Cali Lover

[Craig]

Maybe because I was a Police Officer in New York City, I don't scare as easy as most. My Pct. in Brooklyn was only a square mile and we had 68 homicides in a year. Frankly Cali doesn't scare me. Yes, it has problems but what deal's. I know the critic's say, kidnapping, bombs, et., but life is a gamble period. I'm not going to stop experiencing different aspects in life, unless it turns into an all out war in the streets, and in Cali, it's not like that. I just saw a beautiful 5 bedroom home in the "El Ingenio" area for 600,000 peso's a month around $300 US, with a Stained glass front window...beautiful......so I'm glad many of you would never consider living in Cali, otherwise I'd have to pay more........ Craig

[Hoda]

... in response to Cali Lover, posted by Craig on May 30, 2001

For the "Real-Life" post,

I live in NYC also. So street crime isn't a new concept to me. Cali reminds me in many ways of our little town...LOL!
I rely on my "street-degree" whenever I visit ANYWHERE for the first time. I've also stayed at apartments similar to what you have in Cali. Could you imagine the cost of the same place in NYC.....I try not to think about it. BTW fellas, if you rent an apartment in Cali, let your lady or a good friend arrange it for ya. Let'em say, that it's a Colombian family visiting from another city, that wants to rent it. Why you ask? You're setting yourself up with dishonest agents, who'll charge you Gringo prices. Even the Gringo prices will be considerably less than staying at a four-star hotel.

Craig, you worked the Six-Eight? Good God almighty! If anybody knows, you'll know!

Peace....Hoda

[Craig]

... in response to Thanks Craig..., posted by Hoda on Jun 2, 2001

No sorry Hoda I worked in Brooklyn North's 79th Pct. which is Bedford Sty. Yea I do miss Cali...eating steak at E. Carbon's(Uni Central) mall for 5 bucks, watching the beautiful ladies walk by while sipping the local Colombian brew. This last trip I was luckily as I was sitting in my jeans, no shoes, socks, recovering from a night of salsa dancing, when this gift from heaven walked into my friends home to say hello, and to drop off some photo's of her friend. It seems she is a friend of Bud's wife (Crystal Palace fame) and of Norm Paulsen's wife. I asked her to lunch, and the rest of the story is being written. I return soon to make it official. Get to Cali men it's worth it. Any help I can give to anybody, please ask.and I will be more then willing to help. Also I'm starting an English school in Cali using one of the top English instructors, then soon a Spanish short class for Gringo's....... stay tuned for details..........Thanks.....Craig

[jim c]

... in response to Cali Lover, posted by Craig on May 30, 2001

Hey Craig

I understand perfectly (retired Detroit Police)I rented an apartment in Ingenio last summer in section 1 on carrera 85b. We had two armed guards on duty 24-7 . But the man is right you don't have the gun so I would not recommend a private residence. I walked the neighborhood at night and felt very secure, but aware. The city is as safe as Detroit or New York you only need to know were you should not go. Eventually everyone in the neighborhood knows where you live remember the maids come from bad barrios.  Home invasion is a very popular sport. A building on the next block with no security was invaded by 5 guys and all six apartments were robbed so stick to the enclosed condos or apartments. If you wish to talk about it more Barristerh@aol.com    tele Key West 305 292-3115  By the way my ex lives in Ingenio and is a real estate agent. small world huh.

[buzzy]

... in response to Re: Cali Lover, posted by jim c on May 30, 2001

Do you know if during these home invasions crimes other than robbery occur..or is it mainly robbery and then the criminals escape?  And how vigilant is the Cali police?  Do the citizens have faith in them to respond?  It must be tough (with all due respect) for a retired police officer to be unarmed in a potentially dangerous place! Good luck.

[jim c]

... in response to Re: Re: Cali Lover, posted by buzzy on Jun 1, 2001

I have no idea of the true capability of the colombian police. The general concensus of all the people I have spoken with indicates that they are mainly to be avoided. That the system is corrupt, that half of the robbers are off duty cops and that a bribe can solve any problem. I once asked what if I was being kidnapped and the police came?  I was told that they would negotiate for a percentage of the ransom. The ranks of the police are filled with toughs and petty criminals with no education. The pay is lousey and no one else wants the job. There are no heroes in Colombia. Everyone is very pragmatic " never give anyone a papaya, but if some one gives you one you need to take it".   jim c

PS If you understand the payapa principle, you may understand why there are such things as green card sharks or that a business person that you trust will charge you five times the price for a notary.  To be more brutal the majority of colombians feel no responsibility for selling heroin. If we didn't want it they wouldn't  be selling it. They are an Indian culture with a veneer of cristian morality.

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Cali Lover, posted by jim c on Jun 1, 2001

on the Police down there!!!!

From the airport nazi's to the gorilla's in town. My lady keeps us as far away as possible from them. Their pay?
HA!!!! The airport cops get $250 a month. The city cops get about the same! Whenever I rent an apartment or stay at a hotel, you best believe, I hit'em off the security guy(s) with a few bucks. Nothing crazy, ten to twenty bucks. Stivalis gives them some of our remaining take-out food. Talk about someone that'll watch your back. Oh BTW,
Jim you bring up a good point about being overcharged.

LISTEN-UP!!!! Fellas, use your contacts in Colombia to shop around for ya. I told Stivalis & Colombian-Woman (my little sister) about some of the prices some guys have paid in Colombia....THEY WENT OFF!!!! Shop around for EVERYTHING from soup to nuts.....

Peace....Hoda

[Houndog]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Cali Lover, posted by jim c on Jun 1, 2001

Never heard it put quite that way before....interesting perspective.

HD

[buzzy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Cali Lover, posted by jim c on Jun 1, 2001

Thanks for the comments.  Whew!  That was a substantial message.  You speak the truth.  Then...it's aways important to watch your backside? Right?

[jim c]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Cali Lover, posted by buzzy on Jun 1, 2001

si senor

[Pete Eiguren]

... in response to Cali Lover, posted by Craig on May 30, 2001

Craig,
Prices are cheap because the Colombians who can are leaving.
In Cali vs. being a Police officer in Brooklyn you would be the guy without a weapon,not the one well armed and backed up by alot of others.
I like Cali except for the safety and I think the risk is very real if you seem to be someone who has money.A friend just rented a house for his novia's family,similar to the one you mention,same price.Every time I hear these stories it gets me thinking about doing the same.I asked my wife again where she would rather live and this time she said Cali.I guess she didn't understand me before when she said here."I could see my mother" she said.She also asked where I would work.I told her I didn't need to work if we lived in Cali,we could get by fine on my pension and investments.
Sometimes it does appeal to me.
The wife of a relative of mine is From Ibague.She used to visit every year for a month and take her daughter.Last year she left her daughter home and this year she is meeting her family in Spain.She says it is very dangerous.

Pete