Retiring from gringolandia

Piatt says on Jul 2, 2008, 06:12:

36.000 dollars a year...you could live well. Barranquilla is an awesome city but you wouldn't want to live there...to hot and humid. go to Bogota....colder weather...and the women are pretty...more of a model type build and have much nicer hair

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papiChulo says on Jul 2, 2008, 06:33:

you'll live well anywhere you choose in Colombia. take your time and chill with everything when you get there. leave the rat race mentanlity behind.

carefull who you confide in about your assets... virtual and real life.

enjoy retirement for a long time amigo.

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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sanandressi says on Jul 2, 2008, 06:35:

A lot of Americans would like to have $3,000 a month in retirement and $100,000 in savings. You should live well in Bogota but have you looked at Panama City or Quito? Check out the El Boquete region of Panama and the area around the town of David.

How about 6 months on San Andres and 6 back home?

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Gator says on Jul 2, 2008, 06:57:

With that many USD(pesos) I would chose the north end of Bogotá in an Estrato 5/6. Say Rosales, where we live, or north from there. You would live well. Second choice would be Medellin

I would echo Esanch36, on San Andres, after say a month, you would either die of boredom commit suicide.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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ozgringo says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:08:

Look at Medellin also.. much more agreeable climate than bogota.. As for Panama city, I have spent about 2 years in PTY and whilst I like it, the development here is completely out of control now, and the prices are getting very expensive for what you get. Despite what you read the climate in Panama city is not for everyone. The rainy season lasts 9 months. It rains most days during that time. About 2 pm the black clouds roll in, and it usually rains for 30 minutes to an hour or so. The dry season is hot and oppresive.

Colombia will give you better value at least in the real estate stakes.

Personally, I would keep things flexible and simply rent for 3-6 months in Barranquilla, Bogota, Panama City, Boquetta (Panama) and Medellin and see which one appeals the most. Different climates appeal to different people. Personally I like the Medellin climate, always a comfortable temperature, no need for heating or airconditioning (some might disagree on this) though it does get quite a lot of rain, but nothing compared to Panama!

tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything..

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Gator says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:20:

I would use the 100.000 USD for housing and live on the 3.000 USD. forgot to say-forget the car the traffic is now impossible and gasoline is going up fast. I wa not thing of 150 sq mters-there are a lot of apartamentos for sale up in our area. Rent temporally and pound the pavement and you WILL find good housing at a reasonable price.

Hell, if you want an American life style why even move?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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aztec says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:34:

What ever you do be wise and take your time. Don't buy a house/apartment until you have been in Colombia at least a year. Try renting first.

When my wife and I started looking at different cities in Colombia we changed ours minds many times. We first viewed Cartagena as a pleasant place to retire. At that time the prices were a bargain. After making several trips there we realized we couldn't stand the place more than a week at a time.

First you need to realize that everyone has different goals when seeking retirement. Carefully define what you want for the last part of your life. You can indeed find a good quality of life in Colombia.

Just be prepared to adjust your expectations and be extremely patient. The Colombian culture in not on the same plateau as the North American culture. I say that to mean it is different and not better nor worse.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 2, 2008, 07:44:

friend....one hundred grand will hardly put you in with the rich...nay even the median. the rich in colombia, are fat rich and getting more so.

advise. find where you want to settle, and settle in most modestly, as if you only had ten grand in savings. don't ever show/talk about what you have. far better to appear/live at a very modest level that flaunt something which can easily work against you. it's far better to hold such conversation over 'PM' than in threads. a word to the wise.

patriarch

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nine inch nails says on Jul 2, 2008, 08:02:

Yeah travel around as much as possible and pound the pavement until you find an area you would like to hang your head for at least 6 mos. then can search even more after that!

Other than tired from the altitude liked Bogota and bet the sickness would go away after a week or two.

Congrats!

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Gator says on Jul 2, 2008, 09:20:

The drop to a estrato3/4 will not be extravagant living but make SURE you give it a GOOD look-btw, is Medellin really THAT much cheaper than Bogotá?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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aztec says on Jul 2, 2008, 10:58:

Gator do you live close to the apartments that were cleaned out this week. Seems the residents were out of town and thieves took advantage.

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bickerss says on Jul 2, 2008, 11:52:

I think you could live well on that in Bogota. You can rent a reasonable apartment in the Zona Rosa area for 1.5 to 2 mill (small apartment). Less if you move out a bit to say maybe Unicentro. Chap alto is a nice place and much cheaper.

You would live even better in Medellin , better still say in Manizales, and much better in ie Rodadero (friend renting great apartment, overlooking the ocean, 2 pools, 700,000 pesos a month).

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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papiChulo says on Jul 2, 2008, 15:17:

sometimes don't we get the taxi to bring the "pink zone to us"... jejej

I'm givin'er... givin'er HARDCORE

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dwmte7 says on Jul 2, 2008, 16:13:

if folks forego wal mart and exito and buy national products, prices aren't so bad. too, getting out of these cities to areas that are known safe ie. between medellin and the airport, one can live to no end on that budget. but they need to get their feet wet and get to know a place. you can't just fly down from NY , land at the airport and know what's going on, where to go, what to do, who to rely on for help, etc. one needs to set up shop...minimum, 6 mos and really get out and about. don't settle in where you pitched your tent. go, see, meet, explore, taste, relax, learn, everywhere. that's the only way to know that you've made a sensible and seasoned decision. hold off buying for a year or more. really know what you're doing and how things work. develop reliable friendships. if you're a mason, there are lodges in all main cities...that's a reliable networking unit. too, the church. be creative. and, watch your ass. it's a new land, and new rules. 'when in rome.......................

patriarch

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bickerss says on Jul 2, 2008, 22:56:

The one for 1.5 million was a new (small ) apartment near to the Park near Zona rosa (ie go to Carulla) take the street 1 down from 15th and head towards P 93. I almost bought there in 2005 -kicking myself now. Unicentro dont have a specific jut general observations from walking around there. About 6 months ago I also went ot eh real estate agen on 15th right near zona rosa - apartments to rent from 1 2 to 1.5 million.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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bickerss says on Jul 3, 2008, 05:51:

Gringoloid - given the difference from 2008, however was talking now for the rental point - it was just that I wanted to buy this place in 2005. The price i saw for rent was reasonably recently, this year. In 2005 the rent was 1million pesos. I pass through Bogota every 6 weeks or so and always check out the market.

I think you would like this place. The Carulla was a reference point. It is on the street going to wards the next park - a nice area. In fact many of the apartments over looking that park are very nice. The parks name escapes me unfortunately (has a popular coffee place on the corner)

Do you have any short term places near to zona rosa or P 93 for shot term stays?

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Gator says on Jul 3, 2008, 07:48:

gringoloid said"...and a long hard walk up the hill."

Amen, hermoso! Do you take a deep breath and close your eyes when you cross the Circunvalar. At my age I just take a cab up when we use the TM

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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rhydewithdis says on Jul 3, 2008, 15:14:

Bogota is like Mexico City now it seems. Or even Sao Paulo. To live well, you need to have liquid assets of 500kusd and income of at least 3-5k month. Caveat is if the dollar gets any worse, you are SOL.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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