Can You Afford To Retire In Colombia?

[Researcher]

Many people say the same about men marrying foreign women.  I am surprised to hear this type of stuff from guys here.

Jesus, you guys are worst then women.  Constant back and forth bitching. I can see why this board isn't busier.

       Yeah but alot of the men marrying foreign women say this about players so.....


        Researcher

[innerperson]

       Yeah but alot of the men marrying foreign women say this about players so.....


        Researcher

I don't know about Colombia, but if the majority of men where what I saw while in Ukraine, player or marriage minded, I wouldn't want to be associated.

[Zon]

but if the majority of men where what I saw while in Ukraine, player or marriage minded, I wouldn't want to be associated.

yes, indeed.  REALITY CHECK!  In Ukraine, what would you say is the proportion of those men that you would prefer to not be associated versus those that you would prefer to be associated?  80 %   20%    -  70 % 30%?   (this is an ongoing estimation here)


AND, "Many people say the same about men marrying foreign women.  I am surprised to hear this type of stuff from guys here."  Well, we have some very "modern thinking" members here

[Researcher]

yes, indeed.  REALITY CHECK!  In Ukraine, what would you say is the proportion of those men that you would prefer to not be associated versus those that you would prefer to be associated?  80 %   20%    -  70 % 30%?   (this is an ongoing estimation here)


AND, "Many people say the same about men marrying foreign women.  I am surprised to hear this type of stuff from guys here."  Well, we have some very "modern thinking" members here

     The Ukraine is the Ukraine. I'm sure not everywhere is identical. There are many expats in Colombia with girlfriends on the payroll. It doesn't mean it is like that everywhere.

  Yeah, zon modern thinking...what a joke. Where are you now? Still in the 80's.


    Researcher

[innerperson]

yes, indeed.  REALITY CHECK!  In Ukraine, what would you say is the proportion of those men that you would prefer to not be associated versus those that you would prefer to be associated?  80 %   20%    -  70 % 30%?   (this is an ongoing estimation here)


AND, "Many people say the same about men marrying foreign women.  I am surprised to hear this type of stuff from guys here."  Well, we have some very "modern thinking" members here

Almost all of them to be honest.  I really don't have a percentage since I didn't really hang out in the same spots they would.  I always took it as a compliment when women said they thought I was Russian.

[Researcher]

Almost all of them to be honest.  I really don't have a percentage since I didn't really hang out in the same spots they would.  I always took it as a compliment when women said they thought I was Russian.

   So it is all speculation or as in zon's case hallucination....


      Researcher

[fathertime]

I don't know about Colombia, but if the majority of men where what I saw while in Ukraine, player or marriage minded, I wouldn't want to be associated.

interesting....i took a trip to Ukraine in 2005...there were a few real turds in the bunch, but i thought quite a few of the guys were fairly decent and harmless people.


 I don't know if any particular individual has to be associated with anybody really though.  I'm pretty sure that men are judged as individuals in the relationships that matter...everybody else, who gives a crap! 


What are your experiences in the Ukraine, if I may ask Innerperson?


Fathertime! 

[fathertime]

yes, indeed.  REALITY CHECK!  In Ukraine, what would you say is the proportion of those men that you would prefer to not be associated versus those that you would prefer to be associated?  80 %   20%    -  70 % 30%?   (this is an ongoing estimation here)

zonny why do you care?  really you have better things to think about than what % of men are not worth associating with don't you?   You are in Colombia/UKraine for the ladies not to do a sociology dissertation on who is a turd and who is a outstanding man!  I get the feeling you feel 90% of the men and 95% of the women are beneath you (you are a mean grader)...well if that is the case you should consider getting serious about finding the 5% that are worth your time! 


Fathertime!

[Zon]

zonny why do you care?

   actually, I could not care less ...  force of habit having to do with past discussions.   It is just a point that is very apparent and true generalization to any man who has travelled with his eyes open, yet has become a point of debate here.

For those that want a true reading on this point, they will have to determine for themselves.

