Part Six-A Colombia- Armenia Info Post
I am getting a LOT of request for some specific info. I am doing this post as a sort of add-on to the series. The info I post below is based on what I am observing and questions I am asking of people here. Please VERIFY everything before you make any decisions.
Climate:
The very warm days are around high 70’s to low 80’s. I recently posted a screenshot showing 86, and someone thought it was far too hot and like Florida. But it also snows in Florida now and then. I posted it because it was a highly unusual day. Even at that, it had cool mountain breezes making it rather pleasant unless standing in the direct sun. Cuenca is no different. In fact last year we had a heat wave if you remember with a number of days around 90. And there was no breeze. So let’s agree there are anomalies everywhere. What is the norm? 72 is typical. Almost always a breeze. I would say if you consider year round the biggest difference is less rain and much fewer cold days/nights.
Elevation:
Good news and bad news (when will that cliché ever wear out?) The elevation is 4600 feet. Just kidding, no bad news! It is high enough to reduce mosquitoes and the breezes kind of finish that off. I have yet to see a single mosquito in this mountain area, in the city or the country. Because of the mid-elevation, breathing is normal. Cooking is normal. The bread turns brown in the oven. No furnace or heat needed. No a/c needed, however depending on house ventilation you may want a fan once in a while. Where I am, even that hot day it wasn’t needed. With the window open for the mountain breeze, it was natural AC and no bugs.
Health Care and Income:
You will need to do your homework on this one. There are a number of categories for a visa here, and each person may be different. There can be a tax on outside income, however, retirement is not taxed. If you work or have a business here, there is absolutely a tax. I will pass some borrowed info:
courtesy of “retiredandlivingabroad”;
“Colombia Health Care Costs
Not only is the medical care in Colombia of an international standard, but it’s also very affordable. Costs for procedures can be 50% to 90% less than for comparable procedures performed Stateside.
While living in Colombia, you can use the basic, government-subsidized health plan, called EPS. With no Colombian income, this will cost you 12% of the minimum wage (a premium of about US$36 per month). On this plan, you would use the facilities they specify, which will be basic.
From there you can buy add-on plans, many of which require that you have EPS as a prerequisite. These entitle you to faster service and better, more-upscale facilities. Not every insurance company offers add-on coverage to people over 60 so you may need to shop around if you’re older. If you retire in Colombia, Comfenalco (who takes people over 60) has upgrade plans starting at 120,000 pesos per month.
A private, premium plan for in a network of high-end clinics, would run you about 3,000,000 pesos per year (US$1000). Depending on current exchange rates.”
I verified with Javier, who has a well paid Judicial Building pay, that he pays $38 a month for him and his wife. This includes SS style retirement, death benefit, and health care. He tells me you have a 2 or 3-day wait for a doctor appointment. You choose any doctor. Emergencies, of course, are instant.
Exchange Rate:
Right now there is a very favorable exchange rate for you. When I lived here before it was the same. Historically it appears most of the time it is this way. However keep in mind, that like the stock market, exchange rates swing. What is right now near 3000 pesos to the dollar, it could run to as low as 2000 at some point. You just don’t know. Your cost here in CP (Colombian Peso) will remain the same. The economy is very stable. But since you have dollars, as the dollar weakens as loses value, for you it will appear that things cost more. Your $200 rent can become $300 for example. So whenever you figure your budget, I highly suggest you take into account a 20% swing.
Food:
Everything is available. Beef tastes like beef. It is awesome. Milk products are normal tasting. Butter, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and cheeses all taste good. There are many kinds of cheese here, from Colombia as well as Europe and the USA. And this is Armenia. If you are looking at Medellin for example, you might as well be in Seattle as for product availability. Armenia grows all the tropical fruits as a result of the lower elevation. Banana, pineapple, mango, etc. Oranges are plentiful. It is all high quality and very cheap. While they do have Mercados like in Cuenca, not many people use them. There are constant street vendors that come to your neighborhood all day long with all you need. They even walk through with eggs, cheeses, arepas, etc. In many places, you can do your shopping at your doorstep (except high rises of course).
People here are similar to Europe, as in many buy food as they need it. They have everything at their fingertips all the time, so no need to store much at home. It is hard to go two blocks and not find a cafe and a bakery. There is a certain “flavor” having a guy stroll through your neighborhood in a slow sing-song voice calling out his eggs or cheese. But if you like Supermarkets there are many, with several being national brands.
Food in the restaurants are very cheap, and they have health standards for preparation. I have found nearly everywhere very clean and organized. The exceptions will be the sidewalk BBQ. Smoke, amazing smells, laughter, and music will pull you in. They will have meat and sausages hanging everywhere (partially cooked for safety). I LOVE the charcoaled chorizo in Armenia. Best in the world.
