariums?
Why?

Many of the pics I have seen of homes (not townhomes) in the "Countryside" have nice property views. Some had something similar to Solariums. Only curious if it was typically in included in the initial homes or something that is added on later - that's all

ooops! ....Did I say that?

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 12:02:

I was just wondering. I haven't seen any solariums in Colombia. Plenty of natural susnhine, however.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 13:32:

Catgirl, most country homes in Colombia have large verandas as nobody goes to the country to sit indoors. Most have a very open design with plenty of breezeways to get that air circulating..

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 13:35:

I think I might have misunderstood CatGirl. Does "solarium" mean something else than a tanning bed/cabin?

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 13:49:

Desi, I undertsand it to be a room enclosed in glass so as to let the sun in.

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 13:53:

Desi - do you remember Rax Restaurants from your days in the U.S.? The front of most of them would be considered a solarium.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 13:59:

Ok, billy, no I was not familiar with that meaning of a solarium.
This is what I had in mind;

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:01:

No, Tinto....but I remember the typical Florida rooms in the back of the house with glass walls.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 14:02:

Jaja, same result I guess.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:03:

"In modern culture, solarium has several meanings:

Solarium (constellation), a former constellation
Sunrooms, rooms built largely of glass to afford exposure to the sun
Tanning beds or Tanning booths, non-medical devices that emit ultraviolet for the purpose of creating a cosmedic tanning of the skin. " (wiki)

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:04:

Now you perhaps understand my bewilderment when CatGirl said that Colombian fincas have solariums....

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 14:05:

Where would we be without Wikie? I guess it makes sense in Florida with the A/C going.

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:06:

Desi a solarium or sunroom is what we call here in the UK a conservatory

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:07:

And in the US a conservatory can be a school of music (at the college/university level) or a public, glass-enclosed area with plants or flowers.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:10:

It's a school of music in Colombia too.
Solarium in Sweden is what you guys would call a tanning bed or tanning cabin.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:11:

Kat1...welcome back! How was Italy?

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 14:14:

"Now you perhaps understand my bewilderment when CatGirl said that Colombian fincas have solariums...."

Actually I thought you were bewildered by, as I was, why would somebody want to be inside a glass enclosed room to see the view in the countryside, when the purpose of going to the country is to be outdoors. But i realize that catgirl is looking at it from a NA POV, where sometimes the weather is not so conducive to being outdoors.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:15:

sorry guys

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:17:

The Caption: Solariums Can Be Lethal

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:19:

It was great Desi thanks, lost of chianti ;))) and plenty of walk como dicen en mi tierra camine mas que un secuestrado :((( i think i lost stone arggg


btw here in the UK solarium is a tanning room

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 14:19:

jeje, BTW, Desi, why do you have to that to us while we are at work?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:21:

lol desi


Tinto in Colombia conservatory is also an school of music

here in the UK is this

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:22:

Do what? I just wanted to show you what we Scandinavians call a "solarium". ... ... did you get scared?

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 14:23:

I would'nt say scared precisely ;)

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:24:

Yeah, I've been googling solarium images and seen those now...well, I've learned something new today. It's been good day.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

ColombianoGringo says on May 15, 2008, 14:26:

Ouch! I sure hope that was staged.

So i guess videos and images of hot girls in g-strings are OK on the site now. No complaints here.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:29:

Nonononononono.....don't get me wrong. It was just to show you guys what I meant with "solarium".

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 14:31:

But I guess I'd better take it down before our observant contributors flag it....

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

ColombianoGringo says on May 15, 2008, 14:37:

Too late Desi. We all get a free boob shot posting ;)

ColombianoGringo says on May 15, 2008, 14:37:

Nooooooooooooooooo! What have I done? Think of the children!!!

Hans_Paisa says on May 15, 2008, 15:16:

"Hans_paisa, I own a townhouse, strata 5 in Cali and am renting it out on 700 000 Colombian pesos per month. It's 340 square meters, four bedrooms, 3 bathrooms plus maid's quarters (a bedroom and a bathroom)."

Desideria, in what area is your house? Do you have pictures? Is it truly safe?

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 15:44:

"Is it truly safe?"

In Colombia, that is a relative term, not an absolute.

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 18:24:

BB "I undertsand it to be a room enclosed in glass so as to let the sun in."

Yes, this is closer to what I meant..not a tanning booth jajaja

What I saw were indoor pics with large rooms (door to outside/farm) predominantly glass with plants indoors. These were usually placed in the part of the house with more shade from trees etc..so your view was fairly full of foliage. These were not like atypical tiny room - pretty large. and long
I thought - wow - nice!! As I am sure there could be days that going outdoors might be too hot? You can sit indoors in the shade? I don;t know...

Either way, just curious if it was commonly seen. Kind of like how every house built in Los Angeles pretty much had a pool at one time.

So I take it, no is the answer and if you see something like that it is an exception ;))


Thanks ;))

ooops! ....Did I say that?

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 19:30:

Now that I think about it.maybe a better term for it is an Atrium...but I always picture Atriums with high ceilings. These rooms I saw did not have high ceilings...

ooops! ....Did I say that?

WaySouthOfTheBorder (newbie) says on May 15, 2008, 19:31:

Purrrrrrrrrrr....

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 19:33:

BB´' Amor,¿what does NA POV¨mean? ñ

ooops! ....Did I say that?

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 19:35:

Hey WSOTB ' Nice Avatar!

ooops! ....Did I say that?

billyb says on May 15, 2008, 20:42:

North american point of view.

CatGirl says on May 15, 2008, 21:58:

Gracias Amor ñ=

ooops! ....Did I say that?