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2quick
  7/16/2018 13:54 EST

I'm looking at moving to columbia. Not sure where yet. But it would be nice to make a few contacts to chat with about columbia before I arrive. Please feel free to contact me. I am easy going and pretty easy to talk to

joemindwarp
  7/16/2018 15:12 EST

I would get in contact with an airbnb host, a foreigner ie Brit or Aussie depending on your Spanish, mine is zero, you can meet a lot of vacationers at the airbnb houses

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tryagain
  7/16/2018 16:28 EST

I don't think he will have a language problem, since in Columbia the official language is English

Elexpatriado
  7/16/2018 18:07 EST

Ja ja muy chistoso....

For every naive gringo or troll who writes "Columbia" always a guevon with a smart response..

LaPiranha
  7/16/2018 20:41 EST

On the Uruguay forum, you say you are broke, and when you move, you will have no income. You may find Colombia won't be very good for you.

Firstly, you can't work on a tourist stamp in your passport. So how will you support yourself? You could find your rent is actually higher than what you earn, as most employees are on minimum wage, not much over 200 dollars a month, for a 60 hour week. You will need a work visa, supported by an employer who will employ you. So you have to find an employer first. But how are you going to get a job if your Spanish isn't any good? How will you know what your customer's want? How will you know what your employer wants you to do? Your criminal record might also be an obstacle too.

So it ain't gonna be easy.

SkyMan
  7/16/2018 21:32 EST

Hmmmmm.....'sounds like another troll. Poster, please move on...as you have already been "discovered": on this site. No Buena Suerte nor Tranquilo for this one. Adios.

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2quick
  7/16/2018 22:10 EST

Ok pendeja....you and the other idiot are the exact reason I didn't want to talk with expats. You all still carry the American mentality.
Then act like your columbian by speaking spanish.

For starters,, yes I did post in the Uruguay forum. Because originally I was looking there. After reading what people said about columbia I started researching it. And actually appeals to me more.
Secondly, that was well over a year ago. And things change fast when you are driven. I have my bad days where stuff gets to me and gets me down. Hence my post in the Uruguay forum.

Now, if this is how expats over there are. I'm good. I'll stick to talking to people who dont have their head in their culo and are actually from the country.

If you want to answer my question ho on and actually be helpful then let's talk.

Otherwise move on and let people who are helpful speak.

LaPiranha
  7/17/2018 01:50 EST

2 quick. Do I assume you were referring to me, as 'the other idiot'?

If so, then you're out of order with your pretty nasty comments. Do you want the truth? Or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?

Your post on the Uruguay forum is on public record, so its quite normal to get some idea of the problems you might face if you just arrive here one day, and then have to try and work as an illegal, to survive, If you don't want to hear it, then don't get nasty if someone tells you a few home truths.

Yes, Colombia is a nice place to live, but with your attitude and reluctance to take friendly advice, you'll probably end up on the street washing windscreens at the traffic lights. Many who don't plan, and attempt to come, work and stay here under the radar, end up there, But competition at the lights is fierce, and if you're lucky and earn a thousand pesos a day (roughly 30 cents a day), it won't pay for your bed at night.

Yes, its true that you have to have an employer to sponsor your visa application, and you'll not find many employers who will take on an illegal who doesn't speak Spanish. There are many Venezuelans who are flooding the job market, and they do speak the language, and still there are not enough jobs to go around.

And by the way, I'm not an American, don't carry the American mentality, you didn't specify NON-Expats, and you claim to be easy to talk to. Yeah, Friggin bullsh1t. Screw you, Idiot.

2quick
  7/17/2018 02:13 EST

Yeah, I do have to apologize on that one piranha. Skyhunter or whatever his name was pissed me off. Your post really didn't offend me. Sorry if I lumped you in there. I am easy to talk to honestly. But I dont like the bs. I'm tired of it. That's why I am looking to move. I know be is going to be everywhere. But I honestly am done with the stupidity in the us. And I posted here to welcome anyones input not just non expats. Bs, no but input yes. I dont imagine I'll find many non expats here.
I do actually speak some spanish, a lot of my friends speak spanish and i can follow conversations quite well. I am just not that good at conversing in it.
I am a pretty diverse individual and pretty intelligent. I am just tired of the crap, so when my button gets pushed that's it. Usually I dont let stuff bug me like that. I'm just to tired of it anymore.

ponymalta
  7/17/2018 08:37 EST

The simple solution is find some work you do online or on telephone via telephone back in North America, get an inexpensive course in TEFL to teach English, then when you can be " legal" supplement income accordingly. You can find online/telephone work in North America paying $7 an hour 30 hours a week equals approximately 2.7 million pesos a month.(but use North American address/telephone number on resume). A single person can live comfortable on that in Medellin, especially if you choose outside of the center. By working online or on telephone via Skype ( and get a US call-back number on Skype) you can work anywhere. And if one is personable, with word of mouth lots of tutoring potential in Colombia at $3 to $5 an hour.