[Researcher]

   actually, I could not care less ...  force of habit having to do with past discussions.   It is just a point that is very apparent and true generalization to any man who has travelled with his eyes open, yet has become a point of debate here.

For those that want a true reading on this point, they will have to determine for themselves.

  I don't know zon. Your opinion seems to come from a view atop a very "high horse" and consistent with the other views you have.

       Researcher

[innerperson]

interesting....i took a trip to Ukraine in 2005...there were a few real turds in the bunch, but i thought quite a few of the guys were fairly decent and harmless people.


 I don't know if any particular individual has to be associated with anybody really though.  I'm pretty sure that men are judged as individuals in the relationships that matter...everybody else, who gives a crap! 


What are your experiences in the Ukraine, if I may ask Innerperson?


Fathertime!

You're right!  The last thing we should be doing is worry about what others think.  Even so, it isn't fun to be cast with a certain stigma by association.

From my research on Colombia, it sounds like the same thing is happening there.  No doubt similar stigma in other places like Philippines, Thailand, and other popular destinations for weary western men.

I lived there for over a year.  I came across enough foreigners to put me off.  I don't doubt there was quality guys coming over but I just never ran into them.  I mainly saw guys that gave off the creep vibe.  That was why I saw it as a compliment when women thought I was Russian.  haha

[Researcher]

   When I was travelling I paid more attention to the ladies myself! hahaha!


      Researcher

[fathertime]

You're right!  The last thing we should be doing is worry about what others think.  Even so, it isn't fun to be cast with a certain stigma by association.

From my research on Colombia, it sounds like the same thing is happening there.  No doubt similar stigma in other places like Philippines, Thailand, and other popular destinations for weary western men.

I lived there for over a year.  I came across enough foreigners to put me off.  I don't doubt there was quality guys coming over but I just never ran into them.  I mainly saw guys that gave off the creep vibe.  That was why I saw it as a compliment when women thought I was Russian.  haha

'
Well innerperson in the context of meeting ladies, i can see the concerns about being associated with other foreign travelers, assuming the reputation is already soiled.


I suppose there are a few things that can be done to differentiate yourself from the pack and come across as an individual, to be judged on your won merits/shortcomings.  Out of curiosity, can you tell me how you have distinguished yourself from the rest of the foreign travelers?  What is it that makes you appear Russian while others are clearly foreigners?  Is it the style of dress, interpersonal relations , where you have lived, or mastery of Russian, or something else? 


Thanks,
Fathertime! 

[innerperson]

Fathertime, I think it was mainly dress and being in better shape then most of the guys going over there. 

I am sure you already know since you been there but we tend to dress more casual compared to there. Guys wearing gym shoes everywhere or clothes bigger then their frames.  Baseball caps...

You would also see guys out with their women and translators having lunch or dinner. 

I did meet one American guy who I hung out with a little.  He was really crazy but very entertaining.  haha 

I am the type of guy that can have a beer with just about anyone.  It isn't the looks per say but the attitude about women that gave off some of the creepy vibes.  After awhile, I just avoided most western guys.

[fathertime]

Fathertime, I think it was mainly dress and being in better shape then most of the guys going over there. 

I am sure you already know since you been there but we tend to dress more casual compared to there. Guys wearing gym shoes everywhere or clothes bigger then their frames.  Baseball caps...

You would also see guys out with their women and translators having lunch or dinner. 

I did meet one American guy who I hung out with a little.  He was really crazy but very entertaining.  haha 

I am the type of guy that can have a beer with just about anyone.  It isn't the looks per say but the attitude about women that gave off some of the creepy vibes.  After awhile, I just avoided most western guys.

If being well-dressed and in good shape is all it takes to appear Russian, well then I would probably be doomed to being labeled a foreigner!      Although I hate that stupid baggy cloths, hat sideways style! 


Fathertime! 

[chameleon]

^^ What are you talking about?


Russians as a group dress horribly, especially if they are rich. They are in the dictionary next to gaudy.

[innerperson]

^^ What are you talking about?


