Let's Talk about Periera and Manizales - por favor

[Zon]

I am planning on spending 90 days in Pereira and Manizales beginning Nov 15.   I would love to get people's feedback on these two cities.  I pretty much get the women thing - that is just a matter of time, exposure, and a little luck.   But, there is much I could learn in advance ....

how do these cities differ?
Security;
Costs;
People

Any particular things I should do, or look out for?

All remarks welcome (with the exception of DL and FT arguing on when, and how many times each has been married hahaha)

[Samuel]

Zon,


If you want the real skinny on Pereira and Manizales try these web sites.


http://www.qhubopereira.com/qhpereira/destino.php


http://lapatria.com/qhubo/destino.php?archivo=NDMAN02102011


Don't say you weren't warned.  Stick to Medellin and Cali.

[AndyLee]

All remarks welcome (with the exception of DL and FT arguing on when, and how many times each has been married hahaha)

Zon, my experience with Pereira and Manizales is sort of lopsided because of my own worldview and style of living, I much prefer small pueblos near the small city. I've lived near Periera for over a year and I like it here very much and I've visited Manizales several times and I like it, too. The people are friendly, the weather is excellent, the cities are  small so I can get out in the country in just a few minutes by moto or bus.
There are some differences in population.....Periera and Manizales are about the same size except that the city of Dos Quebradas on the other side of the Rio Otun nearly doubles the overall size of Pereira.
Then there is the difference in elevation which makes Manizales cooler and more cloudy. Not withstanding Samuel's references both cities are about as safe as you will find in Colombia. They both have gangs and drugs and higher crime than most places in the US but not nearly as high as the bad places in Colombia. Pereira is more expensive rentals than Manizales, but still about 1/2 what you would pay in Medellin.
You are sort of an urban sort of guy I take it, so I'm curious why you are looking at cities outside the mainstream? In your line of work there must be some untapped potential in the café zona?
I personally would like to see a good introduction agency started in the café zona. I think there are a lot of beautiful women here and the pace of life is more user friendly.
Do you know anything about the dating agency in Manizales called manizalescupido.com?
AL

[Zon]

I spent a couple days in Salento and about a week in Armenia, earlier in the month.   I think Armenia might get a little small for me.

I am NOT interested in the least in starting an agency of any type.  Although I obviously agree with your logic.  I have seen the female and male clients at work, and I would rather open up a restaurant - again, JOKING.    I do not operationally get involved with any business ( I am a terrible manager, and I am not gifted with details ).

Why am I interested in Per / Mani?   I did not enjoy being a gringo in Medellin.  I could be happy in Cali.  But, both are big cities, not so clean, not so safe ... and most of the people you meet are nice in order to take advantage in one form, or another.  The people I met in Quindio seemed more simple and sincere (statement and question)

I have enjoyed the fast lane of Cali and Medellin.  Nowadays I am attracted to a slower lifestyle and smaller place.

[opusone]

I spent a couple days in Salento and about a week in Armenia, earlier in the month.   I think Armenia might get a little small for me.

I am NOT interested in the least in starting an agency of any type.  Although I obviously agree with your logic.  I have seen the female and male clients at work, and I would rather open up a restaurant - again, JOKING.    I do not operationally get involved with any business ( I am a terrible manager, and I am not gifted with details ).

Why am I interested in Per / Mani?   I did not enjoy being a gringo in Medellin.  I could be happy in Cali.  But, both are big cities, not so clean, not so safe ... and most of the people you meet are nice in order to take advantage in one form, or another.  The people I met in Quindio seemed more simple and sincere (statement and question)

I have enjoyed the fast lane of Cali and Medellin.  Nowadays I am attracted to a slower lifestyle and smaller place.

Are you starting to hear that "clock" ticking , Zon?
ou're not trying to find a mate are you, Zone?

[AndyLee]

I hear what you are saying about Armenia possibly closing in on you. With the exception of the new pedestrian mall downtown the rest of the city is very crowded and dirty and the only large stores they have are the Flamingo and the Exito both aren't very big.
Keep in mind that Manizales is only a tad larger than Armenia so it's likely to be too small for you too. In that case I think Pereira might be just right for you. Including Dos Quebradas and Park Industriale there are close to 1 million people. There are two big Carrefours, Home Center, several Exitos, LA Catorce, three huge malls, a huge warehouse grocery that I forget the name of just now, several ethnic restaurants even Arabic, decent flight schedule at the airport which is open till 10 pm versus Manizales closes at 6 pm. The weather in Pereira is a tad cooler than Armenia and a lot warmer than Manizales. There is also an excellent soon to be discovered Class II-III whitewater run on the Río Otún which separates Pereira from Dos Quebradas. If you are into cycling there are hundreds of miles of good roads around the city and trails into the mountains in all directions.

[Zon]

I have always believed that life is best lived in chapters and phases.  Too much of one thing naturally leads to another