Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota

[MikePastore]

Long time lurker here. I am 47 and have not posted in a long while. Going to Colombia in Feb-Mar 03. The wait is excruciating, but I need to get ready in a number of ways, before I can commit to the search. One of the interesting topics of debate here is the difference between cities.What's right for some guys may not be right for others.There seem to be pluses and minuses to all three cities.

Bogota: Older, classier, more professional women. more likely to speak some english.Also is appealing because you have to go there anyway to go to the Embassy, saves money.

Cali: Reputation as a party town with beautiful women. Gringos not a novelty, lots of agencies.Also safety issue is becoming more prominent.

Barranquilla: Rising in popularity, beaches, laid back attitude. Women have an darker, more exotic look.Not as much competition.

For me, I am looking for someone 27-35 with no kids. I don't drink and go out latin dancing all the time.I want someone who wants to settle down. I will father children with her. I am close to Orlando and Miami so I will take her out regularly. I can dance and I am in good shape, fit with no gray hair, but it won't be an all the time thing.

I want to hear more about these different cities, and any advice will be welcome.

[Gary Bala]

... in response to Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by MikePastore on May 25, 2002

Mike,
I agree with all of the good comments on this thread. In my opinion, the personalities of the cities do indeed have a noticeable impact on the pool of marriage-age ladies who are interested at any given time
in a relationship and marriage with an American gentleman, especially those who are available through singles tours, agencies and letter &  e-mail correspondence organizations. Based on what I have seen of successful relationships between Latinas and American gentlemen, I would emphasize two points among these cities, Bogota vs. Barranquilla vs. Cali, all of which I have visited many times for pleasure and business.

Age- In Bogota, the available lady pool includes more candidates in the 25 to 30, and 30 to 35 age group,
than either Barranquilla or Cali. Gentlemen seeking a larger pool of such "older" ladies may find more potential matches in Bogota, at least initially. That is NOT to say that ladies in these age groups are not found
in Cali and Barranquilla, yes they are, and there are many successful marriages from these cities. I only suggest that the numerical odds are slightly higher in Bogota to meet more raw numbers of "older" ladies in the pool. What matters much more than sheer age however, in my opinion, is to find compatability and seek a smaller difference in age in when partners "couple up". This is what would be true in any city.
Adjustment to US culture & lifestyle after marriage- In Bogota, the pool consists more of upwardly mobile ladies with better English skills in general, many more in the middle and professional classes (by Latin standards). Thus, initial adjustment process to a large or medium size US city may be a little easier. Again, Cali and Barranquilla also have some "more upscale" ladies, but the raw number in the pool may be a little smaller. The bigger issue for long-term success however is to find a partner with the practical commitment and demonstrated potential to make the "big adjustment" to US standards and lifestyle, and to make things work out with you on a personal level.
On this score, there are people who have found the "right" matches and can show good successes from all the three cities, Bogota, Barranquilla and Cali.

In my opinion, a serious, mature and level-headed gentlemen who is open-minded and flexible and ready to make a life decision about marriage can find the "right" person (not "perfect", but the "right" person) in 12 to 24 months (or less). Most of the successful men have found a compatable and loving partner who is franky at least a little younger and prettier than most of the lady candidates they could have pursued back home. As concerns a "true" Latina from the Latina culture in any of these cities, finding the "right" person means a lady who will place you as a man at the center of her life and choose willingly to make you as happy as she can.

Good luck to you and all the gentlemen on your quest.
Gary Bala
PS I will be traveling myself to all three cities in mid-June. Best wishes.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by Gary Bala on May 26, 2002

Well I wonder what brings him here...For those who may not recognize the name (his profile is empty) Gary Bala is an immigration attorney who in the tradition of camp followers everywhere, goes to all the TLC tours and pitches his services to the male clients at the "informational" meeting/pep talk held the afternoon before the first "social". Those tours have many first timers who are completely new to the tour/mail order bride experience who can be easily convinced that using expensive legal assistence ($1000 up) is the only way to acquire a fiance visa.

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by Cali vet on May 27, 2002

nothing but positive experiences with Gary Bala.  I have known him around three years..I can echo what Gary says below as my experience with him..I had somewhat of a difficult situation with a novia in Venezuela who was a Colombiana and I was considering a K1.  Gary answered every question I had completely gratis..

