real estate in small town Colombia

casa_de_norte says on Oct 10, 2008, 22:03:

Also, How do retired folks deal with health care issues in rural colombia? Only 45 but time moves on, like rust, so I would love start early planning.. The way the economy, here in the US, is going, my goal to try to consult and take up a fair amount of time in Colombia and commute to the US when I have to work on projects..

"Why cain't we all jus' git along?!?! "----- The great Rodney King

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Tejeringo says on Oct 10, 2008, 22:49:

that's awesome dude, retire in some place with wonderful landscapes, mountains and fresh air and all the jazz is my dream. I would say start by learning spanish as well.

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Tejeringo says on Oct 10, 2008, 22:51:

Most of people I know from Southamerica don't have health care insurance, I doubt it you will need , we need it here, because all of the plastic, trasngenic and processed food we eat. I locombia you will get pretty much only healthy food.

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t-wiz says on Oct 11, 2008, 04:06:

I have exactly what you are looking for. 2 acres at the edge of town on a river with lots of new renovations including a 40 balcony and new roof made of guadua. A perfect place to study spanish which is why I bought the place. It is divided into 4 pastures and will support one cow with calf. I also planted several fruit trees. It has several places to keep chickens too. I had a heifer and chickens there last winter. You are only 45 minutes by minibus from Armenia. I will be there late November. There is a hospital, grocery store, discos, hardware stores etc. I have $20,000,000 COP invested. Send me an email. THis is a very friendly town. I need to do more travelling.
paul
paul

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Noelito40 says on Oct 11, 2008, 19:43:

When you say rural I´m assuming you want to be well off the beaten track, but my advice would be to go to a secondary city, within a hour or two's drive of a major city. Many of the health insurers (We are with Cafe Salud) have offices in these smaller cities so that covers the important issue of health. They are also likely to have broadband and other amenities such as cinemas, and I would imagine are safer than little pueblos off the beaten track.

There was another thread a while ago which asked for a good place to live, outside the big cities, some very good suggestions there. For my part, I've pinpointed Fusagasuga as a possible for the wife and I to live when we move from Bogota. It has all the benefits I mentioned above, with a better climate, less pollution, strong military presence and (I'm hoping!) overall better quality of life...

Noelito

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casa_de_norte says on Oct 11, 2008, 21:21:

Fusaguasuga.. I will have to investigate it...yes, we are in the exploratory phase. my wife is from Bogota, and grew up around Armenia.. To hear he tell it, there are alot of safe rural places.. but I am with you, Noelito.. close to a smaller city, like a US suburb...

Paul? 20.000 mil pesos? sounds pretty reasonable...It sounds like about a one hectare place? We will have to talk...My in laws tell me that , if you are a part time resident of a finca, you have to hire a care taker to prevent squators?

Yes, I know no place is perfect, but the craziness going on in the world becons one to count ones riches in other ways, rather than cash.

"Why cain't we all jus' git along?!?! "----- The great Rodney King

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adrimm says on Oct 11, 2008, 21:56:

I think being at the edge of town, or in the heart of a larger village would be better solution for you rather than being fully isolated an hour or more from amenities, especially healthcare (in case you need to get somewhere in a rush).

However a senior can still be relatively rural in Colombia and not be quite as cut off as seniors in rural North America. For example say you buy a house/cottage located just off of a road that connects a city/town with town/village, chances are high that there is frequent buseta service between the two, and you would just flag it down. No such luck in North America.. once you can't drive you are totally screwed for living independently in the countryside.

Personally I don't see myself ever driving in Colombia, so I'd chose what I suggested above - which sounds in line with what Paul is selling.

As for healthcare, you'd have to see how you can get insurance for different providers. My 80-something aunt for example has her care through SolSalud http://www.solsalud.com.co/ , and so restricts herself to living in places that have a SolSalud care centre. Fortunately they are in many places, including villages.

Barichara is a gorgeous town, with pleasant climate and pastoral scenery..It is very popular with Colombian tourists as a small-town vacation spot. You could do vacation-rentals for the months you will be away to recoupe some of your investment - others do it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barichara/page2/ I am sure you can find the same elsewhere in Colombia but as far as I can recall it has always been 100% safe.

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t-wiz says on Oct 12, 2008, 17:53:

I do have people looking after my place while away and I remove everything from the house and store it at a friends finca. Word spreads fast and all know that the house has nothing inside. There is a very modern hospital 3 blocks away with an ambulance. Prices are very reasonalble

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bickerss says on Oct 13, 2008, 03:28:

Around Medellin in Santa fe de Antioqia perhaps - or Salento near Armenia.

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 13, 2008, 16:46: