New Year - New Life?

[PinkMoonMonkey]

Hello to everyone,

We are husband and wife and have traveled extensively through South America, the only two major countries having not visited being Ecuador and Paraguay. Actually, our first choice was Uruguay, but the cost of living, particularly housing and the cost of eating in restaurants, has increased dramatically.

We are going to Colombia in May visiting Medellin and Santa Marta. Since we now live in the southern part of Florida, USA, and love the weather we are going to look at properties mainly in Rododero, Santa Marta. Our other trips (4) to Colombia have been mainly in the Bogota and Cartagena areas.

We (lots of we's here!) are looking to live more of a Colombian/American lifestyle, meaning we really do not want to live in an area that is totally "little America". What should we be cautious of in looking at properties that are below the "recommended" estrato 4-6 for ex-pats?

[Gene]

Originally Posted by PinkMoonMonkey

Hello to everyone,

We are husband and wife and have traveled extensively through South America, the only two major countries having not visited being Ecuador and Paraguay. Actually, our first choice was Uruguay, but the cost of living, particularly housing and the cost of eating in restaurants, has increased dramatically.

We are going to Colombia in May visiting Medellin and Santa Marta. Since we now live in the southern part of Florida, USA, and love the weather we are going to look at properties mainly in Rododero, Santa Marta. Our other trips (4) to Colombia have been mainly in the Bogota and Cartagena areas.

We (lots of we's here!) are looking to live more of a Colombian/American lifestyle, meaning we really do not want to live in an area that is totally "little America". What should we be cautious of in looking at properties that are below the "recommended" estrato 4-6 for ex-pats?

:welcome3:

Greetings and welcome to both of you to Gringos. One of our other moderator's, Phil, lives there in Colombia and will surly have loads and loads of good information for you. My understanding from here in Asia is that Colombia is a good place to live and enjoy life to it's fullest. Be sure to contact the US embassy there for information and rules on collecting Social Security out of the United States.
After you have made at least five (5) posts on the site, the software will allow you to post photos and lots more good stuff. Hope at that point you'll upload some photos of your travels.


Gene

[PhilCo]

Originally Posted by PinkMoonMonkey

Hello to everyone,

We are husband and wife and have traveled extensively through South America, the only two major countries having not visited being Ecuador and Paraguay. Actually, our first choice was Uruguay, but the cost of living, particularly housing and the cost of eating in restaurants, has increased dramatically.

We are going to Colombia in May visiting Medellin and Santa Marta. Since we now live in the southern part of Florida, USA, and love the weather we are going to look at properties mainly in Rododero, Santa Marta. Our other trips (4) to Colombia have been mainly in the Bogota and Cartagena areas.

We (lots of we's here!) are looking to live more of a Colombian/American lifestyle, meaning we really do not want to live in an area that is totally "little America". What should we be cautious of in looking at properties that are below the "recommended" estrato 4-6 for ex-pats?

Hi and likewise, welcome to Gringos, I think other Members now expect me to reply to anyone who feels they have to hunt for property in estrato 5-6, I certainly give a big sigh, but at least you included 4

What I would say is, don't look at this blinkered, accept that there are properties, and nice properties (some gated) in estrato 3-4, and out of town, many which are graded as 2 or not even graded.

Estrato, does not, contrary to the belief of many, guarantee a better or safer environment, as recent events in Envigado, Medellin have shown. It just means that more luxury properties have been built in that area, and the Town Hall can charge higher rates, in return for filling in your potholes in the road quicker! You pay your Utility Bills at a rate in line with your estrato, so the higher band you live in, you are guaranteed of higher bills.

Good Luck with your search

[PinkMoonMonkey]

Gene, Thank you for your reply. Ha, we intend to look at everything we can, from city, beach, and in-between, we are not ruling anything out on the first go-round.

I did forget to say we have a small dog. Is that going to be a problem renting/buying and apartment in Colombia?

[PhilCo]

Originally Posted by PinkMoonMonkey

Gene, Thank you for your reply. Ha, we intend to look at everything we can, from city, beach, and in-between, we are not ruling anything out on the first go-round.

I did forget to say we have a small dog. Is that going to be a problem renting/buying and apartment in Colombia?

Dogs are not normally a problem here, many people are apartment dwellers, and a large proportion of those have a dog or two. If you are buying you need to check that the Building Administration allows them, if you are renting, then you need to check with the Agent before signing the lease.

[PinkMoonMonkey]

Thank you...One less thing to worry about.

Is it me? Why isn't there just a tab for "post a new thread". Do I just don't see it? Having difficulties navigating this site. Any suggestions?

[PhilCo]

Originally Posted by PinkMoonMonkey

Thank you...One less thing to worry about.