I eventually hired Gary to do my K1 for my present wife.  He was completely upfront with me..The K1 sailed through in 5 weeks versus the normal 3 months at NE. service center.. Not sure if having it professionally done contributed or not.

I have had numerous conversations with Gary over the years about many different aspects of this process.  I recently did the AOS, EAD and advanced parole for my wife and had a few ?'s that Gary answered..

Just last week I had a general question that I ran by him and he answered pronto, like always...

The point is I believe in giving credit where credit is due and the guy is good in my book..As far as I know I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Gary.

Gary has good things to say.. In my opinion, he is one of the good guys you run into on this journey..

Edge

[Gary Bala]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by Cali vet on May 27, 2002

Mike,
Yes, most people know me as an immigration attorney.
I have helped many people around the world with fiancee visas and for that
matter many types of family visas and other immigration assistance.
I have helped many people with their questions and problems
without any charge.

I have never said that you "need" an immigration attorney or
professional legal assistance to secure a fiancee visa, any more
than you "need' an tax attorney to do your taxes. Many
people like the option of using an attorney or other assistance
to gain speed and professionalism, and avoid time-consuming errors
in the process. Others prefer to use assistance because they
don't have the time to learn it and do it themselves, or because
they may have special problems or complications in their case.

I do not force anyone to use my service. In fact, I help people
with questions who want to do it on their own. Moreover,
I am probably the only attorney around with a visa
kit which is free and supplies you will all the major visa forms
and even "how-to" visa articles for free. www.VISA-Kit.com
Good luck,
Gary Bala

[chevy]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by Cali vet on May 27, 2002

fiance visa is the easiest thing in the world to fill out. Takes less than 20 minutes and is almost always granted
save your $$$$.

[Tigre]

... in response to Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by MikePastore on May 25, 2002

I did a internet search to clear up the population rumors in the cities of Colombia. As of 2002 here are the populations in order.Bogota 6,680,000;  Cali 2,203,000;  Medellin 1,932,000;  Barranquilla 1,298,000;  Cartagena 853,900. If you can't find the perfect lady with these numbers you can try your local K-mart for a 300 pound "Blue Light" special aka an American woman..

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota rea..., posted by Tigre on May 25, 2002

Good statistcs! Care to offer the board your personal impressions of the sexysafari agency you visited in Barranquilla? Many have expressed their curiosity about that and other opportunities in your adopted city. That's the great thing about this board, guys with experiences in Latin America sharing them with other guys.

[John O]

... in response to Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by MikePastore on May 25, 2002

FYI, I've communicated & visited w/ladies from all over Latin America, mostly in Colombia. I generally agree with the general consensus or stereotype that: Bogota ladies tend to be better educated, more sophisticated & independent; Caleñas are the most beautiful and funloving; and Costeñas (from Barranquilla, Cartagena, etc.) are typically darker, less sophisticated, and seem simpler & more traditional.

You'll find beautiful, wonderful women wherever you go in Colombia. A better question might be how to meet them: via penpal services like A Foreign Affair (Cartagena) or by visiting the agencies themselves. Cali is probably the best agency city.

As far as the cities themselves, I found Bogota to be more culturally interesting, though the weather is cool and gray. Cali is as alluring as its salsa rhythms & has great weather, though there is less of interest to visit now that it's become (apparently) less safe to travel to sites outside the city. Barranquilla is like Houston: a sweltering industrial city near but not on the coast. Nearby beaches are dirty; better ones can be found near the historic Cartagena and especially Sta. Marta.

BTW, I've visited all these cities at least once. Good luck!

[colman]

... in response to Barranquilla vs. Cali vs. Bogota, posted by MikePastore on May 25, 2002

Good observations Mike. I, personally would like to go to Barranquilla or Cartagena because its laid back, humble, and non-fast-lane outlook on life. I mean not to sat fast-lane lifestyles is bad or anything. I believe each of the cities mentioned by Mike truely have personalities of their own and would warrant a factor in your search for a Latina. However its more commonplace to see each of these cities attract numerous "interior" immigrants, especially Bogota. Also, a women living in any given city should not be seen as having a personality synonymous with that city. My point is each city has a certain aura to it, and if you like that aura-go for it, and you should have no trouble finding women that you are compatible with.---Colman