With all respect though, if you don't have patience in dealing with people,situations and cant "roll with the punches" yet wish to make contacts, Colombia might not be the place for you as it takes patience to be in Colombia. Some of us might be old and grouchy on this site but there is a wealth of knowledge, and contacts for the asking. Again, if you are thin-skinned and don't do well with having patience in new situations, Colombia probably last country you would want to be in.

mikedanbury
  7/17/2018 09:25 EST

I'm not sure how "outing" someone as a person who has financial difficulties was necessary when the question was he was looking for someone to talk to about moving to Colombia but I could understand how that would anger a person especially when you're called a troll for that.

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WhoaNellie
  7/17/2018 09:54 EST

Looking for work? Sure, come to Colombia! Ja ja ja ja ja!

That's your first mistake.

If you can do remote work to support yourself, it's possible to make that work in Colombia - but have that set up first, before you move to Colombia.

Unless and until you have some specific skill that is in demand in Colombia, the competition will be fierce for any available jobs - for which Colombians will be preferred first because they are used to the poor working conditions. Very few gringos would stand for Colombian workplace conditions, physically and otherwise.

You could try teaching English - some do it - but that does not pay that well unless you can line up private clients, and even then it'll most likely be just scraping by.

The best way to enjoy Colombia is to already have a source of income and not have to work there - a retirement pension from a developed world country is often much more than most Colombians make, working hard.

Face the unpleasant truth: If you have financial difficulties, the one country that gives you the best chances to get out of them on your own initiative, is the US.

Although this is true: It is much easier to become a millionaire in Colombia than in the US - the catch is, in Colombia it's in pesos...

mikedanbury
  7/17/2018 10:12 EST

2quick, what did they say on the Uruguay site that prompted you to look into Colombia? I like hearing good things about Colombia.

SkyMan
  7/17/2018 11:10 EST

2.....When you post on a site, with the attitude you have=you will rarely find helpful posts. Most of the posters on this site will gladly give information to those who seek it, but not those with an "attitude". Adios.

mattinnorfolk
  7/17/2018 11:57 EST

This is great advice, and I have yet to use it but went to a TESL course four years ago at Oxford University and got certified, but have yet to use it. I am going to sign up and try to do it in the USA part time for the experience. I noticed in Colombia they want people under 60, and I am 61 years old. I was doing it more to supplement income and meet more locals then to take care of all my cost. I appreciate this info!

Elexpatriado
  7/17/2018 14:39 EST

Yeah..Colombia is where you go to make the"American dream " financially you couldnt get on the US

And with a criminal récord to boot.

And people donde way the term "troll " is used..

Ja ja ja ja..

jeimz
  7/18/2018 08:17 EST

Hi 2quick. I am not an ex-pat, but I have traveled to Colombia a few times and might even retire there some day. I read this forum to get information about the country. I am curious...what is the "BS" that you are trying to escape in the USA? Are you sure there isn't more BS in Colombia, or anywhere else for that matter?

armenia
  7/18/2018 10:34 EST

amen jemiz

tammytravels
  7/18/2018 13:35 EST

You won't be changing anything coming here, only location.

2quick
  7/18/2018 13:35 EST

Its bot that i am trying to "escape" anything. But the bs I am referring to is the mentality of people here. And the stupidity. Will there be different bs there. Sure, I know that nowhere is perfect. Everywhere has their issues to deal with. But here, we are lead by a population of idiots. We as a majority vote for someone and then cry because they are making mistakes. Wake up, we voted for them. This country lives in fear of their own shadows. Break down and try to get someone to help you. Then we give things away to people who dont need it. This country is just screwed up beyond repair.
We dont vote based on best candidate anymore. Many people vote based on popularity. Th ou s celebrity supports dummy a. So people vote for them. We have idiots voting who have no clue what they are voting about. All because "it's your duty to vote" and wear a stupid sticker for a day.

I can go on and on. It really all boils down to the mentality of the population here. That is what I am tired of.

mikedanbury
  7/18/2018 13:49 EST

Sounds like you a need a reboot in life so maybe a long trip to Colombia is what you need. May not solve anything but give you a chance to breathe and get a new perspective.

2quick
  7/18/2018 13:57 EST

I agree. That's sorta my whole point in moving. I know there will be stupidity everywhere I go. But here i am in "the land of the free" that just isnt free anymore. And honestly I dont think it will ever get better here. Maybe I am wrong but to me, many other countries have entirely more freedome than we do. Dont get me wrong. I'm not some anti government type of person. I actually blame the population. After all this is a democracy. And we vote for this stuff. So we cant blame anyone here without pointing the finger at ourselves for creating this monstrosity.

