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Retiring, and Single in Colombia

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mattinnorfolk
  7/12/2019 16:02 EST

This post is mainly for those that are single in Colombia, or were single until fairly recently as in last 5 years or so. I am sixty two, fit, and in good shape, and with flaws operate without Google Translate. I will travel to The Philippines for four weeks in Oct-Nov to have full confidence as to where to retire to next year, as I have been to Colombia a dozen or so times and even done some business in Colombia since 2012. I know Colombia reasonably well (culture, locations), and confident it will likely be where I will end up given its proximity to the USA, and I love the country. I would appreciate advice in general, and what is it like to move there alone, without a girlfriend, wife or family. How hard is the adjustment, and what advice about any area in dating, housing, areas, and living there. Maybe some do's and don'ts in hindsight. I have travelled a lot in developing countries outside of resorts so somewhat comfortable with that aspect. My goal is to keep all my cost under $3,000 a month, and $2,500 if possible living a upper middle class lifestyle by western standards. Anyone who has experience in both over the last 20 years is helpful as well, but not info on Clark AFB in the 1970's etc.... Thanks much group! I always do Air Bnb there and will continue for a while in either country testing the water.

Andresen
  7/12/2019 19:23 EST

Martinfolk. If you want to know what it's like to move here as a single 66-year old you can follow my day-to-day blog from January, 2013. http://terryandresen.blogspot.com/

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CAtoMDE
  7/12/2019 23:27 EST

To get the conversation started, next week I turn 61, purchased my apartment outside of Medellin 2 years ago, 3bd/2bth new about 90 sm, I live 180 days in Colombia now which will change into full time next year, I purchased my car and motorcycle and all my apartment furniture, everything is paid for, next year I will be full time and I budget about $1,500 USD month in total, a good portion will go to my travel as I love the freedom of visiting new places.

I am solo and plan to remain as such, I did have a very serious relationship with a colombian lady which lasted about 5 years but ended 2.5 years ago, I now enjoy my "me" time, I can do whatever I want and where I want, I do date and have taken a few special dates on extended travels, but this is not often, last month I finished a long road trip of over 4,350 km from Medellin down into all areas of Ecuador and returned to my quiet apartment, I was solo the whole time, it was refreshing, I have learned to really love myself and spend my time enjoying what I like to do, example: I spent 27 hours rebuilding/refinishing a neon beer sign that was given to me when I was 15 years old back in California, I am finding joy in these simple things, the adjustment has been easy for me and I believe that next year when I am full time in colombia I will enjoy it even more,

The best advice I can give you is to not take anything any Colombian says seriously, just go with the flow, do not make any commitments, in colombia you don't have to "have your yes mean yes", understand the culture, learn spanish, and don't trust anyone until they have proven to you that they are trustworthy, be clever as a fox and have fun.

An interesting thing happened to me about 8 months ago, it was like a mind shift, now in my mind I consider Medellin to be my home and when I return to the US I feel as if I am visiting as the only reason is to conduct some business and visit close family (mother and sister) but my heart and my life is established in colombia.

OK now it is time for others to chime in.

jonrod888
  7/13/2019 00:20 EST

catomde. nice plan. sentiments well said best wishes.

ponymalta
  7/13/2019 04:48 EST

Will be interesting your observations on the Philippines.currently- whenever I have visited it

Yea I remember Subic and Clark, some wild places back in the day.

I do not really know how one could spend $2500 per month in Colombia unless a lot of night life.

morganstern
  7/13/2019 06:45 EST

Between Colombia and the Philippines a big consideration is that the Philippines is an English speaking country. Lots of differences that is for sure.

