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Why? Cost of living? Unhappiness with where you are at? Why Colombia? Why Perreira? What would you do there for work? What do you expect to achieve there? Why there and not some other country?
Me, personally, my first choice of somewhere to live is Spain. Substantially safer, way less problems, much more peaceful, and in most ways very similar in culture. The only reason I'd consider living in Colombia is because I have family there, but if I didn't know anybody there I'm not sure that I would consider it.
If you are a guy you shouldn't have to ask...but there are other things like the climate, perfecting a foreign language, beautiful geography, and a sense of adventure. Spain is nice but too cold in winter for me.
Not specifically targeting Perreira at all. Has nothing to do with costs as I make a reasonably good living in the U.S. Regardless, such a move is not likely to happen as I can't take my U.S.-based "professional job" with me. If I could work remotely I'd love to move down and give it a try.
Does this mean you are a single guy and part of the reason for wanting to move to South America is to find a wife/girlfriend?
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but there are other things like the climate, perfecting a foreign language, beautiful geography, and a sense of adventure. Spain is nice but too cold in winter for me.
The climate of Spain does leave something to be desired. But what you gain in climate in Colombia you lose in the safety factor/social stability. You can walk around Madrid day and night without risk of being mugged. You can't do that in Colombia.
As for learning Spanish, I'm going to guess that's probably much easier for you in Spain than in Mexico or Colombia. Spaniards are accustomed to lots of people in their country from different parts of Europe whose accents and levels of Spanish proficiency are all over the spectrum. But in Colombia this is not the case. People are not as open to foreigners there and if you can't already speak Spanish fluently you're going to find it difficult to find people who are willing to be patient with you. If improving your Spanish is a priority for you, my recommendation is to live in Spain first, become fluent there, then you'll find it easier to integrate in South America.
I just caution you about moving to a place that's kinda "closed-in" culturally - you're likely to find it's not as welcoming as the impression you might have got when you were visiting as a tourist.
Coca tea is very mild, probably less of a stimulant than black coffee to be honest, maybe on the level of green or black tea. It is definitely a diuretic, and tends to leave you with dry mouth. It´s not as bitter as green tea, and has a earthy...really best described as planty, flavor. It´s definitely an appetite suppressor and is supposed to help with altitude sickness, which is why it´s sold at the top of Monserrate in Bogotá.
You might be a little disappointed to learn that the best illicit product is said to be exported and not consumed locally. Don´t think that just because coca grows in Colombia, Ecuador, Perú and Bolivia that the product (which no matter what is processed using gasoline, diesel or kerosine...nasty...) is somehow purer out there. They make more money smuggling ¨the good stuff¨ out, that´s why we´re in this mess anyway, the demand overseas.
Maybe I´ve taken too long entertaining this whole thing, but I wanted to answer you honestly. I think if you came to this part of the world with a more open mind and just listened to people, you might change some of your concepts. Freedom is relative. I used to think Colombia was freer than the US because dudes could smoke weed in a public park, but now that I´m a father I´d like to be in that park and not worry about my 6 month old getting a contact high. I used to think it was awesome when my roommates and I had parties any night of the week with giant speakers and subwoofers, but now that I have to wake up at 5 every morning and I know the cops can´t be bothered with such things, I feel less free because my neighborhood has just enough people who don´t respect anyone to make it serious problem.
The issue of drug prohibition is a complicated one. I teach known mafia families who travel the world and do as they please, but you can´t even get from here to Cali in a bus without being stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint who are going to go through all of your personal belongings like they were in the United States with a warrant in their hand. Common people suffer the most from this crap, and no, I don´t think that legalization would be like waving a magic wand that would make the whole world right.
Don't worry, you can talk to your child about what he or she will be doing when he gets a certain age. Fiesta!
Thank for your insights. I'd like to selfishly hijack the thread for a moment and ask how you like living in Pereira? How long have you been living in Colombia? Any pros and cons you want to share?
I ask because I have visited as a tourist on numerous occasions and have considered trying to make a move there....
Oh laawdy I can imagine aab's moan fest that ensued - not left yet?
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