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Post by caliconnection on Jul 30, 2020 15:22:16 GMT -5
I really like Medellin, but the valley air pollution is too high for me to stay too long.
What towns do people like within 1-2 hours drive of Medellin, and why do you like that particular town? This would be non rush hour driving times. Preferably towns with populations over 50,000.
Ideally these towns would be south or east of Medellin with a similar temperate climate, and with good access to biking and hiking trails, and lake or river access. Based on the presumption COVID-19 will be under control in a couple of years.
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Post by elexpatriado on Jul 30, 2020 15:29:06 GMT -5
Nothing over 50 k above the valley near Medellin
Have to.go to Manizales, Pereira or Armenia
All.relatively good choices
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Post by elexpatriado on Jul 30, 2020 15:30:13 GMT -5
It aint the West Coast of BC you know
Also could try Santa Rosa..but the outskirts
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Post by caliconnection on Jul 30, 2020 15:59:59 GMT -5
It aint the West Coast of BC you know Also could try Santa Rosa..but the outskirts Hey, did I ask for ocean and attractive Asian women?
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Post by caliconnection on Jul 30, 2020 16:03:39 GMT -5
Nothing over 50 k above the valley near Medellin Have to.go to Manizales, Pereira or Armenia All.relatively good choices Yep, those are all good places. My preference being Manizales.
How about Rionegro?
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Post by mudd on Jul 30, 2020 16:23:16 GMT -5
first, all depends on how much you want to spend, that determines what you get and where you live
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Post by saltador on Jul 30, 2020 18:12:22 GMT -5
Nothing over 50 k above the valley near Medellin Have to.go to Manizales, Pereira or Armenia All.relatively good choices Yep, those are all good places. My preference being Manizales.
How about Rionegro? Rio Negro is awesome. Perfect weather every day, lots of trails and bike paths and ways to enjoy the area. Big downside, huge gringo population already there.
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Post by caliconnection on Jul 30, 2020 23:37:57 GMT -5
Yep, those are all good places. My preference being Manizales.
How about Rionegro? Rio Negro is awesome. Perfect weather every day, lots of trails and bike paths and ways to enjoy the area. Big downside, huge gringo population already there. Can't have everything. All over the place where I currently live, although the Asians are doing their best to make the place look more like Hong Kong every day.
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Post by Luther Blissett on Jul 31, 2020 7:48:43 GMT -5
El Retiro. Hands down the best place out there. The area, in general, is super nice. Think about the Alps in the summertime. Good food. Pretty safe. Well serviced, hospitals, private schools, etc. Biking, trails, horse riding, no problems. Nice rentals are available at a good price. El Retiro itself is a very nice pueblo. Rionegro is near. Malls in Llanogrande, etc. The airport is there.
You drive for half an hour to reach Medellin, but I don't think you will ever need to go there. That is where I would live if I get back to live in Colombia. Actually, the one and only thing that keeps me from doing it is the kids' school (they don't have a school with a standard British education curriculum there in Colombia).
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Post by mudd on Jul 31, 2020 9:50:46 GMT -5
El Retiro. Hands down the best place out there. The area, in general, is super nice. Think about the Alps in the summertime. Good food. Pretty safe. Well serviced, hospitals, private schools, etc. Biking, trails, horse riding, no problems. Nice rentals are available at a good price. El Retiro itself is a very nice pueblo. Rionegro is near. Malls in Llanogrande, etc. The airport is there. You drive for half an hour to reach Medellin, but I don't think you will ever need to go there. That is where I would live if I get back to live in Colombia. Actually, the one and only thing that keeps me from doing it is the kids' school (they don't have a school with a standard British education curriculum there in Colombia). El Retiro is clamping down on letting developers overbuild the area, which is a good thing. they re making it harder and harder for people who own big areas of land to split the lots for development.
