Originally Posted by
camaro1257
Reasons for the downturn in Sosua
I really don't have a definitive answer for the downturn what I can say is that I am in a couple other monger groups and with them Medellin, Colombia is off the chain, so much so it has me thinking did I pick the wrong place to retire?
Click to see pic
In reference to this point I don't know if mongers are finding other playgrounds and that could contribute to the decline in Sosua. As for Sosua I suspect part of the reason is that it is low season, when it gets cold up north things should pick up but we shall see. It appears as if despite the weekend warrior crew Sosua is in decline from the CESTUR harassing the chicas to fewer men in town I have no idea what the future holds for our beloved Hoe Town.
Cam, you're way ahead of most of us - you've made the Big Jump where others have not, or at any rate not yet. You've been living in the DR since last December, right? That's long enough to get proficient with handling the expat life ... but it isn't long enough to put down significant roots, is it?
I'm not saying "just do it," I'm suggesting ... why not have a look at it, anyway.
Question 1: What attracted you to the DR in the first place, aside from cost-of-living and price-of-pussy? Those are going to be pretty similar in Medellin, from what I observed in my brief visit. Blue Devil would be the one to ask, though.
(Question 1A: How important is it for you to live by the ocean? Is the beach scene a big deal to you, or could you get along without it? According to Google Maps, the nearest beach towns to Medellin are about an 8-hour drive away.)
Question 2: How much "stuff" do you have that you'd definitely take, if you move again? Clothing? Electronics? Mementos? Recreational gear? Tools? Books, CDs, DVDs? Small appliances and furniture?
(Question 2A: Are you comfortable with selling your car and buying another in Colombia?)
Question 3 - but maybe this should be Question Zero: Is there anything (aside from cost) that would dissuade you from spending a month or so in Medellin, getting an apartment in Laureles or Poblado, and checking out the scene? Perhaps you might want to time it with an ISOC Invasion, to help you get your feet under you in the first place. (I would!)
I'll be the first to say this is "advice from the blind." My time & experience in the DR is quite limited, and short-term in nature; in Medellin, even more so. I'm hoping, more properly planning, to visit Medellin again next year, with some of our ISOC compadres. It's a growing, burgeoning city, a city of "eternal spring" at 5000 feet elevation, in a valley surrounded by 9000-foot mountains. But I want to live near the ocean, very possibly on the ocean in a cruising yacht, and that rules out Medellin for me, except for the occasional visit.
As always, your mileage may vary. Give it a try, if you like - good luck, and good hunting!
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