Vet Getting Paid By Uncle Sam to Study Online...Is Living In Cali Worth It?

[nacirema]

Intro:

Okay fellas, this looks like a cool place, you guys seem to have a lot of knowledge.experience with Latin America. I love the place as well. Since this is my first time posting here, before I get into my question, i would like to give you guys a little backround:

I am a 24 year old Army Veteran/full time student.

I also have spent the past 2 years working as an instructor at an Adventure Challenge Therapy program for at risk youth.

I speak an intermedio level of Spanish, enough that I have maintained non-English speaking girlfriends, although its still hard for me to hold a deep/fast conversation in Spanish.

I spent a year living outside of the wire in Baghdad, Iraq as a soldier...I have lived in Lima Peru for 2 1/2 months, I have traveled to Cartegena, Panama City, San Jose CR, Arequipa/Cuzco, Peru.

I spend a lot of time in the Puerto Rican/Dominican neigborhood of my city. It is normal to me, so I really don't ever feel uncomfortable in the situations that the average white north American dude may feel wierd. I dig reggaeton almost as much a rock music.

I will also state up front that I don't consider myself a "player", but I do like to share great food, nights out and sexual relations with pretty, witty women. This is the same in the States or abroad, so I while I don't travel specificly for that reason, I am a man who is attracted to women where ever I go, and I wont apologize for it. I treat women as they individually deserve to be treated, which is the only way they truely want to be treated.

A little more backround for the question

Heres the deal: I just just stayed in Lima from October to December, while there, I studied Spanish in their local equivilent of a community college. The place wasnt even geared for it, but me and a local friend of mine spoke with the lady in enrollment and convinced her to sign me on with one of the teachers from the English department, since I had my own book anyway. She did, and it ended up being cheap as hell, like 5 dollars an hour for 1 on 1, 10 hours a week.

I rented a room in a house in the upscale part of the upscale neighborhood, Miraflores. $230 a month. Not a bad price at all.

While I was down there, besides studying, I was also practicing boxing and in the nights I went out a lot with guy friends from Lima. I didnt just stay in the rich areas, I went all over Lima, I do respect the danger involved in the less rich barrios, but I tend to have more fun there...the people are less stuck up with each other.

I met plenty of nice girls and spent "quality time" with more than a couple.

Basicly I had a ball...and what made it even better was that I did all of this on like $1,300 dollars a month.

I am now back in the States, but I have the oppertunity to return to Latin America from March until the middle of May.

I am now taking 12 college credits (4 classes, roughly 36 hours of work a week) online, unlike before, when I was in Lima. However, I am able to go whereever I want while studying, because I all I need is my laptop and daily access to the internet, not even a Wi-Fi location necessarily because I can use a thumb drive.

One of the classes I am taking online is Spanish Intermediate 2.

Like I said, last time in Lima, I was living okay (for a 24 year old student) on $1,300 a month.

My questions

This time, I will have a budget of roughly $2,500 a month. Now that I can go back to Latin America from March to May, I want to take this oppertunity to both travel and improve my Spanish even more so.

I am eyeing two destination options:

1. Return to Lima. I know the city a little bit, and know some people. $2,500 a month will be more than enough. I can have a furnished apartment and pretty much do whatever I please, within reason.

or

2. Try Cali. I have heard so many things about this place, good and bad. I really am thinking about giving it a shot, but I am not sure.

I will be studying full time online, is it easy to meet young local people if you don't have any official reason to be there? I would love to suplement my online Spanish study at a university or institute where Caleños/Caleñas go in order get to know the place from that perspective. Is it possible?

Can one afford a furnished apartment in a cool neighborhood for no more than $600 a month? Where would be a good place to live? I want to be reasonably safe (although I am obviously not beginner to living in dangerous places lol) and close to night life, maybe close by the university?

Also, I would like to get good at salsa (better than proficient) and continue to practice boxing or mixed martial arts, is this possible/accessible for a north American?



I really would like some educated opinions on this, because Lima is great and I know people there, but I would also love to branch out and get to know other places, and one of them is Cali. I could always go to Cali for a week later in my life though.

Would 2 1/2 months on $2,500 per month in Cali be a good investment of my time?

Gracias a todos.