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Post by gallito on Jul 31, 2020 11:03:37 GMT -5
I wouldn't be to quick to pull up stakes in BC to retire in Colombia,a couple of months in winter is ok.There are better schools in Bogota but kids shouldn't be part of your retirement unless they're grandkids.There are plenty of interesting small towns near larger Colombian cities. Bogota;Villeta,Anapoima,Anolaima,San Francisco. Medi;Jardín,Ciudad Bolivar,Jericó. Bucaramanga;Barichara,Girón. Pereira;Filandia,Marsella,La Virginia.When you get tired of tending to things around the finca,and the Señora...you could slip into the city for a little diversion Why choose Medi unless your wife is a Paisa. It doesn't really matter where your Colombiana is from,in the end she'll want to be close to la familia.😁
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Post by elexpatriado on Jul 31, 2020 12:43:01 GMT -5
Rio Negro is awesome. Perfect weather every day, lots of trails and bike paths and ways to enjoy the area. Big downside, huge gringo population already there. Can't have everything. All over the place where I currently live, although the Asians are doing their best to make the place look more like Hong Kong every day. Hey I like Hong Kongers-at least they have the British Mentality-unlike mainlanders But I Prefer them 1 or 2 at a time. Not being the minority on the block. IF I wanted to live in Hong Kong I would move there
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Post by elexpatriado on Jul 31, 2020 12:46:43 GMT -5
El Retiro. Hands down the best place out there. The area, in general, is super nice. Think about the Alps in the summertime. Good food. Pretty safe. Well serviced, hospitals, private schools, etc. Biking, trails, horse riding, no problems. Nice rentals are available at a good price. El Retiro itself is a very nice pueblo. Rionegro is near. Malls in Llanogrande, etc. The airport is there. You drive for half an hour to reach Medellin, but I don't think you will ever need to go there. That is where I would live if I get back to live in Colombia. Actually, the one and only thing that keeps me from doing it is the kids' school (they don't have a school with a standard British education curriculum there in Colombia). If they dont have Bodytech within walking distance, I dont wanna be there. Of course that doesnt do a lot of good now...or for probably the next year I wonder if a lot of the Gringos re hightailing it out of Medellin area permanently? Or is that just New Jersey Robbie Propaganda ?
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Post by caliconnection on Jul 31, 2020 18:11:56 GMT -5
I wouldn't be to quick to pull up stakes in BC to retire in Colombia,a couple of months in winter is ok.There are better schools in Bogota but kids shouldn't be part of your retirement unless they're grandkids.There are plenty of small interesting small towns near larger Colombian cities. Bogota;Villeta,Anapoima,Anolaima,San Francisco. Medi;Jardín,Ciudad Bolivar,Jericó. Bucaramanga;Barichara,Girón. Pereira;Filandia,Marsella,La Virginia.When you get tired of tending to things around the finca,and the Señora...you could slip into town for a little diversion ;)Why choose Medi sunless your wife is a Paisa. It doesn't really matter where your Colombiana is from,in the end she'll want to be close to la familia.😁 Clos(er), but not too close is my goal
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Post by james on Jul 31, 2020 20:57:51 GMT -5
El Retiro. Hands down the best place out there. The area, in general, is super nice. Think about the Alps in the summertime. Good food. Pretty safe. Well serviced, hospitals, private schools, etc. Biking, trails, horse riding, no problems. Nice rentals are available at a good price. El Retiro itself is a very nice pueblo. Rionegro is near. Malls in Llanogrande, etc. The airport is there. You drive for half an hour to reach Medellin, but I don't think you will ever need to go there. That is where I would live if I get back to live in Colombia. Actually, the one and only thing that keeps me from doing it is the kids' school (they don't have a school with a standard British education curriculum there in Colombia). If they dont have Bodytech within walking distance, I dont wanna be there. Of course that doesnt do a lot of good now...or for probably the next year I wonder if a lot of the Gringos re hightailing it out of Medellin area permanently?Or is that just New Jersey Robbie Propaganda ? Our connection with Termales allows to meet and talk with many folks from Medellin, who come out to look the area over. Almost all are looking to leave the Med, and most cite the increasing pollution as the reason. With the paved roads project reaching completion, it's a fast 2 hour drive from the Med to Conception, San Vicente, Alejandria, San Raphael, or Santo Domingo. All beautiful small towns in the mountains, with outstanding weather. We have had several families already move to Alejandria from the Med, and I am certain there will be many more. - James
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Post by gallito on Aug 1, 2020 1:16:33 GMT -5
james yes no doubt there's a number of small towns many don't know exist.I recall you mentioning your Termales,I was really intrigued by your stories so much I hoped to visit one day. I can think back with fondness discovering these cool little towns,many were off the grid.Part of me felt I should tell the world about them,after giving it some thought I decided to keep them secret.I recall talking to wife's family about these towns,they would say "peligro,guerrilla" I laughed it off,"estoy vivo,no asustes" Moving forward 2006 - 10 after Uribe's program to make the country a safer place to travel.It took several years to convince my wife's family it was safe to travel.I reasuured them "come with us, you'll be safe" eventually they gave in and joined us on our road trips...they had the time of their lives.
