About livinginmedellin

Status:

Expatriate  

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Colombia: For a 90-180 day trip what would you absolutely bring to COL:

If you bring cellphone that you plan to add a SIM in Colombia, keep in mind you also need to bring a receipt to prove it was purchased instead of stolen. In Migracion in Bogotá for international arrivals there are screens that now display a message if you bring a cellphone you need a receipt to activate/register it for use in Colombia. Not true that cameras of any quality are just about unobtainable here. I bought a couple higher end cameras on sale in Monterrey mall in Medellín for prices not much higher than on Amazon. Also not true about computers inferior and overpriced. Computers up to a certain price are exempt from taxes in Colombia so you can find some for similar prices to the U.S.. For example, I bought an Apple MacBook Pro for only about $50 more than the price listed on Apple's website for the same model. I also bought an Apple iMac on sale at Falabella that was about $50 less than the price listed on Apple's website for the exact same model.

Colombia: Can you drink the water in Colombia:

Yes, I agree with @Bobfrozen1, the water in Medellín and Bogotá is safe to drink. EPM manages ten water treatment plants across the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley for Medellín. Consistent and adequate precipitation in the surrounding basins usually ensures that nearby water basins feeding the Medellín area can store approximately 178 billion cubic meter of water for the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley. See more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_urban_water_management_in_Medell%C3%ADn

Colombia: Tragic landslide, southwest Colombia:

Legit site for contributions to help get critically needed drinking water to the area is: http://www.litrosqueayudan.com/ Launched by a partnership of the Red Cross, a couple water companies and Postobon. No government involvement. Cost is only 5,000 pesos for a vital donation, which is 5 liters of water. Postobon is also matching donations at a rate of 5 liters per 20 liters donated.

Colombia: Expats who returned to US or Canada:

When I now go back to the US I experience reverse culture shock. Like "what the hell is this" giving me a check in a restaurant when I'm not even done eating yet. I'm now used to taking my time in Colombia and being able to sit at a table even for hours and not be bothered for a check. And paying $50 for a taxi that would cost <$7 in Colombia. And seeing women dressed so poorly in malls. I could go on and on and on....

Colombia: Is Cali that crime ridden?:

Cali is on the list of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world due to its high homicide rate that is now about 3 times the homicide rate in Medellín. Medellín is no longer on the list - http://www.elconfidencial.com/alma-corazon-vida/2016-09-23/las-50-ciudades-mas-peligrosas-del-mundo-5-son-de-mexico-donde-murio-maria-villar_1264111/ Also Cali didn't do very well in a survey of Colombians in 2015 - only 30% in Cali felt safe in their city. See slide 40 in this - http://redcomovamos.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Presentaci%C3%B3n-EPC-Comparada-2015_RedC%C3%B3moVamos_02122015_.pdf

Colombia: Moving back to medellin, can someone explain how much is to ship a new car? Thank u:

Only new vehicles from the current year with zero kilometers ‘on the clock’ may be imported permanently into Colombia. To register a new imported vehicle, go to the local Transport office and submit the following documents: - Purchase invoice (Factura de compra) - Import declaration (Declaración de importación) - see below - Certificate of registration with the RUNT as an occasional importer - Certificate of purchase of SOAT (compulsory car insurance) - Receipt of paid taxes for the current year - Downloaded and completed form Formulario de solicitud de tramite There is a fee to be paid when submitting the documents

Colombia: Fiador in Pereira/Armenia?:

Yes if you rent directly from an owner you can avoid the fiador requirement and also negotiate a lower rental price as no agency taking their cut.

Colombia: Bucaramanga:

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

Colombia: Utility costs in Colombia:

In Sabaneta estrato 4 - last EPM bill for electric, gas, water = 107,900 pesos. Claro triple-play with 10MB Internet, fijo phone and TV service for 2 HD TVs 178,300 pesos.

Colombia: Sabaneta out of control?:

In the latest Inmobiliario magazine there are over 45 new apartment projects listed in Sabaneta - some are finished and still selling the remaining units, some are under construction and some haven't broken ground yet. Last year Sabaneta was one of the few area of the Medellín metro area that saw in increase in home/apartment sales - most parts of the city saw a drop. They won't be able to keep building at the current pace. Sabaneta is the smallest municipality in all of Colombia and they are running out of space to build. Sabaneta is only 15 square km, or 5.8 square miles in size.

Date Joined:

4/3/2016

Total Posts:

280

Posts/Day:

0.75