I will add one more page like this. These are highlights. I will have more in-depth in upcoming videos. I am responding here to specific questions I am being asked.
I’m off to visit Javier’s family in another town, so I’ll write again tonight. I am leaving Colombia tomorrow so I will be unreachable until Wednesday.
Part Six-B Colombia- Armenia Info Post
Disclaimer: Due to a number of emails challenging my blog, I will state once again as I do in my videos. What I write (or film) are MY experiences. When I make my own observation, I include the opinions of locals for perspective. In the case of Armenia, I also compare and relate to the time I lived here some years ago. Your experience can be whatever you wish it to be, but mine is mine.
I will complete the info requested than in the next blog, go back to describing my days and the trip back to Ecuador.
Economy:
There are a few places in Colombia that have very strong and growing economies. Medellin that everyone knows of, Bogata, a very expensive place, Pereira, and Armenia. I would have to say that Armenia is booming. Aided by an earthquake reconstruction in 1999 (rare!), the city is full of modern construction buildings built to earthquake standards. The town center is a 9 block promenade, no traffic. As you stroll along with the smiling, friendly crowd, you will see nightclubs and a few casinos, as well as many Cafes and Restaurants of all kinds. Food is very high quality and inexpensive. There are many shops with current fashion in the windows. You will also see many strolling around in those high fashions. Everyone I met was employed (but there is a bunch not. But nothing like the over 50% a decade ago). Now many towns in Colombia have not shared much yet in this boom, but they will. The internal war has only been finished a very short time, and that really hurt the country. With the trade agreements they have and the natural resources (Gold, emeralds, tropical fruits and veggies, as well as the best coffee in the world.. sorry Loja!) the country is poised to explode in growth. It has a very long time stable Republic style Government, friendly to people and business.
Racial Make Up:
I was asked if the population was like Ecuador, in that it is primarily indigenous and Mestizo. It isn’t actually. While there are indigenous, most are on the southern border (spillover from Ecuador and Peru). There are lots of small tribes in various areas, but not numerous. Also, the tribes around Armenia are more of the North American style in look and dress. The largest groups are European white and Mestizo. The coast, as in Ecuador has a large population of black, for the same reasons… Spanish and the slave trade many years ago. As there are few blacks in Armenia, I can’t say much to the person that ask me how it would be in Armenia. I did ask, and had a strange look given to me, and ask why anyone would care. That may be the answer for you. Overall, the city of Armenia is primarily white Anglo or a mixture of.
Culture:
I will note the contrast that jumped out at me. In Cuenca area, the identity of people I would say is the farmer. Growing food, raising cows for milk, and just seeing so many involved in that in daily life, clothes, etc it seems obvious. In Armenia, it is more Rancher. In fact, the basic history is rancher and cowboy. Horses are everywhere, and you see cowboy hats vs Panama hats. I bought one for the videos, and left it on the bus! That is the reason the beef is so good. They have raised actual cattle for generations. They are quite skilled at it, and you can see rodeos, horse parades, etc. It is a bit like the old west in fact, especially when you sprinkle in the local indigenous looking like the Hopi Indians.
The people are very outgoing, Very social, they break into song and dance anytime, anywhere. Dancing the Salsa is a MUST. Parties break out anytime for no reason. People on the street go out of their way to chat with you, with a big smile. It is the polar opposite of the introversion of the Cuenca culture. You might think there is a new found joy as a result of the Socialist/Criminal war ended, but in the midst of it 15 years ago, they were exactly the same. No matter the threat, they will live their life with joy.
Cost of Living:
I can only tell you about some things. I will have prices now and then in the videos. Rent, 2-3 bedroom apartments furnished, 200-300 a mo (Armenia). City style high rise with security and amenities, about $500. Restaurants are much cheaper. Almuerzo’s similar, but more salad/veggie and larger meat. Wings (alitas) half the cost from here. Buses a bit more, Taxis more. One of the downsides is gas. A taxi about halfway across Armenia would be 5000 pesos, or about $1.80 (Much less traffic!). Buses run in town about $.67. Street food is very cheap. There are Mercados, but it is more like an outdoor farmers market. Super Mercados are common. Most people have a car or motorcycle, and bicycles are common and have road space. They are cheap to buy and license. (compared to Ecuador). You can get a Harley in fact. Half the motorbikes you see long flowing hair from all the girls that ride them. Televisions are more USA pricing. There is virtually no to very little import taxes. It is overall less money to live than Cuenca, which is actually an expensive place (compared to other places in Ecuador). I found that I could live quite well on about $1000 a month after a conversation with Janet. I did a video interview where she highlights some of this. We actually spoke about an hour on details.
I think that is about it on the “list”. I will add anything I left out into the rest in the posts to come.
Tomorrow, I go back to the saga of the trip! The fun stuff!
See you then.