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Post by Luther Blissett on Aug 1, 2020 1:43:42 GMT -5
El Retiro. Hands down the best place out there. The area, in general, is super nice. Think about the Alps in the summertime. Good food. Pretty safe. Well serviced, hospitals, private schools, etc. Biking, trails, horse riding, no problems. Nice rentals are available at a good price. El Retiro itself is a very nice pueblo. Rionegro is near. Malls in Llanogrande, etc. The airport is there. You drive for half an hour to reach Medellin, but I don't think you will ever need to go there. That is where I would live if I get back to live in Colombia. Actually, the one and only thing that keeps me from doing it is the kids' school (they don't have a school with a standard British education curriculum there in Colombia). If they dont have Bodytech within walking distance, I dont wanna be there. Of course that doesnt do a lot of good now...or for probably the next year I wonder if a lot of the Gringos re hightailing it out of Medellin area permanently? Or is that just New Jersey Robbie Propaganda ? bodytech.com.co/sedes/llanogrande/
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Post by saltador on Aug 1, 2020 10:41:02 GMT -5
If they dont have Bodytech within walking distance, I dont wanna be there. Of course that doesnt do a lot of good now...or for probably the next year I wonder if a lot of the Gringos re hightailing it out of Medellin area permanently? Or is that just New Jersey Robbie Propaganda ? bodytech.com.co/sedes/llanogrande/Bodytech in Llanogrande? Mi mente maquina at how much that would cost you per month.
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Post by mudd on Aug 1, 2020 11:25:01 GMT -5
Bodytech in Llanogrande? Mi mente maquina at how much that would cost you per month. its about the same as poblado, the gym there is not too big,
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Post by mudd on Aug 1, 2020 11:27:14 GMT -5
james yes no doubt there's a number of small towns many don't know exist.I recall you mentioning your Termales,I was really intrigued by your stories so much I hoped to visit one day. I can think back with fondness discovering these cool little towns,many were off the grid.Part of me felt I should tell the world about them,after giving it some thought I decided to keep them secret.I recall talking to wife's family about these towns,they would say "peligro,guerrilla" I laughed it off,"estoy vivo,no asustes" Moving forward 2006 - 10 after Uribe's program to make the country a safer place to travel.It took several years to convince my wife's family it was safe to travel.I reasuured them "come with us, you'll be safe" eventually they gave in and joined us on our road trips...they had the time of their lives. i always like the drive to sonson, small town about 3 hours outside medellin. nice cool weather,
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Post by Luther Blissett on Aug 1, 2020 13:55:49 GMT -5
james yes no doubt there's a number of small towns many don't know exist.I recall you mentioning your Termales,I was really intrigued by your stories so much I hoped to visit one day. I can think back with fondness discovering these cool little towns,many were off the grid.Part of me felt I should tell the world about them,after giving it some thought I decided to keep them secret.I recall talking to wife's family about these towns,they would say "peligro,guerrilla" I laughed it off,"estoy vivo,no asustes" Moving forward 2006 - 10 after Uribe's program to make the country a safer place to travel.It took several years to convince my wife's family it was safe to travel.I reasuured them "come with us, you'll be safe" eventually they gave in and joined us on our road trips...they had the time of their lives. i always like the drive to sonson, small town about 3 hours outside medellin. nice cool weather, You can visit there but I would not go past La Ceja to live. For me, El Retiro, El Tablazo, Llanogrande, El Retiro, La Ceja, El Carmen is ok. I would also avoid Guarne. And anything east of Marinilla. Matter of fact I would avoid any other area around Medellin to live except the one I mentioned. North, South and West, forget about it. I like to be safe...