Pacho1983
  7/18/2018 14:33 EST

2 quick, the Spanish you do know is quite impressive!

joemindwarp
  7/18/2018 15:26 EST

I love Colombia and have been living there 6 months every year for the past 8 years, 180 days max per year on tourist Visa. That can be a negative and a positive, I avoid taxes and am required to go to other Countries, The internations expat forum is good also, not as lively as this one

NHLFAN
  7/18/2018 15:34 EST

Joe MW...
I very well could be doing the same as you starting next year. I am a resident but refuse to stay long enough to pay taxes. So where do you spend 6 months of the year? Back in the states? Other South American countries? I'm in Ecuador right now. Just north of Manta. I like this area, and will certainly spend more time here at some point in the future.

NHLFAN
  7/18/2018 15:37 EST

If you look at the people that leave the US because they are unhappy with it. Right or Left. They will be no happier in their new country. The US is still one of the freest country in the world. Its just other countries are so dysfunctional that they dont enforce most of the overbearing laws that they have. Or you can just pay off someone to look the other way. If your attitude doesn't chill out significantly, you dont stand a chance to make it here. There are a ton of things that frustrate you in other countries and you have to be able to roll with the punches.

mikedanbury
  7/18/2018 15:46 EST

I do agree that you have to have the right attitude but sometimes in life you just need a reboot. I think 2quick needs to do something because he does seem like he's on the edge. On a side note, do you know if can stay over 180 days one year and then less the next year and avoid taxes? When I turn 65 I will be eligible for my pension and take it as a lump sum. I'd like to avoid Colombian taxes that year.

happytraveler
  7/18/2018 16:33 EST

Amen to that NHLFAN. Our government is in strife, but maybe 2quick needs to see more of the world to appreciate life in the USA. How about the favelas in Brazil or asentamientos in Colombia or maybe war torn Syria or Venezuela or the dictatorial countries of Africa.

2quick
  7/18/2018 16:59 EST

Not sure your right about that one NHL. It's not all about not being able to enforce laws or not. But my point is not the laws. It's the people here. Sure there are good people. But seems to be getting less and less.

happytraveler
  7/18/2018 17:08 EST

2quick, I am really truly sorry for you. To be so jaded about the people in the US, you must
Have experienced some terrible things. I think that you should resolve your issues before running away to another country looking for a utopia. Just a non-professional ovserver..

ponymalta
  7/18/2018 19:45 EST

2quick,

I know what you mean as the USA certainly doesn't feel as free any more- but your emphasizing voting and results reminds very much of the mentality there with all this right and left cultural and political divide. No matter who is elected president the long term trends are the same. I think if you are American the reduction of freedom effects you viewpoint more than if you saw it another country. Something different about seeing it your own country. I certainly feel more free in Colombia and some other countries than I do in America.

Maybe you just need a break, and just enjoy life. Part of the issue in America is the lifestyle- live to work as opposed to work to live. In Europe and even in UK people have more vacation, less stressful work environments, and of course Colombia everything more relaxed.

ponymalta
  7/18/2018 19:54 EST

happytraveler,
=or maybe 2quick not just jaded but recognizes that for some life outside of USA can be more appealing. Certainly for many Expats on this forum there are reasons they left the USA, one can be patriotic, where it counts, and still recognize for many in many respects the USA isnt the best place any more.
-on the other hand maybe 2quick needs to relax a bit, and learn to relax. And Colombia a good place to do so.

SunsetSteve
  7/18/2018 20:17 EST

According to international studies, the US ranks 23rd among free countries. Canada currently ranks first. Google. Although many Americans believe the US ranks first on most indices, so god bless em. But spare the BS, get the facts. ??

2quick
  7/18/2018 20:24 EST

You all make good points. yes I am sure I can relax a little on my point of view. It's not just voting there is just so much screwed up now days. I served for this country and to be honest it means nothing. Not that I'm after recognition for it. But I dont like mentioning it because it's pointless. But Steve brings up a good point. America thinks they are the freest and the smartest and this that and the other. We are a bloated country and full of ourselves.

Elexpatriado
  7/19/2018 20:01 EST

Sunset Steve

What international estudies are you talking about?

The CBC?.

JAJAJA

SunsetSteve
  7/20/2018 05:48 EST

I wouldn’t rely on the propaganda arm of the right wing crazies for anything!

joemindwarp
  7/20/2018 13:50 EST

I spend 6 months in Colombia and the other 6 in Uruguay, Brazil, Chile and Peru. My tenants left my house they rented in Uruguay 3 weeks ago so I am living there for the moment refurbishing and upgrading the heating system, I will likely rent it out for the Uruguay tourist season to recoup the 6 months of rent my former tenants cost me. End of November I will be at Lake Titicaca Peru then 1 January back in Colombia

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