Is it me? Why isn't there just a tab for "post a new thread". Do I just don't see it? Having difficulties navigating this site. Any suggestions?

I am sorry you are having a problem... When you click on any of the Forum Headings it should open a new page with a list of the threads in that Forum, and above the list on the left should be an orange Tab ' Post a New Thread'. If it is not showing, sometimes if you log out, clear your Browser history and cookies for the site, and log back in, it resolves such problems!

Can you please let me know if that is missing in your case, and I will contact Admin in the meantime, as you are the second person who has had a problem with posting a new thread, albeit a different problem!

Cheers
Phil

[Gene]

Originally Posted by PinkMoonMonkey

Gene, Thank you for your reply. Ha, we intend to look at everything we can, from city, beach, and in-between, we are not ruling anything out on the first go-round.

I did forget to say we have a small dog. Is that going to be a problem renting/buying and apartment in Colombia?

Hi Pink,

Looks like Phil answered you question about the dog. Yea, it's best to really take your time in locating the right place. What suits one person is or can be totally wrong for others. It's a big world with millions of great places to choose from..


Gene

[PinkMoonMonkey]

Hi,

Received 2 answers, from PhilCo and Gene. However, after the PhilCo answer it just had a tab to answer with a quote and for Gene, post an answer, so I guess I'm writing to Gene? But in case not, yes the tab is there to post a new thread as mentioned above.

You are exactly right, billions of places. We have been doing the usualy on-line housing searches, and would never buy unseen, but it is enlightening. I am assuming that most prices are negotiable on the older apartments but are they on the new builder properties? Here in the US even builder properties are negotiable. Other questions, not answered by an on-line search: are the kitchen appliances shown included, do I need to ask if everything there works? Ha, rented an apartment in Argentina that had "everything" but when we go there nothing worked!

I have read that electricity is very expensive. What is expensive, ie., how much on average a month, or whatever the billing cycle is.

Also, since one cannot open a checking account to begin with, how do you pay bills? Don't know if it is even normal to pay bills by check in Colombia.

Thanks you guys.

[PhilCo]

Originally Posted by PinkMoonMonkey

Hi,

Received 2 answers, from PhilCo and Gene. However, after the PhilCo answer it just had a tab to answer with a quote and for Gene, post an answer, so I guess I'm writing to Gene? But in case not, yes the tab is there to post a new thread as mentioned above.

You are exactly right, billions of places. We have been doing the usualy on-line housing searches, and would never buy unseen, but it is enlightening. I am assuming that most prices are negotiable on the older apartments but are they on the new builder properties? Here in the US even builder properties are negotiable. Other questions, not answered by an on-line search: are the kitchen appliances shown included, do I need to ask if everything there works? Ha, rented an apartment in Argentina that had "everything" but when we go there nothing worked!

I have read that electricity is very expensive. What is expensive, ie., how much on average a month, or whatever the billing cycle is.

Also, since one cannot open a checking account to begin with, how do you pay bills? Don't know if it is even normal to pay bills by check in Colombia.

Thanks you guys.

Hi I will try to answer your questions in order:

1. With regard to your problem (or not!) with Posting, your post has come up fine for all to read, other than that your reply totally confused me, which is not hard.

2. With regard to old properties, prices are always negotiable, they do not expect you to pay the asking price, and always start with what you think is a ridiculously low price, it is not taken as an insult, it is part of business! New properties, are normally sold at the price shown, but sometimes they will negotiate, such as if a cash purchase, and no mortgage, it makes their life easier, so will come down on the price.

3. Kitchen Appliances, unless it states they are included the likelihood is that they are not, that goes for both new and old.

4. Definitely ask if everything works and is maintained.

5. Colombians will tell you that electric is expensive, but it is all relative, I have never lived anywhere, where it is so cheap, I can't give you a definitive answer on price, because like all Public Utilities the price depends on which estrato you live in, for me in estrato 3 it is about 45000 COP per month and there are just the two of us.

6. I am pretty sure that you will need a Cedula to purchase a property (hopefully someone can confirm this! I have yet to buy, and have my cedula so it is not something that has crossed my path), and definitely to open a Bank Account, if you look back at my past posts (Jan / Feb 2012) , you will see how to go about that. In the mean time if renting, you can pay the Utility bills to the Rental Agent.
Once you have bought, by which time, I think you will have a Bank Acc, then you can pay online, but Servicios Publicos (Utilities), do not do direct debit, so you have to go online each month and pay it, the only other option is to pay it cash into a Bank or at a Supermarket by standing in the queue.

7. As far as I know the little man in the street here does not use Cheques / Checks I was never offered the facility when I opened my account.

I hope that helps!