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Axel1919
  7/13/2019 09:26 EST

I like Andresen Blog. Show how is a normal live is possible in Colombia. Go ahead Andresen.

mattinnorfolk
  7/13/2019 09:45 EST

Great help so far, and thank you everyone and I will look at your2013 blog. Language, beaches, and I like petite women are a plus for the Philippines. Colombian women are great to as in my mind these two country's have the best women in the world. Weather and 8 hours, not 26 travel are huge plusses for Colombia. I suppose if I want hot weather Cartagena is always available. I was there in June for a week 5 years ago, and I thought it was one of the hottest places I have ever been except Vegas and Phoenix in the summer. Cost of Living is about the same depending on where you live. Cebu about like Medellin, but Air Con is not cheap. Better fish and seafood Philippines, and better fruits and vegetables in Colombia I guess. I suspect the beef and wine is subpar in both.

mattinnorfolk
  7/13/2019 09:56 EST

Terry, I have started reading your blog and April 2012 was my first visit to Medellin on a dating tour with and outfit called A Foreign Affair. I fell in love with the place at first site it seemed, and fascinating reading your blog with prices and comparing it to when I was there in May,

SkyMan
  7/13/2019 11:52 EST

matt...It sounds like you have already put your "boots on the ground" here in Colombia...so you are miles ahead of many who arrive here "wide-eyed" and know little or nothing about Colombia & it's people. And the fact that you have some understanding of español will help a lot. When a gringo is speaking to a Colombian en español...it just seems to open some doors.

Adjustment to live here.....Well, mañana does not mean tomorrow, it means "soon, maybe". And I would be careful of the amount of personal information you share with the locals. You will have some adjustment on foods/weather/customs/transportation/etc. but all are doable. The first thing is this: Colombia is not the U.S.A. and will not be. And as Ca posted...."just go with the flow".

Owning a car here ? It depends upon you and what your desires are...as with CatoMDE he travels a lot...so owning a car here is great in that aspect. Colombia is a beautiful country, with many sights seldom seen by turistas...as Jardín(a great pueblo, a couple hours out from Medellin). Your budget is quite doable here, for the lifestyle you indicate you want. If you purchase an apto. those costs will really get low. I purchased....after a year here and I do not recommend that anyone purchase in their first year here. a lot can happen in 12 months.

So, in summation...I believe a lot of the "adjustment" depends upon you, and what your expectations are. As far as a single-male coming to Colombia...yes the ladies are lovely...but just read a few previous posts on the subject...O.K. Buena Suerte !

SHAMBHALA
  7/13/2019 12:02 EST

Am seriously thinking of returning to Medellin, as I lived there 2006-2009 time frame.
Made mistake of marrying a Paisa, and bringing her to the USA, so she could study and work (as she desired). Told her that I was not going to support her family.

Learned the hard way that "exporting" Colombian talent to the USA , soon changed her thinking and desire to be married, as she became "Americanized". She got her citizenship and passport (at my expense) asked for divorce and now lives in USA.
Enough whining, as I chalk it up to experience and bad decision.
Will need to find good orthopedists as I have old "American football" injuries to come back to bite me.

Understand the mobility issues and what challenges I may face if I do choose to return. So any recommendations for ortho group would be very much appreciated.

Continue the journey mi amigos!

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DallasSteve
  7/13/2019 12:19 EST

Why did someone down vote the Terry Andresen Blog (and the post that complimented the blog)? I plan to look at the blog to get ready for an upcoming trip to Colombia.

Vikingo
  7/13/2019 14:09 EST

Filipinas are usually petite or slender and many speak English, but, I think most of them are materialistic and will leave without any remorse for someone who can offer them a more interesting$ life and most insist on never ending support for their family.
Keep in mind that gringos can't own property in the Philippines, so any house or apartment you're buying will have to be registered in your sweetheart's name and if she gets tired of you she won't lose much sleep over kicking you out and you'll be homeless. So you would always have to be on your best behavior, kind and loving and most of all generous with her family.
They do however have great beaches and lots of fresh seafood in the Philippines.
Colombian women in general seem to be more our kind of people, not as heartless as most Asians, well most of them anyway.
Also the pressure is not as great to support the entire family as in the Philippines. And Colombia is much closer to home, like a three hour flight to Miami.

Andresen
  7/13/2019 15:32 EST

Mattinorfolk. Interesting as I visited here June of 2012 with AFA. We could share stories!

Andresen
  7/13/2019 15:33 EST

"she became "Americanized"". Welcome to the club!