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by nacirema

Intro:

Okay fellas, this looks like a cool place, you guys seem to have a lot of knowledge.experience with Latin America. I love the place as well. Since this is my first time posting here, before I get into my question, i would like to give you guys a little backround:

I am a 24 year old Army Veteran/full time student.

I also have spent the past 2 years working as an instructor at an Adventure Challenge Therapy program for at risk youth.

I speak an intermedio level of Spanish, enough that I have maintained non-English speaking girlfriends, although its still hard for me to hold a deep/fast conversation in Spanish.

I spent a year living outside of the wire in Baghdad, Iraq as a soldier...I have lived in Lima Peru for 2 1/2 months, I have traveled to Cartegena, Panama City, San Jose CR, Arequipa/Cuzco, Peru.

I spend a lot of time in the Puerto Rican/Dominican neigborhood of my city. It is normal to me, so I really don't ever feel uncomfortable in the situations that the average white north American dude may feel wierd. I dig reggaeton almost as much a rock music.

I will also state up front that I don't consider myself a "player", but I do like to share great food, nights out and sexual relations with pretty, witty women. This is the same in the States or abroad, so I while I don't travel specificly for that reason, I am a man who is attracted to women where ever I go, and I wont apologize for it. I treat women as they deserve to be treated, which is the only way they truely want to be treated.

A little more backround for the question

Heres the deal: I just just stayed in Lima from October to December, while there, I studied Spanish in their local equivilent of a community college. The place wasnt even geared for it, but me and a local friend of mine spoke with the lady in enrollment and convinced her to sign me on with one of the teachers from the English department, since I had my own book anyway. She did, and it ended up being cheap as hell, like 5 dollars an hour for 1 on 1, 10 hours a week.

I rented a room in a house in the upscale part of the upscale neighborhood, Miraflores. $230 a month. Not a bad price at all.

While I was down there, besides studying, I was also practicing boxing and in the nights I went out a lot with guy friends from Lima. I didnt just stay in the rich areas, I went all over Lima, I do respect the danger involved in the less rich barrios, but I tend to have more fun there...the people are less stuck up with each other.

I met plenty of nice girls and spent "quality time" with more than a couple.

Basicly I had a ball...and what made it even better was that I did all of this on like $1,300 dollars a month.

I am now back in the States, but I have the oppertunity to return to Latin America from March until the middle of May.

I am now taking 12 college credits (4 classes, roughly 36 hours of work a week) online, unlike before, when I was in Lima. However, I am able to go whereever I want while studying, because I all I need is my laptop and daily access to the internet, not even a Wi-Fi location necessarily because I can use a thumb drive.

One of the classes I am taking online is Spanish Intermediate 2.

Like I said, last time in Lima, I was living okay (for a 24 year old student) on $1,300 a month.

My questions

This time, I will have a budget of roughly $2,500 a month. Now that I can go back to Latin America from March to May, I want to take this oppertunity to both travel and improve my Spanish even more so.

I am eyeing two destination options:

1. Return to Lima. I know the city a little bit, and know some people. $2,500 a month will be more than enough. I can have a furnished apartment and pretty much do whatever I please, within reason.

or

2. Try Cali. I have heard so many things about this place, good and bad. I really am thinking about giving it a shot, but I am not sure.

I will be studying full time online, is it easy to meet young local people if you don't have any official reason to be there? I would love to suplement my online Spanish study at a university or institute where Caleños/Caleñas go in order get to know the place from that perspective. Is it possible?

Can one afford a furnished apartment in a cool neighborhood for no more than $600 a month? Where would be a good place to live? I want to be reasonably safe (although I am obviously not beginner to living in dangerous places lol) and close to night life, maybe close by the university?

Also, I would like to get good at salsa (better than proficient) and continue to practice boxing or mixed martial arts, is this possible/accessible for a north American?

Would 2 1/2 months on $2,500 in Cali be a good investment of my time?

I really would like some educated opinions on this, because Lima is great and I know people there, but I would also love to branch out and get to know other places.

Thank you.

Personally I would say go for it, you are young and strong and been around the block a bit so to speak......

But do keep us informed of your continuing adventures, I feel sure you will find something to write home about.....

