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Which smaller town would you choose to live in

Assume that you wanted to move to Colombia but did not want to live in a major city, which smaller town would you choose? Consider access to medical care, saftey, education for the children, transportation, and overall cost of living....For the sake of argument, let's say at a estrato 3 or 4 level.

By Azul on Sep 11, 2008, 16:23 in Friendly Talkzone.

Monita Linda says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:31:

I live in Palmira, its a city but is very pueblo like. It is one of the most dangerous cities in colombia (criminality wise). It was not really my choice to move here.

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Noelito40 says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:39:

I'm suspect we are thinking along similar lines Azul, I want to get away from the Bogota to live in a smaller/cheaper/warmer place and have been thinking along the lines of Fusagasuga/Melgar or La Vega/Villeta, all have a better climate than Bogota and are within 2 or 3 hours drive.

The dilemma is, I assume, (and we don't have this decision yet) that if you want good education for your kids you have to be in a major city?!

Noelito

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curramberochris says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:41:

Without a doubt Bucaramanga. Or is that too big? Great standard of living and it is organised and clean.

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:42:

Villavicencio.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:08:

I'd live at the toll booth in Los Cedros.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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cali_brahh says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:09:

popoyan

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Waterdawg says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:16:

Robert Jorge says on Sep 11 (today): flag

Villavicencio.

Interesting choice , Why ???? By the way I live in Bogoya ..

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:28:

How about Trujillo Valle? Only thirty minutes from Tulua. On weekends you can stroll around the village and try to pick out the "rastrojos".

https://sites.google.com/site/colombianaturesite/nature-images

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:41:

Waterdawg, I'll admit I am biased, but when the OP asked about smaller cities that were warmer than Bogota, had decent education available, good healthcare available, Villavicencio sounds like what the OP is looking for. It is 2.5 hours south of Bogota. 350,000 people. major hospital, district capital of Meta, malls, incredible amount of outdoor activities available, very inexpensive compared to Bogota, etc.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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Waterdawg says on Sep 11, 2008, 18:09:

I have a friend that lives down there and keeps hollering at me to come down for a few days .. I hate Bus rides , lol ... I sure could use a little sun on the old bones right about now.. Whats a really nice hotel there ???

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 11, 2008, 18:31:

My vote is obviously Somondoco, We have a Medical Center with a Doctor on call 14/7 low costs, good safety, Nice People, 3 hrs from either Bogota or Tunja, 2 high schools ( at a fair level according to ICFES), no traffic problems, (only 25 cars and trucks).
All or at least most of the above listed locations are in MHO too large cities.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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gimmedub says on Sep 11, 2008, 20:17:

valledupar might be an option - I also hear bucaramanga is nice... anyone ever been down to aguachica?

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Catfish35 says on Sep 11, 2008, 21:22:

FREDONIA...
Its at a 90 degree angle aside a mountain about 2 hours sur Medallo...
Great coffee..among utter things..

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 11, 2008, 21:41:

Waterdog, you asked about a hotel in Villavo. Well, the "best" is the Don Lolo. It costs as much as a hotel in Bogota, and is just ok. Personally, I like things a little more basic, and I stay at the hotel Portal del Llano. Cold water, clean, great owners (Lucho and wife), and it is just up the hill from the centro area. Cable TV and AC .... but don't forget, COLD water.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 11, 2008, 21:42:

Oh, and I remember paying about 45.000 cop a night at the portal del llano.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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goin_south says on Sep 11, 2008, 22:55:

by golly, I think you all have them all ... covered.

nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry.

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Waterdawg says on Sep 12, 2008, 05:21:

Thanks Robert : But I ain't doing the cold water deal, no, nope, no mas !

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papiChulo says on Sep 12, 2008, 06:15:

Pereira.

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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Philly says on Sep 12, 2008, 06:42:

Pamplona hands down. Good schools, cheap to live and close to Cucuta

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papiChulo says on Sep 12, 2008, 10:55:

jajajaja... "cheap to live and close to Cucuta" ???? LMFAO

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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Mononoke28 says on Sep 12, 2008, 11:21:

I'd have to live somewhere close near a major city because otherwise, I'd go crazy. So something like Rionegro or Guarne would do it for me. Cota was pretty nice when I went there a year ago. I lived in Palmira as well and went there a year and a half ago and it was not nice. Hated it.

Diana

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Mononoke28 says on Sep 12, 2008, 12:48:

Oh yeah, I love that place. We try to go see the Virgin place they have there and I love it. Plus, it's not that far from Medellín.

Diana

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Philly says on Sep 12, 2008, 20:45:

Papichulo, do you know something I do not know? It is very cheap there. The rain and the cold sucks, but that is why you have a wife or a girlfriend.

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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 12, 2008, 21:09:

Overall I like Pamplona .. it looks small but has about 300,000, older and densely built. Lively town, good vibe, good education, amazing market, access to local cold & hot climate foods (ie. local strawberries and mangos on the same shopping trip).... Yes definitely a little run-down in parts, not spottless, and students can be noisy. Don't mind the weather, but maybe 1-2 degrees warmer would be nice.

Pamplonita.. now that has great weather, but is just too small.

imho Bucaramanga is a bit big.

If Leticia weren't quite so humid and warm I'd consider it for long-term living - small, but as the state capital it has *everything* on the list. Lovely boulevards, clean, restaurants, I was **very** impressed. Probably the only city of about 35,000 that has a *full* range of services. Fairly spread out and modern for a Colombian city. Other than being out of the way, I think it would fit the bill for many, but I hate hot weather.

I'm sure the perfect small city/large town exists in Colombia but I haven't quite found it yet.

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papiChulo says on Sep 12, 2008, 21:10:

Philly... last time I heard about that town Cucuta it was totally controlled by paras.. thats why I had to laugh but sure up in the hills far away its ok. But Cucuta dude its stinkin hot all the time? Hot chicas there but thats all... jejeje

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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bickerss says on Sep 13, 2008, 06:40:

Manizales is excellent. Armenia another good choice. If u like the beach; Rodadero - small but close enough to santa Marta (which is also small ish).

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Philly says on Sep 13, 2008, 08:16:

PapiChulo, I live in Cucuta now. Yes, It is hot but the money I am making is really good. The girls wear practically nothing so it is great.

bickerss, Manizales is not considered small.

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bickerss says on Sep 13, 2008, 09:10:

All in your perspective - Manizales is small to me.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Philly says on Sep 14, 2008, 05:25:

I lived in Manizales, I am sure by Colombian standards it is big and I am sure everyone here would also agree. It is not about you, it is about Colombia and its standards

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webmanco says on Sep 14, 2008, 05:32:

Barranquilla with the burroairport nearby

One burro landing every 12 seconds

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 14, 2008, 06:20:

I am with RJorge Villavicencio although it is not that small.

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quantum says on Sep 19, 2008, 16:17:

Philly, would u mind elaborating a bit on thoze two subjects, "the money Im making" and the girls wear practially nothing" Personally I can handle a lot of heat. But then Im a beach bum......

quantum

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