Andresen
  7/13/2019 15:35 EST

"down vote"? Did i miss something?

mattinnorfolk
  7/13/2019 17:08 EST

I'll send you a PM Terry, as I was there in April of 2012. I have a large Filipina population as well as many Latina's in my area of Virginia, but once they are here? Nada... I think you have to move out of the USA if you want a great lady and stay in her country. I have had 3 girlfriends over the last 7 years there, and the first one was from AFA and too young and a disaster. I got too greedy, and listened with the wrong head(sorry Ladies).

mattinnorfolk
  7/13/2019 17:10 EST

Hi, Matt in Norfolk. Whasapp +17574781757

Andresen
  7/13/2019 17:11 EST

I understand and can certainly relate to what you say.

SHAMBHALA
  7/13/2019 18:57 EST

no need to apologize. you would not be the first gringo to have made this error.

DallasSteve
  7/13/2019 20:05 EST

Andresen

Below the post is a Post A Reply button and below that are a thumbs up icon and a thumbs down icon. When I looked at your post about the blog at the top of this thread I see one thumbs down vote on your post. I wonder why someone gave you a thumbs down.

Andresen
  7/14/2019 09:16 EST

I get my postings via email and I don't see any thumbs up or thumbs down button. Maybe i got a thumbs up because they think my blog is boring.

Wildstubby
  7/14/2019 09:33 EST

Apparently, someone has an axe to grind against Andresen. It seems any positive mention of his blog earns a thumbs down response, (I suspect I will get one). I just briefly looked at the posted site and didn't find anything offensive. Cripes, he's living in Medellin and telling his experiences! What is wrong with that?

WhoaNellie
  7/14/2019 10:08 EST

Do you worry about getting up or down votes? If so, WHY???

Elexpatriado
  7/14/2019 11:28 EST

I never even noticed it before someone mentioned it ( voting thing)

STill dont give a flying foch LOL

Elexpatriado
  7/14/2019 11:32 EST

I think someone gave Steve a down vote just to" take the pi$$ out of him" as the Brits would say.

I tried to put a down vote in his second post... for the same reason ja ja ja..

and got a "file not found" message

Elexpatriado
  7/14/2019 11:34 EST

I tried to give WildStubby a down vote and got the same message LMAOF

Elexpatriado
  7/14/2019 12:41 EST

I gave myself one on each of my posts.same meaasge see if they turn up later..

I wonder if I can get the most "down Votes"

WhoaNellie
  7/14/2019 14:22 EST

LX you're a real character but at least you're not like a little girl trying to get "up" votes and crying when you don't get them (like some here complaining)!

Elexpatriado
  7/14/2019 14:59 EST

Les see.. my last (or one before) post got 3 down votes.

Probably Steve and WS gave one, plus the one I gave myself equals 3...ja ja ja

SkyMan
  7/14/2019 16:09 EST

Andresen's blog.....It provides a daily synopsis of his life here in Medellin, which serves as a valuable resource for someone...who is even remotely considering a move to Colombia. Irregardless of where one lives as an expat...to see what one person & his family do on a daily basis is very helpful to any reader. Buena Suerte !

DallasSteve
  7/14/2019 16:36 EST

I was just curious why Andresen got a down vote, I didn't mean to get so many of you agitated by the simple question. You can go back to your busy lives now.

Wildstubby
  7/14/2019 19:31 EST

Yeah Elex, FWIW I gave you a down vote so you didn't feel left out! But DSteve, you are correct. No reason for it.

guestuser
  7/15/2019 05:42 EST

Very nice i like your blog

JustLookingThanks
  7/18/2019 17:44 EST

Downvotes - could also just be fast fingers on small phone screens. Easy to accidentally hit one of those little suckers.

And yes - Terry's blog - very informative and appreciated.

elpdiver
  7/25/2019 12:23 EST

I have no idea why the negative comments of Terry's blog. It is not exciting enough for some people I think.

I enjoy it immensely and read it from day one. I was looking around for his white hair when in Viva mall from time to time on my current visit.

It is basically a diary of his day to day live and will end up being somewhat similar to mine in upcoming year or so.

ElPdiver

Andresen
  7/26/2019 20:20 EST

elp...In Viva Envigado I can usually be found at Habia Una Vez by the entrance, on the 3rd floor at Cafe Arangos, but on hot & sunny days (I decide) I now go to Cine Colombia (A/C) for coffee from Juan Valdez. Most Tuesdays from about 9am to 4pm I'm playing chess with a friend in the 3rd floor food court.

