About BlueSeas

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Colombia: Tax Seminar Medellin:

Tax gets a lot of discussion here. Got this email this morning for anyone in Medellin with questions. Being sponsored by the newly renamed First American Realty in Medellin (that's the old name). I'd go if I was there, but I'm not, but some of you may be interested? No idea how useful it will turn out to be. But perhaps worthy of a mention? ------------- We are very glad to officially invite you to our event this Thursday night, March 30th, 2017 at 6:00 pm. in which we will be covering subjects such as tax strategies for expats, accounting for foreign assets, tax advantages of foreign corps as well as Colombian tax filing strategies. There will be a presentation with two experts on this subject. This will be an event with limited space so do not forget to confirm your attendance before March 30 before noon local time by calling directly to 300-663-1005. Address: Calle 10 # 42 - 28 Global Express Travel & Business Center

Colombia: Flying to Cuba from Medellin:

I'm not up 100% on this, but JetBlue has several flights a day to Cuba. From Ft Lauderdale, so it should be simple to fly to FLL and connect from MDE. My friend at Jet Blue tells me these flights are popular and well traveled. If US citizen, there may be a reason to use a tour company meeting whatever guidelines the State Department or others have specified. If Non-US, would think there aren't many issues right now? Good luck! I have a problem with the "tourist" money vs normal currency while in Cuba. But that's my issue, not everyone who seems anxious to visit. But I will say, there are other competitive places in Central America to visit without this tax. Try Roatan (Honduras), San Andres (Colombia), Panama or Costa RIca to name some.

Colombia: Trump & Colombia:

For us....this is the biggest financial issue of a Trump presidency. Before Obamacare, I could not get insurance at any cost due to pre-existing conditions. If there isn't an alternative, it's a long 8 years to Medicare. All of this, even though the last time I cost $1 to any plan was 2010.

Colombia: Medellin Living:

I think the founder of ML has moved on to other interests. That said, I hope whoever has taken over day to day responsibility for the site remains balanced in moderation on comments there. Or just removes the ability to discuss posts. In general, the site has lots of valuable information for expats on Medellin.

Colombia: Private Sale - Real Estate:

I would suggest Sandra Serna: http://www.steckenreiterserna.com/contact

Colombia: buying a condo:

The apart-hotels will resell based on how much rent can be generated, Rent amounts established by supply and demand of tourists and business travelers. Regular apartments resell based on supply and demand for residential housing in a specific area. These are linked to a degree, but the apart-hotel is a bet on increased tourism. Where the regular apartment is more a bet on the overall economy. I don't see where given the large size of Poblado and Medellin, there can be a huge impact of retiring expats on apartment values. But then there was this in the NYT, so maybe I underestimate: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/realestate/house-hunting-in-colombia.html

Colombia: Can I ask a frank, open question to every one please.:

Just a clarification. At least in Medellin, about 5% of the housing is Estrado 6, and almost another 10% Estrado 5. See: http://preview.tinyurl.com/jlsabw2 So top 5% is Estrado 6 and top 15% is 5 or 6. There is a whole lot more security around, for example everyone is mostly announced in office buildings with the building receptionist taking copies of your ID and a photo before you proceed to the elevators. Many residential buildings have 24 hour security. I'm sure there are bodyguards, but believe that to be more exclusive than simply a high Estrado, maybe 1% of the top 5%, purely a guess.

Colombia: Absentee Ballot:

In my Florida County, we have to use a ballot they mail to us. It comes with a return envelope. If I was in Colombia, I'd put it in the counties return envelope inside a FedEx, DHL or UPS envelope. In your case, guess I'd try to find an envelope that meets your county requirements, and do the same thing?

Colombia: Maybe Bogota:

I wish I could help more with specifics about Bogata, but we haven't been to that part of Colombia yet...a bit cold for us, but sure we will do the tourist thing eventually. What I did think of was a book to read "Walking in the Clouds", about a Journalist who did what you are describing with his family during some of the darker times in recent Colombian history. Things are far better (safer) today, but the insights into the cultural differences largely probably true today. If you felt Panama safe enough, I think you will be OK in Bogata. Bogata probably better than Medellin, Cartagena and Santa Marta, but learning some Spanish is probably necessary. Taxes are an issue, you can subtract your US taxes paid off your Colombian tax bill. You will be taxed separately from your spouse, there isn't anything like a joint return. The only way to really estimate is speaking to a tax professional. Good Luck!

Colombia: International Drivers License, Colombia to US:

The other hassle you may have is insurance, which US car rental places overcharge for if more than a couple days. Geico offered me a policy without owning a car, that got transferred when I did with an increase in premium. But far less per day than the rental company.

Date Joined:

11/25/2015

Total Posts:

110

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