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Colombia: Gringo's working here illegally:
Should it bother me, us, specifically, those of us who are self employed LEGALLY in Colombia, again, legally , have a business license, business visa, Cedula (costing North of $80.000.000 COP) to get started, again, legally....should I/we be bothered to see people coming here and not "doing it the right way?"
It bothers me. It bothers me because as an American, it bothers me that illegal aliens work and live in USA while we pay our taxes and do things the right way.
Should Colombians feel a certain way about foreigners coming to Colombia and working "under the table" and publicly advertising and carrying on and conducting business as though they are legit?
Just wondering how anyone else feels about this and how would Colombians feel about it if they knew the business per on they are dealing with is illegal.
Any thoughts on this?
Colombia: Native or extremely fluent English speakers needed:
LOL this is too funny...."Michael Peterson" my _ss! Can't get anymore BS than that. This guy doesn't want to throw out private info but he is on a public forum soliciting secrets.
Colombia: paradise on the move:
timlowe, just be advised - living in medellin gets paid to write good things about Medellin and it's why he defends this 90%-"**t hole til the death.
Colombia: Hw feasable is to open a business in Colombia?:
It depends on the business. I know a gringo who opened a burger joint in Envigado and he failed miserably. I know many who have come here and closed down really quick...and not because they failed, but they couldn't deal with non-business minded people and the slow, lazy culture. The only things that move fast here are cars and motos. They same people driving cars like a 16 year old on meth are completely different animals in the work place....slow, don't care, no emotion, etc.
I opened a business and I was doing well until I realized I just want to live here an not work. For me it was too frustrating dealing with people who can't keep appointments or do what they say they are going to do.
The business acumen of the average Colombian is not very high in my opinion so it's hard to network, again, my opinion. It's all very difficult from networking to ordering supplies, to ALL aspects of running efficiently because things here and people here simply aren't efficient.
These are not time oriented people and I hate to say this but in my opinion it's an immediacy culture and if something goes wrong once, they quit. Is it a quitting culture? In my opinion yes.
So for me, they quit, have poor business acumen, and don't know how to tell time or keep a commitment.
Good luck trying to run a business like this. It's extremely tough.
A business where you can make North American money and work with people from developed countries FROM HERE would work IF it's online. Then you can run your business in a fun place with good weather and deal with business acumen as you know it, time oriented people, and people who don't quit when one small things goes wrong.
I know many who work here as what we would call wage-earners or W2 employees and they have a job, let's say at a hotel or bank, make their pesos and go home, and are happy, learning a new culture, and the slower pace is just fine for them.
However, the people I know here who are self employed are not happy at all with their decision to open a business here.
I closed down and just enjoy the slower pace. But when I was working and trying to run a business, I HATED THE SLOW PACE.
So to answer your question - it's feasible BUT when you are programmed to follow time, protocol, etc, it's extremely frustrating and maybe not at all worth your time.
I am now working online from Medellin making the USD and dealing with Americans and I love it. They say they will call at 9am, they do. They say they sent the email? They did. You ordered a product and they said it's been sent - yep, it's been sent. That simply doesn't happen here.
Colombia is a great place to be but trying to run a business here is very difficult for the hardwired US mind. Just my opinion.
Colombia: Safe driving from Armenia to Pereira in a car? Any suggestions?:
My gringo buddy needs advice.. He is renting a car in Armenia and plans to drive to Periera. I have not made that drive and cannot advise him on the safety.
Is there anything he should be concerned about? Does anyone have any suggestions regarding best route etc?
Thank you.
Colombia: MEDELLIN: Neighborhoods/short-term rentals:
If you want to be South, Envigado and Sabaneta are great areas. Itagui is also of interest and a lot cheaper and a true Colombia barrio, not many gringos at all but still relatively safe.
An area that doesn't get much mention is Buenos Aires and Miligrosa.
Laureles is great too as many people always mention it but just on the outskirts of Laureles are some really cool little barrios. And don't forget Estadio.
EVERYONE loves Poblado, but remember, no matter where you live, a taxi ride is cheap cheap cheap to get there and quick.
For me, Id rather pay 3ooo for a beer and not 8000 but that's just me. 6-7-8000 is about the going rate for a beer. So basically everything in Pob is about 2-3-4X higher than the other desirable areas.
My first month I lived in Poblado. Then moved to border of Envigado and Sabaneta. (Once I was comfortable stepping out of Parque Lleras area is when I really started to discover the wonders of Medellin. )
Renting in Poblado is a lot more difficult too, especially for foreigners.
I've had no BS in other areas.
Colombia: Manana Time in Colombia: How it Works:
Buddy, I was getting my cell phone looked at by a tech behind the counter at a phone store in Envigado and a man walks up, stands basically on my shoulder like a parrot, hands the man behind the counter his cell phone (never mind I am already in mid transaction), and the idiot helping me set my phone down, took the man's cell phone, walked into the back, fixed it, came back 20 minutes later, the man paid him, and then he started working on my phone again.
The tech never said excuse me, sorry, hold on....nothing. The man next to me walked off and he too, not an excuse me or a word.
I feel your pain.
Colombia: College Football in Medellin:
Patrick's has a lot of TV's and always has football on. No sound though. They don't open til 4pm so if you are a CFB enthusiast, don't bother trying to go for noon kick offs.
I heard some Sundays they may open early for NFL games but not sure if that's true.
Hooter's down the street sometimes has a game on but I've been in there on Sunday's and they had WWE on almost all TV's. It's hit or miss and if they have a football game on it's prob by accident.
Colombia: Armenia To Live???:
Thinking about making a change and leaving Medellin and settling int the Armenia area.
Any sincere advice, suggestions?
Colombia: Armenia To Live???:
Thinking about making a change and leaving Medellin and settling int the Armenia area.
Any sincere advice, suggestions?
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