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Bucaramanga

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Rolito
  3/20/2017 00:16 EST

Hello this Roilto. Just wondering if there are any expats living in Bucaramanga. or if anyone has any info. Thank you.

livinginmedellin
  3/20/2017 11:04 EST

There is an article comparing Bucaramanga with Medellín with some info - see: http://medellinliving.com/medellin-vs-bucaramanga/

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PittsburghSound
  3/20/2017 11:13 EST

I have been living in Bucaramanga for about a year now. What do you want to know? Specific questions yield specific answers. :)

cccmedia
  3/20/2017 13:48 EST

Per that medellinliving.com article dated March, 16, 2017 (last week) comparing Bucaramanga and Medellín:

Climate: Medellin is warmer with daily highs typically in the low 80's F., about five degrees warmer than Buca.

Health care: Medellín has more top-class hospitals, while Buca has two ranked in the top South American hospitals.

Transportation: Medellín's metro-rail system gives it the edge.

Pollution: Medellín bad -- among the ten worst in South America, Buca better.

Traffic: Medellín's is worse due partly to its 3.7 mil population vs. 1.3 mil in Buca.

Expat events: There are thousands of Expats in Medellín and maybe 100 in Buca. Ipso facto, a stronger Expat community.

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

cccmedia
  3/20/2017 13:52 EST

Pittsburgh....

1. Are there monthly or occasional Expat -specific events in Bucaramanga?

2. Do you agree that there may only be about 100 Expats in your city?

3. Pollution and traffic in Bucaramanga -- better/more health-positive than Medellín. Agree or disagree?

4. Outdoor swimming and casino blackjack -- are these available in Bucaramanga?

5. Why are you living in Bucaramanga?

cccmedia in La Zona

SkyMan
  3/21/2017 14:15 EST

Pittsburg, At this point I have not visited Bucaramanga...but un amigo mío told me that it gets to 96 degrees there...really ? I have checked the temps on the 'net...and they do not seem to back that up. Since you're there...how HOT is it ? Qué pasa con el clima ?

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cafetero
  3/21/2017 17:19 EST

I lived in Bucaramanga two months and traveled to Medellin from there and I recall it was noticeably drier and hotter than Medellin. Just my opinion, no proof to back it up, just a gut feeling.

cafetero
  3/21/2017 17:22 EST

I lived in Bucaramanga two months and traveled to Medellin from there and I recall it was noticeably drier and hotter than Medellin. Just my opinion, no proof to back it up, just a gut feeling.

pocopelo
  3/21/2017 17:46 EST

Near the equator temperature is usually a function of elevation. Elevationmap.net lists Bucara at just under 3200' almost 2,000' lower than Medellin. I'm sure your impressions were warranted. I did visit once and it seemed to have a drier than average climate according to the vegetation in the countryside.

saiid20
  3/21/2017 17:48 EST

Here 6 yrs plus and 92 or so is the hottest I remember. Whats important to remember is you never need a jacket, sweater, or even long sleeve shirt here, regardless if 6am or 10pm.
For me, and I guess thats just my preference...Bogota's altitide still gives me terrible headaches, Cartegena and Baranca are way too hot, Medellin is....ok but shorts, sandals, and tank tops are put away with the sundown...
This place .for me, is pretty damm perfect

PittsburghSound
  3/21/2017 18:30 EST

I agree with most of what saiid20 said. It is definitely warmer and drier here than Medellin. 96 doesn't happen though. Usually temperature here is about 82* F around 3 PM.

As far as your questions ccmedia:

1. The only thing I really know of is called Gringo Tuesday every Tuesday at GOLL English. I don't go there, but everyone who does says it's a good time.

2. 100 sounds like a reasonable number. Definitely no more than 200. But if there are 200 foreigners here, I haven't the slightest idea where they're living.

3. Absolutely agree. The air in Buca is superior to most cities in Colombia. The traffic here isn't bad at all.

4. Yes and yes. I suggest Centro Commercial Cacique if you like to gamble. Lots of outdoor swimming around, including Aqualago, which is in Floridablanca.

5. I'm here because I wanted something off the beaten path and warm. So glad to be here. I don't see other expats, and I like it that way. I came here to live like a Colombian, and it is working out well for me.

If you want me to elaborate on anything, please ask.

