fresh start

[deekdog]

ok guys a little history, no i have not been to medellin ,but have been to baq twice liked it .but could not handle the heat.
i am retired with a good income .i have heard a lot about meddelin everything was pretty postive. i know i want to live in coloumbia.
i am enrolled at universidad eafit college to learn spanish, the classes start nov26. im simply asking for a little advice about housing there because i only have afew days before my classes start.  ed

[WS244]

... in response to fresh start, posted by deekdog on Aug 8, 2005

Well the others are correct about living down there fulltime as there are other issues. Just because one speaks spanish does not really mean that much except making it easier to pick up women.  At your age I doubt you will learn much spanish in any case as your attention will be diverted by playing around with the girls. If you really want to learn spanish and this is your priority in life, there are several excellent schools in Cuernavca, much closer to home and where you can keep your head on straight and attention span in check. ws

[WS244]

... in response to Re: fresh start, posted by WS244 on Aug 8, 2005

apologize, Cuernavaca, Mexico

[Patrick]

... in response to fresh start, posted by deekdog on Aug 8, 2005

Deekdog,

You have more than 3 months before the classes start.  You mentioned something about a rice harvest in your profile.  Have you sold the land which I presume you must own in preparation for the move?  If not, I'd suggest not selling it in order to make a possibly ill-considered move to Colombia less financially damaging.  I've investigated retirement to Latin America and talked (via forums like this) to people who've made the move.  A very high percentage of people who do it end up returning to the US within a year.  Best not to cut ties and make irrevocable financial decisions until you KNOW you want to stay there.

If I were you, I'd sign up for Spanish classes where you live and visit Medellin a few times before thinking of moving there.

One last thing-  It's "Colombia"

[pablo]

... in response to Re: fresh start, posted by Patrick on Aug 8, 2005


Double D,

I was planning on visiting Medellin for one month but decided to stay I liked it so much.  I have been here now for 6 months but I did not cut all my ties back in the US because I wanted to give it lots of time before making that decision.  

You will find the weather in Medellin near perfect.  In fact, it's called the City of Eternal Spring.  It's not paradise as there are problems such as safety issues, traffic congestion, and pollution but the advantages far outweigh them in my opinion.  

Small condos for sale in the El Poblado and Envigado barrios approximately start in the $US60k range and go up from there. I would suggest that you first rent a place and find out which areas you like best and not be in a hurry to purchase even though property values have risen somewhat since I have lived here.  Some guys I know have purchased condos in yet to be built high rises and are renting until their place is ready.

Renting in your own name has its own challenges because many rental agencies require money up front and qualified local co-signers.  

Here is some more unsolicited advice.  If you really feel like you want to retire here start on your visa (other than tourist) right away.  If you come in on a tourist visa you will only be allowed to stay two months with up to four additional one month extensions.  A student visa allows you to stay up to a year I believe.  A better route for long term is the pensionado (retirement) visa or the business visa. You will also need a cedula (Colombian ID card) to open up a bank account.

Like others have suggested though, give it a try first then decide later if you really like it enough to stay.  It's not for everyone.

Suerte.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: fresh start, posted by pablo on Aug 9, 2005

n/t

[deekdog]

... in response to Re: fresh start, posted by Patrick on Aug 8, 2005

thanks patrick very useful imformation no me and my business partner had .  ten year lease on the rice land its up this year i dont own the land . i have a home here im not going to sell it. i am defintely keeping my options open.
the women avaiable to a guy my age in my small town is not  good . i was thinking of having a home in both places.
those latin ladies are something else. i had the time of my life in baq. anyway thanks again for the 411  ed

[deekdog]

... in response to Re: fresh start, posted by Patrick on Aug 8, 2005

thanks patrick very useful imformation no me and my business partner had .  ten year lease on the rice land its up this year i dont own the land . i have a home here im not going to sell it. i am defintely keeping my options open.
the women avaiable to a guy my age in my small town is not  good . i was thinking of having a home in both places.
those latin ladies are something else. i had the time of my life in baq. anyway thanks again for the 411  ed

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: fresh start, posted by Patrick on Aug 8, 2005

solid advice.  Colombia is great for some people, not so great for others.  I would also recommend you do a temporary (maybe 6 mos - 1 year) move down there without cutting all your ties in the states, then liquidate assets if all goes well and you're sure of your decision.  Best of luck. -TNC

[Frank O]

... in response to fresh start, posted by deekdog on Aug 8, 2005

Like the other guys said AND ME e mail the guys from Medellin ASAP. Or perhaps as Papi said have a lady help you find a nice apartment. For one she could probably help you get a better price. I did that in Ukraine I would always have my ex wife find the flat. She was REALLY tight on $$ so that was good. Good luck man. Must be nice to be retired at 54.

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: fresh start, posted by Frank O on Aug 8, 2005

ANother thing, I'm fluent in Spanish (it's my 1st language) so if I'm ever in Medellin perhaps I can be of help. Also why Medellin & not another city? Just curious.

[deekdog]

... in response to Re: Re: fresh start, posted by Frank O on Aug 8, 2005

i dont really know frank i was in baq twice and couldnt handle the weather. some people said the climate in medellin was like san fran. plus they said housing was cheaper. any suggestions on a good place to buy a condo in coloumbia.  eed

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: fresh start, posted by deekdog on Aug 9, 2005

My wife is from Medellin and I have been there five times in the last couple of years. It does have a climate like SF - better actually.

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: fresh start, posted by deekdog on Aug 9, 2005

Deek, you need to learn how to spell the country if you want to go live there. Medellin is a beautiful city with a great climate and probably the best looking women in Colombia but they are more fun and friendlier in BQ. Rentals are probably about the same and you can most likely buy for less on the coast. BQ is considered safer than the interior but the climate and the bugs suck - unless you find a place on the ocean