Putin
  7/29/2019 19:33 EST

HI, CAtoMDE
I'm posting 1st time, not sure how it is going to work.
I like your posting and I feel like we are compatible guys.
Since my retiring in 2017 I have been to the Philippines 3 times
Now It is time to check Columbia.
I want to contact you personally exchanging ideas, need some help in Colombia, at least for the 1st time.
What you say?
I'm Canadian since 1991, was born in the USSR
Tony

CAtoMDE
  7/29/2019 22:40 EST

@Putin - yes your 1st post worked and so welcome to the board!

This board exchange should be helpful for you, be sure to look through the past few months of posts and you will see others who recently were in your shoes and some have made the jump.

You have an interesting past. Truth be told I have traveled extensively through most of eastern Europe and Russia as in my past life, it seems like another lifetime ago, I had a long term marriage to a Russian model from Sarotov/Engles. That is another story.

Lets contact via PM and I would be glad to help. Again be sure to spend time and read posts from the past 2 or 3 or even 4 months back and you will learn a great deal.

BTW, I live outside of Medellin and I am in Los Angeles right now taking care of business but will return to my home in Medellin next week.

BeerLover74
  7/30/2019 07:22 EST

Thumbs up and down votes are like participation medals. Worthless. Who cares!?

PFleetwood
  7/30/2019 10:41 EST

I can't even do the up and down votes right now on my phone.. Feel kind of left out. Every time I read good things about Colombia on EE I get remotivated - hard to do sitting in the middle of the South Western desert in 100 degree weather. Taking the plunge to check out Colombia seems like such a huge move, but I certainly don't wake up here in the US nearly as much anymore looking forward to the new day.

PFleetwood
  7/30/2019 14:31 EST

From 100 plus degrees New Mexico hard to get motivated to do anything. But every time I get on this site I am remotivated to check out Colombia. The question for me is, where does one start? I am reasonably able to get by in spanish.

WhoaNellie
  7/30/2019 17:02 EST

PFleetwood, start by solidifying and defining what it is you want from Colombia, in every area you can think of - budget, climate, social life, recreation, safety, travel, food etc. etc.

If you are retired or nearing retirement get your financial needs identified, and roughly decide what income you can allocate for Colombia - one or more exploratory trips, perhaps booking short or even longer stays with Airbnb hosts which are almost everywhere in Colombia.

You can use the services of locals who act as guides for a particular city or area, for low or no cost at
showaround.com

And of course ask questions here. But realize that what works for one person may not work for another.

mattinnorfolk
  7/30/2019 18:17 EST

Putin, I would love to get your thoughts on the Philippines, and I am happy to trade thoughts on my trips to Colombia. De d me a pm if interested, or look on this thread where I screwed up and put my number.

CynthiaER
  7/30/2019 19:44 EST

Fleetwood, WhoaNellie puts it very well, better than I would have, for sure!

The only thing I would add, however, would be to research various areas of Colombia, using WN's excellent points about your desires and needs as a guide. Then you can plan a couple of exploratory trips accordingly.

I just moved here with my husband and the area where we settled is where he grew up, which, btw, is Manizales. I like it here quite a lot. The weather is astoundingly good, not too cool, not too hot, and the city is lively and charming. It is very hilly though . . . San Francisco on growth hormones.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Good luck with your research and exploration. There's a lot of good advice on this forum, and it's helped me a great deal as I prepared for the move.

languidlitotes
  8/7/2019 04:53 EST

foreigners can own bricks and mortar in the Philippines but not land.

so yes foreigners cannot buy a house and lot, but they can buy an apartment.

They are not cheap however. Budget about 2k€/sqm in Cebu. No idea in Manila though I did read a publicity article for a block that passed the 10k€/sqm there.

Build quality will be lousy everywhere

BeerLover74
  8/8/2019 08:30 EST

I agree, Philippines is very comparable to Colombia

BeerLover74
  8/8/2019 08:30 EST

I agree, Philippines is very comparable to Colombia

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