To move or not to move to Medellin?

British Paisa says on Nov 9, 2004, 03:51:

As you can probably check out in the thousands of other posts on this subject Medellin and Colombia are great places to live, when in the city and its surrounding areas you will feel safe and I am sure that if the job is through a company they will reccomend what partas of Medellin to look for accomodation in. You will not be the only foreigners or people who are not poor in Medellin so go for it!...

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lozza says on Nov 9, 2004, 04:19:

No doubt - do it. But if you decide not to, and the jobs up for for grabs (i don't know what it is) but i'll have it!!!!

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ColombiaBoard says on Nov 9, 2004, 09:58:

Moving.... Although I won´t say that the city is a bed of roses I can say that the media exaggerates the current situation.
If your husband will work for a multinational company (there are several there) they´ll assign you an apartment or house in the best area of the city where you´ll live with all the amenities you have in the US, and I´m not talking just about high speed internet connections, etc. I also mean huge Malls, excellent food, etc etc.
Don´t think that you´ll be the only foreigners here, there are many.
Another thing is the great weather all year round. The city is called the City of Eternal Spring.


Check www.saexplorers.org with tons of Info about South America. If you´re interested specifically in Colombia you can send your tourism related questions to colombia at saexplorers.org

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poco says on Nov 9, 2004, 13:26:

Colombia is DANGEROUS Yes,, dangerous,, if you are a COMPLETE IDIOT, or come from Britain and lack rudimentary common sense. Other than that, it is safe.

Thinking about it,, this is the same kind of mentality that goes hand in hand with the fruit cake that studied wild grizzley bears in Alaska. Nothing happened to him either,, right up till the time he got eaten.

This story is OLD,,(4 years?) but it is a indication that the gene pool needs a dose of CHLORINE.

Read down,, see what he was wearing,, HOW he survived his life as long as he did was,,, amazing.

If you don't want to read the article,, then,,, well,,, just remember half the people in the world are below average.

Click for example of ambulatory brain death

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Chuck says on Nov 9, 2004, 20:25:

Who agrees with me? For a US Citizen... OK... for a foreign citizen living in Medellin is like receiving a free upgrade at the car rental office.
It is true you can't find in the stores all the gadgets sold in foreign countries. Those gadgets only provide temporary happiness to the fool that buys them. We have no RV's, no Yachts, no freeways, no Smogasboards.. but we do have STEAK! AHHHHH.... When I came back from the USA I ate the same PUNTA DE ANCA steak for a week! That's real happiness. And I don't miss my Michelobs... colombian beer is great and only $0.80 instead of $4 plus tip.

Ivanna, if you don't like beer or steak you can get HagenDazz Straberry Chocolate Fudge ice cream at the local supermarket for an exhorbitant price.

You will like it here!

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pablobeluci says on Nov 10, 2004, 18:54:

Do it! I had the same fears but ´now i´m in Medellin and im not going any where else. I love it.

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mark says on Nov 10, 2004, 21:35:

what is dangerous? I grew up in Los Angeles, survived the floods, riots,fires and that portion of society that gives a bad name to such populated areas.

I've been to medellin and some towns on the outskirts, very lovely atmosphere.

Yes Latin america has its problems yes organizations like the FARC are real and do exist.

Some humans have a nature of trying to be informed without bias, here are some links I use to avail myself of what happens in colombia. The first link colombia makes reference to news and other events relating to the politics of colombia.

http://www.colombiaweek.org/

The secon link I personally like, there is one section that makes reference to activity relating to the different factions and yes , things like murder, kidnapping, difusing of land mines, etc.

every couple weeks or so they have new maps that outline various activities.

http://www.derechoshumanos.gov.co/observatorio/modules.php?name=informacion&file=article&sid=191

statistically , yes colombia does have many kidnappings for ransom , much like mexico or other countries where thugs prey.

yes you can buy a cop in colombia or even a federal one.. these things are common not only in colombia..

when I go to colombia, however i do have a sense of security.. you will always see military guys with guns, you will always see the roadblocks. interestingly enough the FARC and other resistance groups also have military attire.. jeje . I guess there is a way to differientate them.

a couple years ago it was common to be held up on the roads by these guys, who would basically rob people on busses, but that has slowed down quite a bit.

it is necessary for you to understand that colombia is still #1 for the dope they export, and it is necessary for you to understand that this will probably not go away, problems exist.

Right now the FARC has a bounty on the president of colombia.. imagine that?? what if some group inside the US made that statement publically? that would never happen.. the last person who did that was from IRAQ.. sadamm..

having said that............. I'll always look foward to going to colombia, there is a real sense of life there with all the weekend festivities and music & color..

I was sitting at one thinking .. this is life... and yet knowing that the FARC is nearby is simply part of life in colombia.

keep a low profile, many people are kind and yet many cannot be trusted.. do not speak of the politics openly..

enjoy

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jmmyers says on Nov 17, 2004, 08:57:

moving to medellin if i want to move to medellin, what do i do about a visa? what is the colombian equivalent of a green card?

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Lionheart says on Nov 17, 2004, 14:12:

mark - and others interested The most neutral intelligence analysis I have found online is StratFor = Stategic Forecasting: www.stratfor.com

It not only forecasted most US moves in the middle-east correctly, but also the presidential elections. I read a lot about international hotspots there, which are covered in great depth. Colombia reports were very informative and accurate.

Too bad the basic service isn't free anymore ($99 per year). But if anybody needs in-depth intelligence reports, this is the place to go.

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viewpoint says on Nov 17, 2004, 15:23:

Lionheart - www.StratFor.com Thanks for sharing that information. It is an interesting website and service.

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