Cost of living - look right?

[DavidMN]

A while ago someone posted the peso prices below. I copied and pasted but cannot remember the original sender. Are my comments/questions more or less correct?

Estimate based on 2825 COP/USD

MONTHLY EXPENSES: fixed/required
Casa........$390,000...$139....Apt rent, Cali strata 4?
Vigilancia...$40,000....$14....Part of rental contract?
Health Ins..$250,000....$89....For two people
Emcali......$105,000....$37....Electricity, water, sewer, trash?
Unitel......$110,000....$39....Basic telephone service?
Emcali.......$65,000....$23....Addl line for dial up internet?
Telesat......$31,000....$11....Monthly dial-up ISP?
TOTAL.......$991,000...$352....COP/USD   
         
MONTHLY EXPENSES: optional         
Finca.......$250,000....$89....weekend “rights” only?
Gimnasio.....$90,000....$32....For two people
Cable........$25,000.....$9....Basic?
Maid svc....$140,000....$50....How many hrs/days per wk?
TOTAL.......$505,000...$179....COP/USD
      
Total fixed + optional = $1,496,000 COP/$531 USD
   
Does not include food, transportation, clothing, entertainment, gifts, international phone calls, auto or life ins, etc

[Pete E]

... in response to Cost of living - look right?, posted by DavidMN on Sep 11, 2003

The only parts I know much about are he rental cost and the phone.The rental is probably about right,but less than luxury.My wifes family is paying about that for a 4 bedroom 3 bath house in a pretty good(strata 3-4?)neighborhood.But these are long term rentals at local market prices.You will pay more for shorter term rentals and if they see a gringo is involved in the deal.I suggest having your Colombiana negotiate the deal.
The phone costs can be alot more if you are not carefull.You are billed for local pnone time,even on you internet line.My bother in law was running my in laws phone bill up over $100,almost as much as the rent.My wife was paying the phone bill and got tired of it.They took away the computer I bought him and locked it in a closet.I don't know how much that has effected the bill.

Pete