Chinedu
@ChineduOpara
American and Nigerian expat in Colombia
Forum posts
420
Contacts
12
About me
American and Nigerian
Lives in Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombi
Speaks Fluent English, B2 Igbo (native tongue), and B1 Standard Spanish
Registration: 08 August 2021
Activity
Bank recommendations for opening an account in Colombia? by stealtannest3t
What banks do you recommend in Colombia? After 3+ years here I decided to take the plunge and open an account but have run into a few roadblocks. I have just used ATM's and stood in line in the past to pay bills that are only a few hundred USD a ...
@stealtannest3t What type of Cedula? I assume CE? Does your cedula say "Visitor"? Read More
Starting Application Process for Temp. Residency by ChineduOpara
Hello all! I am a US citizen currently living in Colombia and researching getting temporary residency in Mexico. I have a couple of questions (1 of them is about the FBI report). Who here has some knowledge about Mexico's temporary resident visa ...
As stated before, my temporary residency card is supposed to be extended in September of 2026, now I see I do not meet the income requirements! And I don't meet any of the other criteria for residency status. It looks like I may have to leave the ... Read More
Starting Application Process for Temp. Residency by ChineduOpara
Hello all! I am a US citizen currently living in Colombia and researching getting temporary residency in Mexico. I have a couple of questions (1 of them is about the FBI report). Who here has some knowledge about Mexico's temporary resident visa ...
@ChineduOpara Subject: CRITICAL 2026 UPDATES: FBI Checks & New Residency Rules Hi Chinedu! I鈥檓 Marsha. I鈥檝e been on the ground here in Playa for 9+ years. I noticed your post from October鈥攊f you haven't finalized your move ... Read More
Starting Application Process for Temp. Residency by ChineduOpara
Hello all! I am a US citizen currently living in Colombia and researching getting temporary residency in Mexico. I have a couple of questions (1 of them is about the FBI report). Who here has some knowledge about Mexico's temporary resident visa ...
Hello @ChineduOpara How are you going with your application process? I am a temporary resident and live in Guadalajara with my partner. Do you have any questions? Or do you have it all sorted now? Cheers Mark - @marcuss63Hi! Since I have a lot ... Read More
Why all the negativity about Colombia? by Marquezdl
One thing that strikes me over and over when I come to this forum is how often folks post really negative comments about Colombia:聽 the culture, the climate, the government, the difficulty of doing anything legal, the weather, the drivers, the ...
One thing that strikes me over and over when I come to this forum is how often folks post really negative comments about Colombia: the culture, the climate, the government, the difficulty of doing anything legal, the weather, the drivers, the women, ... Read More
Managing meals in Colombia by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Managing meals day-to-day can sometimes be a real mental challenge, even more so when you land in a new environment, with different schedules, habits or ingredients. How do you manage your meal routine as an expat in Colombia? We ...
How do you all handle lettuce for salads? The stuff at Carulla appears low-risk. Is it enough to rinse it with boiled (cooled-off) water to avoid gastro problems? I've heard you should hit it with vinegar also? - @El JerWhen I lived on the north ... Read More
Managing meals in Colombia by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Managing meals day-to-day can sometimes be a real mental challenge, even more so when you land in a new environment, with different schedules, habits or ingredients. How do you manage your meal routine as an expat in Colombia? We ...
I have a strong sense of deja-vu with this post. Isn't this a repeat of a previous old post/question? Read More
Question about the Tourist Permit Shuffle by ChineduOpara
My Colombia Digital Nomad visa expired towards the end of September, so I stepped out of the country (1 day before it expired) and came back 2 weeks later (Oct. 9th) as a tourist. My tourist stamp says 90 days.So, I have 2 options.Option 1: The ...
@ChineduOpara How was Panama and would you consider staying there? I hate that they are an ally of the U.S. hahaha. - @DigitariusI've been to Panama City twice... both for border runs 馃槉 Both times, I found it "OK", with better development, ... Read More
Safety from Scopolomine - bank accounts - phone apps - passwords by stealtannest3t
I don't frequent bars or use dating apps but there is still a small risk of being 'scoped' while living in Colombia. So for the group what precautions have you implemented to reduce the losses if you have the misfortune of being 'scoped'? For me I ...
@ChineduOpara So you didnt enjoy your time in Colombia?I have been here 13 years and will probably have to leave in the next couple.I loved my time in Colombia and still do while I am here.No regrets.. not on any of my decisions in life.It is what ... Read More
Question about the Tourist Permit Shuffle by ChineduOpara
My Colombia Digital Nomad visa expired towards the end of September, so I stepped out of the country (1 day before it expired) and came back 2 weeks later (Oct. 9th) as a tourist. My tourist stamp says 90 days.So, I have 2 options.Option 1: The ...
@nico peligroUPDATE:I did a basic "border run" to good ol' boring ol' Panama City (December 31st - Jan 2nd). When I came back into Colombia (via CLO airport, by the way), I was given the usual 90 days.So, in March I will apply for an extension, ... Read More
Safety from Scopolomine - bank accounts - phone apps - passwords by stealtannest3t
I don't frequent bars or use dating apps but there is still a small risk of being 'scoped' while living in Colombia. So for the group what precautions have you implemented to reduce the losses if you have the misfortune of being 'scoped'? For me I ...
@nico peligroGood one. I have already looked into both Albania and Serbia. On-paper I qualify for their Digital Nomad visas for both countries (Albania moreso than Serbia, which has a higher bar for entry), so it'd just be a matter of navigating ... Read More
Manizales and surrounding area by Digitarius
Anyone have any info on Manizales such as areas to rent an apartment and schools for a toddler? Any and all information would be appreciated. I am seriously considering moving like in the next month or 2. And yes I have been there and I have ...
@Digitarius I have a new buddy who lives in Manizales... she's a semi-public content-creator, and is very in-tune with the stuff in Manizales. Message me privately and I can share her contact info... Read More
Requirement to have Un Tomador y Un Coduedor to Rent an Apartment by NicolasVasquez
Hello, I found a cute apartment that I love by searching Finca Raiz and then connecting with the real estate agency that listed it. I went to view the apartment today with my friend who is a local Colombian citizen and a business owner. I am being ...
Well just know that the hassle of getting your rental deposit back is not limited to us gringo expats, as I have extensive first hand experience over the past 15 years of Colombian friends that experience the same. - @South American Voyager It's a ... Read More
Safety from Scopolomine - bank accounts - phone apps - passwords by stealtannest3t
I don't frequent bars or use dating apps but there is still a small risk of being 'scoped' while living in Colombia. So for the group what precautions have you implemented to reduce the losses if you have the misfortune of being 'scoped'? For me I ...
@nico peligroBetween your explainer and that of someone else, I now have a clearer picture of what this minimum salary increase means in Colombia. So thanks for that.This all makes me feel more confident that I am making the right decision by ... Read More
Safety from Scopolomine - bank accounts - phone apps - passwords by stealtannest3t
I don't frequent bars or use dating apps but there is still a small risk of being 'scoped' while living in Colombia. So for the group what precautions have you implemented to reduce the losses if you have the misfortune of being 'scoped'? For me I ...
@nico peligro Well, dang. That's a whole lotta Colombian history that I wasn't quite aware of, thanks.Can you expand upon your predictions about how the salary increase will be bad for expats? (I'm just curious academically, because I've already ... Read More