Russians as a group dress horribly, especially if they are rich. They are in the dictionary next to gaudy.

Have you lived there?  Just curious...

They typically dress in clothes that fit their frame better.

Not like this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clg20171/2810275667/

I didn't come across too many gaudy dressers while living there. Sure, there will be some that go overboard but for the most part they dressed better.

[Micky]

                                                                        JIM-D  -  JIM-D  -  JIM-D  -  JIM-D  -  JIM-D 
 
First things first.  When it comes to Colombia,  JIM-D is the straight dope on all the X's and O's.  For all the years that I have been reading boards on SA/Colombia,  JimD is maybe the best that I have seen.  When a question comes up about any of the rules,  laws or regulations here,  everything that I have seen JD reply to has always been right on the money.
 
Forgive me for being ON topic.  If one wants to retire in Colombia,  one can.  That would apply to a few of the LA/SA countries.  The ONLY thing is meeting the requirements for a pension/retirement visa,  if you can do that,  then it is really only a question of your own desires.  You HAVE to be honest and realistic about what your needs are,  where and how you will live and how will a place "fit" you.  Some have said that it "can" cost the same as the States,  that is true anywhere if you need to "high end" it,  as far as living in the upscale barrios,  going out often and to expensive places,  transportation and all those things that we do.  Outside of going that route,  one can live in Colombia comfortably on a lot less than an equal lifestyle in the States.  Shopping in El Centro and in the "vegetable and fruit markets",  ballparking (guesstimate),  is 20/30% less than the "supermarkets and Malls".  Using the buses for transportations is very reasonable and efficient.
 
I would just say that one should have a real love for the Latin culture and lifestyle,  if not,  then maybe a place that has those places where the "gringos live" in little enclaves.  Even that is ok if that is what one wants.  I do not care one lick about guys marrying,  dating,  partying or saving the planet,  BUT,  if you are NOT going to respect the people,  country and culture,  then PLEASE stay where ever you are at now.
 
Micky

[Kiltboy1]

would just say that one should have a real love for the Latin culture and lifestyle,  if not,  then maybe a place that has those places where the "gringos live" in little enclaves.  Even that is ok if that is what one wants.  I do not care one lick about guys marrying,  dating,  partying or saving the planet,  BUT,  if you are NOT going to respect the people,  country and culture,  then PLEASE stay where ever you are at now.
 
Micky
 
 
Kind of like the latins that come here to " My Country and respect the people, country and culture ? :
 
Please, enough on the culture lecture

[aconcepts]

Don't move there if you don't like the culture and do not want to speak the language.
 
I have lived in latin america pertty much the majority of the last 10 years and people come here, get frustrated with the difference and want to leave, except they can't.
 
Why?
 
Because the real estate market turned around on those foolish enough to move here without liking the culture or knowing the language. And they are trapped. A lot of them that desperately want to move back to the US.
 
So, if you belive that you can be happy where you cannot communicate adequately with the majority of the people and can participate in respecting different laws written in a language you do not understand and people behaving in ways you are unaccustomed to, then go ahaed and move.
 
At least rent for a year first so you are not trapped like many are here in Costa Rica where the unscrupulous salesman type book authors that claimed CR was the new golden door to riches, duped many into beliving that CR was a "one size fits all" destination.
 
Its not.
 
There is a huge learning curve and per capita I think there is more english spoke here than anywhere in Latin America. Imagine the learning curve in Colombia!

[JimD]

Micky thanks for the vote of confidence, especially meaningful coming from a fellow Colombia resident. I'd like to add that if you're going to be happy anywhere as an ex pat the pastimes and hobbies you followed in the US need to be available to you. If your thing is trading stocks online then you'll be ok anywhere there's high speed but if you like to hit the openings at art galleries or are heavy into deer hunting you could end up sitting on your thumbs and bored stiff in a city like Barranquilla or Cali. (You could do ok with the art scene in Bogota but there aren't many deer left anywhere in the country). In sum you better think about WHAT YOU WOULD DO in Colombia or elsewhere.