[LastLion]

I spent a few weeks in cali learning spanish and salsa, couldn't think of a better place for either, especially salsa! Not the most attractive of cities, but the women make up for that. Probably the cheapest big city in colombia to live also.. Your rent numbers should be plenty for a nice 1 or 2 bdr in the north not to far the action. Although I bet you would love the southside, more of the average colombian and lots to do, and less gringos. More afforadable.

I wouldn't hesitate to do it, sounds like you are in the perfect place in life to have this adventure. As well as getting paid for it. Btw, thanks for doing your time.

We have a few resident cali men here, hopefully they will chime in and give their 2 cents!

[DennisLevy]

Im not a cali vet, but I ve been there twice, each tome for a week....and I live in Bogota.

I beleive that most fo the universities in Cali ar ein south Cali, so if going to class is an important part of your life, then I believe you re better off living in South Cali

I didnt find Cali all that cheap, but I was staying in a strata 5 neighborhood within walkingh distance of Chipichape Mall..

[Sailover]

We pay $500 a month for a top floor 3 bedroom-3 bath, in the near south which includes everything. Nice view, pool, safe, and a breeze nearly every afternoon. (which makes a big difference). The party zone seems to be in the north which is where many of the clubs are located. Santa Monica is a wonderful area just west and up the hill from AV6, club central. While it is mostly large houses, there are some beautiful apartments on the hills overlooking the city. You will need to up your monthly to $700-1000, but that will rent you a stunning place.

[rivardco]

Santa Monica is the barrio in which I lived. Thought it was a perfect location. There are some very nice apartments for rent - just have to get the boots on the ground and look. I often find myself recommending gringos to www.jccali.com - because I think it is the best advise hands down.

Honestly, and with no ulterior motive, JC is cool and knows the low down. He can help a gringo get established without looking like a turkey - which is negative side affect to working with agencies and other guides / apartment hook-ups. Just keeping it real

[drask48]

Hi Nacerema,

If you do decide to go back to Lima, I would be pleased to give some of my insights into aspects of the city and the women. I have a nephew who lives in La Molina and he is 22 and speaks very good english. I am sure he would be interested in meeting with you. Additionally, I know something of the university world there, as I have done presentations at four different universities. Lima is a great place to explore and dig into, but surely you do have to have your streets smarts available in different places.

Buen suerte,

drask48

[Tinto]

Originally Posted by rivardco

I often find myself recommending gringos to www.jccali.com - because I think it is the best advise hands down.

Honestly, and with no ulterior motive, JC is cool and knows the low down. ...Just keeping it real

Rivardco,

1) You often find yourself recommending gringos to www.jccali.com because you have a controlling interest in that business.

2) The fact that JC is your business partner is indeed an ulterior motive:

http://www.gringos.com/forum/showpos...1&postcount=37

Just keeping it realer.

[nacirema]

Thanks to ALL of you for the great info so far. You guys are pretty cool for helping out.

Sailover, you seem like a pretty crazy dude in some of your posts, I like that lol. When you say "the near south", where exactly do you mean on a map, around San Fernando? Not that I'm asking you to put all your info on a message board that is probably occasioned by some shady characters (I'm the one already busy doing enough of that for the both of us lol), but the living situation you described sounds pretty good to me, I imagine that there are uni's near by you and you are still not far off from Grenada and all that. Please clue me in on where I can find it on a map, or the neighborhood name.

Tinto, I may be asking you a about info on next, because if I choose Colombia over Peru this time, I will probably physically check out both Pereira and Cali by way of Medellin before I make my final choice as to where I would like to settle in and study for 2 1/2 months. Pereira sounds more like more of a quiet place, but that may not be such a terrible thing for my purposes either...believe it or not, I really am coming to study and expand my understanding about the Latin American language and culture. I plan to do things some day and Latinos are a huge and growing segment of the U.S. population so its only smart know the ins and outs. Of course there is more than one way to learn about those ins and outs lol

[Micky10]

Nacirema -

If you go through Medellin first, you will not go anywhere else. Colombia's best city in all ways. You also might want to check out Manizales, it has a very high ratio of student population. No matter where, here in Colombia you can find something that will fit you.
WARNING!!!!
SO has a tat on his arm that says, "Ain't No Joy Like A Fat Butt Boy". He claims, just like Jimmy Buffet, "how it got there, I haven't a clue".

Love - Micky