spank12
6/21/2013 19:14 EST
Do we have anyone living there now or within the last year. I probably will be accepting a job offer and would like some basic and honest truth about the area, Gary
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mawdsjeff
6/21/2013 20:42 EST
I live about an hour from Cali, but go there a lot. Its very busy and metropolitan with traffic that is MANIC!! I wouldn't drive myself, I leave that to the taxi-drivers. There is a great articulated bus service with dedicated lanes. There are areas where they concentrate a certain type of shop like sewing machines, motor-bikes, electrical supplies etc, which is great. There are lots of restaurants and Salsa. I don't go there at night, and I guess that you would have to be careful, but in the day, its OK. Personally, I don't wear the shorts, pony-tail or tattoos that some tourists wear as that only attracts attention. The SOUTH of Cali is the place to live with lots of nice blocks of flats with security guards and the good supermarkets and do-it-yourself shop.. Geoff M
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MikeB127
6/25/2013 09:04 EST
Hi, I read your question with interest as i am also moving to Cali later this year and will be visiting this city at the end of August.
I have many friends in Dapa and the city itself and cannot wait to relocate.
Perhaps we can swap esxperiences as we go along. from all that has been reported to me Cali and Colombia is a great place going thru many good changes.
Mike
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Jarmstrong
6/25/2013 10:24 EST
Hi Mike, we are musicians and love the music of Colombia in general and Cali in particular. Do you have a place to stay in August? We rented a very nice conveniently located inexpensive apartment and I would be happy to direct you to the owner. Is your Spanish good? I am learning.
Judy
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MikeB127
6/26/2013 06:34 EST
Hi again, no problems with accommodation as I will be staying in Dapa with my future wife's son & daughter in law, but thanks for the offer of assistance.
My spanish is improving everyday and I hope to be able to make my self understood when I arrive.
As for the music I definitely would like to talk to you all as I am interested in starting up musical cafes possibly two if I can locate the right sites hence why l am coming over in August. Maybe there is some common ground where we can assist each other.
Mike
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wdavissontci
From: Colombia
6/26/2013 08:52 EST
Please contact regarding your cafe. I too am thinking of opening a restaurant in Cali. Let's talk. Contact me at ehernandezse@gmail.com and I will provide a US phone number that you can contact me at.
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soystar1
6/26/2013 09:03 EST
I would be careful advertising your wealth to people until you are confident whom they are and their motives.
I have seen too many con men and women here in Colombia that take advantage of someone as friends, family and associates. They are so good that you might not even know what occurred or until they have taken you for a ride.
Not all are malicious but a word of caution. Our Spanish and mannerisms give us away in a heartbeat. No matter what we think about ourselves and just blending in.
Money is king here you have been warned. And yes, extortion is alive and thriving here.
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masterita
6/26/2013 10:02 EST
I don't like to generalize but Soystar is correct. I thought it was limited to lower income people but a friend asked me to join a society club. (I learned to limit the amount of Spanish I speak to new friends until I feel more comfortable around them). He tried to get me to join his club and I listened to him and the club owner discussing how much of an "entrance" fee they felt I would pay and the commission. These people are clearly upper income and where still trying to take me for a ride. It is sad that we must always be cautious.
Also don't tell Colombians (again i dont like to generlize) what you don't want them repeating. It is rare to find someone down here that you can confide in that wont add to the gossip colum. They love to gossip like 15 year old school girls.
There are a few negatives about living down here. But in time you will learn to avoid them easier. It is he same for when foreigner move to the states. They have their own issues to watch out for. No country or its people are perfect.
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mawdsjeff
6/26/2013 13:20 EST
I think he means where a group of citizens "offer to protect your property" for a certain sum of money! If you DON'T pay, your place will be accidentally TRASHED.......Geoff
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MikeB127
6/28/2013 05:34 EST
Hi again,
Thank you for your insight, l will take heed of such knowledge.
I fully understand the issues I will be facing being an outsider it will not be my first experience of such a position. I do enjoy reading each subject that you and the other 'gringos' talk about and once settled hopefully l will be able to assist others in time.
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mawdsjeff
6/28/2013 18:46 EST
Contact me via Private Messages so we can arrange to meet when you get here. I have been married to a Colombian lady for 26 years and know all about the language and culture. Their families are very important to them, something I still find it hard to take on-board, because my family was the opposite! They will "descend" on you in a group, and you won't know half of them, but in order to keep the peace with your wife, you will learn to tolerate them. One pair of family members like to "take the mickey" out of people, but don't like it done to them. I know how to handle them now as I still try to improve my Spanish every day in some way. Regards Geoff
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douglitas47
8/20/2013 15:55 EST
hello jarmstrong...are you still in cali? I would love to hear about the music scene, tx. douglitas
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RicoQ
8/22/2013 09:28 EST
Been visiting Colombia for about five years, mainly Cali. At one point even had an apartment there. There is a division between living in the north or south. I personally prefer the north, it has more character and everything is close by. You can live there without needing a car. The south is great too, but everything more spread out.
Yes, there are a lot of people there, especially if coming from a small place like Costa Rica (where I have lived for two decades).
In my opinion, Cali offers the best future in terms of growth, especially when the Pacific coast is developed for tourism. The few friends I have made over the year are all gearing up for a growth in tourism to Colombia and Cali in General.
Even met several people from Bogota and Medellin who are investing in Cali's future.
Not only do I love the country, I am making a personal investment in letting people know about it through my websites and blogs. www.todaycolombia.com
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