What's Cheaper in Colombia.. ??

papiChulo says on Jul 11, 2008, 12:48:

nothing imported to colombia is cheaper. you might consider a laptop (used) maybe some clear out specials on digi cams and videos... suerte

can't help you on the scene in Bogota... others can I'm sure

you'll never go before your time

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jonotdaavg says on Jul 11, 2008, 12:50:

yeah.. i'm not so much worry about goods, i think all of that is cheaper in the US.. i meant more in terms of services..

thanks though!

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jonotdaavg says on Jul 11, 2008, 12:52:

i suppose glasses ARE imported.. at least the brand name ones.. but then again.. you have to see an eyedoctor who has to make your lenses.. so maybe that part is cheaper? i dunno..

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 12:58:

Depending on where you live in the US and what you're looking for, you might find some good deals on clothes, shoes, boots and leather accessories made in Colombia.

If it's not covered (or not covered well) by health insurance in the US, then you can certainly find lower prices in the medical and dental area.

As for other low cost services that a traveler could benefit from -- hair cut/color, massage, spa treatment, custom-made clothes or a language class.

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jonotdaavg says on Jul 11, 2008, 13:08:

ooh Spa and massages.. that's a great idea I hadn't thought of.. going to look into that! thanks!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 13:29:

manicure and pedicure :)))

engage brain before opening mouth

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tasco66 says on Jul 11, 2008, 13:33:

cerveza

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 14:02:

panela

engage brain before opening mouth

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 14:07:

life

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 11, 2008, 14:30:

Anything that has to do with beuty like haircuts, highlights, perms, updos, manicures, pedicures, facials, even botox is a lot cheaper. Plastic surgery is a lot cheaper. Clothing for the most part is a lot cheaper.

Diana

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 14:48:

The beer is still cheap in a Colombian restaurant compared to a US restaurant, but the spread narrows quite a bit when it's bought in a store.

In June, I paid 1300 or 1500 COP for a Club Colombia in a store. That's 75 to 85 US cents for 11 ounces of a weak, not-very-good beer that used to be produced by a monopoly, and now it's produced by a monopoly that's part of a huge, evil multinational corporation. Haha.

Back home, I can buy a wide variety of better beer in 12 ounce bottles for about a buck, and with my purchase I can decide whether to support a local, regional, national or international brewery. I don't know the exact prices of mass market swill that's sold here, but I think you can get it for 50 cents a can when buying a case, which makes it cheaper than in Colombia.

No contest on haircuts, though, they're at least 5x more expensive in the US.

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billyb says on Jul 11, 2008, 14:51:

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 11 (today): flag

life


Yup.

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Monita Linda says on Jul 11, 2008, 15:58:

Brand stuff that gets imported is actually way more EXPENSIVE in Colombia than in the US. For example, a Levi's blue jean in a Colombian outlet (!!!!) - that actually is made in medellin - is still around 110,000 COP.... lots of designer things cost a ton here.. a tommy hilfiger tee (original from tommy store) can cost you 60 dollars.. so DONT go for brand name eyeglasses.. but DO go to the dentist...

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Noelito40 says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:24:

For me the difference between Europe and Colombia is that in Europe goods are (relatively!) cheap and services are expensive (because of shortage of supply) whereas in Colombis it is the opposite, goods are expensive (transport costs to/from Colombia are extortionate plus import taxes are very high), whilst services are cheap (medical and dental for example as has been stated) I couldn't believe the number of taxi drivers who are qualified doctors or dentists!

Noelito

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lpdiver says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:48:

You can pick up a very nice hand crafted guitar in Bogota for a great price.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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expatriate says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:54:

Cheaper in Colombia? Taxis, fresh produce, eye checkups and changing the lenses in frames you already have (80k to get both lenses replaced with a new prescription), any kind of manual labor such as getting a lamp repaired or a brick patio replaced, real estate taxes, lunches, and from what I hear, the world's oldest profession. That's all I can think of at the moment.

Many things cost more, such as vehicles. Imported items such as canned pineapple from Thailand I blame on some crazy law that prevents the import of used food processing equipment and the very high IVA rate that must be paid to import new equipment.

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lanegrapaisa says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:57:

I really don't suggest you buy anything brand name here because, and I hate to admit this, most places don't sell the real thing unless it's a franchise and that would cost you the same.
I saw a Fendi bag for 150,000 COP, hehehe yeah right. And they sell it at El Tesoro, an upscale mall.
Sometimes they sell them because they don't know or don't care if they're real or not, and sometimes because there's always a fool who will buy them thinking they got a good deal.
Dentist, YES, Surgery YES, but always keep in mind you should not try and get a deal on the last two, it doesn't pay to save on your health.

Hasta el santo Papa tira peos!

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Gator says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:58:

A multiplicity of things, as long as you do not want to live like a Gringo.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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MaFe says on Jul 11, 2008, 17:33:

Food!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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LilaM says on Jul 11, 2008, 20:11:

Una porción the guacamole o una porción de papa salada o un bollo de ángel es lo más barato!!! ;P

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 11, 2008, 20:17:

Rent. 550,000 cop a month for a 2 bed, estrato 4 apartment in Villavo. (now, $320 per month) Cheapest apartment in my little town here in NW Florida of equal size, $790 dollars per month.

One wood fire cooked chicken in Villavo, $5.00 usd with potatoes, platanos, and yucca. One gas cooked chicken at Walmart in Destin, without anything, $6.00.

One bottle of protein removing solution for soft contacts in Villavo, $12 usd. Same bottle in the US, $4.99. Solution in the US is found everywhere. In Villavo, only one bottle on hand in the Exito eye doctor franchise - and only place apparently in the entire city of 350,000 that had even heard of contact solution - let alone had it for sale.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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lanegrapaisa says on Jul 11, 2008, 20:52:

Tha's pretty cheap RJ, maybe I should move to Villavicencio.

Hasta el santo Papa tira peos!

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panthdave says on Jul 12, 2008, 16:29:

RJ said it housing....Estrato 4 in Medellin still at 550,000 well thru GF..Compared to Miami don't have to explain..

panthdave Miami

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Monita Linda says on Jul 13, 2008, 07:26:

Ok.. in Palmira a estrato 5 (in palmira there is not estrato 6) 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, maids' room and study, 120 sqr meters (360 sq feet) for 500,000 a month... with very high ceilings (10 ft)... this same type of home in Europe could cost me $2000 a month if not more....

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 13, 2008, 11:29:

Oh, and I failed to say my apartment was furnished.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Monita Linda says on Jul 13, 2008, 17:34:

We are planning to relocate in anything from half a year until 2 years....

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billyb says on Jul 13, 2008, 18:48:

1080+ sq ft, not 360.

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