mantis has left 13 comments

mantis comments on anyone can fill me in on any difference between Colombian women from Medellin and lets say Santa Marta, Cartagena?

The difference Alessandro, I think the difference is about 50000 pesos... joking... crazy discussion

mantis comments on hotel in medellin

Torre Poblado is nice Stayed at Hotel Torre Poblado several times. Pretty nice hotel suites. I think i paid 60-70US when I was there earlier this year. Just a couple minutes walk to Parque Lleras as well.

mantis comments on Search: 2 BR in MED, begin Feb

Try Torre Poblado I stayed at this hotel in September. Very nice and around the corner from all the bars near Parque Lleras. It costs around 110,000 pesos a night. Well worth it.

mantis

mantis comments on Is the peso weakening?

Have to wait and see Yeah Mr. Hollywood, I am waiting on just that. If he isn't allowed to run again I imagine the peso's value should decrease. The next question will be who is going to replace him and how will that affect things in Colombia.

mantis comments on Is the peso weakening?

You're alright, that is pretty funny... lol... don't forget the suntan lotion

mantis comments on Is the peso weakening?

I know a place for you gringoinbogota, if you like the wild west days, you should try a little town I know about a 2 hour drive north from Baghdad. Pretty wild and not many gringos there. You would probably fit right in :)

mantis comments on Is the peso weakening?

Thanks My original question was to figure out exactly when I should send the rest of my money to get the best exchange rate. of course, no one here has that type of insight or I imagine their name would be Trump or Buffet or some Arab name I can't even pronounce or spell. Scared, no, heck I wouldn't have bought an apartment in Colombia if this was the case. Try living in Tbilis, Georgia during the country's revolution. That was scary. Gringoinbogota, thanks for your insight. Yes I imagine the suards in my building will know I am an American and exactly how much I paid for the place. Not to mention my patterens for coming in and out of the place and the type of people I hang out with. I lived in Russia and am all to used to these things. Just the other day here in the States a bunch of upper middle class youths threatened to beat the s! at t out of me just for looking at them. Was I scared, probably a little bit but fortunately I just came from the pistol range and had my 45 cal Glock pistol in my glove box. This gave me enough comfort in this situation. The point is, just like many others have stated throughout this website, you can either live your entire life being afraid (and I must say like most Americans are) of what is out there in different parts of the owrld, or you can embrace it and try not to ruffle too many feathers while you are doing it. I don't plan to have a gun in my glovebox in Colombia but I atleast will have a healthy respect for the negative elements out there. How about that echange rate....

mantis comments on I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Los Cristales, Cali.

Medellin apartment I signed the paperwork for my purchase a few weeks ago. I made a minimal deposit into the developers account at Bancolombia before i left and have 30-days to send the rest (the place will be finished in November). Last week i wired so more money into their account. I will send the rest next week. When should file the form 4 and 11 in this case. Should i do it when i send the remainder of the money or should i do it now. The person i am working with is very knowledgable but i want to make sure i don't do something wrong before it is too late (or too expensive) to fix it. I guess my major question is since i am sending money to the developers account directly are the rules the same for filing these forms. I know i have to file them but from reading several posts it sounds like it is more of an issue when you are sending money to a personal account. Maybe I don't exactly understand the difference between each form. I am heading back down next month to check on the place, i plan on making sure everything is ok at that point (if that is not to late). Also, any words of wisdom on getting utilities in my name would be appreciated as well...

mantis comments on Another one needs advice on buying property (Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena?)

Great,
psahlmann-I am going to look into the auction thing for sure. I am sure (hopefully) the person I am going to work with knows about checking for back taxes owed and utilities. But for my own peace of mind, how can i verify, once I find a place, how much if any taxes are owed? Also, how often are these auctions?
spigrimace-Using an AVALULO is an excellent idea and seems like the logical thing to when purchasing any property. Thanks for the advise.

Another question for anyone- how does the putting in an offer process work in Colombia. I am assuming that I can have someone else do the haggling for me and I can sign all the papers. Am I right?

mantis comments on Another one needs advice on buying property (Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena?)

I prefer to find the place without an agent. I will head down more than likely in early October to find a place. I have a couple of friends who have family in Medellin. I definately want the "local" rate. I plan to have someone else do the negotiating for me.

mantis comments on Another one needs advice on buying property (Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena?)

I appreciate the advice. I value Hunter's opinion and yours as it seems you both probably have more experience in the country than I. I plan to do as much research as possible before making any final decision.

mantis comments on Another one needs advice on buying property (Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena?)

Essentially it boils down to it is something I want to do. Sure I could use the money elsewhere. I am fairly young, don't have family or children, and would probably spend the money on another sports car or something. I have investments and all that stuff. Some may call me frugal but I know what type of thing make me happy and feel fulfilled. At least this way instead of blowing money traveling the world in search of... (what i am not sure) I at least will be able to take off at a moments notice and get away from "it" all without worrying about where I will stay. It is worth it to me to buy.

mantis comments on Another one needs advice on buying property (Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena?)

Almost forgot... I do not want to rent even though I will only be there 20-30 days a year.