Colin
@ColinT
American expat in Colombia
Forum posts
18
Contacts
10
About me
American
Lives in Bogot谩
Speaks English and Spanish
Registration: 09 November 2008
Activity
Peruvian Crime Exaggerated? by ColinT
In my opinion, Arequipe帽os exaggerate crime in this city. Drastically. Obnoxiously. Unrealistically. Compared to my hometown in the States, Arequipa is a walk in the park. They also say Lima is much worse, which I believe it is. However, I ...
@ herveaub - agreed 100% with everything you said. I think it's easy for us gringos to say it's exaggerated when we weren't there during the bad times with Sendero Luminoso, and when we're not prime targets for kidnappings like the upper-class ... Read More
Is medellin Colombia as safe as other big cities in S. AMERICA? by sergio77
Hi, I'm Canadian from Montreal but have lived in Florida for the last 6 years. My wife ans I are thinking of moving to south america very soon...Oct 2009. Need some help to decide were to go...every area seams to have it's problems.We were thinking ...
It's a difficult question to answer because there's such a broad spectrum in South America. And compared to Canada, I imagine there aren't many places in the world that are safe. I'd concur that Argentina is among the safer options in South ... Read More
Finding work in Peru by miketc
I am considering moving to Peru and am in the telecommunications industry. Small business telephone systems. How difficult may it be for me to find employment in or near Lima, Peru?
I was never hot for one day during my year in Peru, but I never visited up north. I'd generally describe the climate as comfortable. I don't know how valuable your experience is, but I found it very difficult in finding a corporate job in a ... Read More
Tarjeta de Entrada de Peru ( Entry Receipt ) by Rhubarb
I have lost my entry receipt, & was hoping that someone could inform me what to do. I went to Ecuador last November so I could re-enter Peru with a new 90 day entry receipt ( so I have over-stayed by approx. 60 days ) but as I say,I have lost it, ...
I always left the country before my 90 days, but I heard that they charge $1 / day you overstayed. I also heard they dumped that system for some lump sum. Regardless, having overstayed as long as you did, it's probably in your financial best ... Read More
Tarjeta de Entrada de Peru ( Entry Receipt ) by Rhubarb
I have lost my entry receipt, & was hoping that someone could inform me what to do. I went to Ecuador last November so I could re-enter Peru with a new 90 day entry receipt ( so I have over-stayed by approx. 60 days ) but as I say,I have lost it, ...
Entry receipt, hahaha! During my one year in Peru, I became convinced that the only purpose of that thing is to charge tourists who've lost it on their way out of the country. I think it was like $10 USD, not little but not much. Nothing to get ... Read More
looking into moving to columbia by deployed
hello, I may be moving to south america soon. Is there many jobs in Columbia? i am a mechanic buy trade? Any advice into looking for a job there. I do not speek much spanish. Thank u
My first impression is that you'll be very hard-pressed to find work as a mechanic. Well, hard-pressed to afford a life you may be accustomed to. I advise being prepared to teach English, which is easy to do. Getting certified will increase your ... Read More
Cost of living in Colombia by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Colombia. Don't forget to mention where in Colombia you are living. How much does it cost to live in Colombia? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares (tube, ...
I live in Bogota. > accommodation prices I pay a total of $590,000 COP / month in rent and 'administracion' - which basically pays the 24-hour security guard and the people who sweep the stairs. I live in a 1-bedroom apartment in Chapinero. > ... Read More
How to make friends in Colombia by expat.com
We have been talking about loneliness when you are abroad, let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in Colombia :top: Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in Colombia?? Thanks in ...
Making friends in Latin America is easy because everybody wants to meet you and practice their English. In my experiences in Latin America in general, and this certainly applies to Colombia, Latin Americans are very curious about America, gringos, ... Read More
Working in Bogota, Colombia by bontemps
Hello, Thought this place may be the place to help me. Im new to the forum so excuse me if my questions have been covered in previous posts. I live in the UK married to a Colombian woman. We have a 2 kids and are seriously thinking to move to ...
Hey guys - I thought my experience might be a good place for you to start. After finishing my MBA, I was looking for marketing jobs in Spanish-speaking Latin America - Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, anywhere. I sent out a few dozen resumes without ... Read More
Do and don't in Colombia by expat.com
Are you living in Colombia? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in Colombia? Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in Colombia? Thanks!
Don't walk alone late at night in Bogot谩. I got mugged my first week, read all about it here: My First Mugging in Colombia. Read More
Information on Peru and Argentina by DC_20833
Well here I am in Lima Peru on my 6 month quest to see if expat living is for me. I have set about this in a very rational way (I think). Try the countries that interest me for 2 months. So here I sit in country number one Peru. My questions are ...
I am sure you have your answers about the other cities but I'll post in case any newcomers need the same info. Peru's biggest cities: 1) Lima - 8 million 2) Arequipa - 1.2 million 3) Trujillo - 800,000 I have lived in Arequipa for ten months and ... Read More
Why live in South America? Pourquoi vivre en Amerique du Sud? by zurrosteph
Hi! I am wondering what are the reasons expats want to live in South America? What are their motivations? Is it for job opportunities? Adventure? Nature? Language? wild landscape (ie. Patagonia) etc....? My personal reasons are: it's a mix of ...
I second that. Better food, nicer life. I would also add that I was someone always shunned / viewed skeptically by the upper classes in America. Immediately upon moving down here, I am rubbing shoulders with the upper crust of society. It may ... Read More
Expat Blues? by lydia
As per Pat's suggestion on this thread /forum/viewtopic.php?id=301 i thought i would strart a topic regarding Expat Blues, what I mean is when you are missing home what do you to to either get yourself out of that frame of mind ...
I get drunk and log onto Facebook and MySpace to see what all my friends have been doing. I don't miss much American food because it sucks. Read More
Peruvian Crime Exaggerated?
In my opinion, Arequipe帽os exaggerate crime in this city. Drastically. Obnoxiously. Unrealistically. Compared to my hometown in the States, Arequipa is a walk in the park. They also say Lima is much worse, which I believe it is. However, I ... Read More
Do and don't in Peru by expat.com
Are you living in Peru? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in Peru? Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in Peru? Thanks!
My first reaction to this question stems from two situations in which I was taken as rude / crass: Do not drop money or other objects on tables when passing them. You have to place the object, not releasing the object from your hand until it has ... Read More