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Post by mudd on Aug 2, 2020 9:19:21 GMT -5
i always like the drive to sonson, small town about 3 hours outside medellin. nice cool weather, You can visit there but I would not go past La Ceja to live. For me, El Retiro, El Tablazo, Llanogrande, El Retiro, La Ceja, El Carmen is ok. I would also avoid Guarne. And anything east of Marinilla. Matter of fact I would avoid any other area around Medellin to live except the one I mentioned. North, South and West, forget about it. I like to be safe... i wouldnt live there either, 3 hours is too far, and like you said, not really that safe but is a nice drive for the weekend.
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Post by james on Aug 2, 2020 22:02:34 GMT -5
james yes no doubt there's a number of small towns many don't know exist.I recall you mentioning your Termales,I was really intrigued by your stories so much I hoped to visit one day. I can think back with fondness discovering these cool little towns,many were off the grid.Part of me felt I should tell the world about them,after giving it some thought I decided to keep them secret.I recall talking to wife's family about these towns,they would say "peligro,guerrilla" I laughed it off,"estoy vivo,no asustes" Moving forward 2006 - 10 after Uribe's program to make the country a safer place to travel.It took several years to convince my wife's family it was safe to travel.I reasuured them "come with us, you'll be safe" eventually they gave in and joined us on our road trips...they had the time of their lives. When we moved here in 2007, my wife's family cautioned us about moving to our farm in Alejandria. There was a history of guerrilla activity there, but it was over 10 years before. Like you, it took us several years to convince them that it was safe to come and visit us. Now ... we can't keep them away. (JAJA!) We have traveled all over Colombia, and if we ever leave Alejandria, our choice would be Anserma in Department Caldas. Not too big, but not too small. Friendly people. Excellent weather. Close (1 hour) to Manizales or Medellin (2.5 hours). There are so many towns "off the grid" in Colombia that are great places to live. Drive around and look. If you see something you like, stay there for a while and check it out. Your Paradise is out there ... you just have to find it. - JAMES BTW - Please visit us at Termales or at our farm. You're always welcome. We would love to shake your hand and share a bottle.
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Post by jabberwocky on Aug 3, 2020 6:38:02 GMT -5
Manizales is a good choice for less pollution, less traffic yet still a city, more rainy , cooler than Medellin, I like Retiro and La Ceja but is seems so do many others - pricing up there is increasing - its like a hip suburb - if you go a little further you can check out La Union - I dont think its been overrun with money from Medellin yet. If small towns with a great climate and lots of outdoor activities is important - you can check out Jerico or Tamesis about 2.5 hours south of Medellin.
