Expert: Juan Carlos Valencia - 3/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: I would like to Know if i would like to reside in columbia! ) what  actions would i take ? I being American!! Is it possible "" and how would I go about it?!!!!!!!!!!!

ANSWER: Dear Albert,

Colombia is a fairly big country with a huge diversity of landscapes and cultural conditions. We have big cities, coasts in the caribbean and the pacific, andean mountain villages, coffee plantations in the slopes of the mountains, vast plains for cattle in the west, jungle areas...

So think about what you really like. Are you a big city guy ? Do you prefer the cool countryside? Or you are a beach fan? Think about it and let me know so that I can suggest some particular places that you may like.

Apart from this you have to bear in mind that Colombia is a poor country with nearly half the population living in awful conditions. Safety is a big concern with common crime rates above most latinamerican countries and a decades-long guerrilla conflict. You can not travel around without taking care. You could be kidnapped in some areas or mobbed in some parts of the big cities.

People in Colombia do not speak english.

And legal and government tramits are tedious, confusing and complex. To be able to come here and work is not like just arriving at the airport with your passport. Contact the nearest colombian embassy where you live and ask for specific conditions and visas.

I hope that this helps

JC

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QUESTION:  Well (JC) my situation is a bit diff  . My wife is a native columbian ) in the city of Bogota ... my question is! how hard would it be to survive here? even tho we have a property here and are expensese are very little. me being an american jobs might be a problem?!

ANSWER: Dear Albert,

Do you have a degree or working experience in some field?

If you do and speak spanish (or learn it fast) you may have good chances of getting a job. The current economical situation in Colombia, particularly in Bogota is good. If you bring some savings you could even start a small enterprise yourself.(A restaurant? A bar?).

English teaching institutes are always looking for native speakers with pedagogical experience and certifications.

Bear in mind that wages here are very low as compared to western countries but most things are also cheaper.

I hope that this helps !

JC

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QUESTION: Hey (JC) Im fluent in spanish and english) Im (Puerto Rican) But I dont have any (Degrees) My question again how hard is it to open up a (Bar or Rest) here in (Bogota) and what is the procedure ? and also is it possible to start some sort of credit with a bank / Beening that im a outsider! USA.....................

Answer
Albert,

it´s great that u also speak spanish. That would make things a lot easier for u. You could open a small place (restaurant/bar) in a middle-class neighborhood in Bogota with an investment of 10.000 to 30.000 $ U.S. The paperwork is very boring but you could do it step by step.

As for credit, you can open an account and after a couple of months be entitled to small credits of up to 5.000.

If u dont have previous work experience nor academic titles, things would be very difficult and wages very low.

Think carefully what you want to do. Colombia is a very rough place if you are on a tight budget.

Saludos

JCV