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PittsburghSound
  3/21/2017 18:32 EST

By the way, the guy that wrote that article on Medellin Living did a good job, but not surprisingly, he didn't give Buca its due props. It is a better place than the picture he painted of it. You can see my comments on the article. My name is Matt.

tryagain
  3/22/2017 09:29 EST

watch the women in Santander they are brabas (angry). and they can't be trusted. they left so many men with broken hearts .

WhoaNellie
  3/22/2017 09:35 EST

*bravas

cccmedia
  3/22/2017 14:42 EST

Matt de Pittsburgh....

Have you visited Ruitoque Condo project?

This appears to be an upscale project mostly of homes for sale/ownership, but also where an Expat can rent an upscale property for $800 US and up.... promoted as having gorgeous scenery with lakes and swimming pools... at higher elevation and so cooler than Bucaramanga city.

Possibly is only a short drive from Buca city.

cccmedia in La Zona

PittsburghSound
  3/22/2017 17:55 EST

I have visited, and it is quite spectacular. Might be worth a thought for an expat looking to move to the area.

cccmedia
  3/22/2017 22:22 EST

"Spectacular"!

That is excellent.

I am definitely adding Santander -- Colombia's Adventure Capital -- to my itinerary for the coming weeks.

The outdoor swimming, the casino blackjack, Gringo Tuesdays and the Ruitoque factor are all part of the attraction.

So is the apparently better situation in Bucaramanga vis-a-vis traffic and pollution (compared to Medellín). Ruitoque does not have hills or mountains on all sides as found in the Medellín Aburrá Valley .. that tend to contain the air pollution.

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

BrandonBP
  3/23/2017 00:47 EST

"watch the women in Santander they are brabas (angry). and they can't be trusted. they left so many men with broken hearts ."
=================================

I've met some Santander girls in my travels and I think you're on to something here. They DO seem pissed off, don't they? I dated a Bucaramanga girl in Medellin and she was PO'ed and dour all the time, too. Very good looking chicas, though. And angry and bossy. But my experiences are limited to 3 Buca chicks. Maybe they're not all that way.

And Buca has to be hotter than Medellin. I never got overly hot in Medellin. But Santander area is not conducive as much to hiking. Too hot and sweaty. And I didn't get burned in Antiochia as much. I got sunburned like crazy in Santander.

MacLin
  11/4/2017 10:27 EST

I am "retiring" younger than most and will be coming to Bucaramanga to check it out, but would want to get a job (I am a language teacher, german, spanish and esl) so I can get a visa and health care, until my pension kicks in. I am planning on coming down in the fall of 2018. In your opinion when would be a good time to start looking, before arrival or after? I have been working overseas now for 20 years or so, but have never had to get a visa on my own, the international schools always did that. I am not too worried about amount of pay, just the ability to get a visa and health care and to cover basic living costs. Any ideas?

novato1953
  11/4/2017 11:26 EST

For 20 years you've been doing it your way and it works. Why not just keep doing whatever you've been doing?

armenia
  11/4/2017 14:12 EST

Check the visa requirements and try to get most done before you travel. You won't have any trouble getting your visa without any help. I always do all my visa work myself and no problem.

PittsburghSound
  11/4/2017 16:27 EST

MacLin, PM sent. Please read and respond. :)

Elexpatriado
  11/5/2017 10:30 EST

Dounds like Bucca beats Medeo hands down.

I know I like Manizales way more than Medeo

Elexpatriado
  11/5/2017 10:34 EST

Gor the life of me cant figure out why Expats go to Colombia to hang around expats.

But then you couldsay I am guilty ofthe same sin posting on these Forums.

SkyMan
  11/16/2017 21:16 EST

Elex.....great post...why do you move to Colombia...to hang out with US/Canadian expats ? I have no idea.
I moved to Medellin because after living in Cuenca, Ec.=I knew there was better weather & more friendly locals & my thoughts have definitely been realized. So far...I have enjoyed living here in Poblado...and it provides what I want and need...in a place to live.
But.....I post on this site, because there is a lot of useful information that is posted...and I really appreciate that. Thanks to all the posters for the informative posts. I really have appreciated it & this has helped me to immerse myself in the culture of Colombia. Also...I speak fluent español, which has helped a lot. Buena Suerte ! Tranquilo.

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