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Post by elexpatriado on Aug 3, 2020 7:30:45 GMT -5
Manizales is a good choice for less pollution, less traffic yet still a city, more rainy , cooler than Medellin, I like Retiro and La Ceja but is seems so do many others - pricing up there is increasing - its like a hip suburb - if you go a little further you can check out La Union - I dont think its been overrun with money from Medellin yet. If small towns with a great climate and lots of outdoor activities is important - you can check out Jerico or Tamesis about 2.5 hours south of Medellin. So why ISNT NJ Robbie chiming in about the economy and real estate prices crashing after the Pandemic and Colombia going back to the 1990s BTW I have j¡heard there is a lot more Guerrilla activity in the remote parts of Colombia PNN Nevados, Norte de Santander - Antioquia as well? places where there wasnt previously for years- and a lot more crime in the Comunas
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Post by robbierobnj on Aug 3, 2020 10:01:40 GMT -5
Manizales is a good choice for less pollution, less traffic yet still a city, more rainy , cooler than Medellin, I like Retiro and La Ceja but is seems so do many others - pricing up there is increasing - its like a hip suburb - if you go a little further you can check out La Union - I dont think its been overrun with money from Medellin yet. If small towns with a great climate and lots of outdoor activities is important - you can check out Jerico or Tamesis about 2.5 hours south of Medellin. So why ISNT NJ Robbie chiming in about the economy and real estate prices crashing after the Pandemic and Colombia going back to the 1990s BTW I have j¡heard there is a lot more Guerrilla activity in the remote parts of Colombia PNN Nevados, Norte de Santander - Antioquia as well? places where there wasnt previously for years- and a lot more crime in the Comunas I have been for years the realty was crap before Covid 19 now I wouldn't take it for free
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Post by james on Aug 4, 2020 11:44:59 GMT -5
Manizales is a good choice for less pollution, less traffic yet still a city, more rainy , cooler than Medellin, I like Retiro and La Ceja but is seems so do many others - pricing up there is increasing - its like a hip suburb - if you go a little further you can check out La Union - I dont think its been overrun with money from Medellin yet. If small towns with a great climate and lots of outdoor activities is important - you can check out Jerico or Tamesis about 2.5 hours south of Medellin. Le Ceda, Ritiro, and especially the San Antonio area outside Rio Negro are growing fast and so are prices. A lot of young well-to-do professionals living in these towns. On Friday and Saturday nights the parque in San Antonio was packed with these kids (pre-Covid, of course.) A little too cold for me there, but no pollution as they're on the other side of the mountain from the Med. Great area. - James
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Post by caliconnection on Aug 4, 2020 12:20:15 GMT -5
james yes no doubt there's a number of small towns many don't know exist.I recall you mentioning your Termales,I was really intrigued by your stories so much I hoped to visit one day. I can think back with fondness discovering these cool little towns,many were off the grid.Part of me felt I should tell the world about them,after giving it some thought I decided to keep them secret.I recall talking to wife's family about these towns,they would say "peligro,guerrilla" I laughed it off,"estoy vivo,no asustes" Moving forward 2006 - 10 after Uribe's program to make the country a safer place to travel.It took several years to convince my wife's family it was safe to travel.I reasuured them "come with us, you'll be safe" eventually they gave in and joined us on our road trips...they had the time of their lives. When we moved here in 2007, my wife's family cautioned us about moving to our farm in Alejandria. There was a history of guerrilla activity there, but it was over 10 years before. Like you, it took us several years to convince them that it was safe to come and visit us. Now ... we can't keep them away. (JAJA!) We have traveled all over Colombia, and if we ever leave Alejandria, our choice would be Anserma in Department Caldas. Not too big, but not too small. Friendly people. Excellent weather. Close (1 hour) to Manizales or Medellin (2.5 hours). There are so many towns "off the grid" in Colombia that are great places to live. Drive around and look. If you see something you like, stay there for a while and check it out. Your Paradise is out there ... you just have to find it. - JAMES BTW - Please visit us at Termales or at our farm. You're always welcome. We would love to shake your hand and share a bottle. I've actually been to your thermal baths at Termales about 10 years ago. It was nice then - must be very nice now! I love the area, so will make an effort to visit again.
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Post by jabberwocky on Aug 4, 2020 12:24:29 GMT -5
There is still crime in small towns - mostly related to local street level drug dealers - we had a family member murdered early this year in Pintada - my granddaughter's father - he was a nice guy but was a small time drug dealer - a small cartel moved into town to take over the dealing - Pacifico I believe is what they are called - the first thing they did was take out the competition, if one stays away from the drug trade - not too much to worry about - just dont want to get caught in crossfire if there is a territory dispute. Unfortunately drugs seem to be a problem in every small town - there is not much work for young dudes - construction at the minimum is about the best they can find - so many turn to dealing.
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