The New (73yo) Kid On The Block!!

Remo:  I am very interested in this thread.  My current plans are very similar to yours, but I'm not quite as young as you.  I currently plan to move from Los Angeles to Colombia (by myself) by my 75th birthday, which will be this fall.  Also, while Cartagena is a lovely and exciting city, I plan to move somewhere not quite so hot (and with fewer Americans) -- namely Armenia in the coffee triangle.  My situation is further complicated because I have a significant neuromuscular disease and therefore an disabled.  A main goal in my situation is finding very reliable personal assistants.

My limited experience in Colombia is that the people are remarkably helpful (except those that will rob you blind).  It's very important (and maybe not too easy) to determine who to rely on.  A big unknown so far in my planning is what sort of health insurance I will need and be able to get to satisfy both visa requirements and practical requirements if a health crisis arises.  It's hard to get a policy from anyone after age 60.  Currently, I think the best route is an international policy from AllianzCare.

I look forward to any pointers you or others might have.  Thanks.

John Strain

Hi. Im 64, and moved to Medellin without ever setting foot in the country about 4 months ago. I had 2 friends that I met online that live here. I've known them online for over 3 years. That helped a lot in the transition. I also took about 2.5 years of Spanish prior to moving so I could JUST manage to buy things and communicate. I read online that Medellin had close to zero English speakers so that was intimidating for me to say the least, but I've found that many people here know some English and some know English pretty well. I know that I am talking about Medelln and you are moving to Cartagena, but I think it will be even better for you there. I find that the people here that are most exposed to foreigners are pretty easy to talk to in a mix of Spanish and English. With the others, you can get by with cell phone translators.

If you are already well-traveled then you know that you aren't moving to Oklahoma City. Things are different here but not really all that different in many ways. You will be fine. I found the people super warm and friendly. More than polite in the way that they interact with you, but in a friendly way. I have only spoken to one or two ex-pats since arriving and I'm fine with that. The locals are great. I DID go through a long period of saying to myself every day... several times a day "What the hell and I doing here?" because it is a huge change, and it is so bizarre to wake up and look out and see the friggin Andes outside my window! but Im feeling at home now. I've applied for the M Pensioners visa and hope to get the Approved email soon. Good luck in your travels. Dont worry. Be careful, because there is significant crime in some areas, but just be cautious and enjoy this beautiful place. They love it when you can speak their language, and it makes your life easier too, so I recommend taking some lessons.

Hello John....

Thank you for your response to my opening message on this forum!!

Like you, I have had many, many questions along the way in the months-long planning process for this move.  And while I'm managed to find answers (or at least strong suggestions) to a majority of them, health care remains an unanswered question. 

I've explored international health care insurance based in the states, but almost all of them, like Cigna or Aetna, their policies are prohibitively expensive.  I'm still unsure of what to do about health insurance, but I'll have six full months to figure that out, after I get to Cartagena.

You're right about the heat there.  It's actually not unbearably hot.  It stays in the low to high 80s pretty much throughout the year, but the humidity (as usual) is what gets ya!!  It generally lingers in the 95-97% range, which is the very definition of "oppressive!" 

Basically I'm guessing that the proper approach to that issue is to simply stay inside during the hours of 11am to 3pm!!  (That's actually fine with me.....since it's basically what I'm doing NOW, here in Charlotte!!)

Anyway....good to hear from you.  I've been researching this move for some time now.  Feel free to ask specific questions about things you haven't been able to solve on your own.  I may be able to help.

By the way....my real name is Ken!!

@Paulooch

Hi Paul....

Thanks for your response to my opening message in this forum.  I'll share a cute story with you.

Recently I was sharing my plans with an old friend back in Boston who knows me well.  When I

told him of the details of my plans, his first question was:  "What about the culture shock?"

My response was "They'll just have to get over it!!"

Anyway....I did spend a week in Bogota last August (I hated Bogota) and just got back from 2 weeks

in Cartagena last month.  So I have a fingernail's worth of knowledge about the general Colombian

culture.  I'm a quick learner, too, even at my age, so I should be able to adapt and adjust to things

relatively quickly.

Hey Ken, If you ever want to check out Bucaramanga, We'd be glad to show you around.

Take care!

Dear Ken,

Welcome to the Colombia forums of Expat.com ...

I noted from your most recent post that you are aware

of the combination of heat and humidity that living in

Cartagena would present.

You apparently held up well enough during your

two-week visit to Cartagena.  However, living somewhere

year-round where the weather is oppressive is

a much bigger challenge than tolerating it for two weeks.

I suggest that you look at the Weatherspark.com pages for

Cartagena and specifically review the Humidity Comfort

Levels chart.  That chart shows that the weather in

Cartagena is "oppressive" and (even more often) "miserable"

more than 95 percent of all days.  Consider the possibility

that your concept of bearable weather in the afternoon

after 3 p.m. may be wishful thinking.

There are Colombian cities most Expats would prefer

for the weather, and you would not have to stay indoors daily

between 11 and 3.

Armenia -- which was discussed earlier on this thread by

our fellow Expat.com member John Strain -- is a lovely

city in the Coffee Zone with mild weather at about

5000 foot elevation.   Language should not be a

determining issue.  I don't believe that the statistic

of 15 percent English speakers in Cartagena is anywhere

close to being accurate except in high-end hotels and

some university departments.

There are various hospitals and clinics along the

main drag in the most Expat-friendly area of Armenia ..

and Armenia has an international airport.   I am

confident you could find the support you need

for health and well-being.

cccmedia

Member EasyPZ is doing Ken a favor by mentioning Bucaramanga in northern Colombia.  Buca has become my favorite city to visit in La República.

At 3100 foot elevation, Buca is only a few degrees F. warmer than Medellín.  Known as the City of Parks and the Beverly Hills of Colombia (especially in Sotomayor Sector), Buca offers excellent shopping malls

and one of the country's top hospitals.

I'd recommend a visit to Bucaramanga before Ken signs up for any long-term living arrangements in Cartagena.

cccmedia

Ken:  Like you, I saw that the cost of the International Health Insurance policies is frightening high.  Unfortunately, however, that's probably just a reflection of reality.  In our 70's and beyond, health care needs rise exponentially.  The increase will undoubtedly be much smaller in Colombia than in the U.S.

From forums like this one, it seems to be common to move to Colombia and later to move within Colombia.  Hopefully, Cartagena or nearby places (Santa Marta?) will be ideal for you.  If not, there are plenty of other good possibilities.

@EasyPZ

Thanks EasyPZ. 

Actually, Bucaramanga is near the top of Colombian cities I want to visit.

Ken

@cccmedia

Thank you cccmedia.

I did sign a 6 month lease for temporary place in Cartagena, with the thought in mind that doing so

would buy me some time to explore a few other options, before I sign up somewhere for the long term.

I intend to see Bucaramanga, Bananquilla and Medellin before I make any long term decisions.

Meanwhile, as a history buff, I did like the Spanish colonial history offered up in Cartagena, even if the

humidity IS on the oppressive side!!

Ken