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appliances

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gabrielleosorio
  7/29/2016 08:29 EST

we are moving to Colombia in July 2018 and I wanted to know if it was worth shipping all our kitchen appliances, TV's, DVD players etc from the UK to there or is it more hassle than it's worth.
where is the best place to live if we done want to live in Bogota but want a nice residential area?

timllowe
  7/29/2016 08:57 EST

Nope. Everything is available here at decent prices. Particularly European and Japanese brands. US stuff seems to be pricey unless it was manufactured in South America.

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meincolombia
  7/29/2016 09:56 EST

Wow, I admire your courage to move to Colombia without first knowing anything about the country.
There are thousands of places you could live in a nice residential neighborhood. It just depends on what else you like to do and have .
Maybe you should plan a vacation first and come here for a couple months and tour the country and get familiar with it before deciding to move here.
Colombia is definitely not for everyone. A lot of expats come here for a while, then go back to their home country, for a host of reasons.
For example, I´ve lived here six years and like it okay, but I´m planning to return to my home country next year because of a change in my business opportunities.

LaPiranha
  7/29/2016 12:14 EST

If you are looking for a nice residential area, but still want the opportunities to enjoy all that Bogota offers, the city, business, airport, nightlife, the cultural side of Bogota, medical, first class education options, and the ability to buy just about anything, then have a look at Chia. Its become a kind of "commuter town" for many who want to be close to the city but want a more peaceful place to live. One one side of Chia, you're straight into Bogota, the other side, you're straight into countryside.

timllowe
  7/29/2016 12:29 EST

I have a quite wealthy acquaintance who lives in Chia. When I first saw his license plate, I pictured a town covered with sprouting seeds. ;)

meincolombia
  7/29/2016 13:55 EST

little fuzzy critters running up and down the calles.......like this http://chia.com/chia-pets/

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livinginmedellin
  7/30/2016 10:12 EST

@gabrielleosorio said “we are moving to Colombia in July 2018 and I wanted to know if it was worth shipping all our kitchen appliances, TV's, DVD players etc from the UK to there or is it more hassle than it's worth.
where is the best place to live if we done want to live in Bogota but want a nice residential area?”

You can find appliances, TV's, DVD players and many other things for similar prices in Colombia. Shipping is expensive and I have only met a few expats living in Colombia that shipped items – most expats buy here.

I recommend a trial of living here first in a furnished place to make sure you like it before making the bigger move of buying or renting a place that you furnish. I first rented furnished apartments for four months as a trial of living in Colombia.

Regarding best place to live in Colombia, I prefer both Medellín and Pereira much more than Bogotá. Better climate and lower cost of living.

testolas
  7/30/2016 11:24 EST

Your appliances from the UK will not work in Colombia they are different voltage. Columbia is 110 volts and UK is 220 volts. The price are much better in for appliances. Shipping is far more expensive and then you risk of damage and getting lost.

LaPiranha
  7/30/2016 11:42 EST

Agree with Testolas, but modern homes are now often fitted with both 110 volts and also 220 volts for the heavy electrical items you often find in the kitchen. (like washing machine, etc).

My apartment has both, and I understand its becoming more usual.

LaPiranha
  7/30/2016 12:01 EST

Livinginmedellin mentions climate, which is an important consideration, and as he says, he prefers the climate in Medellin.

But we are all different, and I personally find the heat can be sometimes oppressive after a while. Its ok for holidays, when you'll be back home to a normal temperature again in a week or two, but to live in that heat for ever, with no respite, I find it unbearable. That's why I choose to live in Bogota.

For me, the climate in Bogota is perfect. Coming from the UK, where I am used to winters below zero, sometimes for many months, and when you finally get to summer, its washed out and unpredictable. No, actually it is predictable, Summer consists of a couple of days of sun, followed by thunderstorms.

Here in Bogota, compared to England, its like a spring day, all year round. Perfect for me.

If you are coming from a hot country, you may well be used to the heat of the lower altitudes, and so medellin, Cali, or other destinations could be attractive for you, but for those who come from cooler climates, consider the fact that you may well find it oppressive after a while.

If I fancy a few days in the hot climate, I simply drive downhill for a couple of hours, to towns like Melgar, Girardot, Flandes, etc, where its always in the 30's, but I'm always glad to get back home after a few days.

We also have the benefit that those damn mosquitos don't thrive in the higher altitudes above 2,200 metres, carrying Malaria, Zika, Dengue, or that painful Chikungunya. They are usually confined to the hotter regions.

Just a different point of view, but which to me is important.

CAtoMDE
  7/30/2016 12:52 EST

For what it's worth, a week ago I shipped a large 65" UHD Visio LED TV from California to Medellin, it should arrive this coming week to our new apartment.

Yes I know the prices but had an opportunity so given it a try - 65" UHD LED TV cost $980. USD (tax included) and shipping was $235. USD so $1,215. total or +/- 3.500.000 COP.

Over the past 4 years mi paisa esposa has sent about 45-55 medium size boxes and everyone has arrived, some took a bit loner than others and a few got hung up and had to pay some custom charges but all in all very reliable.

Also in terms of appliances for our new apartment last week mi esposa purchased a combo washer/dryer for 3.200.000 COP and a gorgeous refrigerator at 4.300.000 COP, this included delivery and both appliances have full new warranty.

I will report how the TV shipping went and that it was not damaged.

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testolas
  7/30/2016 14:31 EST

Yes this is the same as in the US our appliances in the kitchen are 220 if electric and electric drier is 220 in the house most of the outlets are 110 volts with normal plugs. You can always tell the 220 plugs are much larger and only one per outlet.

Mikey187
  8/4/2016 09:16 EST

All you need for the appliances is a step up transformer it's no big problem. I agree on the shipping though , I recently got a suitcase sent over which cost an initial £80 which I was happy with . Then I had to pay £120 tax and vat once it arrived :-(

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